Natural Philosophy
Natural Philosophy is an ancient and ambitious discipline that returns to the great questions of what the universe is made of, how it works and what it means. It combines the mathematical and experimental rigour of physics with the conceptual depth of philosophy and the formal power of mathematics, producing a degree that engages with the deepest scientific theories about the nature of the universe alongside reflection on their philosophical implications. The history of the discipline stretches from Aristotle through Newton to Einstein and quantum mechanics, and the questions it raises, about space, time, causation, determinism, consciousness and the limits of knowledge, remain among the most profound that human thought has addressed.
At the University of Aberdeen, this four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad and combines courses from physics, mathematics and philosophy to provide a deep understanding of the natural world and its fundamental principles. You will study classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum physics and relativity alongside the mathematical methods that make rigorous physics possible, and will engage with the philosophical questions that these theories raise about the nature of reality, knowledge and scientific explanation. The combination of disciplines is intellectually demanding and produces graduates with an exceptionally broad and deep foundation.
Natural Philosophy graduates go on to careers in physics research, academic philosophy, scientific computing, finance and quantitative analysis, data science, technology, science communication and education. The combination of physical intuition, mathematical competence and philosophical rigour is valued wherever the deepest level of analytical thinking is required. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in physics, philosophy of science, mathematics or related fields, and the degree provides an excellent foundation for doctoral research in theoretical physics, foundations of quantum mechanics or philosophy of science.