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It’s the Keele Difference.

PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS

Undergraduate Programmes

2018-19 entry

School of Chemical and Physical Sciences

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PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS COURSES | 32 | PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS COURSES

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Contents Introduction Welcome to Physics and Astrophysics at Keele. This booklet is meant to give you an overview of the undergraduate degree programmes we offer and a flavour of what it is like to study with us. Keele is the leading interdisciplinary university in the UK, and either Physics or Astrophysics may be studied together with another as part of a three-year Combined Honours BSc degree. The opportunity to study two subjects simultaneously at degree level holds great appeal for many students; while the breadth of knowledge and diversity of skills acquired in such courses are valued by a large and growing cross-section of private and public sector employers.

Alternatively, many students choose to specialise at an earlier stage and we offer 3-year Single Honours programmes in “Physics” and in “Physics with Astrophysics”, where you will study just these subjects. These programmes allow a greater depth and breadth of study in your chosen field and may be a better choice for those more likely to go on to postgraduate study at Masters Level and beyond. Both the Single Honours and Combined Honours variants (whichever second subject is chosen) cover the whole of the Core of Physics, a detailed set of concepts and topics laid out by the IOP for inclusion in all undergraduate physics degrees in the UK. When you graduate from one of our programmes, you will be equally well-prepared either to undertake further study towards a higher degree or to enter graduate-level employment directly.

We work hard to deliver teaching and support of the highest quality to our students. There is a minimum of 10 hours per week of lecture, lab and tutorial time in Combined Honours Physics or Astrophysics, or 17 hours per week in Single Honours and all of these are led directly by members of the academic staff, with “an open door policy regarding student consultation”. We participate in Keele’s well-developed personal tutoring system. For each year of our degrees there is a Physics/Astrophysics member of staff responsible for keeping abreast of every student’s individual progress and ensuring that academic programmes run smoothly. We organise careers and postgraduate information sessions for our students and we have a staff–student liaison committee, which meets twice yearly with student representatives from each of the three degree years.

We are proud of what our students have to say about us in return. In the National Student Survey, which gives final-year undergraduates the chance to offer feedback on every aspect of their courses, we consistently place among the top handful of Physics/Astrophysics departments in the UK. Our graduates gave us satisfaction ratings of 90%+ in each of the 2011-2015 surveys and we were the top-ranked Physics/Astrophysics department in the 2016 survey, with especially high ratings for teaching and student feedback.

All of the academic staff who teach on the Physics and Astrophysics BSc courses at Keele are active in research; a brief summary of what we do is included later in this booklet. This enables us to inject some of the topicality and the excitement of our own scientific interests into the undergraduate degrees — particularly within specialised lecture modules and project work in the third year. We also have thriving research PhD programmes, and we draw on our postgraduate students to bolster the support we give in undergraduate lab sessions and tutorials.

Beyond Physics and Astrophysics specifically, Keele University as a whole makes a concerted effort to provide all of its students with tools to maximise their achievements during their time here and to communicate those achievements most effectively. There are, for example, a number of University services to support careers planning and personal development. There are also opportunities to become involved in a range of activities, which can enhance both your own experience of university and your appeal to future employers: entrepreneurship, volunteering, work with students in local schools, a Study Abroad programme, free foreign language courses, a variety of student societies (including a Physics and Astronomy Society), and much more.

If you have any questions for us as you make your choices about Physics or Astrophysics, Keele and your university career, we would encourage you to get in touch using the details on the back cover. Whatever you ultimately decide, we wish you every success in your current and future studies.

2 | PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS COURSES

of the world’s universities

Times Higher Education World University

Rankings, 2016-2017

TOP 4%

Introduction 03Why Keele? 04Course Features 06Why Study Physics or Astrophysics? 07Course Information 07Single Honours Physics Course details 08Combined Honours Physics Course details 11Single Honours Physics with Astrophysics course details 14Combined Honours Physics with Astrophysics course details 17

What our students think of us 20The Student Experience 21Research at Keele 23Careers in Physics and Astrophysics 24Entry Requirements 26Degree Titles and Application Codes 27Some ideas for your degree… 28How to apply 30Meet us 31

Dr A. Mahendrasingam, Director of Undergraduate Courses

Professor Rob Jeffries, Head of Physics and Astrophysics



WHY EELE?Reasons to choose Keele

keele.ac.uk/physics


University of the Year for Student Experience

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2017

AWARDEDfor Student Satisfaction with CourseGuardian University League Table, 2017

1STfor

Affordabilitymarbles.com, 2016

1STfor Graduate Employability,

97.5%HESA – Destinations

of Leavers from Higher Education, 2016

1STof the world’s universities

Times Higher Education World University

Rankings, 2016-2017

TOP 4%for Student Satisfaction

2014, 2015, 2016 National Student Survey

1ST

keele.ac.uk/physics

Edinburgh

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Manchester

Stoke-on-Trent

Birmingham

Oxford

Keele

Liverpool 1hr

1hr

London1.5hr

1hr

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PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS COURSES | 7

Course Features:

Why Study Physics or Astrophysics? What causes a superconductor to have no electrical resistance? When will we find an Earth-like planet around another star? How big is a proton? Is there a black hole at the centre of every galaxy? Where does mass come from? Why is the expansion of the Universe accelerating? The fundamental aim of Physics and Astrophysics is to achieve a unified description of matter and energy, their interactions and their interconnections in all forms and on all scales, from sub-nuclear particles to the Universe in its entirety. Pursuing such a goal for its own sake has an undeniable appeal, and in many respects these are the epitome of “curiosity-driven” subjects. But along the way to answering some deceptively simple and seemingly abstract questions, research in Physics and Astrophysics has provided the theories, methods and tools for a multitude of

practical applications that underpin a great deal of modern life. As just a few examples, consider solar cells; medical imaging; atomic clocks and GPS navigation; semiconductors and integrated circuits; fibre optics and broadband internet; even the models and equations behind computer games and CGI, weather forecasts and sophisticated financial instruments.

