About Physics/Physics and Astrophysics/Computer Simulation, BA (Hons) - at Trinity College Dublin
PhysicsPhysics explores our universe in all its diversity - from particles to planets, from crystals to chaos, from quanta to quasars and from superstrings to superconductors. Its applications are to be found in modern communications, in computers, lasers and many other technologies of vital importance. A physics degree will help you develop flexible skills in theory, data analysis and instrumentation.
The Physics Department at Trinity enjoys a worldwide reputation, and provides an exceptionally stimulating environment for study and for subsequent postgraduate research. In the Senior Sophister (fourth) year you will carry out a three-month research project in a modern research laboratory either in Trinity or at another institution in Ireland or abroad, and many find this part of the course particularly rewarding.
Physics and astrophysicsSince before the dawn of human civilisation man has gazed in wonder at the night sky. The exploration of our solar system and the universe beyond continues fascinate us. Astrophysics is still a major part of human endeavour in science.
At the end of the Senior Freshman (second) year, you may choose to study for a degree in Physics and Astrophysics by substituting roughly one quarter of the general physics courses with Astrophysics courses in the final two years.
In the third year the astrophysics courses range over modern astronomical instrumentation, spectroscopy, space plasmas, stellar evolution, galaxies and an introduction to general relativity and modern cosmology. There is hands-on experience of astrophysical observation in the third year laboratory, using optical and radio telescopes.
Physics and computer simulationComputer simulation is used by physicists to gain a deeper understanding of both experiments and theoretical ideas through numerical computation and data visualisation. It is also widely used in other fields such as film production or weather forecasting. If you enjoy mathematics and computing and applying them to understanding the world around you and you have successfully completed two years of physics study in the TR071 degree, you may opt to study the physics and computer simulation degree course for the final two years of your degree. You will carry out your final year project working with a computational physics research group. The numerical and computational techniques you will learn to use, combined with your knowledge of physics at the end of your degree course, will open up a wide range of career possibilities for you.
