Physics

Physics at university is a completely different experience to physics at A Level 😲

You'll review well-known ideas like classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum theory, but with TONNES more mathematical rigor and experimental techniques 😅 For unprepared pupils, this can come as a big surprise.

Compared to A Level Physics, which is more focused on fundamental principles, at degree level, the course requires a lot of critical thinking to do well.

Physics assignments are expected to be written scientifically, with expectations to show your working and reasoning. You also will be required to write many lab reports. You are given the opportunity to conduct your physics experiments on your own or in groups. However, this means that there is a heavy emphasis on coding (Python, MATLAB) and data analysis, which often comes as a shock to students.

Some interesting topics are Thermal Physics & Properties of Matter, quantum physics, astrophysics, and the physics of renewable energy, biophysics and even medical physics & imaging!

Since physics is such a broad topic and research is always evolving, the variety of module options are broad and applicable to many fields. For example, the physics of renewable energy is a new module delivered by the engineering department which is highly relevant to the present day. A second example would be exploring how physics is involved in the medical world with medical physics & imaging.

**Note: **instead of emphasizing specific applications, physics degrees typically place more emphasis on theoretical physics and research.

Physics graduates have a wide array of career prospects due to the versatile and analytical skills they develop during their studies. Here are some common career paths:

Research and Academia:

University Lecturer/Professor: Teaching and conducting research at academic institutions. Research Scientist: Working in laboratories or research institutions, focusing on pure or applied physics.

Engineering:

Mechanical/Electrical Engineer: Designing and developing mechanical or electrical systems. Aerospace Engineer: Working on the design, development, and testing of aircraft and spacecraft.

Technology and IT:

Software Developer: Writing and testing code for various applications, often leveraging skills in computational physics. Data Scientist/Analyst: Analyzing large sets of data to find patterns and insights, often using statistical and computational tools.

Finance and Banking:

Quantitative Analyst (Quant): Using mathematical models to predict market trends and manage financial risk. Investment Analyst: Evaluating financial data to provide investment advice.

Healthcare and Medical Physics:

Medical Physicist: Applying physics principles to develop medical technologies and improve diagnostic imaging techniques. Biophysicist: Studying the physical principles of living organisms and their processes.

Energy Sector:

Renewable Energy Consultant: Working on the development and optimization of renewable energy sources. Nuclear Physicist: Researching and developing nuclear energy technologies.

Government and Public Policy:

Science Policy Advisor: Providing scientific expertise to inform public policy decisions. Patent Examiner: Assessing patent applications for new technologies and inventions.

Education:

Secondary School Teacher: Teaching physics at the high school level. Communication and Outreach:

Science Communicator: Writing, producing, or presenting content that explains complex scientific ideas to the public. Technical Writer: Creating manuals, documentation, and guides for technical products.

Consulting:

Management Consultant: Advising businesses on improving efficiency, often using analytical and problem-solving skills honed in physics.

Physics graduates are valued for their strong analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and quantitative expertise, making them suitable for a variety of roles across different industries.