Physics

PHYSICSTheUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpool L69 7ZET: +44 (0)151 794 3416E: [email protected]

www.liverpool.ac.uk/physics

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EB/RH JUN 2013

ContentsIntroduction toPhysics01Research incontext02Aninvestment inyour future04Programmedetails06Applicationsandadmissions21

01

Anyonewho is curious about the fundamentallaws of nature will enjoy Physics. It is one ofthe few disciplines that really challenge ourview of the world. For example, in relativitywe find that space and time are entangledand that clocks run slowly under the influenceof a gravitational field.Whenwe examine theworld on amicroscopic scale, we are in therealm of quantummechanics, where thepredictions, such as wave-particle duality,even seem strange to the physicists whostudy its foundations.

Einstein was sufficiently unsettled about theprobabilistic nature of quantummechanicsto declare, God does not play dice. Yetall of the predictions have passed every testdevised so far, and it explains why stars shine,we do not collapse into a singularity, whycopper conducts electricity but glass does not,and how transistors and other microelectronicdevices work. Because quantummechanicsaccounts for the whole of chemistry, includingbiochemistry, we need to understand it if weare to understand life itself.

WHYCHOOSE PHYSICSAT LIVERPOOLSupportive.Were a smaller department thanmany of our competitors and our open-doorapproach enables us to offer you a friendly andsupportive learning environment, reflected inthe very high satisfaction ratings our studentsgive us in the National Student Survey.

Research excellence.Our internationallyrenowned academic staff are involved inexciting cutting-edge research, such as themajor international collaboration to recreatethe conditions of the time of the Big Bang at theLarge Hadron Collider in CERN, Switzerland.

Excellent facilities. In 2012 the Universityopened the purpose built, state-of-the-art28million award-winning Centralised TeachingLaboratories, these have transformed the wayin which Physical Sciences are taught at theUniversity.We also offer spacious,well equippedresearch laboratories, a new projects laboratoryand a powerful supercomputer. In housefacilities include the Liverpool SemiconductorDetector centre, the Surface Science Researchcentre, nuclear instrumentation andmagnetismlaboratories and a supercomputer cluster.

Accreditation.Our programmes areaccredited by the Institute of Physicswhichmeans they satisfy the academicrequirements for Chartered Physicist status.

PhysicsWith threeNobelLaureates,PhysicsatLiverpoolhasa long traditionofexcellence.Weareoneofthe fewacademicdepartments in theUKtoobtaintop ratings forboth teachingandresearch.

Faculty of Science andEngineering > School of Physical Sciences > Physicswww.liverpool.ac.uk/physics

02/03

ResearchincontextTheUniversityofLiverpool isa research-intensiveuniversity, andmanyofouracademicstaff are leadingresearchers in their fields.What thismeans for youasastudent is that your learningwill be informedby thevery latestdevelopments inPhysics.


Physicists from the University of Liverpool areplaying an important part in a collaborationwhich is studying anti-matter. The ALPHAexperiment at CERN is studying the elusivesubstance antihydrogenwhich is a combinationof an antiproton and a positron (antielectron).The experiment has had several majorsuccesses recently. Antihydrogen has beenformed and trapped for over 15minutesallowing its properties to be studied inmoredetail. The presence of the antihydrogenwas confirmed using a silicon vertex detectorwhich was designed by the Liverpool groupand built and commissioned in the LiverpoolSemiconductor Detector Centre.

Particles that exist in the University have theirmirror images in anti-matter; they have theopposite electric charge. It is thought that whenthe Universe was formed bothmatter and anti-matter existed in equal amounts.Whenmatterand anti-matter collide they annihilate, with theresidual matter making upwhat we see todayincluding the solar system and its planets. Anti-matter is known to exist; in stars for example,but scientists are still puzzled as to why it is onlymatter we can see in our physical world today.

Professor Paul Nolan from the Departmentof Physics, who leads the Liverpool teamat ALPHA said Our aim is to study detailedproperties of antihydrogen and comparethemwith those of hydrogen. Our recentmeasurements on trapped antihydrogenhavemeasured for the first time a resonantquantum transition and alsomade the firstmeasurements of the effect of gravity onantihydrogen. The experiment is now beingupgraded to allow us to trapmore antihydrogenfor longer periods and to study differentquantum transitions which can be excitedusing a laser. These new results will helpusmake awider comparison with theproperties of hydrogen and any differencesthat exist may start to become apparent.

This work has been published in Natureand Physical Review Letters and is supportedby the Engineering and Physical SciencesResearch Council (EPSRC).