The breadth of enquiry and the variety of application are what make these subjects so stimulating intellectually, and so rewarding to study. But they also mean that the knowledge

and skills gained with a Physics or Astrophysics degree are both broad-based and far-reaching. Graduates in these subjects have exceptional range and flexibility and they are valued highly, not only in academia but also by employers in science- and engineering-related industry, finance, business consulting and management, software development, health and medicine, education and law.

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• Open-door policy with flexible contact hours for excellent access to staff when you need advice or feedback

• Self-contained instruction in all requisite mathematics and computing

• Degrees accredited by the Institute of Physics

• Top 5 ranking for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey

• Research-driven teaching• Opportunity to

study abroad

Course InformationKeele has a long experience and unparalleled expertise in running Combined Honours degrees, which allow you to study two subjects to degree level. For example, Physics and Mathematics or Astrophysics and Geology or Physics and Computer Science or Astrophysics and Forensic Science. You can do a combination simply because both subjects interest you, or because you think they will work particularly well together in your future career or postgraduate studies. Alternatively, specialise in Physics/Astrophysics and study your subject in greater breadth and depth with our Single Honours degrees.

Single Honours BSc: Physics or Physics with Astrophysics The Single Honours routes incorporate all of the corresponding Combined Honours courses, but as you are devoting all your time in the three years to Physics/Astrophysics they offer additional time and space (4 more modules/year) to increase both the depth and breadth of study. There is a special focus on the applications of theoretical, mathematical and computational techniques to solving problems ranging from the physics of galaxies to the properties of graphene, and additional opportunities for independent research in year 3.

Combined Honours BSc: Physics or AstrophysicsIn a Combined Honours degree, you study Physics or Astrophysics along with a second subject, in equal weight, over two years of your BSc. Typically you will take 4 modules in each subject each year. In year 3 you can continue to study both subjects equally or you may choose to specialise in one of them. To attain an Institute of Physics accredited degree you must study Physics/Astrophysics for all three years.

There is a good deal of flexibility in our programmes so you can change pathways, if you wish, once you are in-course on a degree. For example, overlap built into the curriculums makes it easy to switch from Physics to Astrophysics, or vice versa, in the first year of your BSc. The choice of whether to specialise in one or other of your two subjects in year 3 of a Combined Honours degree can be made (or changed) at any time before the beginning of your third and final year.

The following 12 pages outline the Physics and Astrophysics courses




Indicative Year 1 modules are:

Semester 1 Mechanics, Gravity and Relativity gives a calculus-based development of classical mechanics, Kepler’s laws and Newtonian gravitation, and Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity.

2 hours lecture per week

Nature of Matter demonstrates that, while classical physics provides an adequate description of the behaviour of matter under familiar, “everyday” circumstances, a quantum treatment is necessary for a more complete understanding.


Semester 1 & 2

Scientific Practice and Scientific Programming provide the core communication, writing, presentation and study skills required by the practising physicist and provide an introduction to the essentials of computational analysis and programming.

2 hours per week + 2 hours practical classes

Mathematics for Physics and Applied Mathematics and Statistics cover the fundamental mathematics required in the course – from calculus to complex numbers – and apply this to a variety of physical scenarios, with a mixture of lectures and problem-based learning.

2 hours of lectures + 2 hours of tutorial per week

Laboratory 3 hours per week

Problem Classes supporting the Physics modules. 2 hours per week

Semester 2 Oscillations and Waves occur in virtually every branch of Physics, in the form of light and sound waves, oscillations of bridges and of atoms in crystals, resonance in mechanical systems and electrical circuits, quantum-mechanical waves, etc.


Electricity and Magnetism will expand your study of the static and dynamic aspects of electricity, magnetism and their related fields. The transient and steady-state responses of electrical networks are examined in lectures and in laboratory experiments.


Instrumentation Physics introduces concepts behind the measurement and analysis of physical quantities, from temperature and pressure to light and sound, with a mixture of lecture and lab-based learning.

2-3 hours lectures and laboratory per week

SINGLE HONOURS PHYSICS FIRST YEARYour current studies will have introduced you to some of the central themes of Physics. These are reinforced in your first-year modules, but you will also encounter new concepts and develop new skills

Mathematics and Computing are taught both within specific modules and as part of the core physics that is studied in parallel. You will learn how to apply your mathematical skills in topics such as calculus, complex numbers, statistics and differential equations to physical problems; practical laboratory work contains work that both supports your physics learning but also allows you to apply your IT skills and programming.

Each week there are 17-18 hours of directly taught classes featuring a mixture of traditional lectures; practical and computational laboratory classes; problem classes and tutorial sessions, in smaller groups, focused on applying the material covered in lectures. All these sessions are delivered by members of academic staff. Postgraduate demonstrators provide additional support in labs, tutorials and problem classes.

SINGLE HONOURS PHYSICS SECOND YEARIn your second year you continue with the study of core physics and mathematics, but attention is also given to more advanced and applied topics. Each week there are approximately 8 1-hour lectures, and a further 10-11 hours of taught classes in the form of laboratory work, problem classes and tutorials, all led by academic members of staff. Semester 1 contains laboratory work associated with optics and computational physics; in the second semester students work in small groups on short investigations into electronic sensors, carry out a mini-project in instrumentation and measurement and participate in laboratory work on nuclear and radiation physics.


Semester 1 Optics and Thermodynamics considers the wave nature of radiation and the laws governing the transfer of heat and entropy in macroscopic systems. You will study polarisation and birefringence, interference and diffraction (including Fourier methods and analysis), basic optical systems (including the Michelson-Morley interferometer), heat capacities, work, internal and free energies, changes of state and entropy.


Quantum Mechanics gives an introduction to the fundamental methods of quantum physics, the Schrödinger equation and its applications including the structure of the hydrogen atom, emission and absorption spectra, electron spin, angular momentum, magnetic moments, and aspects of multi-electron atoms.


Mathematical Physics looks at more advanced topics that are used in theoretical and applied physics. You will study motion in symmetric potentials, Lagrangian mechanics and the use of special functions.

2 hours lecture plus a 1 hour tutorial per week

Numerical Methods covers the application of computational techniques to solve problems in physics, including interpolation, optimisation, the solution of differential equations, numerical integration and Monte Carlo simulations.

