A joint honours mathematics and physics degree in central London, with approximately equal weighting given to both subjects. The course provides a foundation in many branches of mathematics and offers a broad knowledge of all of the fundamental elements of physics.
KEY BENEFITS
Mathematics:
- Central location gives easy access to major libraries and many leading societies, including the London Mathematical Society.
- Leading centre of research, with 65 per cent of the department’s research classed as world leading or internationally excellent.
- Wide choice of modules taught by renowned experts.
- Friendly and supportive learning environment.
- Improved career prospects – King’s graduates are highly sought after both nationally and internationally in a wide range of professions.
Physics:
- Award winning – four members of staff in the department have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
- Internationally-renowned academic staff in the fields of cosmology, nanotechnology, and the interface between physics and biology.
- Friendly and supportive learning environment.
- Central location gives easy access to major libraries and many leading societies, including the Institute of Physics
UCAS code
FG31
Programme type
Joint honours
Duration
Three years
Location
Strand Campus
Accreditation
Institute of Physics
Year of entry 2014
Offered by
School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences
Department of Mathematics
Department of Physics
Closing date
Please refer to the
UCAS website for application deadline dates, or contact the relevant Admissions Office for further advice
Fees & funding
For information on fees and funding for undergraduate programmes at King's go to
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ug/funding/ CONTACTS
Address
Department of Mathematics
King's College London
Strand Campus
Strand
London WC2R 2LS
Email
Tel
020 7848 2271
Fax
020 7848 7200
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
The programme gives you the opportunity to study both subjects at degree level. Approximately equal weighting is given to both subjects, although in the third year you may be able to choose more from one subject and tailor the degree to suit your interests. The Mathematics element gives students a foundation in many branches of mathematics, for example algebra, analysis, probability and geometry. The Physics element offers students a broad knowledge of all of the fundamental elements of physics and includes areas such as relativity, quantum mechanics, fields and waves, electromagnetism and nuclear physics.
For more about the departments contributing to this combined programme, follow the department contact links.
ABOUT THE Department of Mathematics
CAREERS
A degree in mathematics is one of the most flexible qualifications you can obtain, and as a result graduates are among the best paid and the least likely to be unemployed. Many mathematics graduates become statisticians, actuaries, scientists, accountants, and so on. More and more often they are also going into careers in life sciences or the City. Opportunities also exist in teaching, and there is a real demand for graduates in this area. Recent graduates have found employment as: • Actuarial Analyst, Deloitte • Graduates in the Fashion Industry scheme, lyle and scott • Teacher, Harris Academy • Accounting Associate, Ernst & Young • Financial Analyst, GE Healthcare • Mathematical Developer, Oakham • Audit Assistant, KPMG • Finance Assistant, Eden Finance • Management Consultant, Pricewaterhousecoopers • Project Assistant, HSBC • Qualify Management Technician, Pacific life Insurance • Systems Analyst, QBE
TEACHING STYLE
Teaching is predominantly by lectures, supplemented with tutorials and problem classes. Mathematics is not a spectator sport: to become a competent mathematician you must have a go at solving problems. Lecturers provide problem sheets, and if a problem defeats you, we hope and expect that you will ask for help.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT
Our students are assessed using a combination of coursework and examinations depending on the module.
LOCATION
The central location of our department gives easy access to major libraries and many leading societies including the London Mathematical Society and the Royal Society.
SPECIAL NOTES
King’s College London has a Study Abroad programme and UG Mathematics students are eligible to apply for this. Further details can be found at
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/international/abroad/prospective/sa/
ABOUT THE Department of Physics
CAREERS
Physics students are in high demand because employers recognise the wide range of skills that they possess. Physicists are trained to be good problem solvers and to think logically and apply mathematical and computational techniques to real problems. It is not surprising that our graduates are found in many areas of employment, where they can exploit their skills.
