MSc Theoretical Physics with Advanced Research

Why choose this course?

Research-informed teaching and scientific exploration is the core focus of the course. Bringing you to the forefront of research in the field, this course will ensure you are fully prepared to pursue a career in research academia, or in industry applying your skills and knowledge to solve a range of business needs. You’ll benefit from being taught by experts within the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics. Our researchers are internationally recognised for their expertise in areas of theoretical physics, including:

• supergravity, strings and generalised geometry
• scattering amplitudes in gauge theory
• integrability in quantum field theory
• quantum groups and integrable systems.

You will work side-by-side with our academics, contributing to seminars and participating in an active research culture. Find out more about the Mathematics and Mathematical Physics research group. Unique to this course, you’ll also attend a lecture series on Recent Advances designed to expose you to the latest cutting-edge research and the material which is underpinning modern developments in the field. The Department of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics is also a member of the South East Physics NETwork (SEPNET). You’ll have access to a rich collection of resources, including:

• networking opportunities
• lectures and events
• access to research
• opportunities for placements and careers.

Find out more about the South East Physics NETwork (SEPNET). The University of Hertfordshire was ranked 2nd in the East of England (after Cambridge) for Physics and Astronomy (2023 Complete University Guide).

What will I study?

The course aims to develop hard skills in conceptualisation and critical thinking, mathematical and scientific writing, and also soft skills – in communication, teamwork and presentation– which are highly transferable as well as being vital in academic research. Your core modules will each be taught across two hours of lectures and one hour of classroom tutorials per week. Assessment will be a mix of exams and course work assignments. Core topics include:

• Quantum Field Theory
• Relativity and Field Theory
• General Relativity
• Groups and Representations

Optional modules provide you with the opportunity to customise your degree. These include:

• Lagrangian Dynamics
• Statistics and Analysis
• High Energy Astrophysics
• Physics of Elementary Particles.

In addition to these, you’ll benefit from a series of Recent Advances lectures designed specifically to explore active topics in the field and bring you closer to the research frontier. This module will bridge the gap between traditional teaching, and the more collaborative and open-ended style of working with real-life research. Teaching is in the form of two to three lectures a week delivered by staff and visiting academics. Assessment takes the form of a series of written essays. The course requires a substantial commitment of individual study time, especially in the core Research Project module. This project allows you to develop your research skills with the support of a staff member. However, you’re expected to be able to work with a substantial degree of independence. Unique to the Advanced Research pathway, the Research Seminar module takes these ideas one step further. You’ll take an active role, in conjunction with staff, and work collaboratively with peers, taking turns to synthesise and present topics for a series of individual seminar-style talks. You’ll develop strong skills in public speaking and presentation skills, which are vital both within academia and in industry. Throughout your studies, you’ll be allocated a personal tutor who will be the first port of call for all academic issues and is available for 1:1 drop-in sessions.