Program Overview

Learn about the physics of magnetic resonance and its real-world applications on this unique master’s course at the University of Southampton. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is crucial in providing insights for chemistry, biology and medicine. On this MSc you’ll benefit from hands-on experience with the latest magnetic resonance equipment. You’ll graduate with the knowledge and practical skills to move into industrial or academic research.

Magnetic resonance occurs when materials are placed in a strong magnetic field and exposed to radio waves.  

It is used in chemistry through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and in medical diagnostics through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

On this UK master’s course you’ll learn how fundamental physics can be used to help solve real-world problems: with this degree you could help develop new applications for diagnosing cancer or protecting the environment.

The topics you’ll study include:

• The dynamics of nuclear spins
• The practical aspects of magnetic resonance research
• Current problems in magnetic resonance research
• Numerical simulation methods

There’s a strong focus on practical experience throughout the course. We’ll teach you how to:

• Use modern magnetic resonance spectrometers
• Gather and process NMR data
• Interpret NMR data to answer research questions
• You’ll also benefit from our strong industry connections and industry-standard facilities.

Our world-leading contributions to magnetic resonance research include:

• Designing the NMR pulse methods used in all NMR spectrometers
• The discovery of nuclear spin quantum states with exceptionally long lifetimes
• Developing miniature NMR detectors to study extremely small samples

Our flexible approach means you can adapt the course to your personal interests or career plans. A wide range of optional modules allows you to complement your knowledge of magnetic resonance with specialist courses in molecular cell biology, cancer biology, advanced quantum physics or computational chemistry.