1 hour lecture and 2 hour lab class per week

Semester 1 & 2

Mathematics for Physics includes the core analysis methods and techniques such as vector calculus, matrices and Fourier analysis that are used throughout physics.

1 hour lecture per week


Problem Classes support the Physics modules 3 hours per week

Semester 2 Statistical Mechanics and Solid State Physics develops key statistical topics in Physics such as bosons, fermions, phonon and photon gases and blackbody radiation, and explores how these relate to thermodynamics and the structure of solids.


Nuclear and Particle Physics is divided into four main topics: nuclear models and the strong force; radioactive decay and the weak force; nuclear reactions; and a brief study of elementary particles, including quarks and gauge bosons, and the use of Feynman diagrams to describe and analyse their interactions.


Applied Physics and Emerging Technologies examines the physics behind several examples of developments and breakthroughs of topical interest (e.g. graphene, gravitational waves). You will then have the opportunity to do your own research into a new topic of your choice and present your findings.

3 hours lectures plus tutorials per week

Radiation Physics explores three main topics: the properties of ionising radiation and the interaction of photons with matter; detecting radiation, dosimetry and radiation safety; and the applications of radiation physics in medicine and diagnostic imaging. Laboratory work focuses on nuclear physics and radiation safety.

4 hours per week including lectures, tutorials and lab classes

Physics external examiner, 2015

Academic standards are high ... I am very impessed with the amount of

high-level material that is covered in the context of dual-honours courses.

“

SINGLE HONOURS PHYSICS SINGLE HONOURS PHYSICS




Single Honours

Core Option

Electromagnetism

Physics Project

Dissertation

Atmospheric Physics

Binary Stars and Exoplanets

Cosmology

Data Analysis and Model Testing

Life in the Universe

Particle Physics and Accelerator

Physics of Compact Objects

Physics of Fluids

Physics of Interstellar Medium

Plasma Physics

Polymer Physics

Quantum Mechanics II

All Physics students carry out an independent research project, with guidance from academic staff, throughout their third year. The project can be experimental, computational or theoretical in nature. Students can choose from a list of suggested topics, or they may (with staff approval) develop one from scratch that fits their own interests. Projects build on the knowledge base and the experimental, analytical and reporting skills acquired during Years 1 and 2, and they also develop new physics-specific expertise and transferable skills for employment. Single Honours students also write a dissertation on a Physics topic chosen from an extensive list.

SINGLE HONOURS PHYSICS THIRD YEARIn your third year you will take core modules in Physics, plus a choice of modules that reflect staff research interests. Single Honours students in Physics have a core of Electromagnetism, a Physics project, a dissertation and a further advanced module in Quantum Mechanics, together with a choice of 4 options. Student demand determines which options, out of the full array listed here, are run in any given academic year.

All of the option modules are open to Physics or Astrophysics students. Astrophysics-oriented modules do not assume prior astronomical

knowledge but develop their subjects as applications and extensions of the fundamental, core physics covered in years 1 and 2 by all Keele students.

Each lecture module (whether core or option) involves 2 hours per week of lectures and in most cases a regular tutorial session. Project work takes roughly 6 hours per week and students might be expected to spend a similar amount of time researching and writing their dissertations.

PHYSICS FIRST YEARYour current studies will give you a basic introduction to some of the central themes of Physics. These are reinforced and developed by some of our first-year modules. You will also meet several new concepts.Essential mathematics and computing are taught within the course, so prior study of them at A-level is, while certainly beneficial, not a requirement. Approximately 20% of lectures (and assessment) in the first year modules are devoted to maths, beginning with differentiation and working through to multivariable calculus, with an emphasis on Physics applications. Practical labs contain work to develop computer and IT skills, including basic programming.

Each week there are four/five 1-hour lectures in Physics; one 3-hour laboratory class; one 1-hour tutorial in mathematical methods; and one 2-hour problem class in which you apply the material covered in lectures. All of these are delivered by members of the academic staff. Postgraduate demonstrators provide additional support in the labs, tutorials and problem classes.






Semester 1 & 2

Mathematics for Physics (lectures and tutorials) 2 hours per week

Laboratory (including computing) 3 hours per week

Problem Classes supporting the Physics modules 2 hours per week





Steven Wye (BSc Physics and Chemistry, 2007; PhD Physics,

2011) Physics Teaching Fellow at Keele.

Studying Physics at Keele was challenging and rewarding and prepared me very well for my PhD.

The course taught me many aspects of Physics from the quantum and sub-atomic world to the

enormous scale and motions of planets and galaxies.

“

SINGLE HONOURS PHYSICS COMBINED HONOURS PHYSICS

COMBINED HONOURS PHYSICS COMBINED HONOURS PHYSICS



PHYSICS SECOND YEARIn your second year you continue with the study of core Physics. Each week there are four 1-hour lectures, 1-hour lecture in Mathematics for Physics, plus one 3-hour laboratory class and one 3-hour problem class, all led by members of the academic staff. Laboratory classes in

the first semester support lectures in Optics; in the second semester, students work in pairs on short investigations into electronic sensors and instruments, and carry out a mini project in instrumentation and measurement.






Semester 1 & 2

Mathematics for Physics 1 hour lecture per week


Problem Classes supporting the Physics modules. 3 hours per week



Nuclear and Particle Physics is divided into four main topics: nuclear models and the strong force; radioactive decay and the weak force; nuclear reactions; and a brief study of elementary particles, including quarks and gauge bosons, and the use of Feynman diagrams to describe and analyse their interactions.


PHYSICS THIRD YEARIn your third year you will take core modules in Physics, plus a choice of several option modules that reflect staff research interests. Students continuing with both subjects as part of their Combined Honours BSc degree take a core module in Electromagnetism, do an individual project, and take two option modules. Students specialising Physics also take Electromagnetism and do a project, plus they research and write a dissertation and take a total of five option modules. Student demand determines which options, out of the full array listed here, are run in any given academic year.

All of the option modules are open to any Physics or Astrophysics student. In particular, Astrophysics-oriented modules do not assume any prior knowledge of astronomy, but develop their subjects as applications and extensions of the fundamental, core physics covered at Levels 1 and 2 by all Keele students.

