Masters of Arts in Philosophy of Physics

at University of Bristol - Clifton Campus United Kingdom

This course combines politics and international relations with the study of Italian. This provides a valuable skill set ideally tailored to the increasingly globalised workplace.

You will study the politics of individual countries and governments and the relationships between countries, communities and individuals.

Politics is organised around three themes:

• Political theory
• Comparative and national politics
• International relations.

In Italian you will study a combination of language and culture units. Today, Italy's innovative contributions to design, technology and fashion mean that it is a major, global commercial force.

You will spend your third year abroad, enabling you to refine your language skills and cultural knowledge and gain valuable work experience. For further details on year abroad opportunities, please see Global Opportunities.

Bristol has an enviable record for its research both in politics and in Italian culture. Both schools encourage strong synergy between research and teaching resulting in a vibrant learning environment.

The programme provides intensive training in the neurosciences as they relate to the physiologic function and behaviour of the organism. It builds on the broad research strengths of recognised scientists, particularly in basic and clinical neuroscience, molecular and cell biology, neuroendocrinology, behaviour, neurodegeneration and stress. Guest lecturers from other universities bring their specialist and advanced knowledge to the programme.

Throughout the programme, basic principles will be taught and illustrated in the context of various brain diseases, including psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. A practical and a research project will give you valuable experience in experimental neuroscience, while tutorials and presentations will also help to develop your communication skills.

The MSc will appeal to graduates looking to progress to PhD study as well as those with medical training who want to diversify into research. You could also move on to a career in industry, the health service, science communication or clinical trials coordination.

Modern zoology is interdisciplinary and we believe that you need to be aware of the breadth of animal biology from the molecular to the ecological. Our zoology degree begins broadly and introduces more choice in years two and three.

You will have the freedom to tailor your course to your interests and to specialise or maintain breadth in your studies. Opportunities include a week-long field- or laboratory-based course selected from a range of subject areas, and a practical research project. The range of research and transferable skills you will learn will enhance your employability as a graduate.

We have outstanding facilities in our state-of-the-art Life Sciences Building and our lecturers are world-leading researchers in their fields.

Our MSci course is ideal if you want to continue in research or to stand out when applying for a PhD.

In your first year you will gain a broad understanding of the biology of normal and cancerous cells. In addition to studying the immune system, you will take pathology, microbiology and biochemistry units.

In the second year you will study the cellular and molecular basis of cancer and its therapy as well as autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes and arthritis, and human cancers caused by viruses, such as papilloma and hepatitis B. You will take molecular genetics and an optional unit, possibly biochemistry or pharmacology, from a selection offered by other schools.

All practical teaching in years one and two is supported by the eBiolabs dynamic laboratory manual.

You will progress to undertake a research project or scientific dissertation, working in a research group in our Biomedical Sciences building or in one of the surrounding hospitals. Your work may even be published in scientific literature.

The additional, fourth year includes an extended research project and advanced research skills training with an emphasis on enterprise. You will plan projects, communicate with a variety of audiences and learn to translate and commercialise research.

The School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine focuses on turning science into medicine and these courses aim to launch you into a research career with an emphasis on translational research.

The next frontier in robotics will take inspiration from biology to design robots that are soft, smart, green, and social. From microrobots for cancer treatment, to swarms powering warehouses, soft grippers for manufacturing, and new material interfaces for prosthetics, biorobots will provide solutions to today’s global challenges. State-of-the-art robots will in turn power scientific discovery, allowing for the study of living systems in their natural habitats from robots automating experiments in the lab, to artificial fish studying pollution in the deep sea.

This programme brings together life scientists and engineers in an interdisciplinary environment where solutions are co-created with stakeholders in mind. For the life scientists, this will open new horizons powered by Robotics and AI, skills in high demand in today’s job market. For the engineers, this will go beyond a typical robotics training, towards reinventing the way robots are designed and used with bioinspiration at heart.

This unique combination of biology and engineering will develop core professional skills including working across disciplines and responsible open-ended innovation. The programme centres around a common core in fundamental robotics and life sciences, followed by dedicated taught and project-based biorobotics units that will walk you through latest research and applications, with a hands on understanding of how to build these systems yourself, and demonstrations of how they can be used for good.

Physics is an inherently international activity carried out by scientists in institutions throughout the world, sometimes competing and often collaborating. This degree will give you an early introduction to this key aspect of physics. It offers you the chance to combine in-depth training as a physicist with the experience of living and working as a researcher overseas.

During your third year overseas the programme you follow will be agreed with a tutor at Bristol and the working language will be English. You will be based at a partner university abroad, spending most of your time taking advantage of opportunities available locally. This will usually mean carrying out a full-time research project as part of a research team at the host university. This might entail nanophysics in Brazil, astrophysics in Canada or particle physics in the US.

Alternatively, you can take taught courses through Bristol's Global Opportunities programme. You will continue to study core physics via distance learning in readiness for returning to Bristol for your final year.

The course gives you the opportunity to develop a physicist's broad range of skills, including problem solving, numeracy and communication, and to supplement these with the experimental, theoretical and analytical skills needed for a career in research and industry.

You will join a friendly department with a very active, award-winning society. Our physics graduates have an excellent record of employment, a testament to the value that employers place on the transferable skills that you gain on this course.