Physics with Data Science

Physics with Data Science combines the study of the fundamental laws of nature, and how they apply to the real world, with innovative mathematical and computational methods to make the best use of data for science, business and government.

Interested in developing both your scientific understanding and your technical skills, ready for the challenges of our data-driven society? Data Science combines mathematical and computation tools and technology to extract insight and predictions from data in science and industry. In this degree, you’ll cover a range of data science topics, alongside the fundamentals of physics and maths.

As a Physics with Data Science student, you will acquire an appreciation of the scope and impact of modern physics and the use of mathematics, computing and experimentation to solve important real-world problems, and develop specialised knowledge in data science.

All our Physics students study the same core of physics and maths, based on the Institute of Physics (IOP) `fundamental areas of physics’. This includes classical mechanics, waves and fields, electromagnetism, special relativity, thermodynamics, quantum and atomic physics.

By choosing the Physics with Data Science degree you will study these alongside specialist data science options and take part in research projects applying modern data science techniques to novel problems in physics and applied science. The School of Physics and Astronomy hosts research groups in Earth Observation Science (EOS), Astrophysics and Planetary Science, all of whom make extensive use of sophisticated data analysis and computational modelling tools. We run data centres for international space missions (e.g. the NASA-Italy-UK Swift mission), and host one of the UK’s DiRAC high performance computing clusters (used for particle physics, astrophysics, space science and related fields).

What's the difference?

Our three-year BSc degrees provide an excellent route to a very wide range of careers in industry and business

Our four-year MPhys degrees are aimed at students considering a career or further training in scientific research

Transfer between BSc and MPhys degrees is possible during your first and second years (subject to meeting the required end-of-year mark). It is also possible to transfer between different Physics degrees as long as you have taken the required number of options. Staff in the School will be available to offer help and advice.