This fundamental core is linked to physics in action by courses in instrumentation, electronics, software engineering, environmental physics and low temperature physics. The additional topics covered include advanced optics, fibre optics and optical communications, lasers and optoelectronic devices and non linear optics, with emphasis on the background science and industrial application. The curriculum of these years has been framed to encourage individual flexibility. Physics students complete their degrees with a further two to three years in-depth study of a broad range of topics in Physics involving a large element of project work. For MSci Physics and Mathematical Finance students, the curriculum involves physics, mathematics and finance-related classes in rough parity.
Physics emphasises topics such as statistical mechanics and nonlinear dynamics.
Corporate Finance and Econometrics are among the finance topics, while Optimisation and Data Analysis are jointly taught. Mathematics stresses Calculus and Numerical Analysis. Industrial training is an important, integral part of the Applied Physics and Laser Physics and Optoelectronics courses. These projects are arranged by the Department. During this vacation, Physics students are encouraged to obtain experience working in an industrial laboratory.