Download Entering Junior Honours Physics & Astronomy and Joint Degrees -2016

Entering Junior Honours Physics & Astronomy and Joint Degrees -2016
This document aims to give our second year students some advice on the process of entering honours and
being advised onto relevant modules. It should be read in conjunction with the School’s Honours
handbook and the University’s Course Catalogue. It has been written at the request of student members
of the School’s Student-Staff Council.
For 2016-17 we will have some changes to honours programmes and modules compared with previous
years. JH Computational Physics will go back to being entirely in the first semester, and the mini-project
within it will be replaced by case studies. Subject to central approval, we aim to replace some of the
lectures in JH Electronics with some additional lab work, and we aim to have a standard SH first
semester of 60 credits. As in 2015-16, we are stating that any student needing to defer a core JH physics
module to SH should do this with Thermal and Statistical Physics, and do Electromagnetism in JH.
Choice of Degree Subject
Many students in Physics 2B have a degree intention involving our School; some will have physics as a
subject that they were planning to stop taking at the end of second year. It is not unusual for students to
choose on entry to honours a different programme to that which they stated on entry to the University you may wish to reflect on which degree programme you most wish to do.
Are you going to be particularly interested in what is involved in a degree in physics, theoretical
physics, astrophysics, mathematics, chemistry, materials science, computer science, philosophy,
or various joint honours degrees involving these?
What sort of degree do you need for your career or future study wishes?
Do you wish to do a BSc honours degree or the (more advanced and longer) MPhys/MMath/
MSci “integrated masters” degree?
Do you have, and are you likely to get, the necessary pre-requisite qualifications for the
programme(s) that you wish to do?
The single honours and joint honours degrees involving our School are as follows:









BSc Astrophysics
BSc Physics
BSc Physics and Computer Science
BSc Physics and Philosophy
BSc Physics and Mathematics
MPhys Astrophysics
MPhys Physics
MPhys Theoretical Physics
MPhys Theoretical Physics and Mathematics
MSci Physics and Chemistry
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We believe that these programmes all provide our students with interesting and useful learning
opportunities and with the skills and knowledge that will open up a good range of career and postgraduate
study opportunities.
All our programmes can lead to post-graduate study for a PhD. If you know that you would like to do a
PhD in a particular area (astronomy, physics, theoretical physics, etc) then it is probably worth
considering doing a named degree in that area, but students who do well in their programme are likely to
find that they can move from one area to another given the underlying core material that is in all of the
programmes. A PhD can lead on to research work in universities or in industry, or a wider range of
career opportunities inside or outside physics and astronomy.
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.
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. Our single- and joint-honours degree programmes are all accredited by
the UK Institute of Physics.
The different programmes all have within them a set of modules that cover the core of physics. Thus all
students will take modules covering Quantum Mechanics, Thermal & Statistical Physics,
Electromagnetism, Nuclear and Particle Physics, and Computational Techniques. All students do
additional work on mathematical techniques, either in our Maths for Physicists module or with the School
of Mathematics and Statistics. All students do a final-year project. For those doing a single honours
degree the project will usually be with one of the School’s research teams running a particular
investigation or development. All students doing a degree wholly within the School will take the module
“Transferable Skills for Physicists”, in which they develop advanced research/professional skills at the
same time as gaining credit for investigating areas of science of particular interest to them; students on the
joint degrees with Mathematics, Computing and Philosophy do some of this work within an extended
module that also includes nuclear physics.
The astrophysics programmes apply these core ideas along with the material in second level astrophysics
to investigate the universe around us. Computational, observational, and theoretical skills and knowledge
are developed in this programme. A recent highlight was the discovery by students on the observational
astrophysics module of a new extra-solar planet as part of their work.
The physics programmes provide a wide range of modules. There is a core of modules and a wide range
of choice modules. These programmes often have the most number of students on them of any of the
School’s degree programmes. Students include in their programme two laboratory modules in which they
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can explore aspects of physics and develop relevant laboratory and experimental research skills. In recent
years several physics students have been in the top few in the UK or internationally in various “Physics
Student of the Year” competitions, based primarily on the work in their final year projects.
The theoretical physics programme allows the development of mathematical physics to a high level.
