Theoretical Physics  (PPS1)

This program provides a positive experience of physics and encourages students to foster and maintain an intellectual curiosity in the discipline, specifically in the area of theoretical physics. We encourage/educate our students to become active, lifelong and autonomous learners with good prospects of employment in economic sectors requiring analytical skills or for further study of the subject. Our students will become well grounded in the fundamentals of physics with an appreciation of more specialised knowledge and the current frontiers of research. Courses in applied and computational mathematics complement physics courses. Our learning environment emphasises laboratory work at all stages, combining in-class, project and problem-solving work including data analysis and programming. Our students will be imbued with professional values including scientific integrity and ethical behaviour, and the ability to communicate complex information effectively. We deepen the mathematical training, allowing students to describe the physical world from the smallest to the largest scales using mathematics and theoretical models. Assessment is based on individual work, group work, work in the laboratory, project work including student presentation and written report.

1 - On successful completion of the programme, students will have acquired a good understanding of the core of physics (as defined by the Institue of Physics degree accreditation document), and students will appreciate the current boundaries of scientific knowledge.
2 - Students will be able to tackle problems in physics and formulate an appropriate solution
3 - Students will be able to use mathematics to describe the physical world
4 - Students will be able to plan, execute and report the results of an experiment or investigation
5 - Students will be able to compare results critically with predictions from theory
6 - Students will have acquired communications skills
7 - Students will have acquired analytical skills
8 - Students will have acquired IT skills
9 - Students will have acquired personal skills, the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, interact constructively with other people, and show leadership in their area of expertise.
10 - Students will have acquired ethical behaviour, including critical thinking, understanding of arguments and consequences, and scientific integrity
11 - Students will be flexible, able to adapt and contribute to the theoretical and modelling aspects in any research and development team.

Students’ performance will be reviewed at the end of the academic year. Students who fail 50% or more of their registered modules, and who fail to progress to the next stage of their programme, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic progress policy. Students’ performance will continue to be reviewed in subsequent trimesters and students will be invited to meetings with the College of Science office for support and guidance.

Where the rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable, a case will be submitted to the Governing Board for review. A recommendation for discontinuation may be the outcome of this review.

As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

Using advanced mathematics, you will learn to understand and predict the behaviour of physical systems ranging from the subatomic to astronomical scales.

The Theoretical Physics programme puts emphasis on the mathematical description of physical phenomena and provides a unified description of the fundamental laws of nature. The degree comprehensively covers Theoretical Physics and includes areas such as Quantum Mechanics, Condensed Matter Theory, Special and General Relativity Theory and Cosmology, Quantum Field Theory, Statistical Mechanics and Theoretical Astrophysics.

The programme offers knowledge and experience in problem-solving using analytical and numerical techniques, which have wide application in, for example, biophysics and econophysics.

STAGES 1 & 2
This course provides you with an introduction to all the major areas of Theoretical Physics including Relativity Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Atomic Physics, Nuclear Physics and Computational Physics.

STAGES 3 & 4
Advanced topics are covered in the final two stages. These include:
- General Relativity
- Electromagnetic Theory
- Quantum Gravity
- Quantum Field Theory
- Statistical Mechanics
- Theoretical Astrophysics
- Fluid Mechanics
- High Energy Physics
- Condensed Matter Physics

Students can apply to study for a trimester or year in third year in a number of universities worldwide including University of California, Berkeley; University of California, Santa Cruz; San Jose State University, and University of Melbourne.

Theoretical Physics graduates can choose to develop careers in a variety of sectors including academic and government research Institutions, energy technologies, information and communication technology, advanced materials (e.g. semiconductor industry), management consulting, stock market and financial risk analysis, climate change and environmental impact analysis, and second and third-level education.

The Theoretical Physics degree is an accredited Physics degree and graduates are well prepared for further research and have successfully completed PhDs in MIT, Caltech, Harvard, Princeton and Cambridge, as well as in UCD.

UCD Science Office

You can contact the UCD Science Office in the following ways:

• Submit your query using our dedicated Contact Form.


• Drop into the office in the UCD O'Brien Centre for Science, Science East, Room E1.09. Our office opening hours are 10am to 4pm (during term time).

Stage 3

Students take 7 core modules, 1 Physics option module and 1 Applied and Computational Mathematics option module. To complete 60 credits for Stage 3, students may select 10 credits from elective modules or alternatively, students can take additional modules from the option list below.

Stage 4

Students take 20 credits of core modules plus one 5 credit module must be taken from section A. 35 credits are taken from the option modules.

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

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Module Weighting Info