Joint Maths-ThPhys working group: P. Candelas, X. de la Ossa, F. Essler, A. Lukas (convener), M. Porter, A. Schekochihin
DISCLAIMER: NOTHING ON THIS SITE IS EITHER OFFICIAL OR FINAL
The joint Maths-ThPhys working group is
aiming at setting up a viable proposal for an Oxford MMathPhys course,
that is, a masters-level course in Theoretical and Mathematical
Physics. This web space documents the current state of our discussion.
Comments are welcome and can be sent to A. Lukas at lukas@physics.ox.ac.uk or any
of the other working group members.
Related
Papers
Why a MMathPhys course in Oxford?
MPhys degrees in the UK, including the one taught in Oxford, offer a good general Physics education and a broad overview over a large range of phenomena in Physics. However, Theoretical Physicists have been pointing out for some time that MPhys degrees do not provide an adequate theoretical training. MMath degrees, on the other hand, prepare students well for the Mathematical challenges in modern Theoretical Physics. However, it is frequently acknowledged that they leave students short of the physical insight required for applications in Physics. Other major UK research universities have recognized these problems and are running formalized theoretical courses of some kind (e.g. IC, Cambridge, Warwick). Continental Europe, following the Bologna process, has introduced combined 3 year Bachelor + 2 year masters degrees. European Physics departments are taking this as an opportunity to set up high-powered courses in the first year of their masters programme (e.g. the Munich masters course). The US traditionally has strong masters programmes and many Asian countries are following the US model. The main message is: In its formalized provision for theory education, Oxford is increasingly out of line, nationally and internationally. We are not competing with the institutions we normally like to compare ourselves with. The present set of documents outlines a proposal to change this situation and introduce a competitive, high-level masters course in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics at Oxford.
Basic structure of the course
Our intention is to have this programme run in two modes, both based on the same set of lecture courses. The MMathPhys mode runs in the fourth year of the undergraduate degree and students from both the Oxford MPhys and MMath degrees can opt for this course in their final year. Students from outside Oxford, either from other UK or European universities or from overseas, would join the MSc mode, a one-year postgraduate degree programme. We believe that it is essential to offer both modes, the MMathPhys mode in order to provide our own students with a high-level theory training at the same stage in their education as their European peers and before they move on to phd studies, the MSc mode to attract outside students.
Course content
Initially, the course will cover three main subject areas: Theoretical Particle Physics, Condensed Matter Theory and Theoretical Astrophysics, Plasma Physics & Physics of Continuous Media. These subject areas are in line with the three major directions of research in modern Theoretical and Mathematical Physics. An overview of the proposed lecture courses can be found here. For more details on the lecture course content see the Particle Physics page and the Condensed Matter/Astro/Fluids page. It should be noted that many of these courses are already being taught as part of an informal scheme of graduate courses which currently only runs for the benefit of our phd students. By combining resources in Mathematics and Theoretical Physics we should therefore be well in a position to deliver the required teaching. The programme offers considerable flexibility and choice and caters for students who have already firmly set their sights on one of the three subject areas as well as for those who prefer a broader theoretical education across subject areas. A number of case studies explain how this might work in practice within the available set of courses.
Admissions and Examination
The course should be jointly administered by Theoretical Physics and Mathematics, with joint boards for admission and examination. Admission would be on the basis of the application form, prior performance and reference letters but would not involve interviews. All students in a given mode, independently on their background would be examined and classified in the same way. We recognize that over-formalizing a degree course, in particular with regard to its examination system, can compromise quality and cause unnecessary workload for academics. It is therefore intended to keep the administration as light-touch as possible while, of course, complying with the required standards. Details on admission and examination can be found here.
- Paper for divisional GPC requesting quota places for MSc, Jan 2012.
- Paper for Physics AC and Maths teaching committee, Jan 2012.
- Papers for divisional submission, April 2012.
Why a MMathPhys course in Oxford?
MPhys degrees in the UK, including the one taught in Oxford, offer a good general Physics education and a broad overview over a large range of phenomena in Physics. However, Theoretical Physicists have been pointing out for some time that MPhys degrees do not provide an adequate theoretical training. MMath degrees, on the other hand, prepare students well for the Mathematical challenges in modern Theoretical Physics. However, it is frequently acknowledged that they leave students short of the physical insight required for applications in Physics. Other major UK research universities have recognized these problems and are running formalized theoretical courses of some kind (e.g. IC, Cambridge, Warwick). Continental Europe, following the Bologna process, has introduced combined 3 year Bachelor + 2 year masters degrees. European Physics departments are taking this as an opportunity to set up high-powered courses in the first year of their masters programme (e.g. the Munich masters course). The US traditionally has strong masters programmes and many Asian countries are following the US model. The main message is: In its formalized provision for theory education, Oxford is increasingly out of line, nationally and internationally. We are not competing with the institutions we normally like to compare ourselves with. The present set of documents outlines a proposal to change this situation and introduce a competitive, high-level masters course in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics at Oxford.
Basic structure of the course
Our intention is to have this programme run in two modes, both based on the same set of lecture courses. The MMathPhys mode runs in the fourth year of the undergraduate degree and students from both the Oxford MPhys and MMath degrees can opt for this course in their final year. Students from outside Oxford, either from other UK or European universities or from overseas, would join the MSc mode, a one-year postgraduate degree programme. We believe that it is essential to offer both modes, the MMathPhys mode in order to provide our own students with a high-level theory training at the same stage in their education as their European peers and before they move on to phd studies, the MSc mode to attract outside students.
Course content
Initially, the course will cover three main subject areas: Theoretical Particle Physics, Condensed Matter Theory and Theoretical Astrophysics, Plasma Physics & Physics of Continuous Media. These subject areas are in line with the three major directions of research in modern Theoretical and Mathematical Physics. An overview of the proposed lecture courses can be found here. For more details on the lecture course content see the Particle Physics page and the Condensed Matter/Astro/Fluids page. It should be noted that many of these courses are already being taught as part of an informal scheme of graduate courses which currently only runs for the benefit of our phd students. By combining resources in Mathematics and Theoretical Physics we should therefore be well in a position to deliver the required teaching. The programme offers considerable flexibility and choice and caters for students who have already firmly set their sights on one of the three subject areas as well as for those who prefer a broader theoretical education across subject areas. A number of case studies explain how this might work in practice within the available set of courses.
Admissions and Examination
The course should be jointly administered by Theoretical Physics and Mathematics, with joint boards for admission and examination. Admission would be on the basis of the application form, prior performance and reference letters but would not involve interviews. All students in a given mode, independently on their background would be examined and classified in the same way. We recognize that over-formalizing a degree course, in particular with regard to its examination system, can compromise quality and cause unnecessary workload for academics. It is therefore intended to keep the administration as light-touch as possible while, of course, complying with the required standards. Details on admission and examination can be found here.