The Quantum Universe



Overview

From Planck's quanta of light to Planck's star in quantum gravity and quanta of time, this course offers an introduction to the quantum universe.

We will cover the development of the notion of quanta, from its origin as a solution to the ultraviolet catastrophe in the emission of radiation, to its ultimate consequence – the potential quantisation of space and time.

Using a minimum amount of mathematical terminology, the course explores the revolutionary theory of quanta, its many successes, its various interpretations, some of its applications, and its problematic relation with the theory of  relativity.

Programme details

Course starts Thursday 2 October 2025

This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Thursdays, 7-9pm.

Week 1: Introduction: Ultraviolet catastrophe and the hypothesis of quanta

Week 2: Quantum orbits

Week 3: Wave-particle duality

Week 4: Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle

Week 5: Interpretations of quantum mechanics

Week 6: Unifying quantum mechanics and relativity

Week 7: Quantum field theory

Week 8: The Standard Model

Week 9: Quantum gravity

Week 10: Quantum cosmology

Certification

Academic credit

Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS Points)

Please note, students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you wish to gain credit from completing this course you must register to do so before the course starts.

Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.

Learn more about the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee for assessment and accreditation.

Digital certificate of completion 

Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee (with no assessment) £300.00
Assessment and Accreditation fee £60.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. See details of our concessionary fees for short courses.

Tutor

Dr Marina Debattista

Marina Debattista has a PhD in Physics, specialising in quantum field theory, and is currently interested in the popularisation of science.

Course aims

  • Understanding that the quantum universe operates in a fundamentally different way from the more familiar world of classical physics.
  • Understand the theoretical context of quanta and the experimental evidence of quantisation.
  • Become familiar with the various interpretations of quantum physics.
  • Describe some of the most recent developments of quantum gravity.

Teaching methods

  • PowerPoint presentations
  • Use of white board
  • Group discussions
  • Oral presentations
  • Group activities

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have been given the opportunity to:

  • Become familiar with the concept of quantum and the wave-particle dualism.
  • Distinguish between and evaluate the advantages of several of the main interpretations of quantum physics.
  • Be comfortable about the counter-intuitive principles of quantum physics and some of their consequences.
  • Gather an insight of the current theories  of the origin of the universe.

Assessment methods

Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.

Assessment

Option 1: a portfolio of assessable coursework elements, consisting of a number of assignments in the form of set questions throughout the course. The number of elements will be three.

or

Option 2: a 1500 word essay on a topic to be selected from a list of proposed topics. There will also be a formative assessment of a 500 word piece, to be submitted during the course.

Application

How to enrol

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

How to register for accreditation and assessment

To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. 

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Level and demands

This is an introductory course that does not assume any previous familiarity with quantum physics.

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support