MSc — 2025 entry Physics

These lectures describe in detail the principles of radiation detection, measurement and dosimetry.

Lectures provide a detailed and systematic overview of atomic and nuclear physics including basic energetics of radioactive decay. An introduction on interactions of radiation with matter and introductory material describing detector operation.

The module will provide students with practical skills and background knowledge needed to work in a radiation laboratory. Laboratory sessions are designed to provide the student with practical experience in handling radioactive substances, detectors and instrumentation.

This course starts with an overview of human biology, followed by a discussion of the nature of the interaction of ionising and non-ionising radiation with biological systems. The course emphasises the effects at the cellular level and the impact that this has on the individual and across the population. The behaviour and effects of ingested and inhaled radionuclides are also covered.

The module will provide students with practical skills and background knowledge needed to work in a clinical setting. It includes two seminars/workshop on research ethics and intellectual property and a set of radiation laboratory experiments.

This module introduces six advanced topics in physics. Students will be assessed on only four of these topics, with individuals self-selecting the contact sessions, coursework options and exam questions that reflect their preference. An indicative list of these topics include: biological physics, special relativity, particle physics, cosmology, nuclear astrophysics, and quantum computing.

Quantum computers are built around a central processing unit which is a physical device operating according to the rules of quantum mechanics. This module teaches the principles of how quantum processors are built and how they function. The module follows the superconducting architecture, which currently has a significant role in the industry and has been widely studied and implemented. The module will start with reviewing the basic physics required to understand superconducting qubits and the theory of superconducting circuits. It will then continue to the operation of such qubits to perform gates, storage, and readout. After studying the basic building blocks and operations, the module will discuss early demonstrations of important algorithms on superconducting processors. These will lead us naturally to the important topics of improving performance through protection of coherence, advanced control, and validation. The last part of the module will focus on state-of-the-art superconducting processors, focusing on the various challenges in scaling up and the strategies that the industry is pursuing to overcome them.

The first half of this module covers various applications of statistical physics to model share prices and financial markets. This mathematics is then applied to calculating prices for some examples of financial derivatives. The second half of the module then focusses on optimization problems with examples including logistics, aerospace, traffic control and finance (which includes pricing, risk managements and portfolio optimizations in financial markets). There is a particular focus on the role of quantum optimization and the use of quantum computer algorithms in finance.

This 15-credit M-Level module introduces important topics and techniques in theoretical physics that have a wide range of applications in many areas physics and engineering and which the students will not have met before. Both the mathematical techniques and their applications are covered at a level appropriate for Masters level students coming to the end of their degree and who should be able to pull many different ideas in theoretical physics together.

Radiations of various types are widely used for therapeutic purposes. The bulk of hospital physicists work with ionising radiation and hence the topic is fundamental for anyone entering the profession. In this module, an introduction is given to radiotherapy systems, for beam delivery, guidance and dosimetry. Around one-third of the module is then devoted to a number of key uses of non-ionising radiation in delivery of various therapies, with sources based on laser light, uv and high-intensity focused ultrasound.

Ionising radiation is widely used for diagnostic purposes, and multi-modality imaging is now becoming ubiquitous. The majority of hospital physicists work with ionising radiation and hence the topic is fundamental for anyone entering the profession. In this module, an introduction is given to imaging systems and image perception. Detailed lectures then cover X-radiography, X-ray computed tomography, radiopharmaceuticals, nuclear medicine. The lectures will be supported by an assessed nuclear medicine practical and by tutorials in image processing and image registration.

The module is designed to give students knowledge of the basic physics that underpins nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR / MRI) and ultrasound, together with details of common imaging strategies.It delivers material on the basic principles of NMR and medical MRI . It also provides an introduction to ultrasound, a major non-ionising radiation imaging modality, with lectures complemented by three laboratory sessions.

