Master of Science (Hons) in Natural Sciences

at University of Bath United Kingdom

Apply the full breadth of physics to a wide range of astrophysical phenomena from star formation to black hole growth and the expansion of the Universe.

Physics with Astrophysics at Bath will give you a strong grounding in physics, along with in-depth specialist knowledge of astrophysics. You’ll learn how to combine evidence from stellar and extragalactic astronomy to build consistent theoretical models of the evolution of galaxies.

Topics covered include exoplanets, galaxies, cosmology, stars and stellar evolution, general relativity and high energy astrophysics. There'll also be opportunities for you to carry out both observational and computational astrophysics projects alongside our astrophysics research group.

Year abroad

Broaden your horizons by spending a year studying at a university abroad. You’ll experience another culture whilst studying a course that complements your studies at Bath.

We currently have links with universities in North America, Australasia, Asia and Europe, including Purdue University, the University of Queensland, National University Singapore and the University of Helsinki.

Develop a broad foundation of theory and practical skills in mathematics, statistics and computing, preparing you for careers in mathematics and beyond.

Mathematical sciences combines traditional mathematics with statistics and computing. This course is for you if you’d like to keep your options open and study a broader range of topics.

Tailor to your interests

In the first year, you’ll explore an introduction to mathematics at university level before choosing areas in which you’d like to specialise later in the course. In year two, you’ll also have the option to study computing, physics and economics units run by other departments. All of our courses are flexible and allow for a wide choice of units after year one. If you find you want to specialise more, you may be able to switch courses during the first year.

Year abroad

Broaden your horizons with a year studying at a university abroad. You’ll experience another culture whilst studying a course that complements your studies at Bath.

We have links with universities in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and Europe. This includes Binghamton University, National University Singapore, University of Canterbury, Stellenbosch University and the University of Helsinki.

Mathematics enables us to reason logically, to understand structure and to formulate scientific principles, whether from the physical, life or social sciences.

Choose this course to gain specialist knowledge in pure mathematics, applied mathematics and/or statistics.

Tailor to your interests

At the start of the course, you’ll gain a broad education in pure and applied mathematics, including programming and statistics. You’ll have the freedom to study a broader mathematical pathway or specialise in your favourite subject areas, enhancing your analytical thinking and appreciation of the beauty of mathematics.

All of our courses are flexible and allow for a wide choice of units after year one. You may be able to switch courses during the first year.

Learn about the deep connections between mathematics and theoretical physics and develop your scientific computing and theoretical modelling skills to understand and solve complex physical problems.

This course is for you if you want to study a broad physics degree with less emphasis on experimental laboratories and a stronger focus on theoretical, mathematical and computational aspects of physics.

You'll study the cornerstones of theoretical physics while developing your understanding of their mathematical foundations. Our courses reflect our theoretical research expertise in condensed matter, photonics and astrophysics. The computational physics and programming aspects also reflect the more applied nature of our theoretical research.

The combination of theoretical and practical knowledge of physics and mathematics is highly sought-after by employers and also gives an excellent grounding for postgraduate or industrial research.

Placement Year

As an MPhys student, you’ll be able to undertake a research placement in the final year of the course. You’ll spend six months (July to December) working in a research organisation of international standing, before returning to the University for the final semester. We have links with leading research organisations, including CERN, NTT Basic Research Laboratories (Japan), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (France) and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

Year Abroad

Broaden your horizons by spending a year studying at a university abroad. You’ll experience another culture whilst studying a course that complements your studies at Bath.

We currently have links with universities in North America, Australasia, Asia and Europe, including Purdue University, the University of Queensland, National University Singapore and the University of Helsinki.

Play a vital role in the discovery, development and testing of treatments to improve global health

If you love lab work and are interested in health and disease but don't want to work in a patient-facing role, then this could be the course for you. Pharmacologists study the effects of drugs on the body – where they act, what they do, and their mechanism of action.

On the course, you’ll gain an integrated view of drug action linked to disease-related functions of the major organ systems. You’ll enhance your understanding of the fundamental principles of chemistry, biology and the physical sciences, and learn to apply these principles to specific problems in drug discovery.

The Master of Pharmacology (MPharmacol) course provides you with a greater exposure to research and practical techniques. As part of the MPharmacol you’ll undertake a placement year in a pharmaceutical company, research institute or university. You will also complete an extensive research project, giving you invaluable experience of working in the field.

