OurPhysicsCourses.

TheDepartment Of Physics And Astronomy.

CONTENTS

CoursesHow we teach 4Physics courses 6Astrophysics courses 8Specialist physics courses 10What our graduates do 22

StoriesParticle physics 13 Quantum physics 14Astrophysics 16 Physics of Life 18We put physics to work 20

Next stepsOpen days 24How to apply 26

UK TOP 10 FOR PHYSICS RESEARCH

RAE 2008

3

Choose Sheffield and you’ll join a community ofresearchers and students looking for answers tothese questions. All our undergraduates gethands-on experience working alongside staff onreal research projects.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/physics

IS TIME TRAVELPOSSIBLE?

IS THE UNIVERSE EXPANDINGFASTER?

CAN WE MAKE A QUANTUMCOMPUTER?

WHAT IS THEORIGIN OF MASS– IS IT THE HIGGSBOSON?

HOW CAN WEGENERATEENOUGH ENERGYFOR EVERYONE IN THE FUTURE?

ARE THEREHABITABLE PLANETS INOTHER STARSYSTEMS?

The biggest questionsin the Universe

4

LAB SKILLSLab work links to what you learn inlectures. In the first and second years wedevote a whole module each semester toexperiments and training. You’ll learnhow to present results, analyse data andassess errors.

PROGRAMMING CLASSESComputer programming is an essentialpart of academic and industrialresearch. We teach in a variety oflanguages including Matlab, C++, C, andLabview. And we’ll teach you how to useExcel to analyse data.

How we teach

Physics and AstronomyOur teaching

5

PROBLEM SOLVINGPhysics graduates can compete for jobsin any sector because they know how tosolve problems. We’ll help you develop acombination of numerical reasoning andphysical understanding that can beapplied anywhere.

TUTORIALSGroups of up to 10 students meet with alecturer to go over difficult coursematerial and practise solving problems.

FIELD WORKWe encourage you to take part in fieldtrips throughout your course. You couldfind yourself investigating dark matter1km underground at Boulby Mine or2,400m above sea level at theObservatorio del Roque de losMuchachos in the Canary Islands.

RESEARCH PROJECTSAll our students do research of theirown. This could be as part of one of ourresearch projects or you might chooseto research different methods of scienceteaching.

BSC OR MPHYS?It depends on your career plans. AnMPhys takes 4 years to complete ratherthan 3 years and has more researchcontent so it’s good preparation for acareer in research or academia.

Physics and AstronomyOur teaching

MatlabCLabviewC++

Matlaab

MPhysBSc

6

YEAR 1

Core - Mechanics, electricity, waves

and relativity - Heat, magnetism, optics and

quantum mechanics

- Professional Skills in Physics - Mathematics for Physicists

Options - Mathematics for Physicists

and Astronomers- Mathematics

- The Solar System - Our Evolving Universe

- The Physics of SustainableEnergy

PHYSICS COURSES

F300 BSc Physics AABF301 MPhys Physics AAAF305 MPhys Physics with study in North America AAAF304 MPhys Physics with study in Australasia AAAF344 BSc Theoretical Physics AABF321 MPhys Theoretical Physics AAAFV35 BSc Physics and Philosophy AABBSc/MPhys Physics with a Foundation Year ABB

YEAR 2

Core- From thermodynamics to quantum mechanics- From electromagnetism to atomic and nuclear

physics- Classical Physics- Optics

- Experimental Physics- Programming in C

Options- Stellar Structure and Evolution- Galaxies- Extra-Solar Planets and Astrobiology- The Dynamic Interstellar Medium

- Aspects of Medical Imaging and Technology- The Physics of Music- Physics of Materials

- Physics with Labview - Numerical and Computational Physics

Skills modules such as research projects,programming and laboratories aretypically assessed by coursework.Other modules are typically assessed by acombination of examination (around70%) and coursework (around 30%)The 4 year MPhys degree is shown. Our BSc courses are equally valuable and include the content shown up to year three.

EXAMPLE COURSEBREAKDOWN: MPhys PHYSICS COURSE CODE F301

7

For more detail on modules, see ouronline prospectus.

