The Department Of Physics And Astronomy. Our Physics Courses.

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1 The Department Of Physics And Astronomy. Our Physics Courses.

2 CONTENTS Courses How we teach 4 Physics courses 6 Astrophysics courses 8 Specialist physics courses 10 What our graduates do 22 Stories Particle physics 13 Quantum physics 14 Astrophysics 16 Physics of Life 18 We put physics to work 20 Next steps Open days 24 How to apply 26 UK TOP 10 FOR PHYSICS RESEARCH RAE 2008

3 Choose Sheffield and you ll join a community of researchers and students looking for answers to these questions. All our undergraduates get hands-on experience working alongside staff on real research projects. The biggest questions in the Universe IS TIME TRAVEL POSSIBLE? IS THE UNIVERSE EXPANDING FASTER? CAN WE MAKE A QUANTUM COMPUTER? HOW CAN WE GENERATE ENOUGH ENERGY FOR EVERYONE IN THE FUTURE? WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF MASS IS IT THE HIGGS BOSON? ARE THERE HABITABLE PLANETS IN OTHER STAR SYSTEMS? 3

4 Our teaching How we teach LAB SKILLS Lab work links to what you learn in lectures. In the first and second years we devote a whole module each semester to experiments and training. You ll learn how to present results, analyse data and assess errors. PROGRAMMING CLASSES Computer programming is an essential part of academic and industrial research. We teach in a variety of languages including Matlab, C++, C, and Labview. And we ll teach you how to use Excel to analyse data. 4

5 Our teaching PROBLEM SOLVING Physics graduates can compete for jobs in any sector because they know how to solve problems. We ll help you develop a combination of numerical reasoning and physical understanding that can be applied anywhere. TUTORIALS Groups of up to 10 students meet with a lecturer to go over difficult course material and practise solving problems. FIELD WORK We encourage you to take part in field trips throughout your course. You could find yourself investigating dark matter 1km underground at Boulby Mine or 2,400m above sea level at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos in the Canary Islands. RESEARCH PROJECTS All our students do research of their own. This could be as part of one of our research projects or you might choose to research different methods of science teaching. BSC OR MPHYS? It depends on your career plans. An MPhys takes 4 years to complete rather than 3 years and has more research content so it s good preparation for a career in research or academia. BSc Matlab C Labview C++ MPhys 5

6 PHYSICS COURSES F300 BSc Physics AAB F301 MPhys Physics AAA F305 MPhys Physics with study in North America AAA F304 MPhys Physics with study in Australasia AAA F344 BSc Theoretical Physics AAB F321 MPhys Theoretical Physics AAA FV35 BSc Physics and Philosophy AAB BSc/MPhys Physics with a Foundation Year ABB Skills modules such as research projects, programming and laboratories are typically assessed by coursework. Other modules are typically assessed by a combination of examination (around 70%) and coursework (around 30%) The 4 year MPhys degree is shown. Our BSc courses are equally valuable and include the content shown up to year three. EXAMPLE COURSE BREAKDOWN: MPhys PHYSICS COURSE CODE F301 YEAR 1 Core - Mechanics, electricity, waves and relativity - Heat, magnetism, optics and quantum mechanics - Professional Skills in Physics - Mathematics for Physicists Options - Mathematics for Physicists and Astronomers - Mathematics - The Solar System - Our Evolving Universe - The Physics of Sustainable Energy YEAR 2 Core - From thermodynamics to quantum mechanics - From electromagnetism to atomic and nuclear physics - Classical Physics - Optics - Experimental Physics - Programming in C Options - Stellar Structure and Evolution - Galaxies - Extra-Solar Planets and Astrobiology - The Dynamic Interstellar Medium - Aspects of Medical Imaging and Technology - The Physics of Music - Physics of Materials - Physics with Labview - Numerical and Computational Physics 6

7 YEAR 3 Core - Nuclear Physics - Particle Physics - Further Quantum Mechanics - Metals, Semiconductors and Insulators - Advanced Electrodynamics - Atomic and Laser Physics - Statistical Physics For more detail on modules, see our online prospectus. SPECIALIST COURSES Physics with Medical Physics Physics with Computer Science Chemical Physics See page 10 - Physics Research Project - Group Project in Physics - Techniques of Problem Solving in Physics Options - Nuclear Astrophysics - Dark Matter and the Universe - Introduction to Cosmology - Relativity and Cosmology - History of Astronomy - Numerical and Computational Physics - Mathematical Physics YEAR 4 Core - Research Project in Physics and Astronomy Options - Advanced Particle Physics - Dark Matter and the Universe - Nuclear Astrophysics - Development of Particle Physics - High Energy Astrophysics - History of Astronomy - Cosmic Origins - Introduction to Cosmology - Relativity and Cosmology - Biological Physics - Mathematical Physics - Magnetic Resonance: Principles and Applications - Physics of Semiconductors - Physics of Soft Condensed Matter - Advanced Quantum Mechanics - Optical Properties of Solids - Literature Search in Physics - Physics in an Enterprise Culture 7

