Download Entering SH within Physics and Astronomy and Joint Degrees

Entering SH within Physics and Astronomy and Joint Degrees - 2016
This paper gives students advice on module choices when they enter SH of their programmes. This document
should be read in conjunction with the School’s Honours handbook and the University’s Course Catalogue.
We have some significant change in SH next session. This session we have had a number of single-honours
students comment on the issues associated with having 65 credits in first semester. We are moving to change
this for next session, following approval from the relevant University authorities. The plan for single-honours
students is to have them do a module in Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics made up of the 10 credits of
the current Nuclear and Particle Physics and 5 credits from the current Physics of Atoms. This would bring
the single-honours credit load in first semester back to 60 credits. A new 15 credit optional module is planned
for second semester in advanced atomic physics, titled Concepts in Atomic Physics and Magnetic Resonance.
This module will have the “other” five credits from the old Physics of Atoms, and material that ties in directly
with research expertise in the School in cold atom physics and in magnetic resonance. There is much less
impact on most joint degree students, who will see “Atomic and Nuclear Physics (extended)” renamed to a
more descriptive “Atomic and Nuclear Physics with Advanced Skills”. However, the changes will directly
affect Chemistry and Physics students when their 20 credits of Physics of Atoms and Nuclear and Particle
Physics are replaced by 15 credits of Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Physics. This will bring their first
semester standard credit total back to 60, and we have a new 5 credit module in second semester capitalising
on these students’ knowledge of both chemistry and physics.
Some details of the modules open to you are in the University’s Course Catalogue, but there is rather more
information in the module synopses that you can access from the School’s Students and Staff web pages.
These synopses are updated each summer. However I expect any changes (other than the module teaching
staff and changes associated with Nuclear and Particle Physics and Physics of Atoms) to be modest between
this session and next, and I do not expect any major changes in the lists of recommended books that you can
access from the synopses.
The SH adviser of studies is currently Dr Natalia Korolkova, and you are welcome to contact her or your JH
adviser of studies with any queries you have after reading this document.
Module Choices
Honours students have core modules and a set of modules from which they can choose, depending on the
flavour of their degree programme. Our honours modules are informed by the research being carried out in
the School in astrophysics, biophysics, condensed-matter physics, millimetre-waves, photonics, and
theoretical physics, as well as on-going work on physics education. There are opportunities to get directly
involved in this research, for example through summer internships and the final year project.
The biggest choice you had in our degree programmes was associated with the degree title. Depending on the
degree title there are different modules that are compulsory in your programme.
Some of the degree programmes give a considerable amount of choice of modules during SH, so that you may
choose modules to suit your specialist interests or to support MSc, PhD, or career aspirations. BSc students
will include a project module in SH, whereas MPhys and MSci students have their project in fifth year.
The following pages show the main modules taken in different programme, and are copied with minor editing
from the School’s Honours Handbook. The information is given in good faith, but there may be mistakes; the
University’s official documentation is the definitive source of information.
Honours Programmes involving Physics and Astronomy, June 2016
Page 1
BSc Single Honours Fourth Year, Senior Honours – 2015-16 – We plan to be changed for 16-17
First Semester
Physics
Second Semester
Astrophysics
Physics of Atoms
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Physics
Astrophysics
Physics Project
Astro Project
Choice
Grav. & Accret.*
Solid State Physics
Neb. and Stars I*
Choice
Neb. and Stars 2*
Physics Lab 2
Obs. Astro*
Choice
Fluids*
Choice
Extragalactic Ast #
* BSc Astronomers take at least two of Obs. Astro., Nebulae and Stars 1 and 2, Grav. & Accretion Physics, and
Fluids; this can leave choice of other modules.
# If Galaxies and Obs. Cosmology was taken in JH then there is a choice here.
MPhys Single Honours Fourth Year, Senior Honours – 2015-16– We plan to be changed for 16-17
First Semester
Physics
Second Semester
Theor Phys
Astro
Physics of Atoms
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Physics
Theor Phys
Astro
L.&H.Dyn
Adv QM
L.&H.Dyn
Choice
Choice
Grav&Acc*
Solid State Physics
Neb&Stars1
Choice
Choice
Neb&Stars2
Phys Lab 2
Special Rel
Extragal#
Choice
Choice
Choice
Electronics#
Lin. Maths#
Obs Astro*
Fluids*
*MPhys Astronomers take at least two of Observational Astrophysics, Gravitational & Accretion Physics, and
Fluids.