SPECIALIST COURSESPhysics with Medical PhysicsPhysics with Computer ScienceChemical PhysicsSee page 10

YEAR 3Core- Nuclear Physics- Particle Physics

- Further Quantum Mechanics- Metals, Semiconductors and

Insulators- Advanced Electrodynamics- Atomic and Laser Physics- Statistical Physics

- Physics Research Project- Group Project in Physics - Techniques of Problem Solving

in Physics

Options- Nuclear Astrophysics- Dark Matter and the Universe

- Introduction to Cosmology- Relativity and Cosmology- History of Astronomy

- Numerical and ComputationalPhysics

- Mathematical Physics

YEAR 4Core- Research Project in Physics and Astronomy

Options- Advanced Particle Physics - Dark Matter and the Universe- Nuclear Astrophysics- Development of Particle Physics- High Energy Astrophysics

- History of Astronomy- Cosmic Origins- Introduction to Cosmology- Relativity and Cosmology

- Biological Physics- Mathematical Physics- Magnetic Resonance: Principles and Applications- Physics of Semiconductors- Physics of Soft Condensed Matter- Advanced Quantum Mechanics- Optical Properties of Solids

- Literature Search in Physics- Physics in an Enterprise Culture

8

ASTROPHYSICS COURSES

FF35 BSc Physics and Astrophysics AABF3F5 MPhys Physics and Astrophysics AAAFF3M MPhys Physics and Astrophysics with a Year Abroad AAA

Our degrees have around 20 hours ofcontact with teaching staff each weekthrough lectures, problem classes, labsand tutorials.

YEAR 1Core- Introduction to Astrophysics- The Solar System- Our Evolving Universe

- Mechanics, electricity, waves and relativity- Heat, magnetism, optics and quantum

mechanics

- Introductory Mathematics for Physicistsand Astronomers

- Mathematics for Physicists

- Professional Skills in Physics and Astronomy

YEAR 2Core- Stellar Structure and Evolution- Galaxies- Astronomical Techniques - Extra-solar Planets and Astrobiology- The Dynamic Interstellar Medium

- From thermodynamics to quantummechanics

- From electromagnetism to atomic andnuclear physics

- Programming in C- Experimental Physics

EXAMPLE COURSEBREAKDOWN: MPhys PHYSICS ANDASTROPHYSICS COURSE CODE F3F5

9

WORLD-CLASS FACILITIESWe own three telescopes. Two are onthe roof of the department: a robotic0.25m telescope and a computer-controlled 0.40m telescope. The third ison La Palma in the Canary Islands, one ofthe world’s best observing sites.

You’ll get to use these telescopes fromthe first year and throughout yourcourse. In the third year, we run a fieldtrip to La Palma, where you'll use our0.5m telescope and visit other largetelescopes on the site.

You can apply to spend your entirefourth year on La Palma, working at theobservatory as a staff astronomer incharge of some of the world’s largesttelescopes and carrying out an extendedresearch project.

YEAR ABROADChoose the course with a year abroadand spend your third year at a partneruniversity in Australia, New Zealand,Canada or the United States.

YEAR 4Core- Cosmic Origins- High Energy Astrophysics

- Statistical Physics- Research Project in Physics and Astronomy

Options- Advanced Particle physics - Biological Physics- Development of Particle Physics- Magnetic Resonance: Principles and Applications - Physics of Soft Condensed Matter - Physics of Semiconductors- Optical Properties of Solids

- Advanced Quantum Mechanics- Literature Search in Physics- Directed Reading in Astronomy - Physics in an Enterprise Culture

Level 4 selected study at the Isaac NewtonGroup of Telescopes (ING) on La Palma, - Directed Reading in Astronomy- Research Design Study- Project Management and Presentation- Working at the ING- Extended Research Project

in Astronomy

YEAR 3Core- Introduction to Cosmology- Stellar Atmospheres

- Particle Physics- Further Quantum Mechanics - Atomic and Laser Physics

- Programming in C- Problem Solving in Physics and Astrophysics- Astronomy Research Project

Options- Dark Matter and the Universe- History of Astronomy - Relativity and Cosmology

- Nuclear Physics- Nuclear Astrophysics

- Optics- Metals, Semiconductors and Insulators- Magnetism and Advanced Electrodynamics

- Numerical and Computational Physics- Physics Research Project- Group Project in Physics

10

SPECIALIST PHYSICS COURSES

F350 BSc Physics with Medical Physics AABF371 MPhys Physics with Medical Physics AAAF335 MPhys Chemical Physics AABF3G4 BSc Physics with Computer Science AABF3GK MPhys Physics with Computer Science AAA

We have illustrated the modular contentof our MPhys degrees. Our BSc coursesare equally valuable and include thecontent shown up to year three.

