University of Sussex School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

MSc in Physics with Education

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2022/23. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to COVID-19, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown below.

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Autumn teaching

• Communicating Physics Education

Spring teaching

• Researching Physics Education
• Spring and summer teaching
• Physics Education Research Project

Options

Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.

Autumn teaching

• Atom Light Interactions
• Cosmology
• Data Analysis Techniques
• Further Quantum Mechanics
• Galactic Astrophysics
• General Relativity
• Programming in C++
• Quantum Field Theory 1
• Quantum Optics and Quantum Information
• Symmetry in Particle Physics

Spring teaching

• Advanced Cosmology
• Astrophysical Processes
• Beyond the Standard Model
• Electrons, Cold Atoms & Quantum Circuits
• Frontiers in Particle Physics
• Introduction to Nano-materials and Nano-characterisation
• Particle Physics Detector Technology
• Practical Quantum Technologies
• Quantum Field Theory 2

MSc project

Your project will be on some aspect of physics education. Supervisors and topics will be allocated in consultation with you. Often the projects form the basis of research papers that are later published in journals.

Our graduates go on to take research degrees or take up employment in a range of industries in roles such as:

• Business/data analysis
• Computer programming
• Software development
• Teaching
• Research and teaching technical support.