This module aims to provide an advanced level understanding of explosive nuclear astrophysics and the physics of stars. In particular, the course will provide an analytical underpinning of resonant reaction rates, together with the experimental techniques involved in their determination, as well as a theoretical treatment of nuclear reactions and celestial objects.

This module will introduce the students to the principles and formalism of General Relativity and its applications to Black Holes and astrophysical phenomena.

The course provides an introduction to nuclear energy generation and applications of nuclear science. Nuclear reactors, their physics and operation are described. Nuclear reactor safety case work is also discussed. Future potential energy generation mechanisms such including nuclear fusion will be discussed. The module will also present a range of applications of radioactivity measurement including aspects of Environmental Science and Medical Diagnogstics and treatment therapy. The module will include some aspects of calculus and first order differential equations.

Quantum Mechanics topics are essential building blocks for our understanding of many physical systems. The module assumes basic knowledge in quantum mechanics from modules in earlier years, but will provide a review at the beginning. Topics include a review of quantum mechanics, operator methods and applications to the harmonic oscillator, spin & angular momentum, symmetries in quantum mechanics. The second half of the module then moves beyond isolated quantum systems by addressing the topic of Quantum Entanglement and Quantum Coherence. Here the important concepts of entanglement and decoherence will be studied by developing an understanding of open quantum systems and the density matrix formalism.

This module comprises two independent halves, on quantum simulations (Q Sim), and quantum biology (Q Bio).Quantum Simulation. The quantum simulation part of this module introduces students to the use of quantum computers in the simulation of physical systems using mapping of Hamiltonians from standard quantum mechanics to a representation suitable for application on quantum computers, along with a study of wavefunction ansatz design, algorithms, and error mitigation and correction.Quantum biology is the study of how quantum mechanical phenomena, such as quantum superposition, tunnelling, and entanglement, can be exploited by living systems to provide evolutionary and/or biological advantages. This half module will cover a range of biological molecules and processes that may exploit quantum effects, such as magnetoreception, photosynthetic light harvesting, and DNA mutations. The goal of this half module is to develop an understanding of how quantum processes could have an impact in nature and how this knowledge can be further used for applications in health and medical sciences. In addition, using research progress in the field of quantum biology and illustrative examples, this course will help to develop an experimental and theoretical understanding of how quantum processes may play a crucial role in maintaining the non-equilibrium state of the biomolecular systems. Many of the subjects acquired through this half module are likely to be of potential use in future project work,

The module is aimed at giving students an understanding of the use of computers in the broader context of medical physics. This will range from the use of Monte Carlo modelling using TOPAS for dosimetry and experimental design, to the use of Python to code simple problems related to image processing and data science. In addition, they will learn the importance of data security and data governance with specific application to a clinical context.

These lectures describe in detail the principles of radiation detection, measurement and dosimetry.

Lectures provide a detailed and systematic overview of atomic and nuclear physics including basic energetics of radioactive decay. An introduction on interactions of radiation with matter and introductory material describing detector operation.

The module will provide students with practical skills and background knowledge needed to work in a radiation laboratory. Laboratory sessions are designed to provide the student with practical experience in handling radioactive substances, detectors and instrumentation.

This course starts with an overview of human biology, followed by a discussion of the nature of the interaction of ionising and non-ionising radiation with biological systems. The course emphasises the effects at the cellular level and the impact that this has on the individual and across the population. The behaviour and effects of ingested and inhaled radionuclides are also covered.

The module will provide students with practical skills and background knowledge needed to work in a clinical setting. It includes two seminars/workshop on research ethics and intellectual property and a set of radiation laboratory experiments.

This module introduces six advanced topics in physics. Students will be assessed on only four of these topics, with individuals self-selecting the contact sessions, coursework options and exam questions that reflect their preference. An indicative list of these topics include: biological physics, special relativity, particle physics, cosmology, nuclear astrophysics, and quantum computing.