Recent graduates have found employment as…
• Actuarial Analyst, Willis
• Physics Tutor, Tutoring Agency
• Project Engineer, Cryogenic Ltd
• Publishing Editor, Royal Society of Chemistry
• Researcher, Cornell University
• Risk Analyst, City Index
• Performance Manager, Bradford Commerce
TEACHING STYLE
The majority of teaching is performed by lectures and laboratory classes, tutorials and through project work. All academic staff are involved with the undergraduate teaching programme. Each student has a personal tutor and the department encourages an open atmosphere in which students feel able to easily approach academic staff. The Student-Staff Committee provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and feedback on teaching. Staff and students are members of the Maxwell Society: the departments social and lecture society.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT
The programmes have a common core of physics modules, with some optional modules each year for single honours students. We place great emphasis on problem solving and project work, which teaches team-work, group organisation, and the skills of oral and poster presentations. We also allow advanced students to work with a school, to experience teaching and develop the skill of presenting information at an understandable level. Students registered for the MSci degree take almost exactly the same modules in the first three years as those taking the BSc degree in Physics. The fourth year provides a wide range of specialised physics options through an intercollegiate London programme, while the MSci project work is a genuine research project.
LOCATION
The department is located in newly refurbished dedicated office space, with views over the Thames to the London Eye and Westminster. The central location of our department gives easy access to major libraries and many leading societies including the Institute of Physics.
Currently, students study the following modules shown below. King's reviews its modules on a regular basis, in order to continue to offer innovative and exciting programmes and this list is therefore subject to change. Please check here for updates, or contact the School/department for further advice.
YEAR 1
Equal number of core modules from Mathematics and Physics (four of each).
YEAR 1 CORE
Mathematics:
Calculus I
Calculus II
Linear Methods
Numbers & Functions OR Probability & Statistics
Physics:
First Year Laboratory Physics
Thermal Physics
Fields, Waves and Matter
YEAR 2
Six core modules plus one option
YEAR 2 CORE
Mathematics:
Partial Differential Equation & Complex Variable
Intermediate Dynamics
Introduction to Abstract Algebra
Analysis I OR Applied Analytic Methods
Physics:
Second Year Laboratory Physics
Modern Physics
Electromagnetism
YEAR 3
Four core modules, plus choice from a range of options.
YEAR 3 CORE
Mathematics:
Special Relativity & Electromagnetism
Quantum Mechanics II
Physics:
Third Year Project in Physics
Statistical Mechanics
Spectroscopy and Quantum Mechanics
YEAR 3 OPTIONS
Mathematics:
Space-time Geometry & General Relativity
Real Analysis II
Geometry of Surfaces
Galois Theory
Theory of Complex Networks
Mathematical Biology
Complex Analysis
Topology
Numerical Methods
Groups & Symmetries
Logic
Topics in Applied Probability
Representation Theory of Finite Groups
Elementary Number Theory
Rings and Modules
Discrete Mathematics
Physics:
Projects
Theoretical Particle Physics
Optics
Solid State Physics
General Relativity & Cosmology
Introducing Plasma Physics
Modern Topics in Physics
Medical Engineering
Medical Imaging and Measurement
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Australia
Tertiary Entrance Ranking
97+ ATAR, or an OP of band 2 for Queensland with high marks in Maths and Physics.
Austria
Reifezeugnis (Matura)
Reifezeugnis with 1 including 1 in Maths and Physics.
Belgium
Certificat D
Certificat D’Enseignement Secondaire Superieur/Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with 8/10 or 18/20 including 8 or 18 in Maths and Physics.
Brazil
Brazil
High School Leaving Certificate (Certificado de Ensino Médio) with 8 OR B OR Muito Bom PLUS at least one year of Bacharel/Licenciado at a Brazilian University with a GPA of at least 8.0 OR the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAA. Including Maths and Physics.
Bulgaria
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with the majority of subject marks of 5.5 including 5.5 in Maths and Physics.
Canada
Secondary School Certificate/Diploma
High School Certificate/Diploma with 90% OR Ontario University Preparatory Course with 90% at five grade 12 4U subjects. The sixth subject may be at 4U or 4U/C level. OR the Quebec CEGEP Cote R with an overall R score of 33. (Requires high marks in Maths and Physics.)
Chile
Chile
Licencia de Educación Media with 6 PLUS at least one year of the Licenciatura at a Chilean university with a mark of 5 OR the Kings College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAA. Including Maths and Physics.
China
Gao Kao (University Entrance Examination)
University Entrance Examination with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Chinese university with at least 80% (Requires high marks in Maths and Physics.)
Cyprus
Apolytirion
Apolytirion (School Leaving Certificate) with 19 plus at least an additional foundation/Access year (Requires high marks in Maths and Physics.)