Physics gives youa chance to explainhow theworldworks from the reallysmall atomic scale to the really large.Ive really enjoyed thepracticals.Ive beenable to get to gripswithhandling the equipment and thescientificmethods its good to be ableto apply the things youve learnt inlectureswhenyoure hands on in thelab. I feel like Ive learnt enough, anddevelopeda lot of skills to beable toapply them in later life. Imglad Icame to theUniversity of Liverpool.DAVID TURNERMPHYS

See what David had to say aboutstudying Physics at Liverpoolwww.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/video

04/05

AninvestmentinyourfuturePhysicistsare trained tosolveawide rangeofproblems.Thatswhygraduateshavegoneon toexplorecareersinsuchdiverseareassuchas: Telecommunications,Microelectronics,NuclearPowerand Instrumentation,Cryogenics,Astronomy,Geophysics,MedicalPhysics,MaterialsScience,Computing, Teaching,Business,FinanceandManagement.

CAREER PROSPECTSThe skills you will develop here are highlyvalued by employers, such as a practicalapproach to problem solving, strong powersof analysis, numeracy, good IT skills and theability to communicate well. Physics graduatesare currently among those earning the higheststarting salaries in the UK, according to latestfigures, and our graduates enjoy excellentopportunities for careers in research, industry,computing, teaching, business and finance.

WORKEXPERIENCEOPPORTUNITIESFor thosewho are studying Physics on ourMasters programme (F303) there will beopportunities to carry out your major projectat an international research laboratory. Theattachments we offer, which could be paid,last two to threemonths during the summerbreak between your third and fourth year.

The results you get from thework you doduring the project will be brought back toLiverpool for a project report with amemberof staff as your advisor. Laboratories withwhich we have a close research relationshipinclude TRIUMF in Vancouver, CERN inGeneva, the Institut Laue-Langevin inGrenoble and the Cockcroft Institute atthe Daresbury Laboratory,Warrington.

POSTGRADUATEOPPORTUNITIESThanks to the reputation of our Department,our graduates enjoy unusually goodopportunities to go on to postgraduate study,particularly in the fields of CondensedMatterPhysics, Nuclear Physics, Particle Physicsand Nanoscience. The Department is verywell funded, and currently enjoys a highresearch income from the Research Councilsin the UK. As a consequence, there areexcellent opportunities for our undergraduatesto study for research degrees and thereare exceptional facilities at their disposal.

Faculty of Science andEngineering > School of Physical Sciences > Physicswww.liverpool.ac.uk/physics Graduate

Profile

IcurrentlyworkwithAMECWindEnergyasProjectManagerforoneof theworlds largestwindfarmproposals,LewisWindPower.ManyskillsIdevelopedaspartofmyPhysicsdegreehelpmeenormouslyinmyday-to-dayactivities. Inadditiontocorenumeracyandanalyticalskills,otherskillsIuseincludetheabilitytodrawconclusionsandmakedecisions,communicatewithpeople fromawiderangeofdisciplinesandbackgrounds,ITskills,andtheabilitytowritereportsandmakepresentations.Allof theseskillsweredevelopedduringmytimeatLiverpool.RHONADISBERRYPROJECTMANAGERFORAMECWINDENERGY

06/07

Degrees at aGlance UCASCode Length (Years) Page

Physics BSc (Hons) F300 3 07

PhysicsMPhys F303 4 09

Physicswith AstronomyBSc (Hons) F3F5 3 10

AstrophysicsMPhys F521 4 12

PhysicswithMedical ApplicationsBSc (Hons) F350 3 13

PhysicswithNuclear ScienceBSc (Hons) F390 3 14

Physics for NewTechnologyBSc (Hons) F352 3 15

Physical Sciences entry route leading to F308 4 16BSc (Hons) (4 year route including aFoundationYear atCarmelCollege)

Degrees offeredwith other DepartmentsPhysics andMathematics BSc (Joint Hons) FG31 3 17

Mathematical PhysicsMMath FGH1 4 17

Theoretical PhysicsMPhys F344 4 17

Geophysics (Physics) BSc (Hons) F656 3 17

Geophysics andGeologyMESci (Hons) F641 4 18

Geophysics (Geology) BSc (Hons) F640 3 18

Geophysics (North America)MESci (Hons) F660 4 18

OceanSciences (Physics pathway) BSc (Hons) F700 3 18


Physics BSc (Hons)UCAS code: F300Programme length: 3 years

KeyContact: Dr DavidHutchcroftE: [email protected]

Physics is themost fundamental of the sciences.New concepts, such as QuantumMechanicsand Relativity, are introduced at degree level inorder to understand nature at the deepest level.These theories have profound philosophicalimplications because they challenge our view ofthe everyday world. At the same time they havea huge impact on society since they underpinthe technological revolution.