# These modules are normally taken in JH and then there is a choice here. However it is possible to
postpone them to SH if needed
The final year (year five) of the MPhys programme has a compulsory major project, plus a mix of compulsory
and optional modules dependent on the degree programme being taken.
Honours Programmes involving Physics and Astronomy, June 2016
Page 2
BSc Single Honours Fourth Year, Senior Honours for 2016 – 17
First Semester
Physics
Second Semester
Astrophysics
Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Physics 15 PH4041
Physics
Astrophysics
Physics Project 30
Astro Project 30
Solid State Physics 15
Neb. and Stars I* 15
Choice 15
Grav. & Accret.* 15
Physics Lab 2 15
Obs. Astro* 15
Choice 15
Neb. and Stars 2* 15
Fluids* 15 / Choice
Choice 15
Extragalactic Ast 15
(usually done in JH)
* BSc astrophysics students take at least two of asterisked modules,
MPhys Single Honours Fourth Year, Senior Honours for 2016 – 17
First Semester
Physics
Theor Phys
Second Semester
Astro
Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Physics 15 PH4041
Physics
Theor Phys
Astro
Lagrangian &
H. Dyn 15
Adv QM 15
Lagrangian &
H. Dyn 15
Solid State Physics 15
Neb&Stars1
15
Choice 15
Choice 15
Neb&Stars2
15
Phys Lab 2 15
Special Rel 15
Obs Astro* 15
Choice 15
Choice 15
Grav&Acc* 15
Electronics 15
Lin. Maths 15
ExtragalAst 15
Choice 15
Choice 15
Fluids* 15
(usually done in JH)
(usually done in JH)
(usually done in JH)
or choice
or choice
or choice
MPhys astrophysics students take at least two of asterisked modules
First sem choices include
Optoelectronics & NLO 15
Laser physics 1 15
Physics of music15
Comm & teach in science 15
Second sem choices include
Phys of electronic devices 15
Signals and information 15
Fluids 15
Principles of optics 15
Topics in Atomic Physics and Magnetic Resonance
PH4042 (15 credits)
Honours Programmes involving Physics and Astronomy, June 2016
Page 3
BSc Joint Honours Degree Logic and Philosophy of Science and Physics
The SH year will contain a project module. The only proposed changes between 2015-16 and 2016-17 are to
the name of module Nuclear and Particle Physics (extended) and the introduction of a new second semester
optional module on Advances in Atomic Physics.
Senior Honours – if with Physics project
Nuclear&Particle Physics with Adv Skills 15
Electromagnetism or Thermal and Statistical Physics,
depending on which was taken in JH 15
Something not Philosophy (no 15 credit modules)
eg a physics module 15
Something not Philosophy (no 15 credit modules) 15
eg a physics module 15
30 Philosophy choice
Physics project 30
Over two years is 90 Phil, 120 compulsory Phys, 30 something other than Phil
Senior Honours – if with Philosophy project
Nuclear&Particle Physics with Adv Skills 15
Electromagnetism or Thermal and Statistical Physics,
depending on which was taken in JH 15
Physics choice 15
Something not Philosophy (no 15 credit modules) 15
30 Phil or 2 x15 credits Phys or other
Philosophy Project 30
Over two years is at least 90 credits Phil, 120 possible; 90 compulsory Phys, 30 something other than Phil
(perhaps most likely physics)
BSc Joint Honours Computer Science and Physics
This degree programme runs as per the programme with Philosophy, but with most CS modules being 15
credits there is more flexibility in the arrangement of modules. Students are required to take 120 credits of
CS modules over the two honours years. Again, no changes are expected beyond the change of name of
Nuclear and Particle Physics (extended) and the introduction of a new optional module including advances in
atomic physics.
Honours Programmes involving Physics and Astronomy, June 2016
Page 4
MSci Joint Honours Chemistry and Physics was in 2015-16
JH is normally spent doing entirely Chemistry modules. SH is normally spent on the following set of modules
as per the current specification.
