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    MSc
    2025 start September 

    Mathematical and Theoretical Physics

    School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences , Faculty of Science

    Expand your understanding of general relativity and quantum mechanics and work with researchers to tackle some of the biggest ideas in science.
    Students in a maths lecture

    Course description

    Our Mathematical and Theoretical Physics MSc is designed to equip graduates with advanced mathematical tools that can be applied in major areas of scientific intrigue, from black holes and dark matter to quantum computing.

    Our wide range of optional modules cover topics such as general relativity, field theory, quantum mechanics, geometry, electrodynamics, solar physics and particle physics, allowing you to focus on the topics that are most important to you.

    Our modules on machine learning, finance and statistics, can help you to develop the skills you’ll need to stand out in the job markets where maths and physics graduates thrive, such as data science and banking.

    You’ll spend around one-third of your time working on your own research project, under the supervision of an expert from the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. This in-depth research experience is great preparation for a PhD. Recent topics include:

    • Quantum Repeaters and Entanglement Purification in the Stabiliser Formalism
    • Classical Perturbations of the Kerr Spacetime
    • Chaos Synchronisation and Secure Communication
    • Applications of Heun Functions to Kerr-Newman-anti-de Sitter Black Hole Perturbations
    • Geometric representations of gravity
    • Dark Energy, Scalar Field Quintessence, and a Negative Cosmological Constant
    • Path Integrals in Quantum Mechanics: Application to Quantum Tunneling in the Sextic Double Well Potential
    • Cosmological Bounce Scenarios
       

    Modules

    A selection of modules is available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. From May of the year of entry, formal programme regulations will be available in our Programme Regulations Finder.

    Core modules:

    Research Skills in Mathematics

    The unit provides training in research-level skills used in mathematics and related technical disciplines, with a particular focus on mathematical/scientific writing and presentation skills. Students will gain experience in the use of appropriate computer packages for the presentation of mathematical and statistical material, and guidance on how to prepare a coherent, structured and accurate report. Topics covered include conducting literature searches, summarising information, accessing papers through preprint servers, and managing reference lists. Students will draw on these skills to write their own literature review in an area of interest to them, and prepare and deliver a talk on this topic.

    15 credits
    Analytical Dynamics and Classical Field Theory

    Newton formulated his famous laws of mechanics in the late 17th century. Later, mathematicians like Lagrange, Hamilton and Jacobi discovered that underlying Newton's work are wonderful mathematical structures. In the first semester we discuss this work, its influence on the subsequent formulation of field theory, and Noether's theorem relating symmetries and conservation laws. In the second semester, Einstein's theory of gravity, General Relativity, will be introduced, preceded by mathematical tools such as covariant derivatives and curvature tensors. Einstein's field equations, and two famous solutions, will be derived. Two classic experimental tests of General Relativity will be discussed.

    30 credits
    Dissertation

    The dissertation is piece of extensive work (10-20,000 words) which provides students' with the opportunity to synthesise theoretical knowledge on a subject that is of interest to them. Students will gain experience of the phases of a relatively large piece of work: planning to a deadline; researching background information; problem specification; the carrying through of relevant analyses; and reporting, both at length through the dissertation and in summary through an oral presentation.

    60 credits

    Optional modules:

    A student will take a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 60 credits from this group.

    Machine Learning

    Machine learning lies at the interface between computer science and statistics. The aims of machine learning are to develop a set of tools for modelling and understanding complex data sets. It is an area developed recently in parallel between statistics and computer science. With the explosion of “Big Data”, statistical machine learning has become important in many fields, such as marketing, finance and business, as well as in science. The module focuses on the problem of training models to learn from training data to classify new examples of data.

    15 credits
    Financial Mathematics

    The discovery of the Capital Asset Pricing Model by William Sharpe in the 1960's and the Black-Scholes option pricing formula a decade later mark the beginning of a very fruitful interaction between mathematics and finance. The latter obtained new powerful analytical tools while the former saw its knowledge applied in new and surprising ways. (A key result used in the derivation of the Black-Scholes formula, Ito's Lemma, was first applied to guide missiles to their targets; hence the title 'rocket science' applied to financial mathematics). This course describes the mathematical ideas behind these developments together with their application in modern finance, and includes a project.