Quantum computers are built around a central processing unit which is a physical device operating according to the rules of quantum mechanics. This module teaches the principles of how quantum processors are built and how they function. The module follows the superconducting architecture, which currently has a significant role in the industry and has been widely studied and implemented. The module will start with reviewing the basic physics required to understand superconducting qubits and the theory of superconducting circuits. It will then continue to the operation of such qubits to perform gates, storage, and readout. After studying the basic building blocks and operations, the module will discuss early demonstrations of important algorithms on superconducting processors. These will lead us naturally to the important topics of improving performance through protection of coherence, advanced control, and validation. The last part of the module will focus on state-of-the-art superconducting processors, focusing on the various challenges in scaling up and the strategies that the industry is pursuing to overcome them.

The first half of this module covers various applications of statistical physics to model share prices and financial markets. This mathematics is then applied to calculating prices for some examples of financial derivatives. The second half of the module then focusses on optimization problems with examples including logistics, aerospace, traffic control and finance (which includes pricing, risk managements and portfolio optimizations in financial markets). There is a particular focus on the role of quantum optimization and the use of quantum computer algorithms in finance.

This 15-credit M-Level module introduces important topics and techniques in theoretical physics that have a wide range of applications in many areas physics and engineering and which the students will not have met before. Both the mathematical techniques and their applications are covered at a level appropriate for Masters level students coming to the end of their degree and who should be able to pull many different ideas in theoretical physics together.

Radiations of various types are widely used for therapeutic purposes. The bulk of hospital physicists work with ionising radiation and hence the topic is fundamental for anyone entering the profession. In this module, an introduction is given to radiotherapy systems, for beam delivery, guidance and dosimetry. Around one-third of the module is then devoted to a number of key uses of non-ionising radiation in delivery of various therapies, with sources based on laser light, uv and high-intensity focused ultrasound.

Ionising radiation is widely used for diagnostic purposes, and multi-modality imaging is now becoming ubiquitous. The majority of hospital physicists work with ionising radiation and hence the topic is fundamental for anyone entering the profession. In this module, an introduction is given to imaging systems and image perception. Detailed lectures then cover X-radiography, X-ray computed tomography, radiopharmaceuticals, nuclear medicine. The lectures will be supported by an assessed nuclear medicine practical and by tutorials in image processing and image registration.

The module is designed to give students knowledge of the basic physics that underpins nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR / MRI) and ultrasound, together with details of common imaging strategies.It delivers material on the basic principles of NMR and medical MRI . It also provides an introduction to ultrasound, a major non-ionising radiation imaging modality, with lectures complemented by three laboratory sessions.

This module aims to provide an advanced level understanding of explosive nuclear astrophysics and the physics of stars. In particular, the course will provide an analytical underpinning of resonant reaction rates, together with the experimental techniques involved in their determination, as well as a theoretical treatment of nuclear reactions and celestial objects.

This module will introduce the students to the principles and formalism of General Relativity and its applications to Black Holes and astrophysical phenomena.

The course provides an introduction to nuclear energy generation and applications of nuclear science. Nuclear reactors, their physics and operation are described. Nuclear reactor safety case work is also discussed. Future potential energy generation mechanisms such including nuclear fusion will be discussed. The module will also present a range of applications of radioactivity measurement including aspects of Environmental Science and Medical Diagnogstics and treatment therapy. The module will include some aspects of calculus and first order differential equations.

Quantum Mechanics topics are essential building blocks for our understanding of many physical systems. The module assumes basic knowledge in quantum mechanics from modules in earlier years, but will provide a review at the beginning. Topics include a review of quantum mechanics, operator methods and applications to the harmonic oscillator, spin & angular momentum, symmetries in quantum mechanics. The second half of the module then moves beyond isolated quantum systems by addressing the topic of Quantum Entanglement and Quantum Coherence. Here the important concepts of entanglement and decoherence will be studied by developing an understanding of open quantum systems and the density matrix formalism.

