Joint Honours in Physics and Philosophy
We offer two Joint Honours degree courses in Physics and Philosophy: a four year programme leading to the degree of MSci (FVH5) and a three year programme leading to the degree of BSc (FV35). Historically, Physics and Philosophy were closely related, and still they share many conceptual concerns. In these programmes you will be able to explore these connections, as a bridge between Science and the Arts. A prior knowledge of philosophy is not required, but evidence of an interest, through additional reading for example, is preferred.
In the first year of these programmes you spend one third of your time studying physics, one third of your time studying mathematics and one third of your time studying philosophy. The philosophy course is given in the Department of Philosophy and emphasises how to philosophise rather than surveying the history of the subject. The lectures divide into metaphysics and the theory of knowledge and ethics. At the end of the first year it is still possible to transfer to the single honours courses.
In the second year of the programme you spend approximately two thirds of your time studying core physics subjects along with practical work in laboratory and computational physics in the Physics Department. The other third comprises lectures in the Philosophy Department. It is possible to transfer between the BSc and MSci programmes at any time until the beginning of the third year but in order to proceed to the third year of the MSci course you will need to achieve a good pass in your examinations at the end of the second year. You can also transfer to the honours BSc or MSci Physics (F300 and F303) at any time until the beginning of the third year.
BSc Physics and Philosophy |
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UCAS code: FV35 |
Course Length: 3 years |
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A major proportion of the final year is spent on a research project or scientific dissertation where you spend 20 weeks working in a research group with a member of staff. |
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MSci Physics and Philosophy |
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UCAS code: FVH5 |
Course Length: 4 years |
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The third year of the MSci course is comprised of courses equally weighted between Physics and Philosophy. The physics component consists of five sixths of core physics courses and one sixth of physics options. In philosophy there is a wide range of options. The final year of the course is equally weighted between the Physics and Philosophy Departments. The physics component comprises a mandatory research project and optional courses in physics. In philosophy there is a wide range of options from the philosophy course. |
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