UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES IN PHYSICS AND …€¦ · EMMA WILLET MSCI PHYSICS ‘The best thing about studying physics at the University of Birmingham is definitely the atmosphere

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMESIN PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

SCHOOL OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

2 Physics and Astronomy

CONTENTS

Welcome to the School 3Why Physics at Birmingham? 4What can I do with a Physics degree? 6Introduction 8Physics 10Physics and Astrophysics 11Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology 12Theoretical Physics 13Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics 14Physics with Intercalated Year in Computer Science 15Physics (International Study) 16Research at Birmingham 18The University 22The city of Birmingham 23Course structures 24Admissions procedure and UCAS codes 28

Front cover photo credit: George Silk

The picture on the cover shows a whirlpool off St Malo on the Atlantic coast of France. You can get an impression of the scale if told the typical wavelength of the waves is around a metre.

Microscopic whirlpools in super-slithery cold Helium films are the critical ingredient in the Birmingham work for which Mike Kosterlitz and David Thouless were awarded the Nobel prize in 2016. At low temperatures whirlpools of opposite sign (clockwise and anticlockwise) stick together to cancel out their flows and lower the kinetic energy of the fluid. But as you add energy through heat, they get further and further apart. At the celebrated ‘Kosterlitz-Thouless’ temperature they unbind and the Helium precipitously stops being super slithery (superfluid).

3Physics and Astronomy

Why is there a super massive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way and what happens when black holes merge? What happened at the time of the Big Bang? Is Schrödinger’s cat really paradoxical? Why can we never isolate a quark? What makes a superconductor have no electrical resistance? Can we make invisibility cloaks? What is the future for nuclear energy? Can we find planets like Earth that could sustain life? The degree programmes in Birmingham both deliver the answers to these questions, and many more of your own devising, and crucially explain the limitations to those answers, taking you to the frontier of current knowledge.

Physics and Astronomy at Birmingham has one of the largest research portfolios in the UK, covering everything from fundamental to applied physics, from particle physics to astronomy and cosmology. We are credited with the development of the cavity magnetron, leading to applications such as radar and the microwave oven and the proton synchrotron – the forerunner of the accelerator used at CERN for the Higgs boson discovery. We had a leading role in the discovery of the Higgs boson, detection of gravitational waves and two of the three 2016 Physics Nobel winners did their prize-winning research at Birmingham.

We have world leaders in particle, nuclear, nanophysics, quantum, condensed matter, gravitational, astronomical and cosmological science and some leading facilities in the UK, eg, our very own cyclotron particle accelerator. Our students benefit directly from this research, not just by being taught by internationally acknowledged experts at the research frontiers of physics, but crucially by taking part in the research itself. MSci students become members of the appropriate research group for their final-year research project.

Significant contact hours are given over to small-group teaching, from Year 1 weekly tutorials involving no more than four students, to detailed discussion of research project results in later years. Small-group interactions

help to build confidence in talking the language of physics, and develop skills to offer reasoned arguments. Our teaching is of high quality; in 2017 we were ranked 2nd in The Guardian Physics League Tables, 7th in The Complete University Guide Physics League Tables and 6th in The Times. We are particularly proud of the number of our graduates who continue to pursue postgraduate degrees in Physics as a clear indication of the interest in the subject that our teaching instils. Our degree programmes contain all the transferable skills which employers desire, including team-working (which was pioneered in Birmingham), communication skills and independent working in projects. Combined with the training in problem solving, experimental skills, mathematics and IT which our degree programme entails, our graduates have excellent preparation for careers in finance, management and technology as well as fundamental research. We also have a comprehensive programme of careers advice and development throughout the degree programmes. Finally, we are proud of the fact that our students find their time with us fulfilling and enjoyable – as can be seen in our performance in the National Student Survey, in which final-year undergraduates provide feedback on a range of issues. We are extremely fortunate to have three highly motivated student societies. They do a great job of organising everything from social to outreach events. They really are the heart of the School, which means that in addition to working hard, students also have great fun.We will be very pleased to welcome you to the School to find out more about our degrees and the University in general. Details of Open Days and Admissions Days are on our web page or available by phone from the Admissions Team office. I look forward to meeting you during your visit.

Professor Martin FreerHead of School

Welcome to the School


I am a nuclear physicist whose research focuses on the rather exotic structures that protons and neutrons can create in the atomic nucleus, in particular how and why they sometimes condense out into clusters of alpha-particles. I was awarded the Rutherford Medal by the Institute of Physics in 2010 for establishing the existence of molecular-like cluster configurations in light nuclei. As an experimentalist, my research is performed at accelerator facilities worldwide – from America to Australia – and even on our own particle accelerator, the Birmingham MC40 cyclotron. Building from my physics background, I also have a strong interest in the UK’s energy challenge, the role of nuclear energy and helping shape future thinking on sustainable energy.

PHYSICS ADDRESSES SOME OF THE DEEPEST QUESTIONS OF HOW THE UNIVERSE WORKS AND EXPLORES NATURE BEYOND THE BOUNDS OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE.


Why Physics at Birmingham?

3rd IN THE GUARDIAN PHYSICS LEAGUE

TABLE 2018

1stIN THE RUSSELL GROUP

for overall student satisfaction (NSS 2016)

The Schoolo A world-class department with internationally

leading research staff – our School has around 180 members of staff, 120 graduate students, and over £8 million per annum research income.

o Excellent and well-equipped teaching, computing and laboratory facilities that have benefited from recent investment. The University Observatory has also just been upgraded with a new telescope that is the most powerful within 50 miles of Birmingham.

o A range of degree programmes, with over 100 modules and optional courses.

o Specialised courses, with projects at the cutting edge, delivered by research-active staff from our international research groups active on all length scales at the frontiers of physics.

o The specialist touch – our programmes have special, dedicated laboratories and teaching facilities.

o We value small-group teaching – the small-group environment encourages active participation and a new-found confidence in talking the language of physics – our undergraduates enjoy the benefits of regular tutorials, skills-development sessions and problem-based learning classes.

o A dedicated careers tutor catering to the needs of our students – our undergraduates gain a broad knowledge and skills base for a wide range of careers.

o A flexible portfolio – the structure of our first year allows students to transfer from one physics degree programme to another.

o Our own coffee lounge for students and staff – a great meeting place.

The Universityo An attractive campus – the University is

situated in an area of parkland covering 243 acres.

o A wide-ranging and convenient choice of accommodation – the University has hall accommodation to suit all preferences and needs, much of which is on the picturesque landscaped Vale site within easy walking distance of the main campus. Private accommodation for later years is also close by.

o A state-of-the-art library in the centre of campus opened in 2016.

o One of the best sports facilities in the country, opened in 2017.

o A botanic garden, fine art gallery and concert hall.

o Plenty of shops, restaurants and bars – the main campus has two major shopping, dining and drinking areas – the Guild of Students and the University Centre.

o Excellent public transport links – Birmingham is the only university in the UK to have its own railway station.

o A convenient location – the city centre is only two miles away.

EMMA WILLETMSCI PHYSICS

‘The best thing about studying physics at the University of Birmingham is definitely the atmosphere in the department. Everyone is really friendly and approachable – academics, supervisors and other students are all happy to answer questions or have a chat and that makes studying here very enjoyable. When making my decision to study at Birmingham the great campus was a big draw; it’s so peaceful and green, but only a short walk or train ride from Birmingham city centre.

‘Being a BP Scholar has also been a great part of university so far. The money is obviously pretty handy for a student, but the opportunities I’ve had to meet and work with BP employees and other scholars have been really useful too. The conference at the end of my first year was a particularly good chance to get an insight into how a big corporation like BP operates, and to understand where a physics degree could take me. Another highlight of my first year was the chance to be part of the Gemini Stratospheric Balloon Project. A group of interested undergraduates and some PhD students designed and built payloads that we launched on a weather balloon. We made it to ~30km and the pictures we got back were amazing!