YEAR 1Core- Introduction to Bioengineering- Physics of Living Systems

- Introductory Mathematics forPhysicists and Astronomers

- Mathematics for Physicists- Mechanics, electricity, waves and

relativity- Heat, magnetism, optics and

quantum mechanics

- Professional Skills in Physics

YEAR 2Core- Biomedical Instrumentation- Tissue Structure and Function- Aspects of Medical Imaging and

Technology

- From thermodynamics toquantum mechanics

- From electromagnetism to atomicand nuclear physics

- Classical Physics- Optics

- Experimental Physics- Physics with Labview

EXAMPLE COURSEBREAKDOWN: MPhys PHYSICS WITHMEDICAL PHYSICS COURSE CODE F371

11

For more detail about modules see ouronline prospectus.

YEAR 3Core- Modelling and Simulation of Natural Systems- Clinical Engineering and Computational

Mechanics- Programming in C

- Nuclear Physics- Further Quantum Mechanics- Metals, Semiconductors and Insulators- Magnetism and Advanced Electrodynamics

- Medical Physics Research Project- Physics Research Project- Advanced Techniques of Problem Solving in

Physics

Options- Numerical and Computational Physics- Mathematical Physics- Relativity and Cosmology- Nuclear Astrophysics- Dark Matter and the Universe

YEAR 4Core- Medical Physics Research Project- Hospital or Industrial Placement

- Particle Physics- Atomic and Laser Physics- Statistical Physics

Options- Physics of Semiconductors- Biological Physics - Advanced Particle physics- Magnetic Resonance: Principles and Applications- The Development of Particle Physics- Physics of Soft Condensed Matter

- Advanced Quantum Mechanics - Advanced Statistical Physics- Optical Properties of Solids - Literature Search in Physics - Physics in an Enterprise Culture

12

Physics and AstronomyParticle physics

13

Particle physics

THE DISCOVERY OF A LIFETIMEOur staff and students are part of aninternational team behind the mostsignificant breakthrough in particlephysics of the last thirty years: thediscovery of a particle thought to be theelusive Higgs Boson.

The Sheffield group, led by ProfessorDan Tovey are based at CERN in Geneva.They’ve been closely involved in allaspects of the experiment from designand construction through to finalanalysis of the data.

Dan teaches quantum mechanics atSheffield. At CERN, he is part of a teaminvestigating supersymmetry, a possibleextension of the so-called StandardModel of Particle Physics that could leadto an explosion of new particles todiscover. Dr Stathes Paganis, whoteaches atomic physics andelectromagnetism here and runs thesecond year lab, analysed the data fromthe Large Hadron Collider.

“THE HIGGS BOSON SHOWS US HOWELECTROMAGNETIC AND WEAK NUCLEARINTERACTIONS WERE THE SAME JUSTAFTER THE BIG BANG – BUT ARE NOW VERY DIFFERENT. UNDERGRADUATESTUDENTS ARE HELPING ME TO ANALYSETHE DATA FROM THE LHC. THE QUESTIONNOW IS WHETHER THE HIGGS ISFUNDAMENTAL OR WHETHER IT IS BUILTFROM OTHER, NEW PARTICLES WITH NEWINTERACTIONS. MAYBE THERE ARE OTHERFORCES TO BE FOUND?”Dr Stathes Paganis

Physics and AstronomyParticle physics

14

physics Quantum

Physics and AstronomyQuantum physics

15

Quantum mechanics is one of the mostimportant fundamental theories inphysics. We’ll teach you the core theoryin the second year. In the third andfourth years we teach Further andAdvanced Quantum Mechanics – thetools you need for research.

CAN WE MAKE A QUANTUM COMPUTER?It’s an exciting possibility.

We’re at the forefront of internationalresearch into quantum dots – tiny boxesof semi-conductor material in which wecan capture electrons. By placing theseelectrons in electric and magnetic fieldsand hitting them with photons, we cancontrol their behaviour. This isimportant if we want to use the electronas an information carrier (a bit).

