Physics preparation

Welcome to Physics at Surrey and the School of Mathematics & Physics! Congratulations on securing your place to study physics, a subject which seeks to understand the fundamental laws of nature, and underpins much of the technology that shapes our world today. From exploring the mysteries of the universe, to driving advances in quantum computers, medical imaging, and sustainable energy, physics is at the heart of solving global challenges, and you have an exciting few years ahead.

Welcome

Coming to university is an exciting but often daunting experience, and so this page is designed to help you prepare for the year ahead. You can find information about the modules you will be studying, recommended textbooks & reading, and how to seek support & advice from services such as our Disability & Neuroinclusion (D&N) team, and the Centre for Wellbeing (CWB).

If you have any further questions, then you can check the MySurrey Help pages which have answers to many frequently asked questions, or contact the Physics Senior Personal Tutor, Lisa Morrison.

Course information

Our Physics programmes are accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP), and the Maths & Physics programmes are recognised. The academic year is divided into two semesters, and you will be taking four modules per semester. Below is a list of these modules, with links to the module pages, for Physics and Maths & Physics joint-degree students. Both BSc and MPhys students take the same modules in the first year.

All students will have laboratory work to complete for two modules each semester, and the lab component of a module must be passed in order for the credits for that module to be secured. We will provide teaching and training on all equipment and techniques you will be using.

Physics (including ‘Physics with’ programmes):

Semester 1 

Semester 2 

Maths & Physics:

Semester 1  

Semester 2 

Academic tips

We advise you to brush up on your A-Level Physics & Maths in the days before beginning the course, just to prepare for the work ahead after the summer break.

You will be asked to take part in a maths diagnostic quiz before you arrive. This isn’t something to worry about as it’s not meant to test you in any way, other than for you to be able to identify where you may need to build up some more of your knowledge. We will, of course, be teaching all students mathematics from Semester 1, but there will be additional (optional) focussed classes you can take on any areas which you identify as being trickier.

Whilst we don’t require or assume any prior knowledge of coding, you will be learning how to use Python, so it might be useful to have a look at some videos or tutorials on Python to give you a head start.

Microsoft Excel will be used during Semester 1, so if you aren’t confident with how to create or use a spreadsheet, then we recommend that you take some time to learn some of the basics, such as addition, formatting, and absolute cell referencing.

You will be assigned a Personal Tutor when you arrive, who will be one of the Physics academic members of staff. This tutor will see you throughout the course of your degree journey, and will be your go-to contact for questions or advice about academic or personal issues. We strongly encourage you to let them know early on about any difficulties you are experiencing, and they will be able to signpost you to the right place in order to access support.

Non-academic tips

Free stuff! During Freshers’ Week, there will be lots of exciting things happening including Freshers’ Fayre, in which you can explore which societies may be of interest to you, and pick up lots of free things! Societies range from gaming, sports, food, to our very our Physics society, PhySoc! More information about Fresher’s Week can be found here: https://surreyunion.org/.

Lastly, university is not all about studying and working hard; having a work-life balance is key to success. Make sure to take time to do things you enjoy outside of studying, and remember that it is always ok to ask for support if you need to.

Recommended Reading

Once you arrive at university, you will have full access to the university library’s resources, which has both physical and digital textbooks. You therefore will not need to purchase any additional books for your course.

Reading lists are highlighted on the module pages listed above, so you can see which book(s) are recommended for each area of study. That being said, the most-important textbook for your first year is one called ‘Principles of Physics’ by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker, which will also be available from the library.

Student Support Services

As a Surrey student, you have access to a wide range of support services throughout the duration of your degree. 

Disability and Neuroinclusion (D&N)

If you have ever had additional learning support in place at school/college (e.g. extra time in exams), or you feel as though you would benefit from this, then you must let the university know of any adjustments you require. Unlike school or college, you need to let us know about these adjustments as this information cannot be sent to us without your prior permission. This process is very straightforward and there are lots of people who can help you along the way.

You can mention this to your personal tutor when you meet, and there will be guidance provided to you in the first week as to how to access this support. If you are in any doubt, please contact your personal tutor or the senior personal tutor for advice. 

Centre for Wellbeing (CWB) 

The wonderful team at the CWB are able to provide confidential, one-to-one support for students experiencing challenges with their mental health and wellbeing. You do not need to have a diagnosis to access their services, and they can offer both short and long-term support for students.

We encourage you to reach out for support when you are finding things difficult – asking for help is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about, and you are never alone.

MySurrey Help

Search MySurrey Help to find useful articles about life at Surrey