Joint Honours in Physics and PhilosophyThe Schools of Physics and of Philosophy offer two joint honours degree programmes 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 they still 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 in philosophy, for example through additional reading, 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 School 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 either of the single honours courses.
In the second year of the joint honours programme you spend approximately two thirds of your time studying core physics subjects along with practical work in laboratory and computational physics. The other third of your time comprises lectures in the School of Philosophy.
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 programme you will need to achieve a good pass in your examinations at the end of the second year. You can also transfer to honours BSc or MSci Physics (F300 or F303) at any time until the beginning of the third year.
A major proportion of the final year is spent on a research project or scientific dissertation where you work in a research group with a member of staff.
The third year of the MSci programme 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 again equally weighted between physics and philosophy. The physics component comprises a mandatory research project and optional courses in physics. In philosophy there is a wide range of options from the School of Philosophy.