Each lecture module (whether core or option) involves 2 hours per week of lectures. In many cases, the module lecturer will additionally offer regular tutorial sessions. Project work takes approximately 6 hours per week, and the dissertation for students specialising in Physics another 6 hours per week.


Continuing with Two Subjects

Specialising in Physics

Core Option Core Option

Electromagnetism

Physics Project

Dissertation

Atmospheric Physics


Cosmology





Physics of Fluids


Plasma Physics

Polymer Physics


Connor Martin (BSc Physics with Mathematics, 2016)

My Physics course at Keele provided me with answers to the mysterious,

from the weirdness of quantum mechanics to the vastness of

cosmology. I feel confident and ready to use the skills I have learned here to go further, in a postgraduate degree.

“

All Physics students carry out an independent research project, with guidance from academic staff, throughout their third year. The project can be experimental, computational or theoretical in nature. Students can choose from a list of suggested topics, or they may (with staff approval) develop one from scratch that fits their own interests. Projects build on the knowledge base and the experimental, analytical and reporting skills acquired during Years 1 and 2, and they also develop new physics-specific expertise and transferable skills for employment.

SINGLE HONOURS PHYSICS WITH ASTROPHYSICS SINGLE HONOURS PHYSICS WITH ASTROPHYSICS



SINGLE HONOURS PHYSICS WITH ASTROPHYSICS FIRST YEARYour current studies will have introduced you to some of the central themes of Physics. These are reinforced in your first-year modules, but you will also encounter new concepts and develop new skills and some basic topics in astrophysics are introduced.Mathematics and Computing are taught both within specific modules and as part of the core physics that is studied in parallel. You will learn how to apply your mathematical skills in topics such as calculus, complex numbers, statistics and differential equations to physical problems; Practical laboratory work contains work that both supports your (astro)physics learning but also allows you to apply your IT skills and programming. The semester 2 laboratory is specifically focused on astrophysics.

Each week there are 17-18 hours of directly taught classes featuring a mixture of traditional lectures; practical and computational laboratory classes; problem classes and tutorial sessions, in smaller groups, focused on applying material covered in lectures. All these sessions are delivered by members of academic staff. Postgraduate demonstrators provide additional support in labs, tutorials and problem classes.






Physics Laboratory 3 hours per week

Semester 1 & 2

Scientific Practice and Scientific Programming provide the core communication, writing, presentation and study skills required by the practising physicist and provide an introduction to the essentials of computational analysis and programming.

2 hours per week + 2 hours practical classes

Mathematics for Physics and Applied Mathematics and Statistics cover the fundamental mathematics required in the course – from calculus to complex numbers – and apply this to a variety of physical scenarios, with a mixture of lectures and problem-based learning.

2 hours of lectures + 2 hours of tutorial per week

Problem Classes supporting the Physics/Astrophysics modules 2 hours per week





Introduction to Astronomy and Stellar Structure surveys the universe and the measurements that are made in order to characterise its contents. You will learn the basics of stellar physics and stellar evolution and about the history of the universe as a whole.

2 hours lecture plus 2 hours practical observing per week

Astrophysics Laboratory 3 hours per week

SINGLE HONOURS PHYSICS WITH ASTROPHYSICS SECOND YEARIn your second year you continue with the study of core physics and mathematics, but attention is also given to more advanced and applied topics. Each week there are approximately 8 1-hour lectures, and a further 10-11 hours of taught classes in the form of laboratory work, problem classes and tutorials, all led by academic members of staff. Semester 1 contains laboratory work associated with optics

and computational physics; the second semester is dominated by astrophysics - students work on astrophysical measurements of stars in the laboratory, make their own observations at our on-campus observatory and learn about the formation, structure and evolution of stars and galaxies.






Mathematical Physics looks at more advanced topics that are used in theoretical and applied physics. You will study motion in symmetric potentials, Lagrangian mechanics and the use of special functions.

2 hours lecture plus a 1 hour tutorial per week

Numerical Methods covers the application of computational techniques to solve problems in physics, including interpolation, optimisation, the solution of differential equations, numerical integration and Monte Carlo simulations.

1 hour lecture and 2 hour lab class per week

Physics Laboratory 3 hours per weekSemester 1 & 2

Mathematics for Physics includes the core analysis methods and techniques such as vector calculus, matrices and Fourier analysis that are used throughout physics.

1 hour lecture per week

Problem Classes supporting Physics/Astrophysics modules 3 hours per week



Stellar Astrophysics builds on material from the first year but also looks at nuclear reactions in stars and the production of the chemical elements; nuclear models and the strong force; and elementary particles, such as quarks, and the use of Feynman diagrams to describe their interactions.


Applied Physics and Emerging Technologies examines the physics behind several examples of developments and breakthroughs of topical interest (e.g. graphene, gravitational waves). You will then have the opportunity to do your own research into a new topic of your choice and present your findings.

3 hours lectures plus tutorials per week

Galaxies introduces the key observations of normal and active galaxies and the physics that explains them. It builds upon the first-year study of mechanics, Newtonian gravity and stellar structure, plus aspects of electromagnetism and thermodynamics from years 1 and 2, to develop understanding of the structures, dynamics and long-term evolution of self-gravitating stellar systems. An associated laboratory component is designed to give broader experience with the acquisition and analysis of astronomical data in general.

2 hours of lectures plus 2 hours of lab and tutorials per week


SINGLE HONOURS PHYSICS WITH ASTROPHYSICS COMBINED HONOURS PHYSICS WITH ASTROPHYSICS




Single Honours

Core Option

Electromagnetism

Physics Project

Dissertation

Atmospheric Physics


Cosmology





Physics of Fluids


Plasma Physics

Polymer Physics


SINGLE HONOURS PHYSICS WITH ASTROPHYSICS THIRD YEARIn your third year you will take core modules in Physics, plus a choice of modules that reflect staff research interests. Single Honours students in Physics with Astrophysics have a core of Electromagnetism, an Astrophysics project, a dissertation on an astrophysical topic and a further advanced module in Cosmology, together with a choice of 4 options. Student demand determines which options, out of the full array listed here, are run in any given academic year.

