MSci in Mathematics and Physics within the Natural Sciences programme (FGC0): 2023-2024
The current course structure is shown in the table below that consists of modules which must be studied in the appropriate year - click on the module code for the current module content. After Year 1, students focus solely on studying Mathematics and Physics. If students don't wish to take a particular module or include a third subject then it may be possible take up the option of the more flexible "MSci in Natural Sciences degree. The subjects in which modules have been taken successfully in the final two years are as follows: Mathematics and Physics". As the rules below permit, students may take up to 80 credits in one subject and no less than 40 credits in the other subject and always take precisely 120 credits in one year. UCAS applicants are invited to use the app to discover the key modules to self-build a degree
| Year 1 | |
| Mathematics | 60 credits: Analysis I (MATH1051), Calculus I (MATH1061), Linear Algebra I (MATH1071) |
| Physics | 60 credits: Foundations Of Physics 1 (PHYS1122), Discovery Skills In Physics (PHYS1101) |
| Year 2 | |
| Mathematics | 60 credits: Complex Analysis II (MATH2011), Analysis In Many Variables II (MATH2031) and a further 20 credits from the Level 2 Mathematics list Note: Mathematical Physics II (MATH2071) or Theoretical Physics 2 (PHYS2631) must be taken. |
| Physics | 60 credits: Foundations Of Physics 2A (PHYS2581), Foundations Of Physics 2B (PHYS2591) and a further 20 credits from the Level 2 Physics list. Note: Mathematical Physics II (MATH2071) or Theoretical Physics 2 (PHYS2631) must be taken. |
| Year 3 | |
| Mathematics | 60 credits: from the Level 3 Mathematics list that are starred. |
| Physics | 60 credits: Foundations Of Physics 3A (PHYS3621), (EITHER Theoretical Physics 3 (PHYS3661) if Theoretical Physics 2 (PHYS2631) was taken in Year 2 OR 20 credits from the Level 3 Physics list) and a further 20 credits from the Level 3 Physics list |
| Year 4 | |
| Mathematics | 40 credits: from the Level 4 Mathematics list that are starred. |
| Physics | 40 credits: from the Level 4 Physics list |
| Students must take a Dissertation/Project module in Year 4 from the following list: | |
| Project modules | 40 credit Project IV (MATH4072); 60 credit Project (PHYS4213); |
Further details about the modules in the Physics list.
Below is an example of modules that are timetabled to satisfy these rules except in Year 4 where the set may not satisfy the rules above to increase flexibility of choice of modules. Click on the single digit numbered link on the left to see a sample timetable and the module code to see details about the module such as content, contact hours, teaching methods and assessment methods.
| 1 | Analysis I (MATH1051) | Calculus I (MATH1061) | Linear Algebra I (MATH1071) | Discovery Skills In Physics (PHYS1101) | Foundations Of Physics 1 (PHYS1122) | ||||||
| 2 | Complex Analysis II (MATH2011) | Analysis In Many Variables II (MATH2031) | Algebra II (MATH2581) | Discovery Skills In Physics (PHYS1101) | Foundations Of Physics 2A (PHYS2581) | Theoretical Physics 2 (PHYS2631) | |||||
| 2 | Complex Analysis II (MATH2011) | Analysis In Many Variables II (MATH2031) | Special Relativity And Electromagnetism II (MATH2657) | Topology II (MATH2727) | Foundations Of Physics 2A (PHYS2581) | Foundations Of Physics 2B (PHYS2591) | Theoretical Physics 2 (PHYS2631) | ||||
| 3 | Differential Geometry III (MATH3021) | Fluid Mechanics III (MATH3101) | Solitons III (MATH3231) | Foundations Of Physics 3A (PHYS3621) | Foundations Of Physics 3B (PHYS3631) | Theoretical Physics 3 (PHYS3661) | |||||
| 3 | Differential Geometry III (MATH3021) | Fluid Mechanics III (MATH3101) | Solitons III (MATH3231) | Foundations Of Physics 3A (PHYS3621) | Planets And Cosmology 3 (PHYS3651) | Theoretical Physics 3 (PHYS3661) | |||||
| 3 | Dynamical Systems III (MATH3091) | Topology III (MATH3281) | Quantum Computing III (MATH3391) | Foundations Of Physics 3A (PHYS3621) | Foundations Of Physics 3B (PHYS3631) | Theoretical Physics 3 (PHYS3661) | |||||
| 4 | General Relativity IV (MATH4051) | Statistical Mechanics IV (MATH4231) | Superstrings IV (MATH4271) | Atoms, Lasers And Qubits (PHYS4121) | Advanced Theoretical Physics (PHYS4141) | Particle Theory (PHYS4181) | |||||
| 4 | General Relativity IV (MATH4051) | Advanced Quantum Theory IV (MATH4061) | Superstrings IV (MATH4271) | Project (PHYS4213) | |||||||
| 4 | General Relativity IV (MATH4051) | Advanced Quantum Theory IV (MATH4061) | Statistical Mechanics IV (MATH4231) | Project (PHYS4213) | |||||||
| 4 | General Relativity IV (MATH4051) | Riemannian Geometry IV (MATH4171) | Superstrings IV (MATH4271) | Atoms, Lasers And Qubits (PHYS4121) | Advanced Theoretical Physics (PHYS4141) | Particle Theory (PHYS4181) |
Note that:
- You can vary the balance between the two subjects in all years assuming the rules below and timetable will allow it.
- Not all combinations of the modules which make up the degree rules are guaranteed to timetable, but one set will.
- If no student is following the Joint-Honours degree in a given year, then we do not ask for modules to be timetabled for that cohort in the following year.
- The timetable changes each year.
- Future changes in the Joint-Honours rules are either flagged up in the programme regulations in the Faculty Handbook or in the Mathematics/Physics advice.
- Students are welcome to suggest to the Director better guaranteed combinations, but due to the quality assurance process and timetabling the lead in time is one year.
For more information about the Natural Sciences degree programme, please contact:
Dr. James Blowey
Deputy Head of Faculty
Faculty of Science Office
Level 3 Chemistry Building
Durham University
DH1 3LE
UK
Email: Natural Sciences Director
WWW: Natural Sciences home page
The Natural Sciences web pages are maintained by James Blowey
