Physics with a Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
At Salford, students can study for a University Physics degree despite lacking the normal Physics and Mathematics A-level qualifications required for direct first year admission. All enquiries are welcomed: ask us what might be possible for your future!
What's it About?
We welcome enquiries from anyone who might, for example, be looking for mature-age entry, or who may have under-performed at A-level due to force of circumstances. Some students, who start on our Physics with a Foundation Year programme, become our highest achieving students. In fact, many of our First Class Honours Graduates have entered through this route. Some Graduates have even stayed on at Salford to undertake Doctor of Philosophy research degrees.
Achieve your potential. After succesful completion of Foundation Year, students may continue to study for a Physics BSc degree, or they can transfer to one of our specialist BSc or MPhys courses.
Specialist degrees include a full core of Physics subjects alongside additional modules - in subjects like Space Technology, Aviation & Pilot Studies, or Acoustics.
Students may even opt to study a Foreign Language as a formal part of their degree course, or include studying for one year at a University in North America.
Note that another of our very successful Access courses is for students who have passed A-level Physics, plus one other subject, but have not the same level of achievement in Mathematics. This alternative degree programme, our Pure and Applied Physics Degree, effectively permits direct first year entry to any of our three-year BSc or four-year MPhys programmes. A further Access route, the International Foundation Year, exists for international students who have fallen short of the full Language requirement for direct entry into the regular degree programmes.
Physics Careers
Career opportunities on graduation are many and varied, and include Physics and Technology research, the Aerospace industry, Information Technology, the Optics and Laser industries, Acoustics, Teaching, and many other fields where a numerate background is required (e.g. banking, stock dealing, and other parts of the finance industry).
Recent employers of Graduates from Salford Physics include: ADT, British Nuclear Fuels, European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) Astrium, Gabriel Scientific Consultancy, and the Royal Air Force. For a more detailed overview of Physics Graduate employment opportunities see, for example: Career Directions & Working Life from the Institute of Physics, and Typical Job Sectors & Careers Using Physics from physics.org.
Physics Courses, Assessment and Degree Structure
Each year of study is broken down into two semesters - see the Academic Year Calendar for the exact dates of these semesters. In each academic year, your courses add up to a total of 120 'credits'. Each of the following is a 10-credit course, otherless otherwise stated. Final degree class is calculated from the year averages of the last two years (with weightings of 1/4 and 3/4).
Click on any of the course titles below to find out detailed information on syllabus, reading texts and the full module specification (which includes information on assessment).
Foundation Year
First Year
Semesters 1 & 2
Fundamentals of Physics A [ dynamics.quanta.relativity ] - 20 credits
Fundamentals of Physics B [ thermal.waves.optics ] - 20 credits
Frontiers of Physics and Entrepreneurial Skills [ frontiers.employers.skills ] - 20 credits
Electronics and Optoelectronics† [ semiconductors.devices.lasers ] - 20 credits
†Language or Acoustics option can be requested
Semester 1
Mathematics for Physics - 20 credits
Semester 2
Mathematics and Computing - 20 credits
Second Year
Semester 1
Vibrations and Waves
Thermal & Statistical Physics
Introduction to Computational Physics
Theoretical Physics I
Laboratory III - Physics
Option: i) Astrophysics
or ii)
Spacecraft
Semester 2
Introductory Optics
Electricity & Magnetism
Condensed Matter
Quantum Mechanics I
Laboratory IV - Physics
Option: i) Computer Simulation
or ii)
PC Interfacing
Optional Year in Industry
You will have the opportunity of spending a year in an Industrial Placement at the end of Second Year.
Placements cover a wide range of different technical job areas.
The Industrial Year may also be taken abroad.
Third Year
Semesters 1 & 2
Project - BSc degrees (40 credits)
Semester 1
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Electromagnetic Theory
Quantum Mechanics II
Low Temperature Physics†
Semester 2
Relativity
Solid State Physics
Advanced Optics†
Astrophysics & Particle Physics†
†Further options can be requested
Please note that exact course content is subject to change.
Key Facts
Accreditation:
Our Physics degrees are
accredited
by the Institute of Physics, and so lead to recognised qualification as a physicist.
UCAS Code:
BSc (Hons) - F305 BSc/PFY
Entry Requirements (Advanced GCE level):
160 points. See UCAS Tariff Tables for other
entry qualifications.
Offers are tailor-made. We welcome applications from mature students with
non-standard qualifications and from access students.
Course Enquiries Service:
T +44 (0)161 295 4545;
Email (EU Students);
Email (International Students)
Academic Enquiries:
Professor Ian Morrison;
T +44 (0)161 295 5303;
Email