‘I’ve been involved in science communication and outreach in many of my extracurricular activities and even had the opportunity to include this interest in some of my course work. For my lab project in the second year I built an electronics package for a muon detector. Muons are generated by the interaction of cosmic rays with Earth’s atmosphere. They are highly penetrative so easy to detect at the surface and therefore useful for teaching and outreach demonstrations.

‘The idea was to shrink the large crate of electronics currently required into something more portable. The end product was a small circuit board which will be used at open days and for teaching by the Particle Physics Group. Getting to make something that will be used by the department while learning was very exciting, and it’s definitely nice to know my hard work will be going to a good home.

‘In summer 2017 I completed a studentship in the Solar and Stellar Physics Group within the School of Physics and Astronomy. The aim was to sonify acoustic stellar pulsations in a way that would allow a member of the public to understand the changes to stars as they evolve. This involved generating sound files based on the pulsation spectra of stars in different evolutionary phases and understanding how these spectra are related to stellar properties such as structure, rotation and size. The summer studentships are always really popular with undergraduates as they offer a great insight into life as a research physicist and the chance to study interesting parts of physics in a lot of depth.

‘In my spare time I am a member of the Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) Society, and last year helped to organise a Women in Science forum, which was a big success. We brought in speakers from a range of industrial and academic backgrounds and hope to grow the event over the next few years. I am also the Outreach Officer for AstroSoc, which gives me the chance to engage members of the public and students from local schools with astronomy.’


What can I do with a Physics degree?For a graduate in Physics, the choice of career remains wide open. You may go on to apply your physics knowledge directly in a scientific environment, or you might be employed in a high-profile job for your problem-solving and computational skills, in the worlds of finance and information technology.

Scientific/engineering

Business/finance/law

IT/software/consultancy

Teaching

Other

A study commissioned for the Institute of Physics showed that over a working life the benefits to earning potential and salary of taking a Physics degree were considerable, about double the advantage gained by studying subjects such as psychology, biological sciences, linguistics and history.

Our degrees provide:o Subject-specific skills: problem-solving, fluency in mathematics, computational competency, subject knowledge, and advanced analytical skillso Transferable skills: evaluation and communication, leadership, organisation and planning, mathematical and experimental, decision making and

team work

Many of our students continue their studies, either here or at a different institution. The skills offered by our programmes are highly sought after by companies.

We have a large careers centre on campus, and a careers officer in the School of Physics and Astronomy (Professor Peter Jones). We run careers tutorials in Year 2 of the degree, and organise Careers Evenings for our undergraduates, where representatives from companies come to talk to and recruit our students. We also provide special advice for our final-year students who are applying for jobs. There is also a Physics Careers Fair, and students have access to the Physics Careers Web.

Career destinations for our undergraduates

PHOEBE CUNNANE, 2013 ALUMNA, MSCI PHYSICS

‘I am now a Management Consultant, focusing specifically on Operational Excellence within the private sector. This means that I am part of a team that helps firms to make their processes more efficient, optimise their workforce and organisational structure, and reduce cost. Although I don’t use my physics knowledge directly, the skills that I developed make me stand out. Problem-solving skills are highly valued, along with being able to draw insights from data analysis – “what is this really telling us?” as opposed to just presenting the numbers. Working as a consultant means that I get to experience lots of different industries.

‘I studied a straight Physics MSci at Birmingham, although my module choices had a focus on theoretical, particle and nuclear physics. My final-year project involved the computational analysis of data from ALICE, one of the experiments on the LHC at CERN relating to the quark-gluon plasma. It was really cutting-edge research meaning that there was little information in text books, which was challenging and equally rewarding. Throughout my degree I found that lecturers’ doors were always open to discuss a complicated topic and help answer my questions, which I think is really important for such a demanding subject.’


Introduction

We are in the fortunate position of having renowned experts in all areas of physics, providing you with many options in a Birmingham degree. Other strengths include highly equipped modern laboratories with substantial annual investment, and computer rooms that are second to none.

We know that you may have decided your specialist area of physics. To cater for this we offer a menu of focused degree programmes:

o Physics degree programme (page 10) o Physics and Astrophysics (page 11) o Physics with Particle Physics and

Cosmology (page 12) o Theoretical Physics (page 13) o Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics (page 14) o Physics with Intercalated Year

in Computer Science (page 15) o Physics (International Study) (page 16)

Detailed programme descriptions can be found on pages 10 to 16. In your first year you will study a large number of core modules, such as Quantum Mechanics and Optics and Waves, laying the groundwork for you to take advanced specialist options in areas as diverse as Astroparticle Cosmology, and Fission and Fusion.

Our courses aim to prepare you for graduate- level employment where transferable skills and a professional approach to work are essential. Hence, the courses have a number of components which will develop transferable skills such as computing, report and essay writing, viva skills, group work and seminar delivery. These skills are imbedded into the courses. You will be expected to provide cogent reports and seminars to present the results of your project work. Vivas in Years 3 and 4 will give you experience of interview techniques. At times you will work on your

own but it is also important that you can work with others. You will have the chance to work in groups of different sizes during your studies. The assessment of these transferable skills is an integral part your course.

BSc or MSci? We offer both BSc and MSci entry. Both the degrees are awarded with classified honours, and are well respected by employers and other universities. The BSc programme produces graduates with a sound knowledge of the basic concepts and experimental techniques of physics, who are able to apply them in a wide range of careers (for example, making use of the IT skills they have had the opportunity to acquire).

The MSci programme is designed for students intending to take up careers as professional physicists. The programme is flexible and allows considerable freedom to follow the areas of physics that interests you. If you are unsure which to choose we strongly recommend registering initially for the MSci course.

Teaching methodsMost of the core modules have a format based upon lectures by an active researcher in the field. These concentrated 50 minutes of information and explanation are tailored tothe Birmingham degree programme. They are supported by example classes, workshops and laboratories where you will learn other skills that will prove invaluable in your later career.

Experimental physicsOur laboratories contain state-of-the-art equipment, allowing you to pursue a wide range of experimental interests throughout your degree. As just a taster, in your first year you could find yourself using a spectrometer and CCD to investigate quantum mechanics, or investigating the behaviour of microwaves in a waveguide.

Tutorials We are a large well-staffed department and so can offer a weekly tutorial to all our students in their first two years. Tutorial groups are no larger than four and you will get to know your tutor well. Your tutor is a ready source of academic and personal help throughout your studies. In your third year you are allocated a personal tutor and academic support comes from the experts in your chosen specialist area. In the fourth year there is a large emphasis on the research project where you will have regular close contact with your project supervisor.

Mathematics To understand physics at degree level, mathematical techniques beyond an A level standard are necessary. The number and nature of the mathematics modules that you will take depend on the specialisations you select – the theoretical programmes are designed for students with stronger mathematical inclinations.

ComputingCore computing modules are run in the first two years, where you will learn programming languages, and how to apply them to do mathematical modelling and data analysis. Later years enable you to undertake either computational physics projects or specialise in languages to a higher level. The skills acquired result in a large number of our graduates being sought by the computing industry.

Problem solving Problem solving ensures physicists are highly employable. As a professional physicist you will develop your ability to simplify a problem to a solvable mathematical form whatever its initial context, while retaining the essential physics. Through workshops and general problems classes you will solve problems which do not readily fall into a single, well-defined subject area.

Are you naturally curious about the world around you? Do you want to know how things work? Are you keen to be challenged? Do you find the astrophysics of colliding galaxies inspiring? Do you appreciate the relevance of medical physics? Are you intrigued by microscopic domains of nanophysics and elementary particle physics? Then physics at university level is right for you.


PROJECT WORK In all years you will have an opportunity to undertake project work. The major project in the third year is Group Studies. In groups of ten to 20 students you will be given a task that requires you to work as a team. The team will be solving a problem of a much greater magnitude than could be attempted by an individual student. For example, you might have to design and conduct an experiment to study the properties of a superconducting material; or analyse the decay and annihilation of exotic sub-atomic particles using data collected by one of the massive particle accelerators at CERN in Switzerland.