Quantum Mechanics 1 10
Thermal and Statistical Physics 15
Maths for Chemistry/Physics 20
Electromagnetism 15
Physics of Atoms 10
Quantum Mechanics 2 10
Solid State Physics 15
Physics Lab 1 15
Nuclear and Particle Physics 10
SH year of the MSci Joint Honours Chemistry and Physics for 2016-17
JH is still normally spent doing entirely Chemistry modules. SH is normally spent on the following set of
modules:Quantum Mechanics 1 10
PH3061
Thermal and Stat Phys 15
PH3012
Maths for Chem/Phys 20
PH3082
Electromagnetism 15
PH3007
Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Phys 15
PH4041
Quantum Mechanics 2 10
PH3062
Solid State Physics 15
PH4039
Physics Lab 1 15
PH3101
Studies in Physics and Chemistry 5
PH4043
The final year of the MSci programme has a mix of CH and PH modules, including a choice of a physics or a
chemistry project. There may be possibilities of doing a physics project with a strong chemistry component,
or vice versa.
“Studies in Physics and Chemistry” looks at developing research and communication skills at the same time
as working on a topic of interest relevant to the joint degree.
Honours Programmes involving Physics and Astronomy, June 2016
Page 5
Joint Honours Mathematics and Physics / Theoretical Physics
These joint degree programmes have a restricted choice of physics modules within them in order to cover
the core of physics required for accreditation of the degree with the UK Institute of Physics. The choice
within the mathematics component can be wide. Please note that there are some subjects that may be
taken in either School, such as Group Theory and Fluids. The Maths/Physics split should overall be not far
from even - the University’s Course Catalogue requires at least 100 honours credits from each school for the
BSc honours degree, and at least 145 from each school for the MPhys.
The only proposed major changes for 2016-17 are a renaming of PH4040 and the additional choice module in
Advances in Atomic Physics.
Senior Honours Physics/Theoretical Physics and Maths
BSc Maths/Phys
MPhys Maths/TP
BSc Maths/Phys
MPhys Maths/TP
Nucl & Part Phys ext 15
Solid State Physics 15
Nucl & Part Phys with
Adv Skills 15 PH4040
Solid State Physics 15
Project – Maths (15) or Advanced QM 15
Phys (30)
Thermal & Stat P 15
Thermal & Stat P 15
Maths Choices 15
Special Rel 15
Choice 15
Choice 15
Maths Choices 15
Maths Choices 15
Choice 15
Choice 15
MPhys final year mix of MT and PH modules, choice of which School for project
We note that the two schools release project information at different times. Our School has emailed
students examples of the sorts of projects that have been taken recently. We prefer to wait till the start of
the new session to publish final project titles, as this means that research activities over the summer can
lead to interesting contemporary project titles to be determined.
Honours Programmes involving Physics and Astronomy, June 2016
Page 6
Pre-advising and Advising for entering SH
All students are asked to take part in the pre-advising process that happens from shortly after Spring break or
at the start of the summer. We accept that students may still choose different modules and programmes when
it comes to advising at the start of SH, but it is still very helpful to have the pre-advising process completed.
This means that students have considered which programme and modules they wish to do, and have had the
chance to talk with their adviser and others about this, well in advance of the busy start to SH. It means that
the School can look at module choices and consider modifications to the timetable to reduce timetable clashes.
It means that the University has a better idea about how many students will be in different classes, thus
allowing appropriate rooms to be booked. The remainder of this document looks at how (pre) advising and
module choice is done.
Students are asked to realise that choosing their modules for the honours programme is an important
responsibility. You should check degree requirements in this document, the University Course Catalogue
and/or the relevant School Handbooks (we suggest that this School’s honours handbook is easier to interpret
than is the University Course Catalogue). You should check, where possible, for timetable clashes. Our
School on its Students and Staff web pages links to the honours module synopses, the School’s honours
handbook, timetables, etc. The normal procedure would be for you to fill in your module choice online and
then to get this approved during the 10-15 minutes advising meeting in September. Please bear in mind that
choices made in SH have implications for module choices through the rest of your degree programme.
Preadvising
Pre-advising happens in the spring or early summer. After considering what degree programme you wish to
aim for, you can fill in online your module choices for the next session. There need be no interaction with
your adviser of studies at this stage, though the honours advisers may be contacted should you wish. For
students on degree programmes wholly within the School the SH adviser is currently Dr Natalia Korolkova.
The School’s Director of Teaching, Dr Bruce Sinclair, is also willing to discuss matters with students.
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/academic/advising/pre-advising/returningundergraduates/
Pre-advising IS USEFUL FOR STUDENTS: you have more time to make up your mind regarding your future
modules and you can spot well in advance any problems/uncertainties you have with your module choice. If
you wish advice please ask the Adviser of Studies of your relevant future level.