All of the option modules are open to Physics or Astrophysics students. Physics-oriented modules do not assume any particular prior knowledge but develop their subjects as applications and extensions of the fundamental, core physics covered in years 1 and 2 by all Keele students.

Each lecture module (whether core or option) involves 2 hours per week of lectures and in most cases a regular tutorial session. Project work takes roughly 6 hours per week and students might be expected to spend a similar amount of time researching and writing their dissertations.

Physics with Astrophysics students have the unique opportunity in their final year project to analyse data acquired with a robotic observatory built and operated by Keele as part of the SuperWASP consortium. SuperWASP is the UK’s leading programme for extrasolar planet detection. We have discovered more than 100 exoplanets since 2006

and gathered tens of Terabytes of research-quality data in the process. Some recent projects by our students have exploited these data for novel investigations into stellar rotation variable stars and comets. Single Honours astrophysicists will also research and write a dissertation on an astrophysical topic, chosen from an extensive list.

ASTROPHYSICS FIRST YEARYour current studies will give you a basic introduction to some of the central themes of Physics. These are reinforced and developed by some of the first-year modules. You will also meet several new concepts and cover some basic introductory topics in Astrophysics.Essential mathematics and computing are taught within the course, so prior study of them at A-level is, while beneficial, not a requirement. Approximately 20% of lectures (and assessment) in the first-year modules are devoted to maths, beginning with differentiation and working through to multivariable calculus, with an emphasis on Physics applications. Practical labs contain work to develop computer and IT skills, including basic programming.

Each week there are four 1-hour lectures in Physics and Astrophysics, plus one 3-hour laboratory class, one 1-hour tutorial in mathematical methods, and one 2-hour problem class in which you apply the material covered in lectures. All of these are led and delivered by members of the academic staff, and postgraduate demonstrators provide additional support for the labs, tutorials, and problem classes.







Semester 1 & 2

Mathematics for Physics (lectures and tutorials) 2 hours per week




Electricity and Stellar Structure will expand your study of the static and dynamic aspects of electricity, and provide an introduction to the physics of stellar structure and evolution.


Astrophysics Laboratory (including computing) 3 hours per week

COMBINED HONOURS PHYSICS WITH ASTROPHYSICS COMBINED HONOURS PHYSICS WITH ASTROPHYSICS



ASTROPHYSICS SECOND YEARIn your second year you continue with the study of core Physics and Astrophysics. Each week there are four 1-hour lectures, 1-hour lecture in Mathematics for Physics, plus one 3-hour laboratory class and one 3-hour problem class, all led by members of the academic staff. Labs

in the first semester support lectures in Optics; in the second semester you learn the basics of astronomical data reduction and analysis with computer software used by professional astronomers.

The Year 2 modules are:






Semester 1 & 2

Mathematics for Physics 1 hour lecture per week




Stellar Astrophysics builds on material from the first year but also looks at nuclear reactions in stars and the production of the chemical elements; nuclear models and the strong force; and elementary particles, such as quarks, and the use of Feynman diagrams to describe their interactions.



Astrophysics external examiner, 2015

It is obvious from the performance of students and the feedback they are given, that they

are part of a stimulating and very supportive learning environment. Programme content is impressively up-to-date and research-led

where appropriate.

”

Liz Jones (BSc Astrophysics with

Mathematics, 2014)

With such a friendly atmosphere and

approachable staff, studying Astrophysics at Keele gives you the necessary skills to take

on such a challenging yet fascinating subject.

”

ASTROPHYSICS THIRD YEARIn your third year you will take core modules in Physics and Astrophysics, plus option modules that reflect staff research interests. Students continuing with both subjects as part of their Combined Honours degree take a core module in Electromagnetism, do a team-based project, and take two of several possible option modules. Students specialising in Astrophysics also take Electromagnetism and do a project, plus they research and write a dissertation and take a total of five option modules. Student demand determines which options, out of the full array listed here, are run in any given academic year.

All of the option modules are open to any Physics or Astrophysics student. In particular, the Physics-oriented modules start from the base of core physics that all Astrophysics and Physics students have in common from their core studies at Levels 1 and 2.

Each lecture module (whether core or option) involves 2 hours per week of lectures. In many cases, the module lecturer will additionally offer regular tutorial sessions. Project work takes approximately 6 hours per week, and the dissertation for students specialising in Astrophysics, another 6 hours per week.

The Year 3 modules are:

Continuing with Two Subjects

Specialising in Astrophysics

Core Option Core Option

Electromagnetism

Physics Project

Dissertation

Atmospheric Physics


Cosmology





Physics of Fluids


Plasma Physics

Polymer Physics


Astrophysics students have the unique opportunity in their final year project to analyse data acquired with a robotic observatory built and operated by Keele as part of the SuperWASP consortium. SuperWASP is the UK’s leading programme for extra-solar planet detection. We have discovered more than 100 planets since 2006 and gathered tens of Terabytes of research-quality data in the process. Some recent projects by our students have exploited these data for novel investigations into stellar rotation, variable stars and comets.



The Student Experience Learning and TeachingWe deliver our courses in a modular format using a mix of traditional lectures, smaller tutorials and problem classes, practical laboratory sessions, and individual and group project work—all led directly by members of the academic staff. This mix is designed with student skills development expressly in mind. For example, regular problem-solving sessions throughout all years of our degrees hone the kinds of analysis and knowledge-application skills that are essential to doing Physics and Astrophysics—and which all employers value as well. Teamwork and elements of project management are key parts of second-year Physics labs and third-year Astrophysics projects. Final-year project and dissertation modules include written and oral communications components, which help to build confidence in talking the language of physics and more generally develop the skills to offer reasoned arguments.

Assessment and FeedbackAssessment and feedback are key parts of how we teach and how you learn. They are meant to help you assimilate a substantial body of Astro/Physics knowledge, build on this knowledge to develop a strong and broad-based skill set, and then demonstrate your abilities effectively.

Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and examination. The lab components of all modules are continuously assessed, as is the project work in the final year. Lecture material is assessed by assignments, essays and some class tests during the modules, and by examinations at the end of each semester (January and May). Over the full three years of a BSc, the assessment is about 40% by coursework and 60% by examination.

