Key information for BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology

Code: SE501 | Level: 8 | Duration: 4 years | Delivery: Fulltime | Credits: 240

Location for BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology

Location: Waterford | Campus: Cork Road

Application Information for BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology

Next Intake: Rolling Intake | Application Status: Open | Fee Information Link: /current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/undergraduate-fees

Study Options for BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology

Work placement options: Available (View details at https://www.setu.ie/engage/access-our-talent)

International Applicants information for BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology

International Application Status: Closed | Application Information Link: https://www.setu.ie/global/study-at-setu/applying-to-setu | International Fees Link: https://www.setu.ie/current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/global-fees

What modules are taught in BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology?

Year 1: Sem 1: Introductory Biology | Sem 2: Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Sem 1: Introductory Chemistry | Sem 2: Mathematics for Scientists, Sem 1: Introductory Physics | Sem 2: Physical and Organic Chemistry, Sem 1: Introductory Mathematics | Sem 2: Physics for Scientists, Sem 1: Introduction to ICT for Scientists | Sem 2: Choose two of the following electives:, Sem 1: Good Lab Practice and Core Skills | Sem 2: *Introduction to Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Science, Sem 1: | Sem 2: *Introduction to Food Science, Sem 1: | Sem 2: *Introduction to Modern Physics, Sem 1: | Sem 2: *Plant Biology, Sem 1: | Sem 2: *Science & Society | Year 2: Sem 3: Mechanics and Waves | Sem 4: Advanced Mechanics, Sem 3: Science, Universe & Society | Sem 4: Electromagnetism, Sem 3: Electronic Devices & Systems | Sem 4: DC / AC Fundamentals, Sem 3: Ordinary Differential Equations | Sem 4: Advanced Calculus, Sem 3: Programming Fundamentals 1 | Sem 4: Programming Fundamentals 2, Sem 3: Spectroscopic Techniques | Sem 4: Thermodynamics for Engineers | Year 3: Sem 5: Atomic, Quantum and Solid State Device Physics | Sem 6: Work Placement, Sem 5: Electromagnetism, Physical Optics and Photonics | Sem 6: , Sem 5: Measurement Systems | Sem 6: , Sem 5: Advanced Engineering Mathematics | Sem 6: , Sem 5: Computational Environments & Toolchains | Sem 6: , Sem 5: Semiconductor Fundamentals | Sem 6: | Year 4: Sem 7: Introduction to Convergent Technologies | Sem 8: Semiconductor Devices, Sem 7: Computational Physics | Sem 8: Photonics Applications, Sem 7: Control Systems | Sem 8: Research Project, Sem 7: Nuclear Physics & Spectroscopic Techniques | Sem 8: Smart Grid Technologies/Renewable Energies, Sem 7: Research Methodology & Literature Review | Sem 8: Choose one of the following electives:, Sem 7: Choose one of the following electives: | Sem 8: *Digital Control, Sem 7: *Process Technology | Sem 8: *The Connected Car, Sem 7: *Cloud Computing 1 | Sem 8: *Applied Fluid Dynamics, Sem 7: *Advanced Driver Assistance Systems | Sem 8: *Data Mining 2, Sem 7: *Data Mining 1 | Sem 8:

SE501 Waterford

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Physics for Modern Technology

What is the BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology?

The BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology is a full time, four year, honours degree which can be chosen within the SE501 - Bachelor of Science (Hons) Common Entry Route. This is an inter-disciplinary course which provides students with an understanding of the physics underlying modern technologies such as semiconductors, optics/photonics, alternative energy, and sensor systems. It is designed to provide students with strong and complementary skills in the areas of physics, engineering, mathematics and programming. Graduates will develop a range of transferable skills that are valued and much sought after by industry.

BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology work placement or study abroad

Students undertake a nine month work placement, allowing them to develop valuable professional skills. Recent placement opportunities have included: Analog Devices, Bausch & Lomb, Teva, FeedHenry, TSSG, UPMC Whitfield Cancer Care, Genzyme, Fidelity Investments, ESA (European Space Agency, Holland) and NPrime (UK).. Students may also study abroad in one of SETU’s partner institutions in Europe, Canada or the USA.

