BSc (Hons) in Physics with Computing
Course code: WD132
What is Physics with Computing?
Physics is the study of the fundamental laws of nature that govern the behaviour of the universe. Computers are used extensively by physicists in the solution of both practical and theoretical problems and in the development of new technologies.
What is the BSc (Hons) in Physics with Computing course?
This is a four year degree course, which will provide students with the knowledge, skills and expertise to work in a range of industry sectors. The first four semesters introduce the student to the broad areas of physics, computing, and mathematics. Later in the course, students will specialise in physics in the areas of photonic/ optical systems and semiconductor/solid state devices, while the computing element allows students to acquire strong programming and software development skills. Students can choose from one of three areas in computing from semesters 4-8: communications and networking, games development and embedded systems.
Career Opportunities
The combination of physics with computing provides graduates with skills much sought after by both industry and research in a range of sectors including:
- Telecommunications/Photonics
- Semiconductors
- Medical Physics
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Meteorology
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Computer Games Development
- Teaching
- Biomedical Devices
- Information & Communications Technology
- Software Development
- Research Centres - national and international
- Physics and Computing Environment at WIT
Future graduates of this course will attain the fundamental knowledge and skills required to work within the career areas indicated above. The research environment within physics and computing at WIT will particularly enhance this.
Lecturing staff on the course have a broad range of active ongoing research, with a number of national and international university and industrial partners. Undergraduate students will have a significant interaction with this research, particularly during the fourth-year undergraduate research project, for which each student will work within an active WIT research group. Current relevant research areas include photonics and laser physics, telecommunications, computational physics, semiconductor physics, spectroscopy and microscopy in materials science, software development, Internet technologies, mobile networks and computer security.
Follow on Study
- Masters & PhD by research
- Taught MSc in Computing (Communications Software)
Company Placement
Students take part in industrial work placement for the sixth semester. This allows them to gain practical experience of the physics and computing disciplines within an organisation and to develop a range of professional skills.
Course Outline
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Mechanics and Waves Thermal Physics and Matter Programming Fundamentals Computing Essentials Mathematics for Physicists Science Support Studies |
Electromagnetism and Solid State Physics Chemistry and Physics of the Atom Algorithms Computer Architecture Calculus Science, Universe and Society 1 |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Mechanics, Waves & Special Relativity Electromagnetism & Physical Optics Digital Electronics Ordinary Differential Equations Data Structures Operating Systems |
Thermodynamics & Modern Physics Plus one module from: |
Semester 5 - 8 | |
Advanced Optics, Photonics Applications, Atomic, Quantum and Solid State Device Physics, Semiconductor Device Physics, Computational Physics, Mathematical Methods, Instrumentation and Measurement Systems, Internetworking, Enterprise Application Development, Distributed Systems, Research Project and choice of Communications and Networking, Games Development or Embedded Systems. | |
Course Facts
Course Title: BSc (Hons) in Physics with Computing
Course Code: WD132
Course Level: 8
Duration: 4 years
Course Entry
Leaving Certificate:
- Total number of different subjects at grade D or better: 6
- Number of subjects at higher level grade C or better: 2
Required Subjects:
- English/Irish: OD3/HD3
- Mathematics: OB1/HD1
For further information
Course Leader: Claire Keary, BSc, PhD
Ph: 051 302057. Email: ckeary@wit.ie.
Recent Entry Points
| Year | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Minimum Points | 300 | 345 | 330 |
See also
Course brochure - BSc (Hons) in Physics with Computing - WD132
(PDF, 864KB)