    15 credits
    Topics in Mathematical Physics

    This unit will introduce students to advanced concepts and techniques in modern mathematical physics, in preparation for research-level activities.

    It is assumed that the student comes equipped with a working knowledge of analytical dynamics, and of non-relativistic quantum theory.

    We will examine how key physical ideas are precisely formulated in the language of mathematics. For example, the idea that fundamental particles arise as excitations of relativistic quantum fields finds its mathematical realisation in Quantum Field Theory. In QFT, particles can be created from the vacuum, and destroyed, but certain other quantities such as charge, energy, and momentum are conserved (after averaging over quantum fluctuations).

    We will examine links between conservation laws and invariants, and the underlying (discrete or continuous) symmetry groups of theories. We will also develop powerful calculation tools. For example, to find the rate of creation of new particles in a potential, one must evaluate the terms in a perturbative (Feynman-diagram) expansion.

    For details of the current syllabus, please consult the module leader.

    15 credits
    Mathematical Modelling of Natural Systems

    Mathematical modelling enables insight into a wide range of scientific problems. This module will provide a practical introduction to techniques for modelling natural systems. Students will learn how to construct, analyse and interpret mathematical models, using a combination of differential equations, scientific computing and mathematical reasoning. Students will learn the art of mathematical modelling: translating a scientific problem into a mathematical model, identifying and using appropriate mathematical tools to analyse the model, and finally relating the significance of the mathematical results back to the original problem. Study systems will be drawn from throughout the environmental and life sciences.

    15 credits
    Advanced Topics in Waves and Fluid Dynamics A

    Waves and Fluid Dynamics are cornerstones of Applied Mathematics.  Both relate to the flow of fluids, i.e., propagation of information, which include not only gas (e.g., air) and liquid (e.g., water), but also in more complex media (e.g., lubricants and blood), and other materials or even the fourth state of matter: plasma.  The scientific principles and mathematical techniques involved in studying these are of inherent interest.  Wave motions give rise to well-known class of partial differential equations, and relate to concepts such as standing, progressive, and shock (i.e., nonlinear) waves; we can study these using Fourier series, Laplace transform and the powerful method of characteristics.  Viscous fluid flow gives rise to the Navier-Stokes equations.  The first semester will cover some of these ideas, while the second will move onto more advanced topics, such as three-dimensional flows, boundary layers, vortex dynamics, or magnetohydrodynamics.

    30 credits

    Optional modules:

    A student will take a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 60 credits from this group.

    Advanced Quantum Mechanics

    Quantum mechanics at an intermediate to advanced level, including the mathematical vector space formalism, approximate methods, angular momentum, and some contemporary topics such as entanglement, density matrices and open quantum systems. We will study topics in quantum mechanics at an intermediate to advanced level, bridging the gap between the physics core and graduate level material.   The syllabus includes a formal mathematical description in the language of vector spaces; the description of the quantum state in Schrodinger and Heisenberg pictures, and using density operators to represent mixed states; approximate methods: perturbation theory,  variational method and time-dependent perturbation theory;  the theory of angular momentum and spin; the treatment of identical particles; entanglement; open quantum systems and decoherence. The problem solving will provide a lot of practice at using vector and matrix methods and operator algebra techniques. The teaching will take the form of traditional lectures plus weekly problem classes where you will be provided with support and feedback on your attempts.

    15 credits
    Advanced Particle Physics

    The module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of modern particle physics. Focusing on the standard model, it provides a theoretical underpinning of this model and discusses its predictions. Recent developments including the discovery of the Higgs Boson and neutrino oscillation studies are covered. A description of the experiments used to probe the standard model is provided. Finally the module looks at possible physics beyond the standard model.