In all cases of assessment we will give you helpful feedback so that you can constantly develop and improve. You will receive feedback in many ways, including comments on the work you have handed in and informal feedback sessions and individual discussions with tutors.

Laboratory WorkMuch of our understanding of Physics comes from measurement and experimentation, and laboratory work is therefore an essential experience for all physicists. Likewise, Astrophysics as a subject is rooted firmly in observation, and data analysis is a central skill for the practising astrophysicist.

Labs are designed to support the material covered in lectures, to acquire specific techniques and skills, and to investigate unfamiliar phenomena. They also incorporate instruction in computer programming. There is increasing scope as the degree goes on for creative and open-ended lab work, and this time also provides an opportunity for informal contact and discussion with members of staff.

In Years 1 and 2, all students do the same labs in the first semester, and then Physics and Astrophysics students split into separate labs for the second semester. In Year 3, the Physics and Astrophysics projects are separate throughout. We have a teaching lab for Year 1 and Year 2 Physics experiments, another lab specifically for Year 3 Physics Projects, and dedicated Astrophysics computing facilities.

Assessment is via lab diaries and written reports and, in the final-year projects, written and oral presentations. There are elements of group work in the Year 2 Physics labs and the Year 3 Astrophysics projects

Study Abroad Subject to good performance in Year 1, it is possible to undertake one semester of study during Year 2 as part of your degree or to take an “International Year” out from your degree between years 2 and 3 at one of Keele’s many partner Universities in Europe, North America or South Africa.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please discuss it with us when you visit, or as soon as possible after you arrive at Keele in Year 1.

Keele has an on-campus Observatory, which opens regularly to the public and recently underwent a £250,000 refurbishment. It houses a 24-inch telescope capable of research-quality imaging, a 6-inch solar telescope and a 140-year old, 12-inch refractor. The Observatory is readily accessible to our students, several of whom get actively involved in its operation.

I built up a range of skills and improved on the

ones I already have, as well as the

confidence to use them.

”

Friendly and enthusiastic staff across the board -

couldn’t ask for a better university experience.

”

Very good lecturers that held great passion for their

subject, always easy to approach for help, either in person or by email. Course

was very interesting and was fun to do.

”

Question 1 in the National Student Survey,

2013, 2014, 2016:

Staff are good at explaining things.”

100% of our graduates agree.

”

I really enjoyed studying my Physics degree in the friendly atmosphere at Keele. It’s interesting to learn the fundamentals

of how everything works and the staff are happy to solve any problems along

the way.

”

Choosing Keele for Astrophysics is one of the best decisions I

have ever made. The lecturers are truly dedicated to their

students, and the course itself is outstanding. I cannot think of a more perfect place to study this

amazing subject.

”

The Physics Department is very well organised, with a good open

door policy when contacting lectures for advice. The course is well run with good resources

available. The Physics course and Department are faultless and I

would recommend them to any new students.

”

What our students think of us



ResearchKeele has dual research strengths in Physics and in Astrophysics The Physics group works in the broad area of “soft condensed matter” — more specifically, the physics of polymers, which are large molecules composed of many repeated subunits (some examples are DNA, rubber, chocolate and various pharmaceuticals). Particular interest is centred around using powerful X-ray sources to probe the atomic-scale structure of polymers, investigating how and why they change physically when they become crystallised and how this impacts their use in medical and industrial applications.

The Astrophysics group pursues a range of observational, computational and theoretical research programmes. These include the search for planets around other stars (Keele astronomers have discovered more than 100 planets since 2006); the properties

and interactions of stars in binary systems; the formation of stars both singly and in gravitationally bound groups; the dynamics of star clusters; how stars produce the chemical elements and feed them back into galaxies when they die; laboratory studies aimed at understanding interstellar chemistry; and the physics and phenomenology of active and normal galaxies, supermassive black holes and dark matter.

These groups have international reputations and regularly use major international experimental and observational facilities. They are funded by UK and European research councils and industry, supporting strong postgraduate programmes with more than 15 full-time research PhD students.

As an undergraduate student at Keele, you will benefit directly from this activity. You will be taught by experts who do forefront research and who bring elements of their research into the BSc degree courses (especially in many of the Physics and Astrophysics option modules and project work in Year 3). The added expertise of postgraduate student demonstrators will be available to you in laboratory, problem class and tutorial settings. And there are some opportunities to work with members of staff on research projects during the summer months between your second and third years.

The SuperWASP telescope array in South Africa, built and operated by Keele astrophysicists to search for extrasolar planets.

The storage ring of the particle accelerator at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, where Keele physicists do experiments to probe physical processes in polymers.


keele.ac.uk/physics



Marketing, PR and Sales Professionals 3.3%

Childcare, Health and Education Occupations 1.6%

Scientific Research, Analysis and Development 6.0%

Engineering and Building Professionals 8.3%

Health and Medical Professionals 1.4%

Education Professionals 6.0%

Business, HR and Finance Professionals 19.2%

Information Technology Professionals 20.5%

Arts, Design and Media Professionals 1.3%

Managers 1.9%

Legal, Social and Welfare Professionals 1.5%

Other Professionals and Technicians 8.5%

Clerical, Secretarial and Numerical Clerks 4.5%

Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar Staff 10.6%

Other Occupations 5.4%

Unknown Occupations 0.1%

3.3% 1.6% 6.0%

8.3% 1.4%

6.0%

19.2%

20.5%

1.3%

1.9% 1.5%

8.5%

4.5%

10.6%

5.4% 0.1%

Careers in Physics and AstrophysicsAs we become steadily more dependent upon science and technology in our daily lives, and as governments continue to invest heavily in the most basic of “blue-skies” research with facilities like the LHC or large, multinational ground- and space-based telescopes, it is vital that leaders in industry, commerce and politics have awareness and an understanding of the fundamentals. A degree in Physics will equip you with these, and with the knowledge and skills to undertake a wide range of careers besides. A degree in Astrophysics from Keele is designed to provide you with the same underlying essentials.

