Course overview

Physics, at its most fundamental, is the means by which we understand our world. It has driven much of the progress that mankind has made and it will do so in the future. Consider so many of the things that we take for granted today, modern communications, safe and reliable transport, computing, the most advanced health technologies, none of these would exist without physics and physicists.

This course is aimed at those who want to study a physics-based degree and are motivated not only by the fundamental knowledge and understanding that physics offers, but also by the application of physics to real-world problems such as limiting pollution, climate change and alternative energy sources. The University of Portsmouth has major research strengths in cosmology and astrophysics, environmental science, biophysics, biomechanics, materials science and nanotechnology, and you will be taught by experts in their fields.

The course emphasises the development of knowledge and understanding through a practical problem-solving approach based on real-world issues. Field and laboratory work are fully integrated into the programme, with a residential field course (typically overseas) offered in year two. Much of the work is further enhanced by visits to relevant sites and organisations.

Course content

Year one

The first year begins with the development of the necessary knowledge and understanding that, along with relevant practical and problem-solving skills, will enable you to contribute to solving a wide variety of problems. Skills with mathematical and computational techniques are ensured through dedicated units taught by experts from a range of physics disciplines. Units such as Applications and Impacts of Physics also examine the broader role of physics and its contribution to modern life.

Year two

The second year extends and applies the understanding and skills developed in your first year, with an emphasis on the application and usefulness of physics. There is a core of further physics units in compliance with the Institute of Physics core curriculum, but these are supplemented by a range of optional units. Examples of some of the subjects covered include:

• Waves and Optics: essential for modern communication and remote sensing techniques, quantum, atomic and nuclear physics – the very basis of matter and our existence.
• Energy Resources: fossil fuels and renewables.
• Quantum and Atomic Physics: the physics of the structure and behaviour of matter at the most fundamental levels, which underpins much of the technology that is already integrated into our lives today and holds so much promise for the future.
• Universe – Planetary Systems, Stars and Galaxies: includes opportunities for observatory work.
• Foreign Language: an optional unit.
• Practical Laboratory and Field Physics: a series of industry-inspired projects.

Year three/final year

A major part of the third year consists of a field or laboratory project that enables you to use your knowledge and skills in the investigation and solution of a well-defined and often environmental-related problem. There are also core and optional units. Examples of some of the subjects covered during this year include:

• Health Physics: this unit looks at how physics plays a vital role in the functioning of the human body and can save lives through radiotherapy and other diagnostic systems.
• Solid State Physics and its Application in Detector Development: crystallography has enabled us to understand the nature of the solid state, playing a vital role in the discovery of the structure of DNA and influencing everything from ground stability under buildings to the semiconductor revolution.
• Modern Astrophysics: What happens when a star collapses under its own gravity? How did the universe begin and what is its future? These questions define the context within which new physics is likely to emerge as physicists struggle to unite quantum theory and gravity.
• Global Climate Change: understanding and modelling the climate system is a complex task that uses every aspects of physics. This unit will help you understand the interplay of all the physical processes involved and the development of models to investigate various future scenarios.
• Scientific Modelling: computer modelling and simulation play an ever increasing role in understanding physical systems.

Teaching and assessment

You will be taught in a variety of ways, but our emphasis is always on active learning. The degree has been designed to progressively encourage you towards independent life-long learning and to develop your research skills and interests. By the final year of the course, much of your learning should therefore be under your own control with the support and supervision of our academic staff.

Classes will include lectures, practicals and fieldwork, seminars, workshops and projects, with comprehensive learning support from the academic staff, our excellent central learning services and our virtual learning environment.

There is also an optional foreign study tour in which the skills developed in previous work can be put to the test in the field. Credit will be accrued mainly through coursework, practical work (both laboratory and field based), presentations, production of posters and portfolios, the researchbased final-year project and some formal examinations.

Career prospects

Applied physics graduates are highly regarded in many areas of industry, the civil service and other institutions. They may work in IT, electronics, defence, communications, health, energy, aerospace and many other industries. Many physics graduates with modelling experience also go into a range of financial services. Other graduates will develop and specialise via study programmes at Master’s level, while some may choose a postgraduate research degree in order to focus on a topic chosen from an extensive range of research opportunities.

Facilities and features

You will have access to a wide range of facilities including:

• specialist software and IT suites
• advanced lab and field-based monitoring and analytical equipment, enabling the monitoring of weather conditions, pollutants, ionising and non-ionising radiation levels and many other parameters of interest

You will have access to well-stocked student laboratories that hold all the equipment required for a wide range of challenging practical work, as well as opportunities to use a range of advanced scientific equipment including:

• X-ray diffraction
• X-ray fluorescence
• electron and atomic force microscopes
• various types of spectroscopy including ICPMS, GCMS and AAS

Expert technical staff will always be available to assist and guide you.

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Applied Physics for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).