Physics

There are two main Physics track branches. The one finishing in the level-3 course Topics in Physics is the track branch for those aiming at learning physics as the Liberal Arts of Technology. The course starters for this branch are UCSCIPHY13 Wave Phenomena in Nature and the mathematics course UCSCIMAT11 Calculus, which are the prerequisites to UCSCIPHY21 Classical Electrodynamics. This level-2 is then the only prerequisite to the track finisher UCSCIPHY33. An added value to this track is to take the laboratory module on Waves and Optics. In addition, for the more mathematical minded, any of the level-2 mathematics track courses are good complements for this track. It is recommended to start this track with the Calculus course.

The track finishing in the level-3 course Advanced Physics offers a more in depth and analytical study of physics. This track starts with UCSCIPHY12: Relativistic and Classical Physics. All level-1 and -2 courses from the other track branch are required here. This is so as both level-1 physics courses are prerequisites for the level-2 course UCSCIPHY25 Statistical and Quantum Mechanics, and the track finisher UCSCIPHY31 Advanced Physics requires both level-2 physics courses. This track should be combined with the laboratory modules on Waves and Optics, and Statistical Mechanics. If you aim at joining the Double Degree in Liberal Arts and Physics, the courses, PHY13 and PHY21, must be taken with the Honours option format.

Other recommended courses include UCSCIEAR22 Atmosphere and Climate, UCINTSUS21 Sustainability and courses from the Mathematics track.

The physics you learn in this track is relevant to other areas of study like atmospheres and oceans, earth sciences, alternative energies and medical applications amongst others. The most obvious connection is the one between Physics and Mathematics track, as the study of physics always require at some level the language of mathematics. The distinction between Physics and Chemistry is often blurred. In particular, USCICHE22 Physical Chemistry is a course that should not be missed in a well-rounded education in physics. The UCSCIEAR22 Atmosphere and Climate course in the Earth and Environment track is to some extent a physics course. The rest of that track studies sustainability issues, both from a (geo)physical perspective as well as ecological and is a good Liberal Arts and Sciences complement to the physics track. The interdisciplinary course UCINTSUS21 Sustainability provides an even more well-rounded view on this topic, including societal, economic, legal and ethical aspects. The level-0 physics course UCSCIPHY01 Energy Systems and Sustainability offers an effective introduction to the physics and chemistry you need to get the most out of the interdisciplinary course in sustainability.

Other important connections include Cognitive Neuroscience in what concerns the physics of touch and vision. Applications of X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging techniques in Biomedical Sciences would not be possible without the Electromagnetism and Quantum Physics. The decay of radioactive elements is used by (Art) Historians to date the age of objects. In Linguistics you study the reproduction and transmission of sound; it is hard to imagine communication without physical means. Philosophers have wondered for ages about the meaning of time, reality of the physical world, and the origin of being. It is interesting to combine that study with the insights offered by a physicists’ perspective on such issues. One last example of interdisciplinary fertilisation is the topic of econophysics, where the methods from complex systems in physics are used to model the random behaviour of very many independently acting economic agents.

With a background in physics you will find a wide variety of Master's programmes to apply for. Many of these programmes highly value the analytical and problem-solving skills that you have developed. Next to the Master's programmes in Physics (at Utrecht University these are Theoretical Physics, Experimental Physics and Climate Physics), there are many bordering programmes, such as in life sciences, scientific computing, earth sciences, environmental sciences. There are also options in more applied areas such as science education and communication or science and business management.