Master classes

Masterclasses are full-day or half-day events devoted to a particular branch of physics or astronomy. They typically consist of one or two half day talks by members of staff plus demonstrations and/or hands-on activities for the students. In some cases, especially those involving practical work, numbers are limited to 20-30 students.

Particle Physics Masterclass

Full-day (10:30 to 3:30) masterclass organised in association with PPARC and the High Energy Particle Physics Group of the Institute of Physics.

Typical programme:

• Talk on the ideas of particle physics
• Web-based activities including identification of particles in detectors, interpretation of bubble chamber pictures etc.
• Talk on one of the research activities of the Sheffield Particle Physics and Particle Astrophysics Group.

For more information email: Dr Susan Cartwright

Dark Matter and Cosmology Masterclass

Half-day (2 hour) masterclass on dark matter: the observational evidence for its existence, its role in cosmology, what it could be, and how we could detect it.

Typical programme:

• Talk on dark matter.
• Activities including the analysis of galaxy rotation curves (web-based), the identification of candidate events from gravitational lensing (hands-on) and the analysis of cosmological data.

For more information email: Dr Susan Cartwright

Astronomy Masterclass

Under development. Possible activities include a visit to the department's 14-inch reflecting telescope, study of diffraction and interference, investigation of telescope resolving power.

For more information email: Prof Vik Dhillon

Laser Masterclass

Half-day (2 hour) masterclass involving lecture and demonstrations.

For more information email: Prof David Mowbray