Mathematics & Physics

A joint honours mathematics and physics degree in central London, with approximately equal weighting is given to both subjects. The course provides a foundation in many branches of mathematics and offers a broad knowledge of all of the fundamental elements of physics.
Watch the video here, or access the 'interactive' tab to view at a larger size and see any alternative films playOverviewVideo('/prospectus/images/home.jpg','http://podcast.ulcc.ac.uk/accounts/kings/KCL_Marketing/maths_1_Jan12.flv','true','details_108'); KEY BENEFITSMathematics:

• Central location gives easy access to major libraries and many leading societies, including the London Mathematical Society.
• Leading centre of research, with 65 per cent of the department’s research classed as world leading or internationally excellent.
• Wide choice of modules taught by renowned experts.
• Friendly and supportive learning environment.
• Improved career prospects – King’s graduates are highly sought after both nationally and internationally in a wide range of professions.

• Award winning – four members of staff in the department have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
• Internationally-renowned academic staff in the fields of cosmology, nanotechnology, and the interface between physics and biology.
• Friendly and supportive learning environment.
• Central location gives easy access to major libraries and many leading societies, including the Institute of Physics

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTIONThe programme gives you the opportunity to study both subjects at degree level. Approximately equal weighting is given to both subjects, although in the third year you may be able to choose more from one subject and tailor the degree to suit your interests. The Mathematics element gives students a foundation in many branches of mathematics, for example algebra, analysis, probability and geometry. The Physics element offers students a broad knowledge of all of the fundamental elements of physics and includes areas such as relativity, quantum mechanics, fields and waves, electromagnetism and nuclear physics.

For more about the departments contributing to this combined programme, follow the department contact links.

Click here to read about the Department of Mathematics
ABOUT THE Department of Mathematics
CAREERS A degree in mathematics is one of the most flexible qualifications you can obtain, and as a result graduates are among the best paid and the least likely to be unemployed. Many mathematics graduates become statisticians, actuaries, scientists, accountants, and so on. More and more often they are also going into careers in life sciences or the City. Opportunities also exist in teaching, and there is a real demand for graduates in this area. Recent graduates have found employment as: • Actuarial Analyst, Deloitte • Graduates in the Fashion Industry scheme, lyle and scott • Teacher, Harris Academy • Accounting Associate, Ernst & Young • Financial Analyst, GE Healthcare • Mathematical Developer, Oakham • Audit Assistant, KPMG • Finance Assistant, Eden Finance • Management Consultant, Pricewaterhousecoopers • Project Assistant, HSBC • Qualify Management Technician, Pacific life Insurance • Systems Analyst, QBE
TEACHING STYLE Teaching is predominantly by lectures, supplemented with tutorials and problem classes. Mathematics is not a spectator sport: to become a competent mathematician you must have a go at solving problems. Lecturers provide problem sheets, and if a problem defeats you, we hope and expect that you will ask for help.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT Our students are assessed using a combination of coursework and examinations depending on the module.
LOCATION The central location of our department gives easy access to major libraries and many leading societies including the London Mathematical Society and the Royal Society.
SPECIAL NOTES King’s College London has a Study Abroad programme and UG Mathematics students are eligible to apply for this. Further details can be found at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/international/abroad/prospective/sa/
Click here to read about the Department of Physics
ABOUT THE Department of Physics
CAREERS Physics students are in high demand because employers recognise the wide range of skills that they possess. Physicists are trained to be good problem solvers and to think logically and apply mathematical and computational techniques to real problems. It is not surprising that our graduates are found in many areas of employment, where they can exploit their skills. Recent graduates have found employment as… • Actuarial Analyst, Willis • Physics Tutor, Tutoring Agency • Project Engineer, Cryogenic Ltd • Publishing Editor, Royal Society of Chemistry • Researcher, Cornell University • Risk Analyst, City Index • Performance Manager, Bradford Commerce
TEACHING STYLE The majority of teaching is performed by lectures and laboratory classes, tutorials and through project work. All academic staff are involved with the undergraduate teaching programme. Each student has a personal tutor and the department encourages an open atmosphere in which students feel able to easily approach academic staff. The Student-Staff Committee provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and feedback on teaching. Staff and students are members of the Maxwell Society: the departments social and lecture society.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT The programmes have a common core of physics modules, with some optional modules each year for single honours students. We place great emphasis on problem solving and project work, which teaches team-work, group organisation, and the skills of oral and poster presentations. We also allow advanced students to work with a school, to experience teaching and develop the skill of presenting information at an understandable level. Students registered for the MSci degree take almost exactly the same modules in the first three years as those taking the BSc degree in Physics. The fourth year provides a wide range of specialised physics options through an intercollegiate London programme, while the MSci project work is a genuine research project.
LOCATION The department is located in newly refurbished dedicated office space, with views over the Thames to the London Eye and Westminster. The central location of our department gives easy access to major libraries and many leading societies including the Institute of Physics.

ABOUT THE Department of Mathematics
CAREERS A degree in mathematics is one of the most flexible qualifications you can obtain, and as a result graduates are among the best paid and the least likely to be unemployed. Many mathematics graduates become statisticians, actuaries, scientists, accountants, and so on. More and more often they are also going into careers in life sciences or the City. Opportunities also exist in teaching, and there is a real demand for graduates in this area. Recent graduates have found employment as: • Actuarial Analyst, Deloitte • Graduates in the Fashion Industry scheme, lyle and scott • Teacher, Harris Academy • Accounting Associate, Ernst & Young • Financial Analyst, GE Healthcare • Mathematical Developer, Oakham • Audit Assistant, KPMG • Finance Assistant, Eden Finance • Management Consultant, Pricewaterhousecoopers • Project Assistant, HSBC • Qualify Management Technician, Pacific life Insurance • Systems Analyst, QBE
TEACHING STYLE Teaching is predominantly by lectures, supplemented with tutorials and problem classes. Mathematics is not a spectator sport: to become a competent mathematician you must have a go at solving problems. Lecturers provide problem sheets, and if a problem defeats you, we hope and expect that you will ask for help.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT Our students are assessed using a combination of coursework and examinations depending on the module.
LOCATION The central location of our department gives easy access to major libraries and many leading societies including the London Mathematical Society and the Royal Society.
SPECIAL NOTES King’s College London has a Study Abroad programme and UG Mathematics students are eligible to apply for this. Further details can be found at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/international/abroad/prospective/sa/