These students do not usually do the laboratory modules, but spend additional time on mathematicalphysics topics such as Special Relativity & Fields and Quantum Field Theory. A recent highlight was the
international recognition of a student doing a theoretical physics project for his development of new ideas
in invisibility cloaks.
The joint degree programmes allow students to spend about half their time in physics and about half their
time on another subject. This can allow good access to work at the interfaces between disciplines. The
MSci Chemistry and Physics students spend JH doing entirely Chemistry modules and SH entirely
Physics. The MSci year is a combination. The joint degrees with Mathematics are also popular, and the
two Schools continue to work together to allow students to create a useful joint programme as readily as
is possible with the wide choice of modules that can be available. Those students with an interest in
philosophy can take the joint degree with that school, developing their ways of thinking and looking at
the world from both a physical and a philosophical viewpoint. The joint degree with Computer Science
allows the development of high-level computational science skills alongside core physics.
So the first choice you have in our degree programmes is the degree title. Depending on the degree title
there will be different modules that then become compulsory in your programme, as well as the core
modules for all students mentioned above.
The single-honours degree programmes can have a fair amount of choice within them, particularly in SH
and (where relevant) the M-year. This allows students to choose modules of particular interest to them.
At level-four such choice modules may include Gravitational & Accretion Physics, Observational
Astrophysics, Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Laser Physics, Physics of Music, Fluids, Physics of
Electronic Devices, Signals & Coherence, Principles of Optics, and Communication & Teaching in
Science. At MPhys level modules currently include Quantum Optics, Biophotonics, The Interacting
Electron Problem, Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, General Relativity, Monte-Carlo Radiation
Transfer Techniques, Contemporary Astrophysics, and Magnetofluids & Space Plasmas, amongst others.
Doing a joint degree necessarily means that there is less time available for phys/astro modules due to
having only about half the honours credits from this School. For the MSci Chemistry and Physics the
physics modules taken before level-five are fixed, and shown later in this document. The BSc Philosophy
and Physics programme has the physics content of JH defined, but there is room for some choice of
physics modules in SH, as shown in a later table. The BSc joint degree with Maths has some choice of
PH modules. The MPhys joint degree with Maths has some choice of modules in SH, and a wider choice
in the MPhys year, where students can choose to do a project in either mathematics or theoretical physics.
The reduced choice of PH modules in joint degrees is of course balanced by the introduction of relevant
and interesting modules from the other discipline.
All of our degree courses should develop the thinking, numeracy, research, and problem-solving skills
that are crucial to many future career opportunities. When considering which of our programmes you
may wish to do, please consider which you are going to find most interesting.
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Honours Entry Requirements
Soon after the semester-two module grades are known, the University will email those students who have
a degree intention involving this School about the status of their progression. The required grades for
entry are published in the University’s Course Catalogue, and are summarised below:BSc Programmes Grade 11 or better averaged over passes in PH2011 and PH2012, and also averaged
over passes in MT2501 and MT2503. For the BSc in Astrophysics, grade 11 or better in AS2*01 is an
additional requirement
MPhys and MSci Programmes Grade 15 or better averaged over passes in PH2011 and PH2012, and also
averaged over passes in MT2501 and MT2503. For the MPhys in Astrophysics, grade 15 or better in
AS2*01 is an additional requirement.
Students entering honours are expected to have successfully logged 240 credits, though for direct entry
students 120 of these may be from “Advanced Standing”. For degree programmes involving other
Schools there may be additional requirements from those Schools
Under current University regulations students who have a module grade between 4 and 10.9 at first sit
may take a resit or honours-entry exam in the late-summer diet in an attempt to gain qualified entry to
honours through grades at 13.5 plus. Students who narrowly miss M-level entry may be able to transfer
during or at the end of JH from the BSc honours programme to the Integrated Masters programme
dependent on sufficiently good AS and PH grades obtained during part or all of JH.
Pre-advising
All students are asked to take part in the pre-advising process. We accept that students may still choose
different modules and programmes when it comes to advising at the start of JH, 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 JH. 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.
JH module choice: pre-advising, advising
Preliminaries
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 that describes our revised
honours programme, 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. We are not able to publish a definitive honours
timetable yet, but plan that it should be very similar to what ran this session. Our School on its Students
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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 advising meeting in September. Please bear in mind that choices made at the start of
first semester in JH 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 adviser may be contacted should you wish.
