Year 1 · UCL
Year 1 Mathematical and Physical Foundations
Undergraduate
Foundational mathematics and physics courses: Analysis 1, Algebra, Mathematical Methods, astronomy, waves, thermal physics, and classical mechanics.
- calculus
- linear algebra
- mechanics
- waves and optics
- thermal physics
This course map records the foundations that support later modelling and scientific computing work. Public notes focus on reusable explanations, small examples, and links to projects that demonstrate the ideas in code.
Courses
- MATH0003 Analysis 1.
- MATH0007 Algebra for Joint Honours Students.
- MATH0010 Mathematical Methods 1.
- MATH0011 Mathematical Methods 2.
- PHAS0004 Atoms, Stars and the Universe.
- PHAS0005 Waves, Optics and Acoustics.
- PHAS0006 Thermal Physics and the Properties of Matter.
- PHAS0010 Classical Mechanics.
Themes to connect
- Calculus and algebra as shared language for physical models.
- Classical mechanics as a first route from equations to interpretation.
- Waves, optics, and thermal physics as bridges from mathematical methods to physical modelling.
- Clean mathematical writing, including assumptions, units, limiting cases, and diagrammatic interpretation.
Public evidence
The Lagrangian mechanics and variational calculus report grew out of an extra Year 1 summer mathematics department project and is linked from the Projects & Outputs area. Copyrighted lecture material and complete assessed solutions stay off the public site.