Czech Republic
Maturita
Maturita with 1 including 1 in Maths and Physics.
Denmark
Studentereksamen or Hjere Forberedelseseksamen
Studentereksamen or Højere Forberedelseseksamen with 11 including 11 in Maths and Physics.
Estonia
Gmnaasiumi lputunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with majority marks of 5,(including 5 in Maths and Physics.) and an attestation of success in the state entry examinations (Riigieksamitunnistus)..
Finland
Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen (National Matriculation)
Ylioppilastutkinto with 7 including 7 in Maths and Physics.
France
Baccalaureat (including the option internationale baccalaureat)
The scientifique stream of the Baccalaureat with 14/20 overall and 14 in Maths and Physics.
Germany
Abitur
Abitur with 1.3 overall including 14 in Maths and Physics.
Ghana
School Leaving Certificate
the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 international Cambridge-board A levels at AAA. Including Maths and Physics.
Greece
Apolytirion
The Ethniko Apolyterion with 19 overall including Maths and Physics with 19
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Typical offers of Levels 5, 5, 5 in three elective subjects. Applicants must also have Level 5 Physics and minimum either Level 5 in Compulsory Mathematics and Level 5* in Extended mathematics, or Level 5* in Extended mathematics and Level 5 in compulsory Mathematics. All other core subjects including English language must be at Level 4.
Hungary
Erettsegi
Erettsegi with 5 including 5 in Maths and Physics.
India
School Leaving Certificate
School Leaving Certificate with 90% overall OR School Leaving Certificate with 75% including high maeks in Maths and Physics with at least a foundation/Access year or year of undergraduate study at an Indian university.
Iran
School Leaving Certificate
Pre-University Certificate (Peeshdaneshgahe) OR the National Entrance Exam (Kunkur) with 17 OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAA (All require high marks in Maths and Physics.)
Ireland
Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level unless otherwise stated)
A1 A1 A1 A2 B1 B1 at Higher level with grade A in Maths and Physics
Italy
Esame di Stato
Esame di Stato with 90 with14/15 in Maths and Physics.
Japan
School Leaving Certificate
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho) PLUS 3 Cambridge Board International A-levels at AAA OR an Associate degree or Diploma from a Junior College (Jun-Gakushi) with a GPA of 3.3 or B+ or 4 OR a foundation year. Including high marks in Maths and Physics.
Latvia
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education)
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu with 9 with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Latvian university (Requires high marks in Maths and Physics.)
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas (Maturity Certificate)
Brandos Atestatas with 90 with high marks in Maths and Physics., plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Lithuanian university
Luxembourg
Diplome de Fin D
Diplome de Fin D’Etudes Secondaires with Tres Bien includes Tres Bien in Maths and Physics.
Malta
Matriculation Certificate - Advanced level
Matriculation Certificate with AAA includes A in Maths and Physics.
Mexico
Mexico
The Bachillerato with a mark of 8 PLUS the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR at least one year of the Licenciado study with an overall average mark of at least 8/10 OR A-levels with grades of AAA. Including Maths and Physics.
Moldova
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 9 includes 9 in Maths and Physics.
Netherlands
Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)
VWO with 8 includes 8 in Maths and Physics.
New Zealand
National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3 (NCEA)
the NCEA level 3 with E in the majority of standards/modules in four subjects,includes Execellent in Maths and Physics.
Nigeria
School Leaving Certificate
The Senior School Certificate (SSC/SSCE) OR the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAA, includes in Maths and Physics.
Norway
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering (Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate)
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering grade 5 includes grade 5 in Maths and Physics.
Pakistan
High School Certificate (HSSC)
High School Certificate with A1 with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Pakistani university (Includes high marks in Maths and Physics.)
Poland
Matura
Matura with 85% in extended level subjects includes high marks in Maths and Physics.
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundário
Diploma de Ensino Secundário with 18 includes high marks in Maths and Physics.
Romania
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 9 includes 9 in Maths and Physics.