While studying one of themost intellectuallysatisfying disciplines, youwill acquiretransferable skills including numeracy,problem solving, an ability to reason clearlyand communicate well. Physics degreesare highly prized in the flexible labourmarketof today and our graduates have excellentcareer opportunities in academic research,industrial research and development, teaching,computing, business and finance.

PROGRAMMECONTENTCore Physics topics include: NewtonianDynamics,Wave Phenomena, TheMaterial Universe,Working with Physics,Practical Physics andMaths for Physics,Electromagnetism, CondensedMatter,Quantum and Atomic Physics and Nuclearand Particle Physics. A wide range of optionsis available includingMedical Physics,Astronomy, Statistical and Low TemperaturePhysics and Surface Physics. Youwill also takeMathematics, Computing and ExperimentalPhysicsmodules in support of these studies.The programme includes a one semesterproject in one of the research groups.

HOWYOU LEARNLectures cover the overall framework andbasic information on the various areas ofPhysics and related subjects. Tutorials andproblem-solving workshops are anothercrucial element in the learning process. Theyhelp you to develop aworking knowledge andunderstanding of Physics. Most work takesplace in small groups with a tutor or in a largerclass where staff provide help as needed.Practical work is an integral part of theprogrammes, and ranges from training inbasic laboratory skills in the first two years toa research project in the third or fourth year.

WHICHDEGREEThe overall programme structure is veryflexible. At the end of Years One and Two,students will have a wide range of optionsand considerable flexibility to transfer betweenprogrammes. You can pursue Physics to thehighest level or you can specialise in one of themany fields of science based on Physics. Thethree-year BSc (Hons) programmes provide anexcellent foundation in Physics. The four-yearMPhys programmes go into greater breadthand depth and are designed for studentsaiming for a professional career in Physics.

In the first two years students takeMathsmodules which provide the support tobring all students up to the required level.

Graduates are eligible to join our professionalbody, the Institute of Physics, and they arewell on the way to Chartered Physicist status.

Entrance RequirementsSeewww.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses for current entrance requirements.

Foundation programmes have flexible entry requirements. For further information, downloadthe Foundation course brochure from the website below or contact Carmen Nuez at CarmelCollege: E: [email protected] T: +44 (0)174 445 2224www.carmel.ac.uk

For current entrance requirements andfullmodule details, seewww.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses

Prog ammedetails

08/09

Year ThreeCoremodules:

QuantumMechanics and Atomic PhysicsAdvanced ElectromagnetismAdvanced Practical PhysicsA Project working with academic staff,usually related to their research

The optional modules are a free choicefrommodules covering the topics of:

Practical AstrophysicsParticle PhysicsMaterials PhysicsSemiconductor ApplicationsCondensedMatter PhysicsNuclear PhysicsStatistical and Low Temperature PhysicsRelativity and CosmologyNuclear Energy and Environmental RadiationIntroduction to Stellar AstrophysicsSurface PhysicsPhysics of LifeAccelerators and Radioisotopes inMedicineCommunicating Science

Year OneThe first year starts with a one-week projectto familiarise youwith the staff and otherstudents. There will be twoMathsmodules ineach of the first two years; these are designedto provide theMathematical skills required byPhysics students.

Coremodules:

Newtonian DynamicsTheMaterial UniverseWave PhenomenaModern PhysicsPractical Physics I working in thePhysics laboratoriesWorking with Physics I learningthe skills required to be a physicist

Optional modules include:

Working withMedical PhysicsWorking with Nuclear Science

Year TwoCoremodules:

ElectromagnetismCondensedMatter PhysicsQuantum and Atomic PhysicsNuclear and Particle PhysicsPractical Physics II working in thePhysics laboratoriesWorking with Physics II learningthe skills required to be a physicist


Laboratories with which we have a closeresearch relationship include TRIUMF inVancouver, CERN in Geneva, the Institutof Laue-Langevin in Grenoble and theCockcroft institute at the DaresburyLaboratory,Warrington.