8 ASTROPHYSICS COURSES FF35 BSc Physics and Astrophysics AAB F3F5 MPhys Physics and Astrophysics AAA FF3M MPhys Physics and Astrophysics with a Year Abroad AAA Our degrees have around 20 hours of contact with teaching staff each week through lectures, problem classes, labs and tutorials. EXAMPLE COURSE BREAKDOWN: MPhys PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS COURSE CODE F3F5 YEAR 2 Core - Stellar Structure and Evolution - Galaxies - Astronomical Techniques - Extra-solar Planets and Astrobiology - The Dynamic Interstellar Medium - From thermodynamics to quantum mechanics - From electromagnetism to atomic and nuclear physics - Programming in C - Experimental Physics YEAR 1 Core - Introduction to Astrophysics - The Solar System - Our Evolving Universe - Mechanics, electricity, waves and relativity - Heat, magnetism, optics and quantum mechanics - Introductory Mathematics for Physicists and Astronomers - Mathematics for Physicists - Professional Skills in Physics and Astronomy 8

9 YEAR 4 Core - Cosmic Origins - High Energy Astrophysics - Statistical Physics - Research Project in Physics and Astronomy Options - Advanced Particle physics - Biological Physics - Development of Particle Physics - Magnetic Resonance: Principles and Applications - Physics of Soft Condensed Matter - Physics of Semiconductors - Optical Properties of Solids - Advanced Quantum Mechanics - Literature Search in Physics - Directed Reading in Astronomy - Physics in an Enterprise Culture Level 4 selected study at the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING) on La Palma, - Directed Reading in Astronomy - Research Design Study - Project Management and Presentation - Working at the ING - Extended Research Project in Astronomy YEAR 3 Core - Introduction to Cosmology - Stellar Atmospheres - Particle Physics - Further Quantum Mechanics - Atomic and Laser Physics - Programming in C - Problem Solving in Physics and Astrophysics - Astronomy Research Project Options - Dark Matter and the Universe - History of Astronomy - Relativity and Cosmology - Nuclear Physics - Nuclear Astrophysics - Optics - Metals, Semiconductors and Insulators - Magnetism and Advanced Electrodynamics WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES We own three telescopes. Two are on the roof of the department: a robotic 0.25m telescope and a computercontrolled 0.40m telescope. The third is on La Palma in the Canary Islands, one of the world s best observing sites. You ll get to use these telescopes from the first year and throughout your course. In the third year, we run a field trip to La Palma, where you'll use our 0.5m telescope and visit other large telescopes on the site. You can apply to spend your entire fourth year on La Palma, working at the observatory as a staff astronomer in charge of some of the world s largest telescopes and carrying out an extended research project. YEAR ABROAD Choose the course with a year abroad and spend your third year at a partner university in Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the United States. - Numerical and Computational Physics - Physics Research Project - Group Project in Physics 9

10 SPECIALIST PHYSICS COURSES F350 BSc Physics with Medical Physics AAB F371 MPhys Physics with Medical Physics AAA F335 MPhys Chemical Physics AAB F3G4 BSc Physics with Computer Science AAB F3GK MPhys Physics with Computer Science AAA EXAMPLE COURSE BREAKDOWN: MPhys PHYSICS WITH MEDICAL PHYSICS COURSE CODE F371 We have illustrated the modular content of our MPhys degrees. Our BSc courses are equally valuable and include the content shown up to year three. YEAR 1 Core - Introduction to Bioengineering - Physics of Living Systems - Introductory Mathematics for Physicists and Astronomers - Mathematics for Physicists - Mechanics, electricity, waves and relativity - Heat, magnetism, optics and quantum mechanics - Professional Skills in Physics YEAR 2 Core - Biomedical Instrumentation - Tissue Structure and Function - Aspects of Medical Imaging and Technology - From thermodynamics to quantum mechanics - From electromagnetism to atomic and nuclear physics - Classical Physics - Optics - Experimental Physics - Physics with Labview 10

11 YEAR 3 Core - Modelling and Simulation of Natural Systems - Clinical Engineering and Computational Mechanics - Programming in C - Nuclear Physics - Further Quantum Mechanics - Metals, Semiconductors and Insulators - Magnetism and Advanced Electrodynamics - Medical Physics Research Project - Physics Research Project - Advanced Techniques of Problem Solving in Physics Options - Numerical and Computational Physics - Mathematical Physics - Relativity and Cosmology - Nuclear Astrophysics - Dark Matter and the Universe YEAR 4 Core - Medical Physics Research Project - Hospital or Industrial Placement - Particle Physics - Atomic and Laser Physics - Statistical Physics Options - Physics of Semiconductors - Biological Physics - Advanced Particle physics - Magnetic Resonance: Principles and Applications - The Development of Particle Physics - Physics of Soft Condensed Matter - Advanced Quantum Mechanics - Advanced Statistical Physics - Optical Properties of Solids - Literature Search in Physics - Physics in an Enterprise Culture For more detail about modules see our online prospectus. 11