Russia
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education)
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii with an average of 4.5 including 5 in Maths and Physics with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Russian university
Saudi Arabia
School Leaving Certificate
College of Technology Diploma OR Higher Technical Institute Diploma OR Junior Health College Diploma OR Undergraduate Diploma with 85% OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAA (All requires high marks in Maths)
Singapore
Singapore A Level
AAA in three content-based H2 subjects (including Grade A Mathematics and Physics.). Knowledge and Inquiry is not considered as part of the offer. Study of H3 Maths encouraged.
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuska/Maturita
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuske/Maturita with 1 includes 1 in Maths and Physics.
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Maturitetno Spricevalo with 5 includes 5 in Maths and Physics.
South Africa
South African Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement
The National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement with AAAAB including A in Maths and Physics
Spain
Titulo de Bachiller
Titulo de Bachiller with 9 overall includes 9 in Maths and Physics.
Sweden
Fullständigt Slutbetyg (School Leaving Certificate)
Fullstandigt Slutbeytg with MVG includes MVG in Maths and Physics.
Switzerland
Federal Maturity Certificate
Federal Maturity Certificate with an overall mark of 5 includes 5 in Maths and Physics.
Turkey
Lise Diplomasi (High School Diploma)
Lise Diplomasi with an overall mark of 4 with high marks in Maths and Physics., plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Turkish university
United Kingdom
A levels
A*AA (plus A at AS level Further Maths if not taken at A2)
Compulsory subjects
A*AA (including Grade A* Mathematics and Grade A in both Physics and Further Mathematics) OR A*AA (including Grade A* Mathematics and Grade A Physics) and a Grade A Further Mathematics AS-Level. If your school or college offers A-level Further Mathematics then it is expected that this would be taken up. King’s encourages students to extended their mathematical interests by studying for the Advanced Extension Award or STEP, please visit:
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/aea and
http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/our-services/subject-specific/step for further details.
12 unit A level in vocational subjects
A* full maths A-level plus AA in the twelve-unit vocational, plus A at AS in FM
General Studies and Critical Thinking - College policy
Please note that AS/A level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted by King's as one of your A or AS levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Maths or Maths and Computing (or similar) Diploma including study of Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics at Level 3 with 39 Level 3 credits from units awarded at Distinction, with the remaining credits at Merit. Supplementary information and achievement e.g marks for certain credits/subjects may be required depending on course content.
Cambridge Pre-U
3 Pre-U Principal Subjects with grades of D3 D3 D3 including Maths and Physics. King’s encourages students to extended their mathematical interests by studying for the Advanced Extension Award or STEP, please visit:
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/aea and
http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/our-services/subject-specific/step for further details.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
Considered on an individual basis
Scottish Highers & Advanced Highers
A2 A2 at Advanced Highers (including Maths and Physics) plus A2 A2 A2 A2 B3 at Highers. King’s encourages students to extended their mathematical interests by studying for the Advanced Extension Award or STEP, please visit:
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/aea and
http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/our-services/subject-specific/step for further details.
International Baccalaureate
335 points and 766 with HL6 Maths and Physics. If your school or college offers Further Mathematics then it is expected that this would be taken up. King’s encourages students to extended their mathematical interests by studying for the Advanced Extension Award or STEP, please visit:
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/aea and
http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/our-services/subject-specific/step for further details.
European Baccalaureate
85% overall with 85% in Maths and Physics
USA
Advanced Placement Tests and/or SAT/ACT (SAT/ACT acceptable only where stipulated)
Three AP subjects with 555 including Calculus AB and BC both with grade 5. Physics also required.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Aptitude testing
No mandatory test required. However King’s encourages students to extended their mathematical interests by studying for the Advanced Extension Award or STEP (where available). Please visit:
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/aea and
http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/our-services/subject-specific/step for further details.
If you are interested in coming to King’s, you should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and apply online via the UCAS website (click on 'apply'). If you are applying through a school or college, you will need to obtain a 'buzzword' from the centre you are applying through. Alternatively, you can apply as an individual, independent of a school or college. Please see the UCAS website for instructions. The UCAS institution code name for King’s is KCL, and the institution code is K60.
There are a few programmes which require direct application to King's, this will be stated above
Our requirement for Mathematics at A-level is any syllabus that contains pure mathematics. We do not require you to have studied mechanics or statistics. However, if you can choose, mechanics may be somewhat more useful for our programmes of study. We also require you to have taken or be taking A2 (or, if A2 is not available at your school, AS) Further Mathematics.