We go even further and exploit thequantum properties of the electron tomake a “quantum bit”, an essentialingredient for a quantum computerwhich would outperform the classicalcomputer and change the world.

IS TIME TRAVEL POSSIBLE?We study quantum mechanics as aninformation processing theory at thefundamental level. This allows us to treatthe entire Universe as a huge quantumcomputer so we can ask questions like:how fast, in principle, can this computerbe? It also allows us to solve the strangeparadoxes of time travel. Dr Pieter Kokexplains all in a short film:

For more on these stories please visit theSheffield PhysicsYoutube page

Physics and AstronomyQuantum physics

16

Astrophysics

Physics and AstronomyAstrophysics

17

OUR HIGH SPEED CAMERASREVOLUTIONISE ASTRONOMYDwarf planets beyond the orbit of Plutoare too distant to see in detail. But we’vefound a way to examine them.

Professor Vik Dhillon and Dr StuartLittlefair have built high speed cameraswhich they mount on some of theworld’s largest telescopes. The camerasrecord rapid events such as the dip inlight from a distant star when a dwarfplanet passes in front of it.

By analysing the dip caused by the dwarfplanet Makemake, we were able to workout that the planet is almost as big asPluto and has no atmosphere.

WASP-33B IS THE HOTTEST PLANET WE KNOWLiam Hardy spent the final year of hisMPhys Physics/Astrophysics degree onLa Palma. He used Sheffield's 0.5mtelescope to complete a long-term studyof the extrasolar planet WASP-33b,discovering that it is one of the youngest,hottest and largest planets known.Liam’s results are being written up forpublication in a research journal and hestarts a PhD in astrophysics this year.

PICTURES FROM THE EDGE OF SPACEWe know physicists love a challenge, sowe gave a group of astrophysicsstudents £750 and asked them to take apicture from the edge of space thatshowed the curvature of the Earth.

They built a 2m diameter, He-filledmeteorology balloon with a 1m diameterparachute and 1.5kg scientific payloadincluding two cameras andmeteorological instruments. The flightyielded high def images and video ataltitudes of up to 34 km and a wealth ofdata on the variation of atmosphericconditions.

For more on thesestories please visit the Sheffield PhysicsYoutube page

Physics and AstronomyAstrophysics

Telescopes on La Palma - used by our students

18

Physics of

lifePhysics and AstronomyPhysics of Life

19

BATTLING BACTERIAFourth years Jonny Burns and BenAppleby are part of a University-wideproject looking for ways to beat drugresistant pathogens.

Jonny and Ben are looking at howantibiotics change the mechanicalproperties of the cell wall of MRSA.They’re continuing work started by Dr Ashley Cadby and Professor JamieHobbs who recently combined super-resolution optics and atomicforce microscopy to image the cell wall of E. Coli and understand how thewall is formed.

UNDERSTANDING CANCERAlso in the department, Dr RhodaHawkins is working on biologicalsystems, trying to understand howcancer cells are able to move andcolonise other parts of the body. Rhodateaches a fourth-year biological physicsmodule which brings together statisticalphysics and classical mechanics toadvance our understanding of thephysics of life.

BIOPHYSICS IN THE CURRICULUMIn year two we teach extrasolar planetsand astrobiology and in year four there is an optional module coveringbiological physics.

Physics and AstronomyPhysics of Life

20

We put physics to

work

Physics and AstronomyPhysics and industry

21

Applying our research to industrialproblems is a big part of what we do.And there are lots of ways for you to getinvolved.

MEASURING UNDERGROUND CO2

Our admissions tutor Dr Lee Thompsonhas a research grant from theDepartment for Energy and ClimateChange to develop ways of measuringthe storage of CO2 underground –usingcosmic muons.

Different types of rock absorb cosmicmuons with different strength. Themuons also penetrate deep into theearth. By placing detectors undergroundand measuring the muon flux at differentangles, the amount of CO2 trappedunderground can be measured in aprocess similar to making an X-rayimage, but using cosmic rays.