Specialise in environmental and sustainable processes while developing the technical, professional and digital skills needed in industry.

Our course is for engineers and scientists who want to make a positive impact on the environment, society and the future of our planet. Climate change, GHG emissions and loss of biodiversity are important global issues and the world needs leaders and innovators to design and manage sustainable processes and systems to address these.

If you have that desire to learn how to solve the important environmental challenges we face, then our course can help you towards that goal. We’ll develop your skills, knowledge and understanding to take on these issues against a backdrop of economic factors, environmental compliance and national and international legislation.

Your studies will cover areas such as improving resource efficiency, and how to monitor, manage and mitigate negative environmental consequences. You’ll learn how to apply whole-systems and life-cycle approaches to evaluate the impact of industrial activities while considering current and possible future legislation. This ‘big-picture thinking’ will allow you to move beyond traditional approaches to process engineering.

As part of your learning experience, we make sure you have the opportunity to develop useful skills in areas such as interdisciplinary teamwork, effective communication, networking and time resource management. This will help prepare you to adapt and be successful in a variety of roles in this evolving discipline.

Develop practical and technical skills to design and engineer the built environment. Use integrated and creative solutions to engineer a sustainable future.

Our course is for students who want to ask difficult questions about the future of civil engineering. You’ll push the boundaries of design and construction to generate new ideas for our infrastructure and cities. Your knowledge will enable you to integrate energy, sustainability and environmental design.

In your first two years, you will learn the foundations of materials, geotechnics, structures and digital design. You will develop the fundamental engineering design skills and attributes, including ingenuity and communication skills, that are essential for exploring aspects of infrastructure and the built environment in later years.

Our courses draw on the strengths of a joint department with architecture, offering a different experience from most universities. Cross-disciplinary group work mirrors the professional relationships you'll experience in your career, and you’ll develop the imaginative approaches and skills needed to tackle a wide range of civil engineering projects.

Placement Year

Going on placement gives you the chance to apply the skills you’ve developed at university to the workplace, and develop complementary skills and knowledge. You’ll gain insight into the construction industry and develop your confidence and standing as a professional engineer. Having professional experience can benefit the rest of your degree and improve your career prospects. Our students have worked at small and large internationally known companies including Arup, Atkins, Buro Happold and Laing O’Rourke.

Develop expertise and specialist practical skills in drug discovery science, from target identification through to getting a drug to market.

Developed in consultation with industry experts, this course is aimed at students with a background in chemistry, biosciences, pharmacy or pharmacology who are looking to move into the exciting field of drug development.

You will become familiar with a range of concepts and research techniques in drug discovery including target identification and validation, screening platforms, optimisation of small molecule drugs and biotherapeutics, and the importance of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

Depending on your undergraduate degree, you will also follow either a biology or chemistry training track alongside your drug discovery studies. This will enable you to gain a strong background in both disciplines, strengthening your subject-related and practical skills appropriate to your career aspirations.

Combine your passion for chemistry with a desire to make a real contribution to the development of new pharmaceuticals.

If you’re interested in the drug discovery process and want to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry, this is the course for you.

You’ll gain a solid foundation in chemistry with a focus on how drugs and medicines are designed and made, how they work and why they’re successful. Major pharmaceutical companies have contributed to the design of the course so you can be sure your studies will be relevant for industry. You’ll develop in-depth knowledge of the drug design process, and the skills to carry out experimental and computational drug discovery projects.

Learn the latest theoretical, hardware and software skills to pursue a professional career as an electrical and electronic engineer.

Our course gives you a broad and flexible education in electrical and electronic engineering. The range of engineering units lets you tailor your degree to your interests to support your future career choices.

From your first day, you’ll build on your understanding of electrical and electronic principles and gain an appreciation for new engineering techniques. Learning about the practical technologies used in industry will give you insight into current practices in professional engineering.

Placement Year

Going on placement gives you a chance to apply theoretical knowledge to the workplace and develop skills in a professional environment. Your placement experience can benefit the rest of your degree and improve your career prospects after graduation. It can also be an opportunity to earn a salary during your degree.

Our students have worked at companies including Intel, Jaguar Land Rover, Thales, Renishaw, Nordic Semiconductor, Siemens, Ultra Electronics, Surrey Satellite Technology and McLaren.