This module comprises two independent halves, on quantum simulations (Q Sim), and quantum biology (Q Bio).Quantum Simulation. The quantum simulation part of this module introduces students to the use of quantum computers in the simulation of physical systems using mapping of Hamiltonians from standard quantum mechanics to a representation suitable for application on quantum computers, along with a study of wavefunction ansatz design, algorithms, and error mitigation and correction.Quantum biology is the study of how quantum mechanical phenomena, such as quantum superposition, tunnelling, and entanglement, can be exploited by living systems to provide evolutionary and/or biological advantages. This half module will cover a range of biological molecules and processes that may exploit quantum effects, such as magnetoreception, photosynthetic light harvesting, and DNA mutations. The goal of this half module is to develop an understanding of how quantum processes could have an impact in nature and how this knowledge can be further used for applications in health and medical sciences. In addition, using research progress in the field of quantum biology and illustrative examples, this course will help to develop an experimental and theoretical understanding of how quantum processes may play a crucial role in maintaining the non-equilibrium state of the biomolecular systems. Many of the subjects acquired through this half module are likely to be of potential use in future project work,

The module is aimed at giving students an understanding of the use of computers in the broader context of medical physics. This will range from the use of Monte Carlo modelling using TOPAS for dosimetry and experimental design, to the use of Python to code simple problems related to image processing and data science. In addition, they will learn the importance of data security and data governance with specific application to a clinical context.

These lectures describe in detail the principles of radiation detection, measurement and dosimetry.

Lectures provide a detailed and systematic overview of atomic and nuclear physics including basic energetics of radioactive decay. An introduction on interactions of radiation with matter and introductory material describing detector operation.

The module will provide students with practical skills and background knowledge needed to work in a radiation laboratory. Laboratory sessions are designed to provide the student with practical experience in handling radioactive substances, detectors and instrumentation.

This course starts with an overview of human biology, followed by a discussion of the nature of the interaction of ionising and non-ionising radiation with biological systems. The course emphasises the effects at the cellular level and the impact that this has on the individual and across the population. The behaviour and effects of ingested and inhaled radionuclides are also covered.

The module will provide students with practical skills and background knowledge needed to work in a clinical setting. It includes two seminars/workshop on research ethics and intellectual property and a set of radiation laboratory experiments.

This module introduces six advanced topics in physics. Students will be assessed on only four of these topics, with individuals self-selecting the contact sessions, coursework options and exam questions that reflect their preference. An indicative list of these topics include: biological physics, special relativity, particle physics, cosmology, nuclear astrophysics, and quantum computing.

Quantum computers are built around a central processing unit which is a physical device operating according to the rules of quantum mechanics. This module teaches the principles of how quantum processors are built and how they function. The module follows the superconducting architecture, which currently has a significant role in the industry and has been widely studied and implemented. The module will start with reviewing the basic physics required to understand superconducting qubits and the theory of superconducting circuits. It will then continue to the operation of such qubits to perform gates, storage, and readout. After studying the basic building blocks and operations, the module will discuss early demonstrations of important algorithms on superconducting processors. These will lead us naturally to the important topics of improving performance through protection of coherence, advanced control, and validation. The last part of the module will focus on state-of-the-art superconducting processors, focusing on the various challenges in scaling up and the strategies that the industry is pursuing to overcome them.

The first half of this module covers various applications of statistical physics to model share prices and financial markets. This mathematics is then applied to calculating prices for some examples of financial derivatives. The second half of the module then focusses on optimization problems with examples including logistics, aerospace, traffic control and finance (which includes pricing, risk managements and portfolio optimizations in financial markets). There is a particular focus on the role of quantum optimization and the use of quantum computer algorithms in finance.

This 15-credit M-Level module introduces important topics and techniques in theoretical physics that have a wide range of applications in many areas physics and engineering and which the students will not have met before. Both the mathematical techniques and their applications are covered at a level appropriate for Masters level students coming to the end of their degree and who should be able to pull many different ideas in theoretical physics together.