If you select the MSci programme, a large part of your time in the fourth year will be devoted to an independent research project. The projects are related closely to research interests within the department (see page 18). Recent projects have included research on Superconductivity, Black Holes, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Bose Condensed Atoms.

The balance between experimental work, computing, analytical calculation and design will depend on the project you select and the specialist modules you have previously studied.


PhysicsProgramme codes: BSc: F300 MSci: F302

As you progress through the programme your choices multiply. For instance, in the third year, you might elect to study elementary particle physics and/or superconductors and/or branch out into biophysics.

The Physics programme has the largest range of options and its variety attracts the largest group of our students. The programme is taught using lectures, laboratories, workshops (where you work in small groups) and tutorials (where four or fewer students meet a member of staff weekly). Project work, both experimental and design-based, takes place throughout the degree and allows you to develop your inventiveness and independence. This aspect

develops from a mini-project in the first year to Group Studies in the third year (page 9).

In the fourth year (if you are on the MSci programme) you become a member of a research group for an individual project (see page 18 for our research portfolio).

At the end of the BSc or MSci, you will have gained a broad understanding of the essential concepts of physics, ranging from entropy to quantum mechanics and relativity. In addition, your skills will range from problem solving, through IT to giving polished presentations.

Flexibility is the essence of the mainstream Physics degree, allowing students to select a range of modules to suit particular interests, covering a broad spectrum of cutting-edge topics.

Programme co-ordinatorHead of Education

DR NEIL THOMAS

TeachingI’m responsible for organising all of the teaching in the School. My own teaching covers topics as diverse as C++ computing, statistical physics and biological nanomachines.

ResearchMy research is in the area of mathematical modelling of biological molecular motors, which play a fundamental role inside living cells. Much of this work has been done at Kyushu University in Japan, where I’ve had great fun learning Japanese and enjoying sushi.

JOEL SWALLOWMSCI PHYSICS

‘A few factors drew me to the department here in Birmingham: first the various university rankings consistently place the department at the sharp end of the top ten; second, the amazing depth and breadth of the world-leading research being done here and the choices that open up for you as a student to learn from researchers at the forefront of their fields; and finally, visiting on an open day I discovered the gorgeous

campus and from then on I knew this was the place for me.

‘I have a music scholarship from the School of Physics and Astronomy, which allows me to take lessons (for alto saxophone) from professional tutors at the Birmingham Conservatoire. This has given me access to tuition which would not be possible without the scholarship and I am able to develop as a musician alongside my academic studies.’


Physics and AstrophysicsProgramme codes: BSc: FF35 MSci: FFH5

Fourth-year projects One-third of the final MSci year is given over to a major research project in which each student works with a supervisor to tackle a problem of genuine research interest. Recent examples include studies of star formation within cosmic filaments, pulsating stars observed by NASA’s Kepler satellite, and advanced optical techniques that have been used to detect gravitational waves.

Astrophysics is the application of physics to understanding the universe at large. This programme is for those who are fascinated by astronomy, and are looking for an in-depth treatment that also gives a good grounding in physics, with a correspondingly wide range of employment opportunities after graduation.

Programme Co-ordinator

PROFESSOR BILL CHAPLINTeachingThe combination of teaching with research is one of the main strengths of a University like Birmingham. I enjoy bringing my own research interests into my teaching, and getting students actively involved in developing the skills required by astrophysicists.

ResearchI study the Sun and stars by observing their natural oscillations, the field of asteroseismology. My research group runs a network of observatories that observe the Sun’s global oscillations, and I also lead international research collaborations on other stars as part of the NASA Kepler, K2 and TESS Missions. I am particularly interested in the characterisation of newly discovered exoplanet systems, where knowing as much as we can about the host star is crucial.

The programme uses examples in astrophysics to demonstrate and test ideas of physics in conditions much more extreme than those found in the laboratory. Key features of the course include the following:

Astrolab A special Astro-laboratory linked to the Introduction to Astrophysics lecture course in the first year, which provides students with astronomical data from observatories around the world for computer analysis.

New University ObservatoryWe have recently commissioned a new state-of-the-art 50cm Cassegrain telescope for the observatory, together with new spectrographs and cameras. Our students devise and perform their own observing campaigns at the telescope, including reduction and analysis of the data, gaining valuable experience of what it is like to do astronomy research.

Group Studies Third-year students undertake this substantial group project (page 9) in which they work as a team with a group of staff to tackle topics such as detecting gravitational waves and using asteroseismology of red giants (old Suns) to probe the structure of the Milky Way.

BETHANY ALLISONMSCI PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS

‘Originally I was on the BSc course but after my first year, which I really enjoyed, I moved to the Masters programme in order to stay on for another year. After being in Birmingham for two years I can safely say that I really enjoy being a student here.

‘If you are interested in studying astronomy here, you’ll do the astronomy laboratory in the second semester which is extremely fascinating. Labs at university are very different to the labs you may have done in the past. These experiments are done in the real world of research and as someone who would like to become an academic, laboratory work gives an insight into what the world of research is really like.’


Physics with Particle Physics and CosmologyProgramme codes: BSc: F372 MSci: F373

For this degree you study core physics subjects, such as classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism and relativity, but in addition you have specialised courses in particle physics and cosmology. Another feature is that students can visit CERN during their second or third year and have a tour of the laboratory guided by Birmingham physicists who work there.

In the first year you are introduced to detection techniques used in particle physics experiments, the latest ideas about the structure and evolution of the Universe, and how the evidence for dark matter and dark energy link back to outstanding questions in particle physics. Currently in the second year students learn about the neutrino, what it tells us about the weak nuclear force, and how recent measurements of neutrino oscillations imply that neutrinos must have a very small but finite mass.

In the third year you choose options from a wide range of modules. You also engage in an extended project (Group Studies), working as part of a team of students towards a common objective, for example to design a particle physics experiment to study the Higgs boson. Each student contributes to the work, but also relies on collaboration with the rest of the team to achieve the project goals and deliver the final report.

If you opt for the MSci programme, then much of your fourth year is spent on individual project work, supervised by a member of staff from the particle physics research group. You have the opportunity to develop your own analysis of LHC data or to design and build a particle detector, for example, and then present your results to the rest of the group. Several of our graduates have gone on to PhDs in particle physics, and some continue as postdoctoral research physicists.

The Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology degree is for students seeking a deeper understanding of the smallest particles, their fundamental interactions and their role in how the Universe began and may develop. This draws on the expertise of Birmingham particle physicists and astronomers engaged in cutting-edge research at CERN and other international laboratories and observatories.


DR CHRIS HAWKESTeachingMy teaching includes both core physics and specialist particle physics lecture courses and tutorials. I supervise final-year undergraduate particle physics projects as well as PhD students. My wide experience in particle physics research provides ideas and examples to inform my teaching and allows me to develop projects that provide useful training in the skills necessary for successful research work.

ResearchI have worked on a number of different experiments at large particle physics colliders, mainly based at the CERN Laboratory near Geneva and at the SLAC Laboratory near Stanford, California. My research work includes precise tests of electroweak theory, from measurements of the production and decay of Z and W particles, and studies of the differences between matter and antimatter (CP Violation) in the decays of heavy mesons. I am currently a member of the ATLAS Collaboration at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, where we are analysing high-energy proton–proton collisions to look for possible signs of physics beyond our current understanding, as described by the Standard Model of Particle Physics.

DWAYNE SPITERI, 2016 ALUMNUS, MSCI PHYSICS WITH PARTICLE PHYSICS AND COSMOLOGY, PHD STUDENT

‘I was one of a lucky few. I knew that I wanted to go into Physics from GCSE level, the syllabus we learnt and the books that I had read about the subject inspired a passion for particle physics that never waned.

‘When I saw that an outstanding university such as the University of Birmingham offered an undergraduate Particle Physics course, I leapt at the chance and didn’t look back.

‘I have never felt that I had learned something in my time here that would not be useful to me. All the core modules introduce you to the staples of physics our forefathers derived that give us our understanding of technology and the Universe and all the amazing processes that we

see around us. The optional modules allow you to expand your knowledge into places you are interested in and there is so much choice.