For students on degree programmes within the School the JH adviser is currently Prof Ian Bonnell. 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/returningstudents/
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. If you and your
classmates pre-advise into a particular module it may give us more leverage to book the most appropriate
room(s) for your class size.
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. We run an Honours meeting giving you relevant information about the
characteristics of the Honours teaching. 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, as in pre-honours. 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. 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.
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.
Below are some guidelines for your module choices in JH. For full information please see the School’s
Honours Handbook. Note that at the end of the pre-honours year(s) it is useful (although not compulsory)
to consider your module choices not only for JH, but for the whole of your studies. This helps you to
coordinate your module choice better and to ensure that all the required pre-requisites for later modules
are met.
Pre-advising and advising for entering JH Physics, Astrophysics, and related, Draft 2016
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Module Choice
The first semester of JH is comprised mainly of the compulsory modules leaving for single-honours
degrees only ONE CHOICE MODULE. In what follows, we provide general comments for this choice
based on your degree intention.
BSc and MPhys Physics, and MPhys Theoretical Physics
First semester: The standard module choice is:
JH first semester, Physics (BSc or MPhys), MPhys TP
credits
PH3061 Quantum Mechanics 1
10
PH3081 Mathematics for Physicists
15
PH3080 Computational Physics
10
PH3014 Whole year module Transferable Skills
Approx. 8 in sem 1
ADDITIONAL MODULE
15
~60 total
Modules available (most common choices):
Physics: PH3074 Electronics, Astrophysics: AS4010 Extragalactic Astronomy (for those who have done
pre-honours Astrophysics Maths: MT3501 Linear Math, MT3504 Differential Equations.
Recommendations for the additional module:
MPhys Physics students should take PH3074 Electronics, as it is a compulsory module for their
programme.
BSc students are recommended to take PH3074 Electronics, but other choices are possible.
MPhys Theoretical Physics students should take MT3501 Linear Maths.
You may have the following reasons for wishing to deviate from this standard choice:
1) You are not sure you want to proceed with your current degree intention.
Apart from this one choice module, your programme for first semester JH is the same for any of the
School’s single-honours degrees. If you are not finally decided between two different degree
intentions, you can choose the module such as to leave the option to switch degree intention later.
Guidelines:
- If you are thinking of switching to Astrophysics, you may consider an astrophysics module here.
- If you are thinking of switching to Theoretical Physics or to a degree joint with Maths: take
Linear Maths, it is an extremely useful module anyway (a lot of Quantum Mechanics and
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Quantum Information can be taught on the basis of Linear Algebra; matrices and vector spaces
are used throughout in all sorts of subjects)
- Thinking of switching from Theoretical Physics to Physics: Electronics or just keep Linear Math
2) You plan to take modules later in JH or in SH, which will require particular pre-requisites.
Note that the need to deviate from the straightforward choice above should emerge only if you want
to do some non-standard module choice in future. Please discuss with your adviser, as timetable
difficulties may need to be considered.
3) You have some specific career intentions after completion of your degree. – Suggest your own choice
of module and discuss it with your adviser.
In principle choosing a dip-down (a pre-honours module) in another subject for the choice module is
possible but we would not recommend it unless really needed, as the JH year provides fundamentals for
your physics studies providing you with core knowledge in Physics. So it is suggested that you keep to
our recommendations to have a really solid background in Physics.
Second semester: The standard module choice is:
JH second semester, Physics (BSc or MPhys), MPhys TP
credits
PH3062 Quantum Mechanics 2
10
PH3007 Electromagnetism
15
PH3012 Thermal and Statistical Physics
15
PH3014 Whole year module Transferable Skills
Approx. 7 in sem 2
PH3101Phys Lab 1 for Physics, PH4038 Lagrangian &
Hamiltonian Dynamics for Theoretical Physics
15
~60 total
If you follow our standard degree programmes, you will not have any choice module in semester 2.
However, by this time you have to be decided amongst Physics, Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics –
this will determine your last module in the table above.
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BSc and MPhys Astrophysics
Students entering at first year will normally have done first year astrophysics in semester one of first year,
and second year astrophysics in semester two of second year. Astrophysicists taking direct entry to
second year will in their year of entry have done a 5-credit astrophysics-one module in first semester, and
one of the second year astrophysics modules in second semester.