Coremodules:

Newtonian DynamicsTheMaterial UniverseWave PhenomenaModern PhysicsPractical Physics I working in thePhysics laboratoriesWorking with Physics I learningthe skills required to be a physicist

Optional modules include:

Working withMedical PhysicsWorking with Nuclear Science


ElectromagnetismCondensedMatter PhysicsQuantum and Atomic PhysicsNuclear and Particle PhysicsPractical Physics II working in thePhysics laboratoriesWorking with Physics II learningthe skills required to be a physicist


PhysicsMPhysUCAS code: F303Programme length: 4 years


This programme is intended for thoseconsidering a career as a professional physicistin fundamental research or industrial researchand development. It covers a wider range oftopics than the Physics BSc and providesmore research experience. The Departmenthas an excellent track record of securing PhDstudentships and, as a consequence, ourgraduates have an unusually good opportunityto study higher degrees spanning the wholeof Physics.

PROGRAMMECONTENTCore Physics topics include: NewtonianDynamics,Wave Phenomena, TheMaterial Universe,Working with Physics,Practical Physics andMaths for Physics,Electromagnetism, CondensedMatter,Quantum and Atomic Physics and Nuclearand Particle Physics. A wide range of optionsis available includingMedical Physics,Astronomy, Statistical and Low TemperaturePhysics, and Surface Physics. Youwill also takeMathematics, Computing and ExperimentalPhysicsmodules in support of these studies.There is an advanced Computer-Modellingproject in the third year using Java. For thosewho are studying Physics on ourMastersprogramme (F303) there will be opportunities tocarry out your major project at an internationalresearch laboratory. The attachments we offer,which could be paid, will last for two to threemonths during the summer break betweenyour third and fourth year. The results you getfrom thework youwould do during the projectwill be brought back to Liverpool for a projectreport with amember of staff as your advisor.

6thintheUKinTheGuardianUniversityGuide2012.

Ranked

10/11



QuantumMechanics and Atomic PhysicsCondensedMatter PhysicsAdvanced ElectromagnetismNuclear PhysicsParticle PhysicsSurface PhysicsAdvanced Practical PhysicsModelling Physical Phenomena

Optional modules are chosen from the samelist as Year Three of F300. At the end of YearThree theremay be an opportunity to workat an international research laboratory.

Year FourCoremodules:

AdvancedQuantumPhysicsResearch SkillsAn extended project with amemberof staff, normally in their research area

Optional modules are taken from:

Stellar AstrophysicsGalaxiesMaterials PhysicsSemiconductor ApplicationsCommunicating ScienceStatistical and Low Temperature PhysicsAccelerator PhysicsElements of Stellar DynamicsMagnetic Structures and FunctionNanoscale Physics and Technology

Nuclear and Particle PhysicsPractical Astrophysics workingin the Physics laboratoriesWorking with Physics II learningthe skills required to be a physicist

At the end of Year Two, there is a fieldtrip to a Tenerife observatory.


Stellar AstrophysicsQuantumMechanics and Atomic PhysicsAdvancedObservational AstronomyGalaxiesRelativity and CosmologyNuclear PhysicsParticle Physics

Project topics:

Astrophysics ProjectApplied Physics ProjectUndergraduate Ambassadors Project

Optional modules:

Accelerators and Radioisotopes inMedicineCondensedMatter PhysicsAdvanced ElectromagnetismSurface PhysicsPhysics of LifeMaterials PhysicsPhysics of Energy SourcesSemiconductor ApplicationsCommunicating SciencePractical AstronomyStellar AtmospheresPlanetary Physics

PROGRAMMECONTENTCore Physics topics include: NewtonianDynamics,Wave Phenomena, TheMaterial Universe,Working with Physics,Practical Physics andMaths for Physics,Electromagnetism, CondensedMatter,Quantum and Atomic Physics and Nuclearand Particle Physics. There aremoduleson Astronomy Fundamentals, AstronomicalTechniques, Galaxies and Cosmology.

The twometre Aperture Liverpool Telescopesited in the Canaries, which is the largestrobotically controlled telescope in the world,will provide students on our degree programmewith unique access to observations from amajor research facility when they undertakea research project in their final year.