‘I also like practical labs because it gives you so much. You learn to become scientifically rigorous, structure a scientific lab report, design your own experiments, cope when things go wrong and practically apply the physics you have learnt in lectures to experiments. It really distinguishes you from others who haven’t done it and gives you a competitive edge.

‘For my fourth-year project I worked with the ATLAS group within the Particle Physics research group here at the University. The ATLAS experiment at the LHC is in the process of being upgraded and I was part of the effort in testing prototypes of the new silicon sensor technology that is to replace the existing sensors in the ATLAS tracker.’


Theoretical PhysicsProgramme codes: BSc: F342 MSci: F343

This programme is designed for students who want to study physics with a mathematical emphasis. You benefit from the wide variety of modules available in the School. Its sister programme (Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics) also allows you to keep open the possibility of specialising in applied mathematics.

The Theoretical Physics programme is composed of a mixture of lectures, small tutorials, workshops with challenging open-ended problems, and project work. The Theoretical Physics course itself comes in two varieties – ‘Lab’ and ‘No Lab’ – and you are free to choose between them on arrival. Both cover the essential core of theoretical physics with the ‘Lab’ option allowing students to undertake experimental work too, while the ‘No Lab’ students take courses in data analysis and some additional mathematical physics courses instead. By the middle of the second year the ‘Lab’ and ‘No Lab’ options combine with neither at a disadvantage.

There are many optional modules, and we encourage theoretical students to take full advantage of these – progress (particularly in theoretical physics) often comes from

analogy with another part of physics that is superficially unrelated. There are opportunities to develop your computing skills; for example, the optional computational physics course in Year 3 is very popular, where the complementary strengths and limitations of analytic and numerical work are laid bare in the context of real physics examples.

The MSci course culminates with a theory research project which covers topics at the forefront of current research. However, you don’t have to wait until the fourth year to see the latest developments in theoretical physics. For example, one of the most significant discoveries has been in chaos and dynamical systems. You will be introduced to this subject in the first year and study it more deeply in the last two years of the programme. We also teach the classical subjects of general relativity (Einstein’s theory of gravity), classical and quantum mechanics and quantum field theory (the language of elementary particle physics). All combine to give you the theoretical physicist’s insight into the workings of the Universe.

The Birmingham Theoretical Physics programme is for those who wish to explore the ‘profound concepts’ of modern physics – such as particle physics, cosmology or superconductivity – with a firm mathematical foundation. This foundation reveals the beauty of the subject and gives intuition where physics is surprising and perhaps counterintuitive.


PROFESSOR MIKE GUNNTeachingI teach a variety of courses, from those designed specifically for theoretical physics students through to those available to all physicists. In addition to conveying a physical picture of the subjects, I use the lectures as a vehicle to explain a number of mathematical ideas and methods that I have found particularly useful. The approachable staff and friendly atmosphere of the School is what helps to make teaching on the theoretical physics programme so enjoyable and rewarding, for both the students and for myself.

ResearchAs a member of the Theoretical Physics Group, I work on the remarkable quantum phenomena found in gases when they are cooled to a few thousand millionths of a degree above absolute zero. The corresponding experiments are performed using refrigerators made out of light and magnetic fields!

HARRY KEEN, 2016 ALUMNUS, MSCI THEORETICAL PHYSICS, PHD STUDENT

‘My favourite part about studying physics is the huge variety in what we study. Every year progressively offers more and more optional modules to shape the course to suit your interests. These options range from more fundamental studies like Particle and Astrophysics, to applied, real-world physics like Medical Imaging. I’ve taken an interest in studying the physics of materials and their properties, like magnetism and

superconductivity, so have chosen my optional modules to suit this.

‘As a fourth-year student I’ve spent the majority of my time this year working on my project, where I worked alongside my project partner and met with our supervisor every week to discuss how things are going. My project was in building and studying a simulation of vortices in superconductors, which has been a computational project. There are loads of options for different projects all around the school, and overall they’re a great way to explore something independently and feel a part of a real research group at a university.‘


Theoretical Physics and Applied MathematicsProgramme codes: BSc: FG31 MSci: F3DG

Astronomy. In the later years of the programme (particularly for the MSci), you have considerable freedom to emphasise either mathematics or physics.

The theoretical physics covered includes quantum field theory and general relativity (which describes cosmology and black holes), while the diversity of applied mathematics modules is illustrated by geophysical fluid dynamics and financial mathematics.

The degree opens up attractive career opportunities in academic or industrial research, commerce and the computing industries.

Modern applied mathematics has provided many concepts that have revolutionised physical thought in unexpected directions.


DR MARTIN LONGTeachingMy teaching involves mathematics, computational physics, the theory of chaos and problem solving for beginners. I am a mathematician by training but am drawn towards the use of mathematics in understanding physical systems. My favourite style of teaching is project work, where even the best students’ talents can be stretched!

ResearchElectrons in solids are easy to describe with the assumption that they do not notice each other. I am interested in the opposite situation, when electronic motion is dominated by an electron waiting for other electrons to move out of the way – an example of ‘many particle physics’. How to generate models for strongly correlated systems, how to simplify those models and finally how to solve them are all interesting but poorly understood issues. The systems of most current interest to my PhD students and myself are high-temperature superconductors and heavy fermions, systems where the electrons have to wait so long that they are almost stationary.

The discovery of nonlinear wave pulses, ‘solitons’, originally in the context of water waves led to dramatic progress in elementary particle physics.

The Birmingham degree is unique in recognising this close relationship. It has a carefully constructed combination of mathematics – including nonlinear equations required to describe shock waves – together with a solid education in classical and quantum theoretical physics.

In the first two years the programme consists of roughly equal contributions from the School of Mathematics and the School of Physics and

EDNA GAMA VAZ DA CONCEIÇÃO, MSCI THEORETICAL PHYSICS AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS (TPAM) ‘Brought up in Portugal, I decided to move to the United Kingdom to pursue my studies in higher education. Before moving to England, the idea of starting university at a different place was both daunting and exciting. However, I had nothing to worry about. My first few weeks were amazing. The transition from college to university was made as easy as possible, with weekly tutorials being a key element in this process. Not only to enhance my general appreciation of the subject, but they were also relevant to cover any gaps due to different educational backgrounds. ‘A feature of TPAM is that the perfect synergy between both subjects makes my student life diversified and rewarding. Also, as there are fewer of us, we get to know each other very well which, when you are away from home, is of great importance. One of the key things about the Physics department is the dedication and friendliness of its staff.

‘I am glad I am taught by leading experts in their research fields, who are also tremendously approachable individuals. The way the programmes are structured encourages me to think out of the box and assures me everything has been planned to push me towards success. ‘During the summer of my second year, I secured an internship that consisted of an eight-week project as part of a team of 12 people aimed at creating a bank of questions to aid the student learning experience across all subjects of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University.

‘It was an important part of my learning experience so far as I developed skills that are not so easily improved throughout my degree such as leadership and public speaking. I am actually undertaking a second internship this summer, which is an extension to the project I have previously been part of so I am quite happy I get to see the project being deployed across the College and used by the community.’


Physics with Intercalated Year in Computer ScienceProgramme codes: BSc: F300, FF35, F372, F342

You may choose to specialise in any of our Physics degrees, apart from Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics and Physics (International Study).

The Intercalated Year is primarily computer laboratory-based in the School of Computer Science. The hands-on work is supported by a range of lectures and tutorials. You will learn programming and fundamentals of Computer Science, ranging from practical Information and Computer Technology, to an introduction to some of the more profound principles of computation. The course includes the theory and practice of how software is specified, designed and constructed, followed by a deeper introduction to structures and the design and use of databases. You would also be able to select options from a wide range of modules including Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, image understanding, virtual reality and machine learning.

The influence of computing permeates the world of business and academic science. This tendency is, if anything, intensifying and our programme reflects this.

All our BSc and MSci students take computing and software courses in their first two years and many become very proficient in this area. Some students, however, have a particular leaning in this direction, and in response to demand from students, employers and the government for more education in Information and Computer Technology, we have set up a degree programme with the School of Computer Science.