Pre-advising IS USEFUL FOR STAFF: we will have a better idea of the number of students in each module in
advance, and can co-ordinate our teaching better, including tutoring, labs, timetable and room use.
Advising
The September consultation period is organised as follows. First get acquainted with the University and
School Orientation Week timetable – it has a number of interesting events, and provides you with various bits
of useful information. Note: you are supposed to be present in St. Andrews during the Orientation week.
During this week some days are allocated for advising meetings. The advising meetings are normally run by
the respective Adviser of Studies in his/her office. Each student can meet their Adviser for 10-15 min. You
should book your place on a sign-up sheet which has defined time slots. The sign-in sheets are available either
on the Honours notice board or on the office door of the Adviser. Some advisers are now using Doodle polls
for booking appointments, and will contact student by email to alert them to this. Make sure that you sign in
in time, as there is only a limited amount of time allocated for Advising by the University. You may be faced
with late matriculation fees otherwise. Your module choices can be approved only after you have seen your
Adviser IN PERSON, and you can matriculate only after this has happen.
Honours Programmes involving Physics and Astronomy, June 2016
Page 7
Important: you should fill in your module choice online PRIOR to the Advising meeting (and update your
contact details as well). Please try to leave only relatively minor questions for discussion during the advising
session. Please try to discuss all the more complicated issues in advance, either by email or in person.
Planning Further Ahead
We have some comments from our graduates about their careers in the Careers section of the School’s
Students and Staff web page. The University Careers Centre has a wealth of information online. The UK
Institute of Physics has some comments at http://www.iop.org/careers/i-am-at-university/index.html and the
“prospects.ac.uk” web site allows you to look at careers options with your subject. Graduates from all our
programmes have acquired a wide range of knowledge and skills in physics, mathematics, and IT skills that
can make them attractive to research/development/sales in physics-based industry, medical physics, patent
agencies, education, computing, financial services, etc. The more general graduate and professional skills that
are developed as part of the degree programme also open up more general “any graduate” career options.
A significant fraction of our students after graduation go into postgraduate study for an MSc or PhD, before
the next stage in their career plans.
Whether you are aiming to continue studying or go straight in to your career, you are likely to be competing in
a selection process. We recommend that you consider carefully what skills and knowledge you have
developed and can evidence. A lot we hope will come from your studies here, but you may have involvement
in sports, clubs, voluntary groups, internships, jobs, etc that has given you experience and increased abilities
in certain areas that can contribute to your profile. We are told that our students often have an impressive
range of skills that they could highlight to employers or educators, but do not always recognise them as such.
It is worth thinking through these, and looking at relevant information on the University Careers Centre web
site, etc.
Bruce Sinclair, 6 June 2016
Some details of the programmes are currently under discussion and are yet to be approved. There may be
errors in this document. The University’s official publications and your adviser should be consulted. E&OE
Honours Programmes involving Physics and Astronomy, June 2016
Page 8
Appendix A - Modules 2016-17
Information on our honours modules will also be in the new Course Catalogue and the School’s Honours
Module Synopses (recommended). Module staff information is just provisional at this stage.
Hons Semester One
Sem 1
AS4025
AS4010
AS4011
AS5001
AS5002
AS5003
16-17?
Comments
cred
15-16
Observational Astro
Extragalactic Astronomy
Nebulae & Stars 1
Advanced Data Analysis
Magnetofluids & S.Plasma
Contemp Astrophysics
15
15
15
15
15
15
CC/SPD
ID4001
Comms & Teach Sci
15
BDS+
BDS+
Entry by application & interview
PH3061
PH3074
PH3080
PH3081
PH3082
Quantum Mechanics 1
Electronics
Computational Physics
Mathematics for Physicists
Maths for Chem/Phys
10
15
10
15
20
ASK
ASK
PASC
PASC
MM/ADG/GMS
MM/ADG/GMS
All programmes
Compulsory Phys MPhys
Compulsory for most
Compulsory for most
Compulsory (and only) for Chem/
Phys; is PH3081 plus half PH3080
PH4022
PH4027
PH4032
PH4034
PH4036
PH4037
PH4039
PH4040
10
15
15
15
15
10
15
15
PH4041
PH4105
Nuclear & Particle Phys
Optoelectronics & NLO
Special Relativity & Fields
Laser Physics 1
Physics of Music
Physics of Atoms
Solid State Physics
Nuc & Part Phys w. adv.
skills. (M,Phil,CS)
Atomic, Nuclear, & Part Ph.