12 Particle physics 12

13 Particle physics Particle physics THE DISCOVERY OF A LIFETIME Our staff and students are part of an international team behind the most significant breakthrough in particle physics of the last thirty years: the discovery of a particle thought to be the elusive Higgs Boson. The Sheffield group, led by Professor Dan Tovey are based at CERN in Geneva. They ve been closely involved in all aspects of the experiment from design and construction through to final analysis of the data. Dan teaches quantum mechanics at Sheffield. At CERN, he is part of a team investigating supersymmetry, a possible extension of the so-called Standard Model of Particle Physics that could lead to an explosion of new particles to discover. Dr Stathes Paganis, who teaches atomic physics and electromagnetism here and runs the second year lab, analysed the data from the Large Hadron Collider. THE HIGGS BOSON SHOWS US HOW ELECTROMAGNETIC AND WEAK NUCLEAR INTERACTIONS WERE THE SAME JUST AFTER THE BIG BANG BUT ARE NOW VERY DIFFERENT. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ARE HELPING ME TO ANALYSE THE DATA FROM THE LHC. THE QUESTION NOW IS WHETHER THE HIGGS IS FUNDAMENTAL OR WHETHER IT IS BUILT FROM OTHER, NEW PARTICLES WITH NEW INTERACTIONS. MAYBE THERE ARE OTHER FORCES TO BE FOUND? Dr Stathes Paganis 13

14 Quantum physics Quantum physics 14

15 Quantum physics Quantum mechanics is one of the most important fundamental theories in physics. We ll teach you the core theory in the second year. In the third and fourth years we teach Further and Advanced Quantum Mechanics the tools you need for research. CAN WE MAKE A QUANTUM COMPUTER? It s an exciting possibility. We re at the forefront of international research into quantum dots tiny boxes of semi-conductor material in which we can capture electrons. By placing these electrons in electric and magnetic fields and hitting them with photons, we can control their behaviour. This is important if we want to use the electron as an information carrier (a bit). We go even further and exploit the quantum properties of the electron to make a quantum bit, an essential ingredient for a quantum computer which would outperform the classical computer and change the world. IS TIME TRAVEL POSSIBLE? We study quantum mechanics as an information processing theory at the fundamental level. This allows us to treat the entire Universe as a huge quantum computer so we can ask questions like: how fast, in principle, can this computer be? It also allows us to solve the strange paradoxes of time travel. Dr Pieter Kok explains all in a short film: For more on these stories please visit the Sheffield Physics Youtube page 15

16 Astrophysics Astrophysics 16

17 Astrophysics Telescopes on La Palma - used by our students OUR HIGH SPEED CAMERAS REVOLUTIONISE ASTRONOMY Dwarf planets beyond the orbit of Pluto are too distant to see in detail. But we ve found a way to examine them. Professor Vik Dhillon and Dr Stuart Littlefair have built high speed cameras which they mount on some of the world s largest telescopes. The cameras record rapid events such as the dip in light from a distant star when a dwarf planet passes in front of it. By analysing the dip caused by the dwarf planet Makemake, we were able to work out that the planet is almost as big as Pluto and has no atmosphere. WASP-33B IS THE HOTTEST PLANET WE KNOW Liam Hardy spent the final year of his MPhys Physics/Astrophysics degree on La Palma. He used Sheffield's 0.5m telescope to complete a long-term study of the extrasolar planet WASP-33b, discovering that it is one of the youngest, hottest and largest planets known. Liam s results are being written up for publication in a research journal and he starts a PhD in astrophysics this year. PICTURES FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE We know physicists love a challenge, so we gave a group of astrophysics students 750 and asked them to take a picture from the edge of space that showed the curvature of the Earth. They built a 2m diameter, He-filled meteorology balloon with a 1m diameter parachute and 1.5kg scientific payload including two cameras and meteorological instruments. The flight yielded high def images and video at altitudes of up to 34 km and a wealth of data on the variation of atmospheric conditions. For more on these stories please visit the Sheffield Physics Youtube page 17