Coremodules:

Newtonian DynamicsTheMaterial UniverseWave PhenomenaModern PhysicsPractical Physics I working in thePhysics laboratoriesWorking with Physics I learning physicsskills with Astronomy and Astrophysicsexamples


ElectromagnetismCondensedMatter PhysicsQuantum and Atomic Physics


Relativity and CosmologyPhysics of LifeRadiation Therapy ApplicationsPhysics of Energy SourcesPhysics of the Radiative UniverseAdvanced Nuclear PhysicsAdvanced Particle PhysicsChaos TheoryRelativity

Physicswith AstronomyBSc (Hons)UCAS code: F3F5Programme length: 3 years


A degree in Physics with Astronomy givesstudents a wide appreciation of the variedastronomical phenomena in the physicalUniverse. From the formation, evolution anddeaths of stars involving Planetary Systems,Nucleosynthesis and Supernovae throughstructure of galaxies to the evolution of theUniverse itself, the degree structure introducesthe Physics involved in the cosmos. At theend of the second year the week-long fieldtrip to the IzanaObservatory in Tenerifeintroduces students to professionalobservatories. Offered in conjunction withLiverpool JohnMoores University, the three-year Physics and Astronomy degree will equipstudents with skills relevant for jobs in a widerange of careers, from education, finance andthe city to industry.

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The two-metre Aperture Liverpool Telescopesited on La Palma in the Canaries, which is thelargest robotically controlled telescope in theworld, will provide students on our degreeprogrammewith unique access to observationsfrom amajor research facility when theyundertake a research project in their final year.

Years One and TwoThese are the same as for Physics withAstronomy BSc programme (F3F5).

Year ThreeAs for Year Three of F3F5, except thatthe Astrophysics project will be based onAstrophysicsModelling using computers.

The options can be chosen from the samelist as the third year of F3F5 plus:

Semiconductor applicationsStatistical and Low Temperature PhysicsElements of Stellar DynamicsPhysics of the Radiative Universe

Year FourComprises core Astrophysicsmodules including an Astrophysics research project,plus the following coremodules:

Computational AstrophysicsThe Interstellar MediumCommunication of Astrophysical IdeasResearch Skills

Also, optional modules are taken from:

CondensedMatter PhysicsMaterials PhysicsSemiconductor ApplicationsCommunicating ScienceStatistical and Low Temperature PhysicsAdvancedQuantumPhysicsAccelerator PhysicsAdvanced Stellar AstrophysicsElements of Stellar Dynamics


PROGRAMMECONTENTCore Physics topics include: NewtonianDynamics,Wave Phenomena, TheMaterial Universe,Working with Physics,Practical Physics andMaths for Physics,Electromagnetism, CondensedMatter,Quantum and Atomic Physics and Nuclearand Particle Physics. A wide-range ofoptions is available includingMedical Physics,Astronomy, Statistical and Low TemperaturePhysics and Surface Physics. Youwill also takeMathematics, Computing and ExperimentalPhysicsmodules in support of these studies.There is a project on aMedical Physics topicin Year Three with involvement from the localhospitals andmedical research centres. Stafffrom these institutions will also be involvedwith teaching.

Years One and TwoThe first year starts with a one-week project tofamiliarise youwith the staff and other students.There will be twoMathsmodules in the first yearand one in the second year; these are designedto provide theMathematical skills required byPhysics students.

Year One coremodules:

Newtonian DynamicsTheMaterial UniverseWave PhenomenaModern PhysicsWorking withMedical Physics working in the Physics laboratoriesWorking with Physics I learningthe skills required to be a physicist


AstrophysicsMPhysUCAS code: F521Programme length: 4 years


AnAstrophysics degree has the unique potentialto provide students with an understandingof themost up-to-date discoveries in theuniverse. During the programme, studentswill be introduced to all aspects of Physicsand Astronomy fromQuantumMechanicsto Cosmology. In the second year, there is aweek-long field trip to the IzanaObservatoryin Tenerife, where studentsmake astronomicalmeasurements at a professional observatory.Offered in conjunction with Liverpool JohnMoores University, the four-year Astrophysicsdegree will equip students with skills relevantfor further study of the universe at postgraduateresearch level as well as for jobs in a widerange of careers.

PROGRAMMECONTENTCore Physics topics include: NewtonianDynamics,Wave Phenomena, TheMaterial Universe,Working with Physics,Practical Physics andMaths for Physics,Electromagnetism, CondensedMatter,Quantum and Atomic Physics and Nuclearand Particle Physics. There aremodules onAstronomy Fundamentals, AstronomicalTechniques, Stellar Astrophysics, Galaxiesand Cosmology. Advanced topics includeComputational Astrophysics, Communicationof Astrophysical Ideas, Chaos Theory, andDynamical Astronomy.

Magnetic Structure and FunctionNanoscale Physics and TechnologyAdvanced ElectromagnetismSurface PhysicsPhysics of LifeStellar AtmospheresPlanetary PhysicsRadiation Therapy Applications Physicsof Energy Sources Physics of theRadiative UniverseAdvanced Nuclear PhysicsAdvanced Particle PhysicsChaos TheoryRelativity

Other optionsmay be availableinMathematical Sciences.

