Mathematical Physics at the University of Nottingham

Complete this form if you want to ask the Course Leader anything about the Mathematial Physics Course, or to make any comments on the course. Your submission will be entirely anonymous. As long as your question / comment is appropriate, the Course Leader will add your question, and any response, to the list at the end of this page.

Question: About how many applicants do you have each year for this course?

Answer: As the course needs good A levels in both Mathematics and Physics and is for students who want to study both subjects at degree level, the number of applicants is much less than for either Mathematics or Physics separately. As it is a relatively small course, the number of applicants tends to vary quite a bit from year to year, but is usually in the range 75-120. The quota (the number of students we expect to recruit) is nominally 17, although this is very flexible as the numbers are small compared to single-honours mathematics and to single-honours Physics, so a few extra students either way makes very little difference to either School as a whole. Prospective applicants should not be put off by the small quota. In one recent year we recruited 15 students, and the next year we recruited 31; this wasn't a problem to us at all!

Question: How many applicants are there for this course per year? Just to give us a probability of getting in especially in regards to people which are torn between Theoretical Physics and Mathematical Physics.

Answer: As mentioned above, the number of applicants varies from year to year, but is usually in the range 75-120. In previous years, the chances of getting an offer for Mathematical Physics has always been the same as getting one for Physics with Theoretical Physics, and I have no reason to think that this will change in the future. I would say that if you are torn between the two, then go for Mathematical Physics because if you don't like it you can transfer to Physics with Theoretical Physics at the end of the first year, but you can't transfer into Mathematical Physics from Theoretical Physics as you will not have done the relevant Maths core.

Question: It is mentioned that Mathematical Physics students can transfer to straight maths in the end of the first year. If the student has already made up his mind is it possible to transfer at the beginning of the second semester during first year? Also, is it possible for a Mathematical Physics student to transfer either in the 2nd semester in the first year or in the end of the first year to the course Mathematics with Philosophy provided the student has already taken Philosophy classes during two years?

Answer: It is not possible to transfer to straight maths at the beginning of the second semester because all of the first year modules taken by Mathematical Physics students are year-long modules that are examined at the end of the second semester. It is not possible to drop the Physics modules part way through as there would be no marks to award as the assessment. (If a student decides they want to transfer in the first few weeks of the first term, that is usually possible, although it becomes harder the longer the term goes on.) You would need to ask the School of Mathematical Sciences about possible transfers to Mathematics with Philosopy.

Question: Can you give some examples of physics-based projects that previous MSci students have undertaken?

Answer: There are long lists of project titles for students to choose from, both in Physics and Mathematics (and in the third year the same list will also be offered to single-subject students). The list varies from year to year, depending on the interests of the staff involved. Also, if a student really wants to so something not on the list, they can suggest their own title and try to find a supervisor willing to supervise them on it - although obviously we have to check that the project proposed is appropriate and at the right level.

Some typical Physics project titles we would expect to be of interest to Mathematical Physics are:

• Quantum reflection of ultracold atoms
• Nonlinear dynamics of a superconducting circuit
• (Theory of) Manipulating atoms with lasers
• Supersymmetric quantum mechanics
• Simulating STM images of the fullerene molecule
• Tunnelling in quantum field theory
• Econophysics and game theory
• Shape transformations of rubble-pile asteroids
• Characterisation of small airway function in asthma
• Measuring galaxy mass distributions
• Minimization methods in gravitational lensing
• Q-balls, kinks and duality

... but this list is by no means exhaustive.

Question: What are the place of mathematics in physics teaching and learning?

Answer: Mathematics is the language of Physics. All Physics students need to learn some mathematics in order to understand the underlying physical principles. Our Mathematical Physics course at Nottingham is for those who want an even deeper understanding of the mathematics involved and are interested in learning Mathematics as a subject in its own right, as well as having an interest in Physics.

Question: I am completely torn between an MMath in Mathematics or an MSci in Mathematical Physics. I am primarily interested in exoplanet research, and am keen to have a very strong mathematical foundation to understand various detection methods. My main worry is that the Physics aspects are not mathematical enough. Currently I'm studying A levels in Maths, Further Maths and Physics, but find that the Physics A level tends to shy away from too much mathematical content. I am certain this isn't the case at Degree level Physics but my main interest is the foundation the ideas are based on. Completely undecided on which avenue to pursue.

Answer: You are correct in saying that A level Physics tends to shy away from too much maths. This is because A level Physics can be taken without A level maths. This is not the case at University though, as everyone taking a Physics degree will have done A level maths. There is certainly much more maths in a Physics degree than at A level. However, the maths in a Physics degree tends to be taught as a tool to help you understand the Physics rather than as a subject in its own right. If you are interested in Physics applications but want more rigorous mathematics, taught as a subject in its own right, then Mathematical Physics should suit you. You would take all of the core first-year maths modules that you would take in a MMath degree. If during your first year you decide you are not doing enough mathematics for your liking, you can swap to the MMath course at the end of the first year (subject to your grade being good enough - although we have never had to stop anyone transferring who has wanted to because of their mark). However, you can't swap from MMath to Mathematical Physics because you won't have done the core first-year Physics modules. If you want more information, email janette.dunn@nottingham.ac.uk.