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THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2025/2026 Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change |
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THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2025/2026 Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change |
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| Degree Programme Specification MSc in Particle and Nuclear Physics |
MSc in Particle and Nuclear Phyics |
| To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. This information is created when new programmes are established and is only updated periodically as programmes are formally reviewed. It is therefore only accurate on the date of last revision. |
| Awarding institution: | The University of Edinburgh |
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| Teaching institution: | The University of Edinburgh |
| Programme accredited by: | N/A (to be replaced by: Institute of Physics |
| Final award: | MSc |
| Programme title: | MSc in Particle and Nuclear Physics |
| UCAS code: | n/a |
| Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group(s): | Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics |
| Postholder with overall responsibility for QA: | Professor Philip Clark |
| Date of production/revision: | August 2018 |
External summary |
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The study of Particle and Nuclear Physics brings together advanced experimental techniques, computational techniques, and theoretical understanding. The experiments are typically large collaborations working at international laboratories using highly sophisticated detectors. These detector technologies also find applications in medical physics and other forms of position-sensing. The computational aspects deal with large data sets and use statistical analysis, machine learning and other advanced techniques in data science. Theoretical nuclear and particle physics aims to interpret the experimental results in terms of mathematical models of the structure and evolution of the physical world.
The MSc in Particle & Nuclear Physics at Edinburgh allows the student to develop: |
Educational aims of programme |
| The educational aims of the MSc in Particle & Nuclear Physics at Edinburgh are: • to provide a thorough grounding in experimental particle & nuclear physics; • to provide a balanced training in experimental, computational and theoretical particle and nuclear physics as a preparation for research either in academia or industry; • to develop general transferable skills related to problem-solving, research, and communication; • to provide a degree programme with flexibility and choice; • to provide exposure to frontier activities, capitalising on the strengths of a thriving and diverse research environment in Edinburgh; • to provide a platform for employment in research, science-based industry, education and the wide spectrum of professions calling for numerate problem-solvers; • to provide real-life experience of working in a research group alongside professional researchers |
Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding |
| By engaging with and completing a Masters degree in Particle and Nuclear Physics, graduates will acquire knowledge and understanding of: • the core knowledge base of particle and nuclear physics selected from a wide range: Theoretical Particle and Nuclear Physics; Advanced programming; Statistical treatment, Data Analysis and Machine Learning; Detector technologies; Physics applications, such as Medical Physics; • a balanced training in the methodologies of modern experimental physics. |
Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry |
| The degree programme aims to develop: • an attitude of mind conducive to critical questioning and creative thinking; • the capacity to formulate physics questions and explore them analytically and numerically; • the ability to harness these skills in tandem with the core knowledge base to solve problems; • the ability to assimilate and evaluate advanced literature from a range of diverse sources. |
Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy |
| The degree programme aims to develop: • a disposition to approach unfamiliar situations with a spirit of critical enquiry; • the ability to solve a physical problem using the appropriate experimental methodologies. |
Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication |
| The degree programme aims to develop: • the ability to formulate a coherent written and oral presentation based on material gathered and organised independently on a given physics project; • the ability to formulate a physics problem and communicate this effectively to peers and educators; • the ability to communicate scientific concepts to the general public via articles and outreach activities. |
Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness |
| The degree programme aims to develop: • the ability to collaborate effectively and productively with others in the process of inquiry and learning including those with a range of backgrounds and knowledge; • the ability to organise their own independent learning to an effective schedule; • the commitment to manage time effectively, utilise resources and meet deadlines. |
Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills |
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The degree programme aims to develop:
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Programme structure and features |
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The programme is a full-time, 180-point taught Masters’ Programme, and is fully compliant with the University’s Curriculum Framework and Scottish Qualification Framework.