Physics Laboratory 2
PH5002
PH5003
PH5004
PH5005
PH5011
PH5012
PH5014
PH5015
PH5016
PH5023
PH5024
Foundations of QM
Group Theory
Quantum Field Theory
Laser Physics 2
General Relativity
Quantum Optics
Interacting Electron P
Applications of QPhys
Biophotonics
Monte-Carlo in Rad Trans
Topics in Condensed Matter
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
VW/AMW
KW
KDH
MMJ
MMJ
ASA/PR/AM/HSZ
CRB
CRB/MM/ADG
ASK
ASK
IDWS/MM
IDWS/MM
NVK
NVK
FEWK
FEWK
JKemp
JKemp
Astro 2 pre-req
Compulsory for Ast
Compulsory MPhys Ast
Open to Physicists also
Fluids recommended
Astro students only
Is being removed
Compulsory TP; EM & L&HD prereq
Is being removed
NVK/GPW/GB
SLL
ASK, BDS+
ASK, BDS+
Stated Joint degrees only,
compulsory for them
ASK,
Replaces PH4022 & 4037
Compulsory Phys
CFR+
CFR+
KKW
KKW
JFC
JFC
JMJK
JMJK
BDS/MHD/CTAB/
LO’F
BDS+
HSZ/MD
NVK/FEWK
Las Phys 1 recommended
Special Rel recommended
NVK/FEWK
Advanced QM prereq
GPW/APM
DC/MM
DC/MM
CTAB/CPE/MG CTAB/CPE/MG
KW
KW
PDK/GPW
PDK/GPW
Honours Programmes involving Physics and Astronomy, June 2016
Optics or LasPhys1 prereq
Was symmetry and topology in CMP
Page 9
Hons Semester Two
Sem 2
AS3013
AS4012
Computational Astro
Nebulae & Stars II
15
AS4015
Gravit & Accret Phys
15
IAB
PH3007
PH3012
Electromagnetism
Thermal & Statistical Phys
15
15
CRB
CRB
SLL/IL
SLL/IL
PH3062
PH3101
Quantum Mechanics 2
Physics Laboratory 1
10
15
ASK
ASK
CFR+
CFR+
PH4025
PH4026
PH4028
PH4031
PH4035
PH4038
PH4042
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
PH4043
Phys of Electronic Devices
Signals and Coherence
Advanced QM
Fluids
Principles of Optics
Lagrangian & H Dynamics
Concepts in Atomic Physics
and Mag Resonance
Studies in Phys & Chem
AS4103
AS5101
PH3014
PH4111
PH5101
PH5103
Hons Whole Year
Astrophysics BSc Project
Astrophysics Mphys Proj
Transferable Skills for Phys
Physics BSc Project
Physics MPhys Project
Theoretical P. MPhysProj
14-15
15-16?
PW/ChH/KDH
Compulsory Ast
Neb&Stars 1 prereq, Compulsory
MPhys Ast
ACC/PW
GAT/LO’F
PASC
PASC
BL
BL
Compulsory for TP
For astronomers and others
MMJ
MMJ
FEWK
FEWK
BHB
BHB
Compulsory all MPhys
Proposed additional module
BDS
Proposed for Chem/Phys students
-
5
30
60
15
30
60
60
All programmes
All programmes, joints may postpone
to SH
All programmes
Compulsory Phys
KDH+
KDH+
BDS+
PDK+
PDK+
JMJK+
BDS+
Compulsory BSc Ast
Compulsory MPhys Ast
Compulsory single hons
Compulsory BSc Phys
Compulsory MPhys Phy
Compulsory MPhys TP
Staff initials show who was giving the module in 2015-16, and in some cases a first indication of who may be
giving the module in 2016-17. In many cases the same member of staff will be the coordinator as in 2015-16,
though there may be changes due to staff being on research leave, new members of staff joining our
teaching programme, etc. There may yet be some changes to the above module list.
Not all pre-requisite modules are shown, as many pre-reqs are “standard” modules such as QM1. Not all
“compulsory” modules are listed as such above, due to “choose two out of these three” type requirements.
Note that the University’s Course Catalogue will show the modules being run by each School, and
programme requirements. Some Schools, including ours, have honours handbooks and/or module synopses
that also give useful information.
Honours Programmes involving Physics and Astronomy, June 2016
Page 10