Our physics degree courses

Year 1

Mechanics, Electricity, Waves and Relativity

This module provides a basic grounding in elementary mechanics including Newton's Laws of motion and gravitation, the conservation laws of momentum and energy and collisions. The rotational dynamics of rigid bodies is covered, together with moments of inertia and angular momentum. Introduction to electromagnetism included in this module covers the Coulomb force, concepts of electric field, potential and potential energy. Also included are capacitance, Kirchhoff’s laws and simple networks. The waves course involves a description of transverse and longitudinal waves, sound, interference, Doppler effect and other topics. The relativity course includes time dilation, Lorentz contraction, Lorentz transformations, and introductory relativistic energy and momentum.

The Physics of Sustainable Energy

The module will cover current energy requirements and what energy could potentially be provided by the various forms of renewable energy. The course will commence with a discussion of the basic physics of energy, power and work and the conversion of energy from one form to another. We examine in detail the history of global energy usage and how we produce and use energy in the UK. We will then explore the impacts that this energy use has on the biosphere and climate and the public perception of such processes. The course will then focus on the energy content of objects and processes we take for granted and will then move on to means by which we can produce energy using renewable technologies, such as wind, wave, solar, biofuels etc. We will also examine nuclear (fusion and fission) energy and will discuss their principles and practical implementation. Finally, we will consider solutions to our energy needs, including transportation, energy conservation, carbon capture and geoengineering.

Year 2

From Thermodynamics to Quantum Mechanics

This module provides a rigorous introduction to quantum mechanics via the Schrodinger equation and its application to a number of quantum systems. The concepts of operators and eigenstates in quantum mechanics and the importance of measurements are considered. The second main field of modern physics, special relativity, is applied to the study of the dynamics of particles travelling with velocities close to the speed of light. Thermodynamics is applied to model a number of thermal systems and provides an understanding of the eventual heat death of the universe. The nature of the structure and dynamical properties of solids is covered. The physics content of the module is supported by relevant mathematics, including differential equations needed to understand a wide range of dynamic systems and the maths behind MP3 encoding.

From Electromagnetism to Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Continuing the study of quantum mechanics this module applies the Schrodinger equation to increasingly complex systems and considers some of the puzzles and paradoxes that arise in this field. The physics of the very tiny, atoms and nuclei, builds on the quantum mechanics developed in this and the previous module. Statistical physics demonstrates how basic probability concepts can be used to accurately model a wide range of systems from gases to photons. The properties of electrons in a solid, vital to our understanding of technologically important metals and semiconductors, are covered. A full description of the properties of electric and magnetic fields is developed; leading to the prediction of electromagnetic waves.

Year 3

Nuclear Physics

This course aims to cover the general properties of nuclei, to examine the characteristics of the nuclear force, to introduce the principal models of the nucleus, to discuss radioactivity and interactions with matter, to study nuclear reactions, in particular fission, fusion and the bomb, and to develop problem solving skills in all these areas. The motivation is that nuclear processes play a fundamental role in the physical world, in the origin of the universe, in the creation of the chemical elements, as the energy source of the stars and in the basic constituents of matter plus the best of all motives curiosity.

Particle Physics

This Level 3 Physics half module introduces students to the exciting field of modern particle physics. It provides the mathematical tools of relativistic kinematics, enabling them to study interactions and decays and evaluate scattering form factors. Particles are classified as fermions the constituents of matter (quarks and leptons) – or as bosons, the propagators of field. The four fundamental interactions are outlined. Three are studied in detail: Feynman diagrams are introduced to describe higher order quantum electrodynamics; weak interactions are discussed from beta decay to high energy electroweak unification; strong interactions, binding quarks into hadrons, are presented with the experimental evidence for colour. The role symmetry plays in the allowed particles and their interactions is emphasised.

Atomic and Laser Physics

The course begins with a review of the Schrodinger equation for the hydrogen atom and the atomic wave functions that emerge from it. It then covers atomic selection rules, spectral fine structure and the effects of external fields. The spectra of selected multielectron atoms are described. The basic operation of the laser is then covered by introducing the concepts of stimulated emission and population inversion. The course concludes with a description of common lasers and their applications, including laser cooling of atoms.

Year 4

Nuclear Astrophysics

This module will help the student to develop their understanding of the process of nucleosynthesis and the dispersal of chemical elements in the Universe. We will study characteristics of primary cosmic rays, their interactions with the Earth’s atmosphere and possible mechanisms of their acceleration. We will examine the evidence for the present distribution of the chemical elements in the Universe, study the various nuclear processes that have led to the evolution of these elemental abundances, and discuss the possible astrophysical objects where these elements are produced.

Magnetic Resonance: Principles and Applications

The module will provide an overview of the basics of magnetic resonance, and then consider its applications in systems ranging from macroscopic living organisms, as in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) widely used in hospitals, to nanoscale systems where control of single or a few spins is now possible and can also be used for nanoimaging. Special attention will be paid to recent advances in solidstate nanoNMR and the control of single electron spins in solid state nanosystems using spin resonance techniques.

Biological Physics

This module will introduce students to biological physics, that is, the application of principles and tools from physics to biological systems. Biological materials are often soft condensed matter with properties between those of simple liquids and solids. In addition biological matter is usually out of equilibrium due to internal biochemical sources of energy. Students will begin to explore the world of biological cells and biopolymer macromolecules, such as DNA. They will see how physics can help understand biological systems through mathematical models and experimental imaging techniques and how this can lead to new physics and applications in biology.