18 Physics of Life Physics of life 18

19 Physics of Life BATTLING BACTERIA Fourth years Jonny Burns and Ben Appleby are part of a University-wide project looking for ways to beat drug resistant pathogens. Jonny and Ben are looking at how antibiotics change the mechanical properties of the cell wall of MRSA. They re continuing work started by Dr Ashley Cadby and Professor Jamie Hobbs who recently combined super-resolution optics and atomic force microscopy to image the cell wall of E. Coli and understand how the wall is formed. UNDERSTANDING CANCER Also in the department, Dr Rhoda Hawkins is working on biological systems, trying to understand how cancer cells are able to move and colonise other parts of the body. Rhoda teaches a fourth-year biological physics module which brings together statistical physics and classical mechanics to advance our understanding of the physics of life. BIOPHYSICS IN THE CURRICULUM In year two we teach extrasolar planets and astrobiology and in year four there is an optional module covering biological physics. 19

20 Physics and industry We put physics to work 20

21 Physics and industry Applying our research to industrial problems is a big part of what we do. And there are lots of ways for you to get involved. MEASURING UNDERGROUND CO2 Our admissions tutor Dr Lee Thompson has a research grant from the Department for Energy and Climate Change to develop ways of measuring the storage of CO2 underground using cosmic muons. Different types of rock absorb cosmic muons with different strength. The muons also penetrate deep into the earth. By placing detectors underground and measuring the muon flux at different angles, the amount of CO2 trapped underground can be measured in a process similar to making an X-ray image, but using cosmic rays. KEEPING AIRPORTS SAFE Detecting high energy neutrons is a big challenge for cargo screening in airports. 3 He is commonly used but there is only so much 3 He available and it s expensive. Research fellow Dr John McMillan has developed a new method. John found that cosmetics material boron nitride is pure enough and contains enough active Boron10 isotope to convert neutrons to alpha particles. THE PHYSICS OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY Postgraduate researchers and undergraduate project students are working together to develop low cost solar cells from specially designed combinations of molecular compounds and nanomaterials. Our optional Physics of Sustainable Energy module is open to all single honours students. 21

22 Our granulates What our graduates do 22

23 Our graduates OUR GRADUATES CAN DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. They are science communication officers, web developers, IT consultants, research scientists, technicians, programmers and analysts. They work for universities, hospitals, governments and global corporations; for Toshiba, Ernst & Young, Rolls Royce, CERN, BAE Systems, the American Museum of Natural History and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. They never stop surprising us. ON COMING TO THE UNIVERSITY I HAD LITTLE IDEA WHAT I WANTED TO DO NEXT, BUT YOU RE ASSIGNED A PERSONAL TUTOR WHO CAN ADVISE YOU ON ALMOST ANYTHING. SPEAKING TO MINE HAS HELPED ME REALISE JUST HOW MUCH I COULD DO WITH THIS DEGREE... Samantha Price WORK EXPERIENCE Our Careers Service can help you find work experience that s right for you. This could mean vacation work, an internship, a placement or a project. PHYSICS WITH A YEAR IN INDUSTRY You can spend a year in industry as part of your course. It s up to you to find a placement but we have links with companies who might be able to help and we ll support you all the way. If you re interested in this option, contact us for more information. 23

24 Open days Visit us UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS There are four University open days every summer. You can take a tour of the campus, the accommodation and the Students Union. There are talks about all the things that matter to you, including careers, studying abroad and how to get loans and grants. Book your place online: UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR 2011 Times Higher Education Awards PHYSICS OPEN DAYS If you apply for a place and you re expected to meet our entry requirements we ll invite you to a department open day. It s a great chance to get to know the department better. You ll spend the day with staff and students. They ll tell you more about their courses and the research they do. Physics open days are held between November and March you will have a choice of dates and will be called to interview during your visit. A WORLD TOP 100 UNIVERSITY QS World University Rankings 2012 THE BEST STUDENTS UNION IN THE UK Four years in a row Times Higher Education Survey 24

25 Open days Top Left: looking across the concourse to the Students Union. Mid left: our rooftop telescope. Bottom right: Endcliffe village student accommodation. 25

26 Applying to study with us How to apply You must apply through UCAS between September 1 and January 15. Talk to your school or college or visit: Our UCAS code is S18 SHEFD. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS For an MPhys: AAA at A Level, including Maths and Physics. Except MPhys Chemical Physics: AAB. For a BSc: AAB at A Level, including Maths and Physics. OTHER QUALIFICATIONS We also accept other qualifications such as Scottish Highers, Irish Leaving Certificate and International Baccalaureate. For further details and necessary grades, see our online prospectus: NO-RISK DOUBLE OFFER If you accept sheffield as your first choice offer on an MPhys course (AAA), but your A Level grades are AAB, you are guaranteed a place on the BSc. You can upgrade to the MPhys at the end of the first year if your grades are high enough. TAKING A GAP YEAR? You re welcome to defer entry for a year. We won t treat your application any differently. But you must meet all the conditions of our offer by August 31 in the year you apply. ANY QUESTIONS? WE RE HERE TO HELP: T: +44 (0) E: PHYSICS.UCAS@SHEFFIELD.AC.UK 26

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