PhysicswithMedicalApplications BSc (Hons)UCAS code: F350Programme length: 3 years


Physics research is helping us to live longer,healthier lives. It is helping us to develop newcures for disease and newways to quicklydiagnose health problems. For example,particle beams and detectors used in Physicsresearch have led to the development of newproton and neutron cancer therapies. Thisdegree combines the study of Physics andselected topics inmedical applications. Thisprogramme provides skills such as numeracy,problem solving, reasoning and communicationthat are attractive to the general employer,and it is an excellent preparation for a careerin Medical Physics.

14/15

Coremodules:

Newtonian DynamicsTheMaterial UniverseWave PhenomenaModern PhysicsWorking withMedical Physics workingin the Physics laboratoriesWorking with Nuclear Science learningthe skills required to be a physicist


ElectromagnetismCondensedMatter PhysicsQuantum and Atomic PhysicsNuclear and Particle PhysicsPractical Physics II working in thePhysics laboratoriesWorking with Physics II learningthe skills required to be a physicistAccelerators and Radioisotopes inMedicine

Year ThreeOptions to be chosen from the Physicsmodules available for F300 andfrom Engineeringmodules.


Year Two coremodules:

ElectromagnetismCondensedMatter PhysicsQuantum and Atomic PhysicsNuclear and Particle PhysicsPractical Physics II working in thePhysics laboratoriesWorking with Physics II learningthe skills required to be a physicistAccelerators and Radioisotopes inMedicine


AMedical Physics Project, workingwith amember of the academic staffRadiation Therapy applicationsAdvanced Practical Physics

The optional modules are a free choicefrommodules covering the topics of:

Stellar AstrophysicsQuantumMechanics and Atomic PhysicsCondensedMatter PhysicsNuclear PhysicsMaterials PhysicsSemiconductor ApplicationsCommunicating ScienceAdvanced ElectromagnetismRelativity and CosmologyParticle PhysicsSurface PhysicsPhysics of LifePhysics of Energy Sources


Physicswith NuclearScience BSc (Hons)UCAS code: F390Programme length: 3 years


This programme offers the study of Physicsand selected topics in Nuclear Science. Theprogramme provides an excellent preparationfor a career in the Nuclear Related Industries.There are links withmany parts of the nuclearindustry including those involvedwithdecommissioning and homeland security.Staff from these institutions will be involvedin the project work. The programme comprisesmodules in commonwith the Physicsprogramme (includingMathematics support).

PROGRAMMECONTENTCore Physics topics include: NewtonianDynamics,Wave Phenomena, TheMaterial Universe,Working with Physics,Practical Physics andMaths for Physics,Electromagnetism, CondensedMatter,Quantum and Atomic Physics and Nuclearand Particle Physics. Youwill also takemoduleson Nuclear Physics, Thermodynamics, NuclearEnergy, Nuclei, Molecules and Solids andStatistics related to Nuclear Science. Youwill also takeMathematics, Computing andExperimental Physicsmodules in support ofthese studies. There is a project on a NuclearScience topic in Year Three with involvementfrom industry. Other modules fromPhysicsF300 programmemay also be taken.

Year OneThe first year starts with a one-week project tofamiliarise youwith the staff and other students.

There will be twoMathsmodules in the firstyear and one in the second year; these aredesigned to provide theMathematical skillsrequired by Physics students.

Physics for New TechnologyBSc (Hons)UCAS code: F352Programme length: 3 years


This degree offers a programme in Physicswith particular emphasis in Year Three onapplied topics. The area of Engineeringprovides amodule in theManagement ofResearch and Development. This coversmanaging the process of technologicalinnovation, new product innovation andmanaging the translation of innovationintomanufacture. There are also extensiveopportunities to work on projects of directrelevance to industry. The programme isintended for students who are less interestedin themathematical aspects of Physics.Transfer is possible between this programmeand other Physics programmes aftercompletion of Year One or Year Twoof study.

PROGRAMMECONTENTCore Physics topics include:Newtonian Dynamics,Wave Phenomena,TheMaterial Universe,Working with Physics,Practical Physics andMaths for Physics,Electromagnetism, CondensedMatter,Quantum and Atomic Physics and Nuclearand Particle Physics. Youwill also takemodulesin Electronic Instrumentation, Materials andSemiconductor Physics, Nuclear Energy andEnvironmental Radiation and Industrial Studies.There is a two-module project running throughboth semesters in the final year. This involvescomputer interfacing to a system that isplanned, designed and built by students.