    15 credits
    Advanced Electrodynamics

    This module gives a detailed mathematical foundation for modern electrodynamics, starting from Maxwell's equations, charge conservation and the wave equation, to gauge invariance, waveguides, cavities and antennas, and an introduction to quantum electrodynamics. After a brief recap of vector calculus, we explore the role of the scalar and vector potential, the multi-pole expansion of the field, the Poisson and Laplace equations, energy and momentum conservation of the fields, and waveguides and cavities. After a relativistic treatment of the fields we consider the quantisation of the electromagnetic field modes, the Hamiltonian for the dipole coupling between a field and a radiation emitter, and finally we explore the Aharonov-Bohm effect.

    15 credits
    Introduction to Cosmology

    The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the Universe as its own entity. Students will learn how the contents of the Universe affect its dynamic evolution, and how we can use observations of Type 1a Supernovae and the Cosmic Microwave Background to constrain the properties of the Universe. Students will also learn about key epochs during the history of the Universe, from inflation through to nucleosynthesis, recombination, and reionisation, before learning how the first stars and galaxies started to form. Throughout a series of lectures, students will first learn that spacetime forms the fabric of the Universe, and how the contents of the Universe in the form of dark energy, dark and baryonic matter, and radiation dictate the dynamic evolution of the Universe. Students will next learn about modern precision cosmology, whereby cosmologists use observations of Type 1a Supernovae and the Cosmic Microwave Background to measure various cosmological parameters. This aspect of the course will form the basis of a computer programming-based assessment. Toward the end of the lecture course, students will learn about the epochs of inflation, nucleosynthesis, recombination and reionisation, before learning how today's stars and galaxies began to form. Finally, students will learn about current cosmological research via a literature review.

    15 credits
    Quantum Optics and Quantum Computing

    Quantum computing is introduced through the fundamental concepts of quantum gates and circuits before moving to cover more advanced topics such as quantum programming, quantum algorithms and quantum error correction. These concepts are then applied by studying how programming quantum circuits can be done using cloud computers (e.g. using openQASM format) and the implementation of quantum algorithms (including examples) and quantum error correction using stabiliser formalism and graph states and quantum error correction codes.

    The second part of the module covers quantum optics and quantum optical applications at the forefront of current research in the field. This includes topics such as weak and strong coupling of dipole sources in a cavity, single photon sources, protocols of quantum optical communications and linear optics computation. The module then progresses to quantum optical applications. Cavity electrodynamics is studied in the regimes of strong and weak coupling of matter excitations to the electromagnetic field in optical microstructures. This will lead to the physics of highly efficient single photon devices necessary for linear optics quantum computation. The effects of entanglement and quantum teleportation will be also considered.

    15 credits

    The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

    Open days

    An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.
    Open days and campus tours

    Duration

    1 year full-time

    Teaching

    You’ll be taught through a series of lectures, tutorials, practical tasks, problem-solving classes and a research project.

    Assessment

    You'll be assessed through examinations, assignments and a dissertation.

    Our assessment methods are designed to support the achievement of learning outcomes and develop your professional skills. Regular feedback is also provided, so you can understand your own development throughout the course.
     

    Your career

    Our Mathematics and Theoretical Physics MSc graduates have the numerical, problem solving and data analysis skills that employers value in a variety of careers. 

    Our optional modules on topics such as machine learning,  finance and statistics, mean you can develop skills to help you stand out in the job markets where mathematics and physics graduates thrive, such as computing, banking and data science. University of Sheffield graduates have been hired by employers such as Amazon, Barclays, Dell, Goldman Sachs, IBM, PwC, Sky, the NHS and the Civil Service.

    You’ll cover advanced topics and gain extensive research training, which is also great preparation for a PhD. Sheffield mathematics graduates have secured postgraduate research positions at many of the world's top 100 universities.

    Entry requirements

    Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in Mathematics or Physics.

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    The lists of required degree subjects and modules are indicative only.  Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.

    Apply

    You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

    Apply now

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.