BSc (Hons)
Applied Physics
Applied physics for the real world
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Interested in current problems such as limiting pollution, climate change and alternative energy sources? This course not only establishes a fundamental knowledge and understanding of physics, but also considers the application of physics to real-world issues.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Visit relevant sites and organisations
- Test in the field on a foreign study tour
- Investigate real-world problems using our excellent facilities and analytical equipment
What opportunities might it lead to?
Designed to progressively encourage you towards independent life-long learning and to develop your research skills and interests, this degree could lead to further study or research.
Alternatively, physics graduates are highly regarded in many areas of industry, the civil service and other institutions.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- working in IT
- electronics
- defence communications
- health
- energy
- aerospace
The best thing about the course is the wide range of issues that you learn about in the world of physics.
Josh Davies, BSc (Hons) Applied Physics student 2012
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- F310
- Duration
- 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry
220-260 points to include 2 A levels or equivalent, with 80 points from A level physics, mathematics or electronics.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £11,900 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- sci.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 5550 - Department
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Subject:
Mathematics and Physics
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- The practical problem-solving approach based on real-world issues
- Approachable lecturers who are doing current research
- Relevant work placements to help build employability skills
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
Key subjects covered in the first year include mathematics, physics, chemistry, basic electronics, physics in the environment and laboratory skills.
Alongside this you’ll learn the relevant practical and problem-solving skills, such as computational techniques that will be an important tool throughout your course.
Year two
The second year has a distinct emphasis on the application and usefulness of physics in this year. There is a structure of further physics units in compliance with the Institute of Physics core curriculum, but these are supplemented by a range of optional units.
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Waves and Optics
- Energy Resources
- Quantum and Atomic Physics
- Universe – Planetary Systems, Stars and Galaxies
- Practical Laboratory and Field Physics
Year three*
A major part of the third year consists of a field or laboratory project that enables you to investigate and find a solution to a well-defined and often environmental problem.
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Health Physics
- Solid State Physics and its Application in Detector Development
- Modern Astrophysics
- Global Climate Change
- Scientific Modelling
*This course is also available as a 4-year sandwich (work placement)
Teaching and Assessment
You will be taught in a variety of ways, but our emphasis is always on active learning. We use a combination of lectures, practicals and fieldwork, seminars, workshops and projects, with comprehensive learning support from the academic staff.
How are you assessed?
There is a variety ways in which you are assessed. Here’s how:
- coursework,
- practical work (both laboratory and field based)
- presentations
- production of posters and portfolios
- a research based final-year project
Tutor's view
Dr Chris Dewdney
Applied Physics
This course will provide you with a deep understanding of the fundamental laws of physics and their application in explaining the nature of the material world on all scales and in the ongoing development of modern innovative technologies.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Specialist Software
There is a range of advanced equipment
Laboratories
Our labs house a wide range of monitoring and analytical equipment
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books
Specialist Software and Scientific Equipment
There is a range of advanced equipment with expert technical staff always available to assist you. Here are a few examples:
- x-ray diffraction
- x-ray fluorescence
- electron and atomic force microscopes
- various types of spectroscopy including ICPMS, GCMS and AAS
Laboratories
Our well-stocked student labs house a wide range of monitoring and analytical equipment for challenging practical work. Such equipment allows for the monitoring of weather conditions, pollutants, ionising and non-ionising radiation levels and many other parameters of interest.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
From the start you get to use equipment like Labview - the same computer programme used by CERN to run the Large Hadron Collider, among many other applications.
Liam Rice, BSc (Hons) Applied Physics student
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Applied Physics graduates have several opportunities open to them. Some develop and specialise via study programmes at Master’s level, while some may choose a postgraduate research degree in order to focus on a chosen topic of interest.
Recent graduates employed in roles ranging from medical physics, scientific journalism, teaching and medical research. Many highly numerate physics graduates with modelling experience also go into a range of financial services.
Work experience
Taking a placement year in industry could be one of the best decisions you make as more often than not, it leads to further opportunities after graduation. SPEC, our Student Placement and Employability Centre, not only helps you to arrange your placement but acts as a source of information and guidance throughout the recruitment process and beyond. We help on everything related to employability skills as well as assisting you in gaining other types of work experience.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Once I finish my course I would like to carry on doing a Master’s in science, especially with the idea to carry on doing medical physics.
Roxana Waughman, BSc (Hons) Applied Physics student 2013
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more