Physics

Entry requirements

The entry requirement for the MASt in Physics is a qualification comparable to an upper second-class, or better, UK bachelor's degree in Physics or a closely related subject.

Historically, the majority of successful applicants have been of a first-class standard. Candidates whose degree programmes have not included a substantial component of physics are unlikely to be successful.

Months of entry

October

Course content

The MASt in Physics is a taught master's-level course which is designed to act as a top-up course for students who already hold a three-year undergraduate degree in physics (or an equivalent subject with similar physics content) and who are likely to wish to subsequently pursue research in physics, either within the Department or elsewhere.

The course aims to bring students close to the boundaries of current research and is thus somewhat linked to the expertise from within the specific research groups in the Department of Physics. Candidates make a series of choices as the year proceeds which allow them to select a bias towards particular broad areas of physics such as condensed matter physics, particle physics, astrophysics, biophysics, or semiconductor physics. The emphasis can range over the spectrum from strongly experimental to highly theoretical physics, and a range of specialist options are available.

All students also undertake a substantial research project, which is expected to take up one-third of their time for the year. MASt students study alongside the fourth-year students taking the physics part of the integrated Cambridge Natural Science course, commonly referred to as Part III physics.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have:

• reinforced their broad understanding of physics across the core areas studied in the Cambridge bachelors physics programme;
• developed their knowledge in specialised areas of physics, bringing them close to the boundaries of current research;
• developed an understanding of the techniques and literature associated with the project area on which they have focused;
• demonstrated the application of knowledge in a research context and become familiar with the methods of research and enquiry used to further that knowledge;
• shown abilities in the critical evaluation of knowledge; and
• demonstrated some level of self-direction and originality in tackling and solving research problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and execution of research.