KEEPING AIRPORTS SAFEDetecting high energy neutrons is a bigchallenge for cargo screening in airports.3He is commonly used – but there is onlyso much 3He available and it’s expensive.Research fellow Dr John McMillan hasdeveloped a new method. John foundthat cosmetics material boron nitride ispure enough and contains enough activeBoron10 isotope to convert neutrons toalpha particles.

THE PHYSICS OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY Postgraduate researchers andundergraduate project students areworking together to develop low costsolar cells from specially designedcombinations of molecular compoundsand nanomaterials. Our optional Physicsof Sustainable Energy module is open toall single honours students.

Physics and AstronomyPhysics and industry

22

What ourgraduates do

Physics and AstronomyOur granulates

23

OUR GRADUATES CAN DO JUST ABOUTANYTHING.

They are science communicationofficers, web developers, IT consultants,research scientists, technicians,programmers and analysts. They workfor universities, hospitals, governmentsand global corporations; for Toshiba,Ernst & Young, Rolls Royce, CERN, BAESystems, the American Museum ofNatural History and the AustralianNuclear Science and TechnologyOrganisation.

They never stop surprising us.

“ON COMING TO THE UNIVERSITY I HADLITTLE IDEA WHAT I WANTED TO DO NEXT,BUT YOU’RE ASSIGNED A PERSONAL TUTORWHO CAN ADVISE YOU ON ALMOSTANYTHING. SPEAKING TO MINE HASHELPED ME REALISE JUST HOW MUCH ICOULD DO WITH THIS DEGREE...”Samantha Price

WORK EXPERIENCEOur Careers Service can help you findwork experience that’s right for you. Thiscould mean vacation work, an internship,a placement or a project.

PHYSICS WITH A YEAR IN INDUSTRYYou can spend a year in industry as partof your course. It’s up to you to find aplacement but we have links withcompanies who might be able to helpand we’ll support you all the way.If you’re interested in this option,contact us for more information.

Physics and AstronomyOur graduates

24

Visit us

UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYSThere are four University open daysevery summer. You can take a tour of thecampus, the accommodation and theStudents’ Union. There are talks aboutall the things that matter to you,including careers, studying abroad andhow to get loans and grants.

Book your place online:

www.sheffield.ac.uk/opendays

PHYSICS OPEN DAYSIf you apply for a place and you’reexpected to meet our entryrequirements we’ll invite you to adepartment open day.

It’s a great chance to get to know thedepartment better. You’ll spend the daywith staff and students. They’ll tell youmore about their courses and theresearch they do.

Physics open days are held betweenNovember and March – you will have achoice of dates and will be called tointerview during your visit.

UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR2011Times Higher Education Awards

A WORLD TOP 100UNIVERSITYQS World University Rankings 2012

THE BESTSTUDENTS’UNION IN THE UKFour years in a row – Times Higher Education Survey

Physics and AstronomyOpen days

25

Top Left: looking across the concourse to the Students’ Union. Mid left: our rooftop telescope. Bottom right: Endcliffe village student accommodation.

Physics and AstronomyOpen days

26

Physics and AstronomyApplying to study with us

How to apply

You must apply throughUCAS between September 1and January 15.Talk to your school orcollege or visit:

www.ucas.com

Our UCAS code is S18 SHEFD.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTSFor an MPhys: AAA at A Level, includingMaths and Physics. Except MPhysChemical Physics: AAB.

For a BSc: AAB at A Level, includingMaths and Physics.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONSWe also accept other qualifications suchas Scottish Highers, Irish LeavingCertificate and InternationalBaccalaureate.For further details and necessarygrades, see our onlineprospectus:

www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate

NO-RISK DOUBLE OFFERIf you accept sheffield as your firstchoice offer on an MPhys course (AAA),but your A Level grades are AAB, you areguaranteed a place on the BSc. You canupgrade to the MPhys at the end of thefirst year if your grades are high enough.

TAKING A GAP YEAR?You’re welcome to defer entry for a year.We won’t treat your application anydifferently. But you must meet all theconditions of our offer by August 31 inthe year you apply.

ANY QUESTIONS?WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

T: +44 (0) 114 222 4632E: PHYSICS.UCAS@SHEFFIELD.AC.UK

Copyright © the University of Sheffield 2013

search "Sheffield Physics"

@UoSPHY

http://goo.gl/6pXwt

Sheffield Physics Online:www.sheffield.ac.uk/physics