Taught Courses • 40 points of Compulsory Courses; Compulsory Courses: • Research Skills in Particle & Nuclear Physics 20pt S1+S2 L11
Core Courses • Detectors in Particle & Nuclear Physics 10pt S1 L11
(The ‘Nuclear & Particle Physics’ and ‘Relativity, Nuclear & Particle Physics’ options are only advised for students with little previous experience in particle physics or who have only had a basic introduction to relativity and so do not meet the pre-requisites for the ‘Particle Physics’ course.)
Group A (Level-10 Physics & Astronomy options): • Lagrangian Dynamics 10pt S1 L10 Group B (Level-11 Physics & Astronomy options): • Symmetries of Particles & Fields 10pt S1 L11 Progression to the Dissertation requires 120pt of courses at first sit, with an overall average of 50%, and 80 points of courses above 50%. The PG Diploma is available as exit award on completion of taught courses. Dissertation • Particle & Nuclear Physics Dissertation 60pt Summer L11
Equality and Diversity The School is an active participant in the Institute of Physics JUNO project with “practitioner” status where we monitor and report on the equality and diversity across the whole School including activities of academic staff, research staff, post and undergraduate students. |
Teaching and Learning Methods and Strategies |
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The bulk of the teaching programme is conducted through lectures; the class sizes vary from about 80 in Level 10 Honours courses to about 20 in Level 11 optional courses. This teaching is supported through tutorial sessions and supervised workshops in which students work in groups of about 5, and through study resources generally delivered through WWW. These resources vary in extent and character; they invariably include a detailed syllabus, reading list and problem-sets. Courses feature tailored problem sheets and extensive tutor feedback in extended workshop classes.
Students are taught experimental techniques, including training in detector laboratory sessions and advanced analysis techniques involving computational programming in classes and tutorials.
IT facilities are provided by the School; standard Library facilities are provided by the Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library and the KB Library Store.
Innovative Learning Week The University of Edinburgh Innovative Learning Week runs in the week following Week 5 of Semester 2. During this week ‘normal’ teaching is suspended which provides time out of the curriculum for staff and students to explore new learning activities. Some examples of the types of activities held in Physics and Astronomy are workshops, peer assisted learning activities, public engagement activities, careers events. |
Assessment methods and strategies |
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Each course has its own assessment criteria appropriate to the specified Learning Objects of the course as detailed in the on-line course specification. All courses are assessed using the University Common Marking Scheme. Typical modes of assessment through the programme are detailed below.
Lecture-based physics courses are mainly assessed by end of course, or end of year written unseen examinations. In addition, there are computational and hands-on courses (e.g. ‘Data Analysis and Machine Learning’ and ‘Data Acquisition & Handling’) which use continuous assessment. The course Detectors in Particle & Nuclear Physics uses in-class assessment with quizzes in the lab, presentations and out-of-class assignments. Students are encouraged to attempt course questions in advance and seek feedback on their work at the course workshops/tutorials. All students have access to their marked examination scripts via the School Teaching Office.
Research Skills for Particle & Nuclear Physics is assessed by an oral presentation, group project, poster, writing assignment and literature review.
The Dissertation component is assessed primarily via a written dissertation. During the Dissertation period the student is supervised by member of staff who supplies feedback on performance and development. Further written feedback is also supplied on the dissertation. |
Career opportunities |
| The Particle and Nuclear Physics MSc programme offers the preparation for a research career in physics either via further academic study, typically towards a PhD, or via industrial research. In addition, a wide range of employers recognise that Physics graduates have advanced problem-solving skills and the ability to think logically and critically about complex situations. Add this to a high level of advanced computational ability, together with written and oral communication skills, and Particle & Nuclear Physics graduates have opportunities in a diverse range of careers. |
Academic Tutors & Student support |
| Each student is assigned an Academic Tutor who provides both academic guidance, and allocated a student advisor from the Teaching Office who provides pastoral support. Throughout a student's time at the university the Academic Tutor guides the student in choice of courses, whereas the student advisor provides general support. Courses are administered and run through the Teaching Organisation in the School. These produce detailed online course guides for new students and for continuing students. These guides provide details of courses and also advise students on assessment and general university policy and regulations. |
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