Why are Physics and Technology important?

Physics is central to understanding the world around us and it is the driving force behind most modern technologies

Smartphones, iPads, fibre-optics, lasers, GPS satellites, solid state drives, radiotherapy beams, smart sensors, medical imaging systems, and a host of other devices and systems are all applications of physics.

Professional Links

This course is recognised by the Institute of Physics (IOP), the professional body for physicists. Graduates qualify for Associate Membership which provides a route to full Institute Membership following appropriate professional experience. Further details can be found at www.iop.org.

Year 1

Semester 1	Semester 2
Introductory Biology	Cell Biology and Biochemistry
Introductory Chemistry	Mathematics for Scientists
Introductory Physics	Physical and Organic Chemistry
Introductory Mathematics	Physics for Scientists
Introduction to ICT for Scientists	Choose two of the following electives:
Good Lab Practice and Core Skills	*Introduction to Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Science
	*Introduction to Food Science
	*Introduction to Modern Physics
	*Plant Biology
	*Science & Society

Year 2

Semester 3	Semester 4
Mechanics and Waves	Advanced Mechanics
Science, Universe & Society	Electromagnetism
Electronic Devices & Systems	DC / AC Fundamentals
Ordinary Differential Equations	Advanced Calculus
Programming Fundamentals 1	Programming Fundamentals 2
Spectroscopic Techniques	Thermodynamics for Engineers

Year 3

Semester 5	Semester 6
Atomic, Quantum and Solid State Device Physics	Work Placement
Electromagnetism, Physical Optics and Photonics
Measurement Systems
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
Computational Environments & Toolchains
Semiconductor Fundamentals

Year 4

Semester 7	Semester 8
Introduction to Convergent Technologies	Semiconductor Devices
Computational Physics	Photonics Applications
Control Systems	Research Project
Nuclear Physics & Spectroscopic Techniques	Smart Grid Technologies/Renewable Energies
Research Methodology & Literature Review	Choose one of the following electives:
Choose one of the following electives:	*Digital Control
*Process Technology	*The Connected Car
*Cloud Computing 1	*Applied Fluid Dynamics
*Advanced Driver Assistance Systems	*Data Mining 2
*Data Mining 1

Leaving Cert: Entry requirements for the BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology:

2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7

How to apply for the BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology on the CAO:

The entry route for this programme is from SE501 - Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Common Entry).

At the end of year 1, students must confirm their degree option and may change their selection up to that date.

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for the BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology:

Completion of a level 8 programme will also enable students to undertake taught Masters programmes or Masters degrees by research at SETU Waterford or other third-level colleges

The BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology is recognised by the Institute of Physics, which is the professional body for physicists in Ireland and the UK. Graduates of this degree programme can obtain membership of the Institute of Physics.

Career Opportunities for BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technoloy graduates:

Graduates of BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology will find employment in industry and research in a range of sectors. Visit the Institute of Physics in Ireland website for more information on the many interesting and diverse career opportunities open to physicists.

Semiconductors

Telecommunications/Photonics

Medical Physics

Biomedical Devices

Space Science & Technology

Automotive

Alternative Energy

Meteorology

Information & Communications Technology (ICT)

Teaching after gaining a Professional Master of Education

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Financial Services

Follow on Study for BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology graduates:

Graduates may proceed onto a number of taught masters courses at WIT:

MEng in Electronic Engineering

MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering

MSc in Innovative Technology Engineering

Masters or PhD by Research

Professional Links

CourseCast 17 Apr 2026

Lab Science

Here, we explore the follow-on options from the common/general entry Science programmes at SETU, these are:Food Science and InnovationMolecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical SciencePhysics for Modern TechnologyPharmaceutical ScienceThis episode of CourseCast was recorded by Dr Rob O’Connor from the Department of Computer Science at SETU. Rob was in conversation with:Dr Nabla Kennedy, PL for Molecular Biology with biopharmaceutical science; Dr Elaine Duggan, PL for Food Science and Innovation; Dr Eleanor Owens PL for BSc in Pharmaceutical Science and Dr Joe Murphy, PL for Physics for Modern Technology.

Listen on podcasts.setu.ie