The standard module choices for JH are:
JH first semester, Astrophysics
credits
PH3061 Quantum Mechanics 1
10
PH3081 Maths for Physicists
15
PH3080 Computational Physics
10
PH3014 Whole year module Transferable Skills
Approx. 8 in sem 1
AS4010 Extragalactic Astronomy
15
~60 total
JH second semester, Astrophysics
credits
PH3062 Quantum Mechanics 2
10
PH3007 Electromagnetism
15
PH3012 Thermal and Statistical Physics
15
PH3014 Whole year module Transferable Skills
Approx. 7 in sem 2
AS3013 Computational Astrophysics
15
~60 total
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Joint degrees
These are the BSc with Philosophy, the BSc with Computer Science, the BSc with Maths, the
MSci degree with Chemistry, and the MPhys degree Theoretical Physics and Maths. In all cases
the physics modules in JH are determined.
MSci Chemistry and Physics
JH is spent doing entirely Chemistry modules. SH is spent on the following set of modules.
PH3061 Quantum Mechanics 1 10
PH3012 Thermal and Statistical Physics 15
PH3082 Maths for Chemistry/Physics 20
PH3007 Electromagnetism 15
PH4037 Physics of Atoms 10
PH3062 Quantum Mechanics 2 10
PH4039 Solid State Physics 15
PH3101 Physics Lab 1 15
PH4022 Nuclear and Particle Physics 10
65 credits total
55 credits total
Please note that there may be changes here associated with a move to have the standard 60
credits in first semester.
BSc Philosophy and Physics
This programme is approximately one half physics and one half philosophy.
Junior Honours
Quantum Mechanics One 10
Mathematics for Physicists 15
Computational Physics 10
Philosophy PY3701 (Lang & Reality)
compulsory30
35 Phys, 30 Phil
Electromagnetism 15
Quantum Mechanics Two 10
30 Philosophy choice
25 Phys, 30 from Phil
Senior Honours – if with Physics project
Nuclear&Particle Physics (extended) 15
Thermal and Statistical Physics 15
Something not Philosophy (no 15 credit modules)
Something not Philosophy (no 15 credit modules) 15
eg a physics module 15
Philosophy 30
Physics project 30
Total over two years would be - 90 Phil, 120 compulsory Phys, 30 something other than Phil
Senior Honours – if with Philosophy project
Nuclear&Particle Physics (extended) 15
Thermal and Statistical Physics 15
Physics choice 15
Something not Philosophy (no 15 credit modules) 15
30 credits Phil or 2*15 credits Phys or other
Philosophy Project 30
Total over two years would be - 90 minimum Phil, 120 possible; 90 credits compulsory Phys , 30
something other than Phil (perhaps most likely physics)
BSc 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
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take 120 credits of CS modules over the two honours years.
Maths and Physics
The joint degrees with Maths can have significant amount of choice of MT modules in them,
which can make choosing a pathway through the programme relatively difficult. To aid this, the
two schools have agreed on two JH routes that are appropriate for joint degree students to set
them up for future modules, and which will be prioritised in timetabling.
Please note the recommended order of modules, and in particular that our Special Relativity
module depends on Electromagnetism, so Electromagnetism must be part of the JH module
selections. For those who wish or need to defer a core JH physics module to SH then it is
Thermal and Statistical Physics that we would recommend for this.