The degree is structured to enable students to spend the first two years on the Physics programme, the third year entirely in the School of Computer Science taking a range of modules, before returning to Physics for the final year. This means that you would spend a total of four years and graduate with a degree in Physics with Intercalated Year in Computer Science.


DR ROB SMITH

TeachingI currently teach superconductivity, statistical physics and relativistic elecrodynamics, and tutor first- and second-year students. Physicists are basically problem-solvers at heart, and in my teaching I stress this outlook. Before we can solve any problem it is important to know what a solution looks like, and whether we should use pen and paper or the computer to find it. I also teach fourth-year projects based on my research; these are open ended with the student deciding which problems are to be solved.

ResearchI am interested in mesoscopic systems whose size lies between the microscopic (atoms) and macroscopic (chairs) range. At low temperatures such systems, containing many millions of atoms, can behave in a quantum coherent manner as a single ‘superatom’. Modern fabrication techniques allow these low-dimensional systems (films, wires and dots) to be made to order, and they act as a testing ground for quantum theories of condensed matter. Impurities strongly affect their properties, and some of my work focuses on the destruction of metallic and superconducting behaviour by disorder.


Physics (International Study)Programme codes: BSc: F301, FF3M MSci: F303

and on understanding the cultural, historical and social aspects of the host country. For students on the MSci programme, a greater emphasis is placed on physics. On returning to Birmingham for their fourth year of study, students complete their studies by following either the third year of the BSc course, or the fourth year of the MSci degree programme.

It is also possible for our students to study for one year in an international university such as in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the USA under other exchange programmes co-ordinated by the University. There is competition for these places, which are allocated by the University on the basis of academic merit, but to date all of our students have been successful in being awarded a place.

A bursary of £1,000 will be paid to any undergraduate student spending an Academic Year in an EU university under the ERASMUS programme.

These four-year degree programmes provide a thorough training in physics, together with the opportunity to study at a university in another European country. This opportunity is offered at both BSc and MSci levels.


DR CHRIS MAYHEW

TeachingI teach physics to students ranging from first year to graduate level. As an experimentalist, I enjoy teaching in the laboratory and guiding and supervising students in their project work.

ResearchI have a joint position with the University of Innsbruck, Austria. At the University of Birmingham I am a Reader in Molecular Physics and Head of the Molecular Physics Group. In Innsbruck I am the director of the Institute for Breath Research and Professor of Analytical Chemistry. My research interests include investigations of gas phase ion-molecule reactions over a wide range of physical conditions. These studies underpin many technologies and natural phenomena, and have, for example, been used to develop techniques for the detection of trace substances of relevance to homeland security and medical devices.

The combination of skills acquired in physics and mathematics with fluency in a foreign language is attractive to potential employers. Evidence of proficiency in a foreign language is an admissions requirement.

The first two years are spent in Birmingham following the same course as the single honours BSc or MSci programmes. During the first year, most students also study an appropriate language as a ‘Module Outside their Main Discipline’. We strongly encourage second-year students to follow an additional language course in their own time, taught by the Department of Modern Languages.

The third year is spent abroad on an approved programme of study at a university in Europe as part of the ERASMUS exchange scheme. The University of Birmingham has strong links with universities in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, as well as in many other EU countries. For students following the BSc course of study, the emphasis during the year abroad is on developing ability in the foreign language

ALICE WHITTACKER, BSC PHYSICS (INTERNATIONAL STUDY)

‘I went to Toulouse without doing any research or even looking at photos besides finding my allocated accommodation online. What I found when I arrived was a beautiful, thriving student city in the sunny south of France. Thanks to its relatively small size, it’s very easy to feel at home in Toulouse and public transport is very convenient and cheap. The university was only ten minutes away from my accommodation by train.

‘Outside studying time I found that Toulouse is a great city to run in and has many clubs and societies to join, from all of the several universities. Being a violinist, I joined

the “Orchestre Symphonique Etudiant de Toulouse” and found it an immensely enriching and integrating experience. I highly recommend getting involved with the cultural life of the city as there is always something going on, and the people couldn’t be more welcoming and friendly.

‘Besides being perfectly situated for good weather, Toulouse’s location made it a perfect base from which to discover the rest of Europe. Being two hours by train from the Mediterranean Sea and relatively close to Andorra, Spain and Italy, there were plenty of organised trips by the Erasmus society and informal trips between groups of friends throughout the year.’

KIT BOYETTMSCI PHYSICS WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDY, YEAR ABROAD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, VANCOUVER, CANADA

‘How would I describe a Friday night in Vancouver, Canada? Easy, they’re quiet. Typically I’d be finishing off assignments, writing reports or prepping class presentations before their deadlines and then catching an early night’s sleep.

‘Why? Because as an exchange community we lived for the weekends. We lived for those 5.00am buses, so we could hit the fresh powder slopes of North America’s largest ski resort before anyone else. We lived for those gruelling hikes up to the summit, to claim that next prestigious peak. We lived to climb that sheer rock face and shower under those hidden waterfalls. We lived to celebrate the start of the new football and ice hockey seasons as part of a 50,000-strong student community, cheering as one. We lived to compete; to run, cycle, swim, climb or kayak as groups against over 3,500 other competitors in university-wide events including Storm the Wall and Day of the Longboat. We lived to experience the new; new cities, new subjects, new friends and new cultures.

‘As an exchange community we worked twice as hard during the week to allow us to take advantage of our free time, we worked to enjoy every moment in and out of class before our exchange ran out. A lifestyle I’ll recreate in Birmingham.

‘Beyond the core modules I needed to continue into my final year, I had free rein to design my studies around new physics that I wanted to explore and the skills I wanted to improve on.

‘I found that the University of British Columbia had a competitive atmosphere, which promoted an active lifestyle and a drive for academic achievement but also brought with it a culture that encouraged the

celebration of success within their student body. Supporting the sports teams during an inter-university match or attending a concert within the department of music was a regular way to de-stress and relax after a day of class. Volleyball, ice hockey and Beethoven all brought an opportunity to take one’s mind off work and meet new people who shared a common spirit. I had never considered any of this during my first two years at Birmingham, but I’ll certainly be doing this again when I return.

‘By simply being in a new country for ten months I had the chance to go places and experience events I would never normally have the opportunity to do. I skied throughout the season from November to April. Knowing I would be skiing at the end of the week, made all the midterms and stress manageable and it was incredible to experience the unique snow conditions, which I’ll miss when I return to the Alps. With the friends I made we travelled; over winter I spent Christmas in New York, visited Montreal during a -15 degree C snow storm and returned to Whistler to ski during New Year’s. I visited five major cities, six Canadian provincial parks and six American national parks during an 8,000km road trip to celebrate the end of our year abroad. Hiking, snow shoeing, camping and watching the northern lights felt a world away from what I would normally do after exams and since returning home, I have already travelled to Paris to meet a few of the friends again.

‘The ongoing benefits of a year abroad aren’t limited to your impressive Instagram or the number of Facebook likes you get, but from the understanding of the different approaches one can take when undertaking a new challenge, the ability to appreciate an issue from the perspective of a global audience and the opportunity to network. I’m glad to say I’m still in contact with the physics students who were in my classes, the professors who taught me and the friends I made who are now spread out across the world.

‘To live and study in a foreign city truly immerses you in their world, far beyond any flying visit. To spend a year there means Vancouver, the mountains and the locals will stay with me whether I return there or travel further afield in the future.’


Research at Birmingham

As an undergraduate at Birmingham, you will be able to draw upon the wealth of research expertise that resides in the School. The research groups at Birmingham perform work that has been judged to be of world-leading quality in the most recent government Research Assessment Exercise.

This allows us to enrich and enliven the courses available to you – we feel that not only should you receive a thorough understanding of basic principles of physics, but that you should also be exposed to cutting-edge areas of the topics you will study.

Further, you will have the opportunity to gain ‘hands-on’ experience of the world of research if you opt for the MSci course, where you will undertake a major project in your final year by becoming a member of one of our research groups for several months. Many of the projects have led to research papers.