Radiations of various types are widely used for therapeutic purposes. The bulk of hospital physicists work with ionising radiation and hence the topic is fundamental for anyone entering the profession. In this module, an introduction is given to radiotherapy systems, for beam delivery, guidance and dosimetry. Around one-third of the module is then devoted to a number of key uses of non-ionising radiation in delivery of various therapies, with sources based on laser light, uv and high-intensity focused ultrasound.

Ionising radiation is widely used for diagnostic purposes, and multi-modality imaging is now becoming ubiquitous. The majority of hospital physicists work with ionising radiation and hence the topic is fundamental for anyone entering the profession. In this module, an introduction is given to imaging systems and image perception. Detailed lectures then cover X-radiography, X-ray computed tomography, radiopharmaceuticals, nuclear medicine. The lectures will be supported by an assessed nuclear medicine practical and by tutorials in image processing and image registration.

The module is designed to give students knowledge of the basic physics that underpins nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR / MRI) and ultrasound, together with details of common imaging strategies.It delivers material on the basic principles of NMR and medical MRI . It also provides an introduction to ultrasound, a major non-ionising radiation imaging modality, with lectures complemented by three laboratory sessions.

This module aims to provide an advanced level understanding of explosive nuclear astrophysics and the physics of stars. In particular, the course will provide an analytical underpinning of resonant reaction rates, together with the experimental techniques involved in their determination, as well as a theoretical treatment of nuclear reactions and celestial objects.

This module will introduce the students to the principles and formalism of General Relativity and its applications to Black Holes and astrophysical phenomena.

The course provides an introduction to nuclear energy generation and applications of nuclear science. Nuclear reactors, their physics and operation are described. Nuclear reactor safety case work is also discussed. Future potential energy generation mechanisms such including nuclear fusion will be discussed. The module will also present a range of applications of radioactivity measurement including aspects of Environmental Science and Medical Diagnogstics and treatment therapy. The module will include some aspects of calculus and first order differential equations.

Quantum Mechanics topics are essential building blocks for our understanding of many physical systems. The module assumes basic knowledge in quantum mechanics from modules in earlier years, but will provide a review at the beginning. Topics include a review of quantum mechanics, operator methods and applications to the harmonic oscillator, spin & angular momentum, symmetries in quantum mechanics. The second half of the module then moves beyond isolated quantum systems by addressing the topic of Quantum Entanglement and Quantum Coherence. Here the important concepts of entanglement and decoherence will be studied by developing an understanding of open quantum systems and the density matrix formalism.

This module comprises two independent halves, on quantum simulations (Q Sim), and quantum biology (Q Bio).Quantum Simulation. The quantum simulation part of this module introduces students to the use of quantum computers in the simulation of physical systems using mapping of Hamiltonians from standard quantum mechanics to a representation suitable for application on quantum computers, along with a study of wavefunction ansatz design, algorithms, and error mitigation and correction.Quantum biology is the study of how quantum mechanical phenomena, such as quantum superposition, tunnelling, and entanglement, can be exploited by living systems to provide evolutionary and/or biological advantages. This half module will cover a range of biological molecules and processes that may exploit quantum effects, such as magnetoreception, photosynthetic light harvesting, and DNA mutations. The goal of this half module is to develop an understanding of how quantum processes could have an impact in nature and how this knowledge can be further used for applications in health and medical sciences. In addition, using research progress in the field of quantum biology and illustrative examples, this course will help to develop an experimental and theoretical understanding of how quantum processes may play a crucial role in maintaining the non-equilibrium state of the biomolecular systems. Many of the subjects acquired through this half module are likely to be of potential use in future project work,

The module is aimed at giving students an understanding of the use of computers in the broader context of medical physics. This will range from the use of Monte Carlo modelling using TOPAS for dosimetry and experimental design, to the use of Python to code simple problems related to image processing and data science. In addition, they will learn the importance of data security and data governance with specific application to a clinical context.