Junior Honours Physics/Theoretical Physics and (Pure) Maths
BSc Maths/Phys
MPhys Maths/TP
BSc Maths/Phys
MPhys Maths/TP
Quantum Mech 1 10
Quantum Mech 1 10
Electromagnetism 15
Electromagnetism 15
Comp Phys 10
Comp Phys 10
Maths for Phys 15 Maths for Phys 15
instead of MT Diff Eq
instead of MT Diff Eq
Quantum Mech 2 10
Quantum Mech 2 10
MT 15
Linear Maths II 15
MT 15
Lag &Ham Dynam 15
Real Analysis 15
Real Analysis 15
Algebra 15
Algebra 15
Senior Honours including Maths
BSc Maths/Phys
Nuclear & Particle
extended 15
Solid State Physics 15
MPhys Maths/TP
Nuclear & Particle
extended 15
Solid State Physics 15
Maths Choices
Maths Choices
Special Rel 15
Maths Choices
BSc Maths/Phys
Maths project 15 OR
Phys project 30
Thermal and
Statistical 15
Choice
Choice
MPhys Maths/TP
Advanced QM 15
Thermal and
Statistical 15
Choice
Choice
Pre-advising and advising for entering JH Physics, Astrophysics, and related, Draft 2016
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Junior Honours Physics/Theoretical Physics and (Applied) Maths
BSc Maths/Phys
MPhys Maths/TP
BSc Maths/Phys
MPhys Maths/TP
Quantum Mech 1 10
Quantum Mech 1 10
Electromagnetism 15
Electromagnetism 15
Comp Phys 10
Comp Phys 10
MT 15
Linear Maths II 15
Quantum Mech 2 10
Quantum Mech 2 10
Diff Eqns 15
Diff Eqns 15
MT 15
Lag &Ham Dynam 15
Complex An 15*
Complex An 15*
Tech Applied M 15*
Tech Applied M 15*
*At least one of Complex Analysis and Techniques of Applied Maths is normally taken
Senior Honours including Maths
BSc Maths/Phys
Nuclear & Particle
extended 15
Solid State Physics 15
MPhys Maths/TP
Nuclear & Particle
extended 15
Solid State Physics 15
Maths choice
Maths Choices
Special Rel 15
Maths Choices
BSc Maths/Phys
Maths project 15 OR
Phys project 30
Thermal and Statistical
Physics 15
Choice
Choice
MPhys Maths/TP
Advanced QM 15
Thermal and
Statistical 15
Choice
Choice
Final Words
If you have any queries, please ask! We aim to have lots of relevant information here, in the
School’s module synopses, and in the honours and pre-honours handbooks. Please do look in these.
But your adviser of studies and other staff are here to assist with the important choices that you are
making in the coming weeks and months.
Bruce Sinclair 7.4.16
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, April 2016
Page 11
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
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 & half PH3080
PH4022
PH4027
PH4032
PH4034
PH4036
PH4037
PH4039
PH4040
Nuclear & Particle Phys
Optoelectronics & NLO
Special Relativity & Fields
Laser Physics 1
Physics of Music
Physics of Atoms
Solid State Physics
Nuc & Part Ext. (M,LPS,CS)
10
15
15
15
15
10
15
15
PH4105
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
Sym & Top in Cond Matt P
Sem 1
AS4025
AS4010
AS4011
AS5001
AS5002
AS5003
16-17?
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
NVK/GPW/GB
Comments
Astro 2 pre-req
Compulsory for Ast
Compulsory MPhys Ast
Open to Physicists also
Fluids recommended
Astro students only
Compulsory for most; may be amended
Compulsory TP; EM & L&HD prereq
Compulsory for most, may be amended
SLL
ASK, BDS+
ASK, BDS+
15
CFR+
CFR+
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
KKW
KKW
JFC
JFC
JMJK
JMJK
BDS/MHD/CTAB/
LO’F
BDS+
HSZ/MD
NVK/FEWK
Stated Joint degrees only,
compulsory for them
Compulsory Phys
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, April 2016
Optics or LasPhys1 prereq
Page 12
Hons Semester Two
14-15
Sem 2
AS3013
AS4012
15-16?
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
Phys of Electronic Devices
Signals and Coherence
Advanced QM
Fluids
Principles of Optics
Lagrangian & H Dynamics
15
15
15
15
15
15
GAT/LO’F
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
30
60
15
30
60
60
KDH+
KDH+
BDS+
PDK+
PDK+
JMJK+
PW/ChH/KDH
Compulsory Ast
Neb&Stars 1 prereq, Compulsory
MPhys Ast
ACC/PW
PASC
All programmes
All programmes, joints may postpone
to SH
All programmes
Compulsory Phys
PASC
BL
BL
MMJ
MMJ
FEWK
FEWK
BHB
BHB
BDS+
Compulsory for TP
For astronomers and others
Compulsory all MPhys
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.
After discussions at Student Staff Council we are looking at combining aspects of Nuclear and Particle Physics
and Physics of Atoms in to one 15 credit module for next session.
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 shows 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.
TBC – To be confirmed
Honours Programmes involving Physics and Astronomy, April 2016
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