Physics is about the fundamental laws of the universe that govern living as well as non-living systems. It is a fundamental science involving a deep understanding of nature derived from mathematical and experimental insights. Advanced lecture modules are offered that cover core areas of Physics such as Quantum Mechanics, Nuclear Physics, Elementary Particle Physics, Condensed Matter Physics and General Relativity and also include electives in areas such as Astrophysics, Applied Optics, Biophysics, Environmental Physics and Medical Physics. Recent Physics graduates have pursued careers in industry (electronics, computers, telecommunications), hospitals (medical imaging, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy), government and semi-state services, national laboratories, banking, finance, insurance and academic research. Related fields in which physicists find employment include geophysics, chemical physics, biophysics, computer science and materials science and the energy sector.
- School
- School of Physics
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Level
- Undergraduate
- NFQ Level
- 8
- Award
- Mode of Delivery
- On Campus
- Programme Director
- Assoc Professor Patrick Orr
- Overall Programme Credits:
- 240
- Programme Credits:
- N/A
- Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
- Stage 1: 10
Curricular information is subject to change.
Stage 1
Students must select 12 modules (60 credits) in Stage 1 with at least 11 modules (55 credits) from within the BSc programme. Core and option modules should be taken as directed in the selected subject stream(s). Additional options may be selected from within the BSc programme. It is recommended that students who wish to pursue this subject up to degree level should take the level 1 option modules listed below in Stage 1.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
SCI10010 | Principles of Scientific Enquiry | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHYC10080 | Frontiers of Physics | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students who did not achieve a H5 or better (or equivalent) in Leaving Certificate Physics must take PHYC10070 Foundations of Physics. Student that did not receive an O1 or H5 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics must take MATH00010. Students who wish to pursue a degree in Theoretical Physics, Physics or Physics with Astronomy & Space Science, and who did not achieve a H5 or above in Higher Level Leaving Certificate Applied Mathematics must take ACM10080 in Stage 1. Students who did not obtain a H5 or higher in Higher Level Leaving Certificate Computer Science must take COMP10290 in Stage 1. |
ACM10080 | Introduction to Applied and Computational Mathematics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students who did not achieve a H5 or better (or equivalent) in Leaving Certificate Physics must take PHYC10070 Foundations of Physics. Student that did not receive an O1 or H5 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics must take MATH00010. Students who wish to pursue a degree in Theoretical Physics, Physics or Physics with Astronomy & Space Science, and who did not achieve a H5 or above in Higher Level Leaving Certificate Applied Mathematics must take ACM10080 in Stage 1. Students who did not obtain a H5 or higher in Higher Level Leaving Certificate Computer Science must take COMP10290 in Stage 1. |
COMP10290 | Computation for Scientists | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students who did not achieve a H5 or better (or equivalent) in Leaving Certificate Physics must take PHYC10070 Foundations of Physics. Student that did not receive an O1 or H5 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics must take MATH00010. Students who wish to pursue a degree in Theoretical Physics, Physics or Physics with Astronomy & Space Science, and who did not achieve a H5 or above in Higher Level Leaving Certificate Applied Mathematics must take ACM10080 in Stage 1. Students who did not obtain a H5 or higher in Higher Level Leaving Certificate Computer Science must take COMP10290 in Stage 1. |
MATH00010 | Introduction to Mathematics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students who did not achieve a H5 or better (or equivalent) in Leaving Certificate Physics must take PHYC10070 Foundations of Physics. Student that did not receive an O1 or H5 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics must take MATH00010. Students who wish to pursue a degree in Theoretical Physics, Physics or Physics with Astronomy & Space Science, and who did not achieve a H5 or above in Higher Level Leaving Certificate Applied Mathematics must take ACM10080 in Stage 1. Students who did not obtain a H5 or higher in Higher Level Leaving Certificate Computer Science must take COMP10290 in Stage 1. |
PHYC10070 | Foundations of Physics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Students who wish to continue with Physics, Astronomy and Space Science must take PHYC10050 in either Stage 1 or Stage 2. 1. Students who wish to continue with Theoretical Physics must take ACM10060 in Stage 1. Students who wish to keep both Theoretical Physics and Physics with Astronomy and Space Science as options in stage 2 are recommended to choose PHYC20080 Fields, Waves and Light in Stage 1. PHYC20080 should only be taken by students in Stage 1 if they have achieved H5 in both Mathematics and Physics at Leaving Certificate. PHYC10250 is required for all Physics subjects and must be taken in Stage 1 or Stage 2. |
PHYC10050 | Astronomy & Space Science | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Students who wish to continue with Physics, Astronomy and Space Science must take PHYC10050 in either Stage 1 or Stage 2. 1. Students who wish to continue with Theoretical Physics must take ACM10060 in Stage 1. Students who wish to keep both Theoretical Physics and Physics with Astronomy and Space Science as options in stage 2 are recommended to choose PHYC20080 Fields, Waves and Light in Stage 1. PHYC20080 should only be taken by students in Stage 1 if they have achieved H5 in both Mathematics and Physics at Leaving Certificate. PHYC10250 is required for all Physics subjects and must be taken in Stage 1 or Stage 2. |
PHYC10250 | Thermal Physics and Materials | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Students who wish to continue with Physics, Astronomy and Space Science must take PHYC10050 in either Stage 1 or Stage 2. 1. Students who wish to continue with Theoretical Physics must take ACM10060 in Stage 1. Students who wish to keep both Theoretical Physics and Physics with Astronomy and Space Science as options in stage 2 are recommended to choose PHYC20080 Fields, Waves and Light in Stage 1. PHYC20080 should only be taken by students in Stage 1 if they have achieved H5 in both Mathematics and Physics at Leaving Certificate. PHYC10250 is required for all Physics subjects and must be taken in Stage 1 or Stage 2. |
ACM10060 | Applications of Differential Equations | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Students who wish to continue with Physics, Astronomy and Space Science must take PHYC10050 in either Stage 1 or Stage 2. 1. Students who wish to continue with Theoretical Physics must take ACM10060 in Stage 1. Students who wish to keep both Theoretical Physics and Physics with Astronomy and Space Science as options in stage 2 are recommended to choose PHYC20080 Fields, Waves and Light in Stage 1. PHYC20080 should only be taken by students in Stage 1 if they have achieved H5 in both Mathematics and Physics at Leaving Certificate. PHYC10250 is required for all Physics subjects and must be taken in Stage 1 or Stage 2. |
PHYC20080 | Fields, Waves and Light | Spring | 5 |