Typically, around 40% of Physics and Astrophysics BSc graduates in the UK choose to continue studying and training for Masters or PhD degrees or other professional qualifications (e.g., in education), while another 40% or so find graduate-level employment within six months of obtaining their degrees. Those who enter employment directly are, on average, among the highest-paid of all undergraduate degree holders, alongside graduates from Economics, Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. The chart on the facing page illustrates the great variety of employers who actively seek Physics and Astrophysics graduates.

In such a diversified jobs market, the scope and the appeal of Keele graduates are further reinforced by the interdisciplinary nature of our degree structures. In line with the national profile, many of our students do proceed to study for Postgraduate Certificates in Education or Masters and research PhD degrees in Physics or Astrophysics, at universities throughout the UK. But, again in keeping

with the general trend, many others of our graduates go on to employment in technology and industry, management, business and finance. A few of their recent destinations include the law firm Dehns, the defence and aerospace multinationals Qinetiq and BAE, and the medical technology company Elekta.

The widespread interest from beyond academia in Physics and Astrophysics graduates comes down to the fact that the most basic skills needed to do well in these degrees are precisely those that all employers value: namely, practice and efficiency in generic problem-solving with creative thinking backed by logical reasoning. These are then supplemented by advanced numeracy and mathematical acumen; proficiency with experimental methods; experience of working both independently and in teams; and familiarity with a range of communications and information technology.

We are keenly aware of both the real-world and the academic expectations of the Physics and Astrophysics programmes at Keele. As

well as rigorously developing the fundamental principles of the subjects, our courses aim explicitly to cultivate in our students a set of specific intellectual skills that are transferable to employment: hence, our emphasis at various points throughout the degrees on problem-solving sessions, lab and project work done individually and in small groups, elements of research, written reports and oral presentations. We also offer careers guidance and arrange for specialised careers talks to our final-year students. We also offer careers guidance and arrange for specialised careers talks to our second and final year students

Keele more broadly provides careers advice and other services to all undergraduates at the University. These are part of a comprehensive plan of academic and extracurricular activities available to help all Keele students develop a strong set of general intellectual and practical skills, and then convey these attributes to employers when they graduate. To learn more about this, you may wish to visit www.keele.ac.uk/journey

Accreditation of Keele BSc degreesAll of our Combined Honours degrees in either Physics or Astrophysics, with any choice of second subject, are accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP), incorporating, the full Core of Physics curriculum defined by the IOP. The

Single Honours degrees, which commenced recently, also include all of this material and are in the process of accreditation. Graduates of accredited BSc degrees in the UK are eligible for Associate Membership of the IOP. After a

period of relevant post-degree experience and professional development they can apply for Full Membership and, eventually, for Chartered Physicist status.

First Employment for Physics and Astrophysics Bachelors in the UK

Source: “What Do Graduates Do?” (October 2016), by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit

2,295 responses to a survey of 2,720 UK Physics and Astrophysics graduates from 2015 www.hecsu.ac.uk



Entry Requirements This page summarises the level of qualifications required to study Physics or Astrophysics at Keele.Fuller details, and listings of the entry requirements for other degree subjects, are available online at:

keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/undergraduatestudy/entryrequirements

For further information and general enquiries, the University’s UK/EU Admissions team can be contacted at:

[email protected]

The Physics & Astrophysics Admissions Tutor may also offer informal advice or clarification about our requirements before you apply. Queries about specific physics or maths qualifications can be directed to:

[email protected]

Our baseline requirements hold equally for both Physics and Astrophysics. Note that a Combined Honours degree from Keele in either of these subjects will involve the study of a second subject as well, for at least two years of the degree. The net offer level for entry onto a degree course therefore comes from combining the Physics/Astrophysics requirements with the requirements of the other degree subject; these can be found on the Web site given above. All students must also have achieved grade C or above in each of GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics (or their equivalents).

Keele University reserves the right to vary individual offer conditions from those indicated here, depending upon the particulars of a candidate’s application.

3-Year BSc DegreesGCE A Levels: For Single Honours, grades ABC, to include Physics and Mathematics, with an A in either Physics or Maths. For Combined Honours, grades BBC with either Physics or Maths at grade B. If Maths is presented without Physics then applicants may be asked to attend an interview to assess suitability. General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded.

Scottish Advanced Highers: Three subjects with grades ABC or better to include Physics and Maths (BBC for Combined Honours, to include Physics or Maths).

International Baccalaureate Diploma: For Single Honours, 32 points including a score of 5 and 6 in Higher Level Physics and Maths (in any order). For Combined Honours, 30 points to include Higher Level Physics at 5 or Higher Level Maths at 5 and Physics at 4.

BTEC Extended Diploma (Nationals/QCF): The guideline minimum requirement is DDD (DDM for Combined Honours), but we will need to confirm that any particular Diploma programme includes sufficient physics and/or mathematics background. Please contact the UK/EU Admissions team for advice in the first instance.

Access to Higher Education Diploma: These are considered on a case-by-case basis to assess the suitability of their physics and/or mathematics contents. Please contact the UK/EU Admissions team for advice, and be prepared to provide a curriculum and detailed syllabus for your particular course.

Degrees with a Science Foundation YearA 4-year BSc degree in Physics or Astrophysics with an integrated Science Foundation Year may be more suitable for some applicants whose qualifications are non-standard or below the levels outlined above for a 3-year degree. Keele’s Foundation Years are administered separately from the 3-year degrees and have their own entry requirements and admissions policies. There are separate routes for those wishing to progress to Single Honours or Combined Honours programmes. For more information and the appropriate contact details, refer to

keele.ac.uk/foundationcourses/sciencefoundationyear

OpenPlusThe OpenPlus scheme is a partnership with the Open University that allows you to study the equivalent of the first year of a Single Honours degree in Physics or Astrophysics or a Combined Honours degree in Physics or Astrophysics with Mathematics (only), on a part-time basis with the OU. You then transfer to Keele to study Years 2 and 3 of your degree full-time. The final award is a BSc from Keele. For further information on this programme, and to find out how apply, please contact us and also see open.ac.uk/choose/openplus/

Degree Titles and Application Codes3-year Single Honours BSc: “Physics” or “Physics with Astrophysics”Single Honours programmes entail the study of Physics/Astrophysics for all 3 years. The relevant UCAS codes are:

F300 for “Physics” and F301 for “Physics with Astrophysics

3-year Combined Honours BSc: Physics or Astrophysics and... Combined Honours BSc programmes can entail the study of a second subject in equal weight alongside Physics or Astrophysics for all three years of the degree. The second subject may be chosen from the following lists. (Two UCAS codes are given beside each subject. The code in green is for a Combined Honours degree in Physics and that subject; the code in yellow is for a Combined Honours degree in Astrophysics and that subject.)