90%ofresearch activity deemedworld-leading,internationally excellent or internationally

recognised. (RAE2008)

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Years One and TwoYears One and Two follow the Physics BScprogramme F300. See page 08.

Year ThreeA 30-credit project. The project involvescomputer interfacing to a system, which isplanned, designed and built by the students.In addition the following coremodules are taken:

CondensedMatter PhysicsNuclear PhysicsMaterials PhysicsPhysics of Energy SourcesSemiconductor ApplicationsManagement of Design

In addition optional modules are chosenfrom the following:

Accelerators and Radioisotopes inMedicineStellar AstrophysicsAdvanced ElectromagnetismRelativity and CosmologySurface PhysicsPhysics of LifeCommunicating Science


ProgrammewithaFoundationYearPhysical Sciences entry routeleading to BSc (Hons) (4 yearroute including a FoundationYear at Carmel College)UCAS code: F308Programme length: 4 years

KeyContact: CarmenNuezE: [email protected]

This programme offers a four-year route tothe BSc (Hons) degree programmes offeredby the Department of Physics. You follow thefoundation year at Carmel College, St Helens,about ninemiles away from themain Universityprecinct. It offers small class sizes and highacademic standards. You then opt to followany of the Physics programmes outlinedelsewhere in this brochure.

PROGRAMMECONTENTAt Carmel College, youwill take threefoundationmodules chosen fromPhysics,Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology orGeography, depending onwhich degree routeyouwant to follow. In your second year, youwill attend the University of Liverpool and takethe samemodules as other students on yourchosen programme. Please contact CarmenNuez for full details E: [email protected]: +44 (0)1744 452 213

Year ZeroIs based at Carmel College, St Helens, aboutninemiles away from themain Universityprecinct. The College offers small class sizesand high standards of academic achievement.

Students follow three foundationmoduleschosen fromPhysics, Mathematics, Chemistry,Biology or Geography. Module choice dependson the programme students wish to follow afterthe Foundation Year (Year Zero).

Years One, Two and ThreeStudents follow appropriatemodulesfor their chosen programme. Details canbe foundwithin this brochure under theappropriate degree programme heading.

DegreesofferedwithotherDepartmentsF641, F640, F656, F660 and F700 arenot Institute of Physics accredited.

Mathematical PhysicsMMathUCAS code: FGH1Programme length: 4 years

Physics andMathematicsBSc (Joint Hons)UCAS code: FG31Programme length: 3 years

Theoretical PhysicsMPhysUCAs code: F344Programme length: 4 years

KeyContact: [email protected]

Physics andMathematics degrees arehighly prized and our graduates have excellentcareer opportunities in industrial research anddevelopment, computing, business, financeand teaching.We offer two three-year BScdegrees and two four-year degrees, MMathorMPhys, combining these two intimatelyrelated disciplines.

These programmes provide a strongmathematical training, andmathematicaltechniques help you to deal with new ideasthat often seem counterintuitive, such asstring theory, black holes, superconductorsand chaos theory.

PROGRAMMECONTENTIn Year One youwill take three coreMathematicsmodules, amodule in DynamicModelling, andmodules in Electricity andMagnetism, PracticalTechniques in Physics, Introduction to Relativity,Introduction to QuantumPhysics, ThermalPhysics, andWaves andOptics. After passingthe first year, you have the flexibility oftransferring toMathematics or Physics if youwish, subject to approval. For more informationon these programmes, seewww.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/brochures to view theMathematical Sciences brochure.

Geophysics (Physics) BSc (Hons)UCAS code: F656Programme length: 3 years

This three-year degree programme providestraining in the principles and practice ofgeophysics with an emphasis on pure andpractical physics. High level training is givenin geophysics with supporting physics,providing classical physics training to secondyear university level, and including universitytraining in geology andmathematics. Thisdegree is recognised by the Institute of Physics.Graduates from this degree are very successfulin finding degree-related employment orcontinuing with further education. Theprogramme is particularly strong for careersin geophysical data analysis, and researchareas related to global geophysics andplanetary science. Transfer to a Physics degreeis possible up to the end of the first year.

