Year 1
You must study at least two subjects, but no more than four, which give you a good progression into your second-year subjects. You can specialise by taking up to four modules in one subject from 'Group 1' which are the science subjects listed in the BSc course content. Other subjects are available to study but these could not be taken through to Year 4, see the BSc course content. Students who intend to specialise in a single science subject in their final year, such as Earth Sciences, will typically need to take three or four core modules from that subject.
For instance, students who want to do the MSci Joint Honours degree in:
- Biology and Chemistry must do five core modules, which leaves them free to choose one optional module.
- Mathematics and Physics must do six compulsory modules.
- MSci Natural Sciences students often take two modules from three subjects although other combinations are possible, this combination would normally allow progression with any or all three of these subjects. The design of the programme is constrained by the limits of the University’s academic timetable and entry requirements, such as ensuring sufficient background knowledge for progression into a Year 4 subject.
Year 2
You must study at least two subjects, but no more than three, which gives you reasonable progression into your third-year subjects. You can specialise by taking up to four modules in one subject from Group 1, see the BSc course content.
For instance, students following the MSci Joint Honours degree in:
- Mathematics and Physics must do the five core modules leaving them free to choose one module from the Mathematics or Physics List to achieve an equal subject balance.
- Biology and Chemistry must do six core modules equally balanced between the two subjects.
Students who are following the MSci in Natural Sciences where they will specialise in a single science subject in their final year, such as Earth Sciences, typically:
- Need to take three or four core modules
- Have considerable freedom which is only limited by progression and the timetable
- Build on one or two subjects studied in the first year
- Have the option of starting a new subject by taking a first-year module.
Year 3
You must study at least two subjects, but no more than three. You can specialise by taking up to four modules in one subject from Group 1, see the BSc course content. You may also take a second-year module.
For example, students following the MSci Joint Honours degree in:
- Chemistry and Physics must do the six core modules.
- Chemistry and Mathematics must do five core modules and one module from the Mathematics list.
- Students not taking the Joint Honours have considerable freedom; they are able to combine advanced modules in subjects already studied.
Year 4
In addition to the project module, students take a selection of taught modules. Module availability can change, but taught modules available to current students following the MSci Joint Honours degrees are:
- Biology and Chemistry: Bioactive Chemistry 4; Biomolecular Analysis
- Biology and Physics: Atomic and Optical Physics; Biological Imaging; Theoretical Physics 4
- Chemistry and Mathematics: Chemical Physics 4; Computational Chemical Physics 4; Modules from the Level 4 Mathematics List
- Chemistry and Physics: Chemical Physics 4; Computational Chemical Physics 4; Atomic and Optical Physics; Theoretical Physics 4;
- Mathematics and Physics: Modules chosen from the Level 4 Mathematics and Physics lists.
- Students taking the MSci in Natural Sciences have continued freedom where the main subjects studied will be listed on the degree certificate.
Typically:
- They combine advanced modules in subjects already studied
- They can specialise in or combine: Chemistry; Computer Science; Earth Sciences; Mathematics; Physics.