The research projects reflect the work of physicists at Birmingham, who are: creating conditions that existed in the first micro-seconds after the birth of the Universe; understanding the quantum origin of high-temperature superconductivity; manipulating structures at the atomic level; developing a novel form of targeted radiotherapy for cancer treatment; peering into the deep interior of stars; and studying massive collisions between galaxies. The following passages give you a flavour of the exciting research on going within the School. You can visit our School internet site to find out more at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/physics-research

COLLIDING GALAXIES, BLACK HOLES AND GRAVITATIONAL WAVES

Astrophysics and Space Research groupOn 14 September 2015 at 10.50:45 UK time, an international team of scientists with a strong participation from members of the University of Birmingham detected gravitational waves for the very first time. They used the twin LIGO instruments in the USA and observed radiation generated by a pair of black holes about 30 times the mass of the sun that collided 1.3 billion years ago. The direct detection of gravitational waves has provided the final missing piece of the experimental confirmation of Einstein’s theory of general relativity, 100 years after its formulation. Possibly more importantly, this marks the dawn of gravitational-wave astronomy and the opportunity of studying the Universe and its most violent phenomena in a radically new observational window. The Birmingham group has been at the forefront of this effort, developing new technologies and building instrumentation for LIGO, and developed the techniques to tease out from the data the signatures of gravitational wave sources, unveiling previously unknown populations of black holes and testing gravity in its most extreme regime. We also study the nature of gravity at very short scales, using ultra-high precision measurements to search for quantum gravity effects in the laboratory.

Astronomers at Birmingham study also the distant Universe, and its building blocks – galaxies, super-massive black holes at their centre, and groups and clusters of galaxies – using the most powerful telescopes at radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet and X-ray wavelengths. Their goal is to understand how the Universe evolved into the structures we observe today, and shed new light on its mysterious components, the so-called dark energy and dark matter.

SOUNDING STARS AND SEARCHING FOR OTHER WORLDS

Solar and Stellar Physics GroupAstronomers at Birmingham pioneeredhelioseismology, using oscillations of theSun to probe its previously hidden interior.They continue to monitor the Sun, usingthe Birmingham Solar-Oscillations Network(BiSON), and are now leading majorinternational collaborations that are using exquisite data from a new generation of space telescopes, including the NASA Kepler Mission, to observe oscillations in other stars. Kepler has found thousands of planets orbitingother stars in our Galaxy, and astronomers at Birmingham are using oscillations to characterise the host stars, and hence the newly discovered planets, in the brightest systems. They are also using oscillations detected in old suns (red giants) as ‘galactic rulers and time-pieces’ to perform galactic archaeology of our Milky Way Galaxy.Finally, they are also leading international teams preparing for the upcoming NASA TESS and European Space Agency PLATO space missions.

(Credit: NASA)


EXPLORING THE FRONTIERS OF PARTICLE PHYSICS AT CERN

Particle Physics groupThe Particle Physics group is making central contributions to the exploration of the new landscape of fundamental physics as revealed by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and other facilities at CERN. As well as analysing the data produced, our group has a long tradition of building the state-of-the-art electronics required to select the most interesting events within a few microseconds of collisions taking place. Our largest activity is with the ATLAS experiment at the LHC, where we played a major role in the recent discovery of the Higgs boson and for which a Birmingham physicist is the current spokesperson. We are now hard at work on understanding the properties of the Higgs boson and searching for further signs of previously unknown phenomena. As well as investigating physics at the high energy frontier, we are also expert in the study of ultra-rare processes involving heavy flavour quarks. Our work on the LHCb and NA62 experiments is concerned with beauty and strange quarks, respectively, and is addressing the question of why the Universe contains so much more matter than antimatter. With a view to the future, we are also developing ideas for possible new electron-positron and electron-proton colliders, which will shed further light on the Higgs boson and other new physics, as well as revealing the details of the innermost structure of matter and of the strong force which holds it together.

(Credit: CERN)


THE EARLY UNIVERSE: THE QUARK-GLUON PLASMA

Nuclear Physics and Particle Physics groupsWhen nuclei collide at sufficiently high energies, the protons and neutrons inside can be squashed together so hard that they overlap and their constituent quarks, the elementary building blocks that form these particles, are liberated to swim freely around in the resulting fireball. This ‘quark-gluon plasma’ mimics the state of the Universe shortly after the Big Bang, before protons and neutrons formed. Its study will provide important information for cosmologists, as well as being of great interest in its own right. Birmingham nuclear and elementary particle physicists were involved in the first experiments at CERN and the RHIC accelerator at Brookhaven in the USA that first identified this new state of matter. They now play a leading role in ALICE, a larger experiment at CERN’s LHC that has been optimised to study the highest energy nuclear collisions ever achieved in the laboratory. Our team of physicists and engineers were responsible for building the experiment’s trigger system, which is designed to select the most interesting events.

GETTING TO THE HEART OF MATTER

Nuclear Physics groupAtomic nuclei account for more than 99% of the visible matter in the Universe. The atomic nucleus is a quantum mechanical system in which the effects of the strong force can be studied alongside the weak and electromagnetic forces. The understanding of nuclei and their interactions plays a key part in the research conducted by the Nuclear Physics group and it is relevant to many other aspects of human endeavour such as archaeology, astrophysics, the environment, medicine, nuclear power and many more. Nuclei come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and far from being just an amorphous collection of protons and neutrons can exhibit fascinating ordered behaviour such as molecular-like clustering. The major challenge of the next decade will be to extend the study of nuclear physics into the realm of highly unstable exotic nuclei, which are key to understanding the astrophysical processes responsible for the creation of the elements. Birmingham nuclear physicists are leading experiments at new radioactive beam facilities that will ultimately help to explain where the stuff of which we are all made of came from.

INVISIBILITY IS PHYSICS, NOT MAGIC!

Metamaterials groupBirmingham scientists have created a working invisibility cloak using a crystal that manipulates light to hide objects as big as a paperclip. Previous studies have demonstrated cloaking by using metamaterials (fabricated composites that interrupt the flow of light), which limit the size of area being cloaked. Using calcite as an alternative has allowed the team to cloak larger areas, thousands of times bigger than the wavelength of light, with the cloaking size being limited only by the size of the crystal itself. Calcite has birefringent or double-refraction properties, which means that light entering the crystal splits into two rays having different polarisations that travel at different speeds and in different directions. It is this process that effectively bends the light, rendering objects invisible. Birmingham scientists are now working toward a cloak of significant size, which will open exciting new avenues and applications for future practical cloaking devices.

ARCHITECTURE WITH ATOMS

Nanoscale Physics Research LaboratorySpectacular feats of architecture are now possible on the scale of atoms, from the dissection of individual molecules with an electronic scalpel to the assembly of practical materials such as catalysts from nanoclusters of selected size. One can use the Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM) to trigger molecular reactions and the Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) to image fluctuating 3D atomic assemblies in real time. Birmingham’s Nanoscale Physics Research Laboratory performs fundamental experiments like this, across the range from quantum physics to molecular biology, and also translates them into working technological prototypes, whether a ‘protein chip’ designed to detect early signs of cancer, an optical modulator for high speed communications or a catalyst to create clean hydrogen fuel from water.


THE COLDEST SPOT IN THE UNIVERSE

Cold Atoms Group and Quantum Technology HubWhen cooled close to the absolute zero, matter unveils its intimate wave-like nature and quantum mechanical laws replace those of classical mechanics. By using lasers and controlled magnetic and electric fields, Birmingham scientists are able to cool small ensembles of atoms down to the lowest temperatures in the Universe – just a few billionth of degrees above the absolute zero – and thus to access the realm of fully quantum mechanical motion. All the essential parameters of the atomic samples, including the temperature, the shape and the forces between the atoms can be efficiently controlled, making these clean almost ideal systems for discovering new quantum behaviour and new states of matter. The Cold Atoms Group exploits these exceptional systems to study a number of quantum phenomena ranging from the superfluidity to the light-matter interaction, from quantum thermodynamics to the creation of light with exotic properties. Building on the expertise gained, scientists in the Birmingham Quantum Hub for Sensors and Metrology are now able to exploit the exceptional properties of quantum matter to realise real-world applications like ultra-precise atomic clocks and ‘gravitational cameras’, which can unveil the underworld – from modern urban infrastructure to the buried secrets of Stonehenge.

THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE ELECTRON IN HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTORS

Theoretical Physics and Condensed Matter PhysicsIn elementary particle physics the electron is stable and indivisible. However in some solids it can behave as though it were composed of smaller entities. In high-temperature superconductors, Birmingham experimentalists and theorists are providing evidence that the electrons break up into a part (the ‘holon’) that carries the charge of the electron and another part (the ‘spinon’) that carries the aspect of the electron (spin) which is like a top. There are suspicions that this behaviour may become more typical as the complexity of the crystal structure grows, and studies of other compounds are therefore being made in order to determine if there are other exotic phases of matter.

FROM POLLUTANTS TO INTERSTELLAR SPACE

Molecular Physics groupWe study the collisions and reactions of ions and electrons with molecules. The projects we pursue reveal the details of how elementary reactions of either ions or electrons with molecules proceed. Applications for the results of our research are manifold, for these same reactions take place in the interstellar medium, technological plasmas, planetary atmospheres and form the basis of ultra-sensitive methods of trace gas analysis. The research is conducted using instruments conceived by members of the group and built at Birmingham. New research areas include atmospheric chemistry, homeland security and medical diagnostics.

TARGETING RADIOACTIVE BEAMS AT TUMOURS AND DNA DAMAGE FROM RADIATION

Molecular Physics groupIt is difficult to control the application of radiotherapy to cancerous tumours. An ingenious approach is being developed at Birmingham, where the radiation dose is targeted by means of a tumour-seeking chemical compound containing boron. This is taken intravenously, and concentrates more in tumour cells than in normal cells. It is activated by a beam of low-energy neutrons. Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is being developed towards clinical trials in collaboration with the Institute for Cancer Studies at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The effect on DNA of other clinical forms of radiation is being studied by the Cell Physics Group, providing invaluable information about safe dosage rates.

HOW SAND FLOWS AND CRISPS ARE COATED

Positron Imaging CentreDoes sand flow like an ordinary liquid? When you watch sand flowing through your fingers, all that you observe is the surface of the sand. However, to be able to tell if it is flowing the way water would, you need to look at individual grains. Birmingham’s Positron Imaging Centre allows one to examine flows in such opaque materials. These include crisps being coated in drums, flowing ice cream for the food industry, and lubricants in engines. All of these materials are often in a no-man’s land between the solid and liquid phases and the study of the pure physics involved is a rapidly developing and very important field.


The University has strong links with industry and is one of the top six UK universities that industry targets when seeking new recruits.

The University’s five colleges have an academic population of over 18,000 undergraduates, over 6,000 postgraduates (taught), 2,600 postgraduates (research), 1,500 students on short courses and over 1,600 exchange students. It has over 2,000 teaching and research staff and over 3,500 academically related staff. Almost 70% of our undergraduates receive a first or upper-second class degree every year.

The University has a turnover of approximately £434 million per year, making it the 8th largest local employer and provider of approximately 10,000 graduates annually.

The University

Situated in the heart of England, the University of Birmingham grew out of the old Mason College and was founded on its present site over 100 years ago. It has a long tradition of discovery, invention and design across all of the major academic subjects.

TEACHING AND RESEARCH

Our students are taught by academics who are global experts in their fields. You will have access to excellent study facilities, including a brand-new, technology rich, library at the heart of the campus. We invest an impressive £1 million each week on developing the campus and improving our students’ learning experience.

LOCATION

We are a global university at the heart of an ambitious city. The attractive campus is situated in the leafy suburb of Edgbaston and we are fortunate to have our own railway station on campus. You are only ten minutes away from the vibrant city centre.

Many of our graduates choose to stay in the region following graduation because Birmingham is a modern commercial centre offering graduates great opportunities for career advancement.

THE GUILD OF STUDENTS

The hub of undergraduate student life is the Guild of Students, Birmingham’s students’ union. The Guild was one of the first students’ unions in the country and its mission is to ‘enhance the student experience’. More than 200 student groups and societies are supported by the Guild of Students, covering all areas of interest from Manga to Motor Racing, providing a packed calendar of social events to enhance your student life. You can also get involved in our student radio station, BURN FM, or the student newspaper, Redbrick. There really is something for everyone.

SPORT AND THE ARTS

We are one of the UK’s leading sporting universities in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league and have some of the best facilities in the country, including a brand-new sports centre which contains Birmingham’s only 50m swimming pool.

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is the University’s own art gallery. Admission is free and it boasts works by some of the greatest artists across the globe. Music is also a distinctive part of Birmingham life. The University has two symphony orchestras, a Big Band, a number of choirs, a symphonic wind band, a Jazz orchestra and a brass ensemble.

Public performances are regularly staged both in the Barber Institute and the 450-seat Bramall Music Building. Further afield Birmingham city centre hosts performances across a wide variety of venues including the iconic Symphony Hall and Barclaycard Arena. STUDENT LIVING

The student villages offer a range of accommodation where you can choose from single-study bedrooms with shared facilities, or have your own en-suite bathroom. If you prefer to cook for yourself, opt for a self-catered flat with a communal living room and kitchen. Alternatively, choose a Meal Plan room where your meals are provided.

The main halls of residence site is the Vale Village, where the residences are located in landscaped parkland overlooking a lake. The Village, which is approximately a ten- minute walk from campus, provides a safe and secure environment and a focus for student life. All the amenities that you will need are included, such as launderettes, shops, cafes and unlimited internet access in all rooms.


The city of Birmingham

Birmingham is an ambitious, modern and multi-cultural city that continues to attract significant investment. It is among the youngest cities in Europe, with under-25s accounting for nearly 40% of its population. The city boasts more miles of canal than Venice, and more parks and green spaces than any other European city.

SPORT

Birmingham has two football teams, plays host to domestic and international cricket and is a regular venue for international athletics.

The city also boasts many golf courses, including The Belfry, which has hosted the Ryder Cup four times. Numerous other sports from tennis to speedway are accommodated within the city too.

ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS AND CULTUREFamous for its industrial past, Birmingham has also long been noted for its cultural heritage. The city’s numerous theatres and venues stage touring dramas and West End shows, ballets, operas, pantomimes and stand-up comedy.

The Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) is one of the four major ballet companies of the United Kingdom and the world-famous City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) has its home in Symphony Hall. The Barclaycard Arena and the NEC’s Genting Arena regularly showcase star names from the worlds of rock, pop and sport.

The city is renowned for its dining scene, which ranges from the flavourful family-run eateries of the Balti Triangle to its Michelin-star restaurants. Birmingham’s Chinatown takes in a myriad of restaurants and cafés offering authentic menus from Northern China all the way to Malaysia. Birmingham is also home to Cadbury World.

There are museums, cinemas, clubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and street food in abundance.

SHOPPING

From the world-famous, 21st-century Bullring and its award-winning Selfridges building to the Great Western Arcade’s Victorian elegance, Birmingham has an outstanding range of retail outlets.

The Mailbox has its designer labels and canal-side restaurants and café bars. Grand Central contains premium shops, restaurants and cafes, and is fully integrated into the stunning railway station redevelopment. Independent and vintage shopping is available at the Custard Factory and other locations. Visit Birmingham’s markets for bargains, character, original and fresh produce. Hand-crafted jewellery is available in the Jewellery Quarter where 40% of the UK’s jewellery is produced.

Birmingham is a shopper’s paradise. Whether you seek head-turning chic, the quirky or eye-catching value, it’s all here.

THE HEART OF ENGLAND

Not only has Birmingham a lot to offer, but its location is an ideal base to explore the UK. Birmingham has excellent connections and is at the hub of the road, rail and water networks.

London, Stratford, Oxford, Manchester and Wales are all in easy reach and with its international airport, so is the rest of the world.