97%ofour studentswere satisfiedwith their course. (National

Student Survey2012)

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Ocean Sciences BSc (Hons)UCAS code: F700Programme length: 3 years

Themarine environment is a dynamic,heterogeneous and biologically diverse systemthat is driven by a combination of physical andchemical processes. It experiences extremesof temperature, pressure and salinity andis often impacted by catastrophic events(both natural andmanmade) that can influencethousands of square kilometres of surfaceocean and sea floor. The oceansmoderate andrespond to climate change, with variations inoceanic conditions affecting life in the oceansand potentially causing further global change.

PROGRAMMECONTENTThis degree programmewill provide anunderstanding of the key drivers in themarinesystem, through exploration of physical andbiogeochemical processes. It will focus onpractical aspects of marine science andwillprovide grounding in hands on quantitativestudies of chemical and physicalmarine science.There will be the opportunity to participatein field/project work using the Universitysresearch vessel throughout the course of yourstudies, as well as a full sea practical usingother UKmarine facilities during Year Three.

Youwill undertake amajor research projectin your final year. This programme consistsof two distinct pathways, Chemistry andPhysics, eachwith their ownmix of modulesfrom the School of Physical Sciences.Scientists from the National OceanographyCentre in Liverpool provide guest lecturesand supervision of projects.

For more information on this programme, seewww.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/brochures to view the Earth, Ocean andEcological Sciences brochure.

This subject can be taken as partof a CombinedHonours degree. Seewww.liverpool.ac.uk/combined-honoursfor further details.

F641, F640, F656, F660 and F700 arenot Institute of Physics accredited.

PROGRAMMECONTENTThe programmewill cover core topicsin physics, geophysics, geology andmathematics, plus a choice of advancedmodules in geophysics. Major features includetraining in practical geophysics, explorationgeophysics (particularly seismology), planetary-scale geophysics and geophysical inversetheory. Youwill work within one of our researchgroups to undertake a significant geophysicalresearch project in your final year. This providesexcellent training in researchmethodology foran academic or industrial research career.

For more information on this programme, seewww.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/brochures to view the Earth, Ocean andEcological Sciences brochure.

Geology andGeophysicsMESci (Hons)UCAS code: F641Programme length: 4 years

Geophysics (Geology) BSc (Hons)UCAS code: F640Programme length: 3 years

Geophysics (North America)MESci (Hons)UCAS code: F660Programme length: 4 years

For more information on these programmes,seewww.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/brochures to view the Earth, Ocean andEcological Sciences brochure.

20ApplicationsandadmissionsWewelcomeapplications fromall over theworld, and its our aim tomake the processof applying as smooth as possible.

The information that follows is a brief guideto applying for programmes of study at theUniversity of Liverpool. For full details of ourapplications and admissions policy, pleasevisit ourwebsite atwww.liverpool.ac.uk/ug-admissions

MAKINGANAPPLICATIONTHROUGHUCASApplications for full-time undergraduatestudy aremade viaUCAS, theUniversitiesandCollegesAdmissions Service, usingUCASsonline application systematwww.ucas.comTheUniversity of Liverpool institution codeis LVRPL L41.

WHEN TOMAKE YOURAPPLICATIONFor up-to-date information please visitwww.ucas.com

ENTRANCEREQUIREMENTSFor full details on the programmesweofferand detailed entrance requirements, visitwww.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate

Weaccept awide range of otherqualifications, eg EUand internationalqualifications. Formore detailed informationon entrance requirements see our onlineprospectuswww.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses

For information onEnglish language entryrequirements visitwww.liverpool.ac.uk/study/international/countries/english-language orcontact Student Recruitment andAdmissionsT: +44 (0)151 794 6730 E: [email protected]/help/undergraduate

MATURESTUDENTSWewelcomeapplications fromcandidateswho are not applying directly fromschoolor college, orwho have non-standardqualifications, orwhowishwork or lifeexperience to be taken into account as partof their application. For further informationseewww.liverpool.ac.uk/maturestudents

STUDENTSWITHDISABILITIESWegive equal consideration to all applicantsandwelcomeapplications fromstudentswithdisabilities. Please contact theDisability SupportTeamon T: +44 (0)151 794 5117 to discussyour support needs before you submit yourUCASapplication.

DIVERSITY ANDEQUALITYTheUniversity of Liverpool attaches thegreatest importance to its policies and activitiesto promote diversity and equality of opportunity.Full details on these policies can be found onlineatwww.liverpool.ac.uk/diversity-and-equality

DISCLAIMEREvery effort has beenmade to ensure thatinformation containedwithin this brochureis accurate at the time of going to press.However, thematters covered are subjectto change from time to time, both beforeand after a candidates admission.

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Physics