3-year Combined Honours BSc : Physics or Astrophysics and …These Honours programmes entail the study of a second subject in equal weight alongside Physics or Astrophysics for the first two years of the degree, followed by a final year studying Physics or Astrophysics only. The second subject in the first two years of the degree may be chosen from any of those listed above using the same UCAS codes.

The choice of whether to specialise in one of these subjects or the other, or to continue studying both for three years, does not need to be specified on application. This decision can be made at any time up to the end of year 2.

Second Subject

Accounting NF43 NF45

Chemistry FF13 FF15

Computer Science FG34 FG54

Education FX33 FX53

Environmental Science FFX3 FF60

Forensic Science FF43 FF54

Geography LF73 FL57

Geology FF36 FF56

Human Geography LFC3 FL5C

Mathematics FG31 FG51

Medicinal Chemistry FFC3 FF51

Music Technology FWH3 FWM3

Physical Geography FF83 FF58



Some ideas for your degree… Physics and MathematicsMathematics is the language of Physics. It gives us the means to express physical concepts and principles with maximum precision, compare them rigorously to experimental data, manipulate them logically to predict new phenomena, and finally refine or revise them in the light of any shortcomings. While the requisite mathematical tools to do Physics are taught from first principles entirely within the Physics course, modules in pure Mathematics can add a greater depth of understanding from a more abstract point of view. Conversely, ideas and calculations met as routine in Physics can provide grounding for some of the methods and techniques developed in applied Mathematics.

Astrophysics and Computer SciencePerhaps more than any other discipline, Astrophysics has made enormous strides in recent years as a direct consequence of advances in computing hardware and software. For example, the breathtaking images and other data we receive from any space-based observatory rely on hardware and software at the telescope itself, telemetry down to a ground station and transmission of digital files to an astronomer, followed by sophisticated reduction and analysis of the received data. Furthermore, it is now possible to use large-scale “number crunching” on GPUs or multi-core clusters to calculate (for example) the millions of stars as two galaxies collide. With such advanced techniques, it is now possible to address problems that would have been inconceivable not long ago.

Astrophysics and GeologyBoth of these sciences are firmly based on experimental fieldwork, except that in the Astrophysics case this is astronomical observation. The geological nature of planets and other bodies in space are of significant scientific interest, and also of commercial interest as future sources of minerals. Astrogeological activity (including, for example, planetary volcanoes) is another area of common interest. From the career perspective this combination prepares students well for work in exploration and in geophysics, as well as providing rewarding study of a huge range of natural phenomena across the Universe.

Physics and ChemistryPhysics and Chemistry are complementary disciplines. For example, in the Physics course students cover the fundamental principles of atomic structure that underlie the configuration of the periodic table, and the basic quantum physics, thermodynamics and solid-state physics that support studies in spectroscopy, analysis, kinetics and structure within Chemistry. Many physical processes, such as X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, are used by both physicists and chemists to study the structure of materials (such as crystals and polymers) at the atomic level.


keele.ac.uk/physics

PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS COURSES | 29


PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS COURSES | 3130 | PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS COURSES30 | PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS COURSES

keele.ac.uk/spire

Open DaysKeele University holds a number of Open Days each year which give prospective undergraduate students the opportunity to visit the campus and learn more about Keele and university life in general. Book your place at keele.ac.uk/opendays

Offer Holder DaysIf you apply to Keele and are made an offer, you will automatically be invited to attend one of these days. keele.ac.uk/visiting/offerholderdaysforapplicants

Campus Tour AfternoonsIf you are unable to attend any of our Open Days or Offer Holder Days, the Campus Tour Afternoons provide another opportunity to visit us. keele.ac.uk/visiting/campustourafternoons

Independent VisitsYou are welcome to look around the campus on an informal visit. keele.ac.uk/visiting/independentvisits

Postgraduate Open Afternoons We hold a number of Postgraduate Open Afternoons each year which give prospective students the chance to speak to academic staff and learn more about Keele and postgraduate life in general. There will be an opportunity for a campus and accommodation tour (optional), a chance to speak to central services including Accommodation, Admissions, Student Support, Keele Postgraduate Association and the Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences. We will also arrange for academic staff from your course area to be available at the event. To book an Open day please visit: keele.ac.uk/visiting/postgraduateopenafternoons

keele.ac.uk/spire

Meet us Experience Keele for yourself. We hold a number of open days and visit options throughout the year. We’d love to see you and say hello.

How to applyApplications for all undergraduate courses at Keele should be made through UCAS. See ucas.com for details.

Independent applicants in the UK Other UK applicants, who are not at school or college, apply online independently.

If you need advice on making an application, consult local careers organisations (such as Connexions). You are responsible for paying the correct application fee, for obtaining and attaching the academic reference and for submitting the completed application online to UCAS.

International Applicants Outside the UK (EU and Worldwide) Unless your school or college is registered with UCAS, individuals from the EU (excluding the UK), and worldwide, can apply online independently.

Advice is available from British Council offices and other centres overseas, such as your school or college. You are responsible for paying the correct application fee, for obtaining and attaching the academic reference and for submitting the completed application online to UCAS.

For all applicants, there are full instructions at ucas.com to make it as easy as possible for you to fill in your online application, plus help text where appropriate. UCAS also has a comprehensive guide called Applying Online, which can be downloaded from ucas.com

keele.ac.uk/physics

School of Chemical and Physical SciencesThe Lennard Jones LaboratoriesKeele UniversityKeeleStaffordshireST5 5BG+44 (0)1782 [email protected]

keele.ac.uk/physics

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