Physics Year 1

n Compulsory module PAA Physics and Astrophysics TP Theoretical Physics n Optional module PwPPC Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology TPAM Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics

The programme structure for Physics (International Study) is similar to that for Physics given in the tables. In Year 1 the Widening Horizons taken must be in the appropriate language module. The third year of study is spent abroad.

Physics with Intercalated Year in Computer Science can be taken with the following BSc programmes: Physics, PAA, PwPPC, or TP. The third year of study is in the School of Computer Science.

All programmes and courses are correct at the time of publication but they are subject to change, in order to reflect new advancements in science and changes in the curriculum.

Module Ph ysics PAA PwPPC TP TPAMlab no lab

Autumn TermQuantum Mechanics 1

Optics and Waves

Classical Mechanics and Relativity

Mathematics for Physicists 1

Physics Laboratory 1

Widening Horizons Module 1

Physics and Communication Skills 1

Communication Skills and Data Analysis

Special Relativity, Probability and Random Processes

Real Analysis and the Calculus

Vectors, Geometry and Linear Algebra

Spring TermElectromagnetism and Electric Circuits

Temperature and Matter



Astro Laboratory

Theory Laboratory

Widening Horizons Module 2

Introduction to Astrophysics

Introduction to Particle Physics and Cosmology

Introduction to Nanoscale Physics

Chaos and Non-linear Systems

Dynamical Systems: from Linear to Chaos

Real Analysis and the Calculus

Vectors, Geometry and Linear Algebra

Mechanics


Module Ph ysics PAA PwPPC TP TPAMlab no lab

Autumn TermClassical Mechanics and Relativity 2

Quantum Mechanics 2

Particles and Nuclei and A Quantum Approach to Solids



Physics and Communication Skill 2

Multivariable and Vector Analysis

Differential Equations

Linear Algebra

Introduction to Astronomical Observing

Spring TermElectromagnetism 2

Statistical Physics and Entropy


Physics Projects

Astrophysics Projects

Nuclear Physics and Neutrinos

Structure in the Universe

Electronics

Modern Optics

Eigenphysics

Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Mechanics

Multivariable and Vector Analysis

Differential Equations

Year 2

n Compulsory module PAA Physics and Astrophysics TP Theoretical Physics n Optional module PwPPC Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology TPAM Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics



Year 3

n Compulsory module PAA Physics and Astrophysics TP Theoretical Physics n Optional module PwPPC Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology TPAM Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics 1 Students must take EITHER the 20-credit Laboratory or the 10-credit Laboratory and Object-Oriented Programming with C++ 2 BSc TPAM students must take EITHER Partial Differential Equations or Methods in PDE. 3 BSc TPAM students must take EITHER Research Skills in Mathematics or Numerical Modelling of Physical Systems and Current Topics in Theoretical Physics

Module Ph ysics PAA PwPPC TP TPAMBSc MSci BSc MSci BSc MSci BSc MSci BSc MSci

Autumn TermQuantum Mechanics 3

Statistical Physics

Observational Cosmology

Physics Laboratory 3 (20 credits) 1

Physics Laboratory 3 (10 credits) 1

Observatory Laboratory (20 credits)

Object-Oriented Programming with C++ (10 credits) 1

Numerical Modelling of Physical Systems3

Fission and Fusion

Images and Communication

Medical Imaging

Semiconductor Optoelectronics

Relativistic Astrophysics of Black Holes

The Life and Death of Stars

Physics Critique

Complex Variable Theory

Partial Differential Equations

Methods in PDEs

Continuum Mechanics

Mathematical Finance

Mathematical Biology I

Numerical Methods II

Applied Numerical Dynamical Systems

Perturbation Theory and Asymptotics

Research Skills in Mathematics3

Spring TermAtomic Physics

Group Studies

General Physics

Particle Physics

Nuclear Physics

Condensed Matter Physics

Nanoscale Physics

Evolution of Cosmic Structure

Asteroseismology and Exoplanets

Biological Nanomachines

Physics Teaching in Schools

Radiation and Relativity

Chaos and Dynamical Systems

Current Topics in Theoretical Physics3

Methods in PDEs

Continuum Mechanics


Modelling with PDEs

Research Skills in Mathematics3



Year 4

n Compulsory module PAA Physics and Astrophysics TP Theoretical Physics n Optional module PwPPC Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology TPAM Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics 1 The Year 4 Project is worth 50 credits. 2 TPAM students may choose EITHER the Theory Project OR the Mathematics Project, each of which is worth 40 credits. 3 PAA students must choose at least one of Inference from Scientific Data and Astroparticle Cosmology.

Module Ph ysics PAA PwPPC TP TPAM

Autumn TermProject 1

Theory Project 2

Mathematics Project 2

Quantum Mechanics 4

Current Topics in Particle Physics

Experimental Particle Physics Techniques

Fission and Fusion

Images and Communication

Numerical Modelling of Physical Systems

Physics Critique 4

Observational Cosmology

Relativistic Astrophysics and Black Holes

Inference from Scientific Data 3

Phase Transitions

Superconductivity

The General Theory of Relativity

Nanophotonics


Frontiers of Nanoscience

Nonlinear Waves

Topics in Applied Mathematics

Methods in Partial Differential Equations

Complex Variable Theory

Spring TermProject 1

Theory Project 2

Mathematics Project 2

Many Particle and Quantum Field Theory

Condensed Matter Physics

Nuclear Physics

Quantum Optics

Astroparticle Cosmology 3

Evolution of Cosmic Structure

Asteroseismology and Exoplanets

Insights Into Stellar Structure

Numerical Linear Algebra with Applications


Nonlinear Waves

Topics in Applied Mathematics

Further Mathematical Finance

Methods in Partial Differential Equations



Admissions procedureand UCAS codes

To apply via UCAS please visit: www.ucas.com

Our current typical offer is A*AA at A level including Mathematics and Physics. Some of our courses may have additional requirements, please check our website for the full details and the latest guidance.

Other qualifications equivalent to the GCE Advanced levels such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International and European Baccalaureate etc, are welcomed.

For the International Baccalaureate, typically 32 points are required with at least 18 points taken at higher level. Mathematics and Physics must be taken at higher level and scores of 6–7 must be achieved.

Please contact the admissions tutor if you would like any information or advice about your own specific qualifications and application, or about any aspect of becoming a student in the School of Physics and Astronomy. The online version of this booklet can be found at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/ physics/undergraduate

In filling out an application, you will require the University code, B32, and the programme codes, which are to the right.

* If you wish to take Physics with Intercalated year in Computer Science you can specialise in any of the marked programmes. Use your chosen code and enter ‘computer’ in ‘choices’ section of the UCAS application form.

Programme BSc MSci

Physics F300* F302

Physics and Astrophysics FF35* FFH5

Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology F372* F373

Theoretical Physics F342* F343

Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics FG31 F3DG

Physics (International Study) F301 F303

Physics and Astrophysics (International Study) FF3M

Programme One-year programme

Physical Sciences Foundation Year FGI0

LEARN MORE

School of Physics and AstronomyUniversity of BirminghamEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT

Tel +44 (0)121 414 4563Fax +44 (0)121 414 4577

[email protected]/schools/physics/undergraduate

All prospective students need to apply to us via UCAS:



Notes


1511

3 ©

Uni

vers

ity o

f Birm

ingh

am 2

017.

Prin

ted

on a

recy

cled

gra

de p

aper

con

tain

ing

100%

pos

t-co

nsum

er w

aste

.

This leaflet was written several months in advance of the start of the academic year. It is intended to provide prospective students with a general picture of the programmes and courses offered by the School. Please note that not all programmes or all courses are offered every year. Also, because our research is constantly exploring new areas and directions of study some courses may be dropped and new ones offered in their place.

Designed and printed by Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom

www.birmingham.ac.uk

Documents

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES IN PHYSICS AND …€¦ · EMMA WILLET MSCI PHYSICS ‘The best thing about studying physics at the University of Birmingham is definitely the atmosphere