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The MASt in Physics is a taught master's-level course which is designed to act as a top-up course for students who already hold a three-year undergraduate degree in physics (or an equivalent subject with similar physics content) and who are likely to wish to subsequently pursue research in physics, either within the Department or elsewhere.
The course aims to bring students close to the boundaries of current research and is thus somewhat linked to the expertise from within the specific research groups in the Department of Physics. Candidates make a series of choices as the year proceeds which allow them to select a bias towards particular broad areas of physics such as condensed matter physics, particle physics, astrophysics, biophysics, or semiconductor physics. The emphasis can range over the spectrum from strongly experimental to highly theoretical physics, and a range of specialist options are available.
All students also undertake a substantial research project, which is expected to take up one-third of their time for the year. MASt students study alongside the fourth-year students taking the physics part of the integrated Cambridge Natural Science course, commonly referred to as Part III physics. Details of the current Part III physics course can be found on the Department of Physics website. Please note that the courses available to students may change from year to year (especially the Minor Topic courses taken in the Lent term) and so this year's course listing should only be used as a guide to what courses might be available in future.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students should:
- have had experience of a number of broad areas of physics from a choice of options, taken to an advanced level, at which current research can be appreciated in some depth;
- have carried out a substantial independent research project experimental or theoretical work, or both;
- maintained their skills in and critical understanding of core physics;
- have further developed communication skills especially in writing up the project and in presenting it to their peers or research group;
- be ready to undertake research work in physics at the highest level.
Open Days
The Department of Physics participates in the University of Cambridge's Postgraduate Open Day.
The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.