Physics and Astrophysics Undergraduate Programmes for 2020 Entry 2020 Entry | Page 12

12 | PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS Single Honours Physics with Astrophysics First Year Your current studies will have introduced you to some of the central themes of Physics. These are reinforced in your first-year modules, but you will also encounter new concepts and develop new skills and some basic topics in astrophysics are introduced. Mathematics and Computing are taught both within specific modules and as part of the core physics that is studied in parallel. You will learn how to apply your mathematical skills in topics such as calculus, complex numbers, statistics and differential equations to physical problems; Practical laboratory work contains work that both supports your (astro)physics learning but also allows you to apply your IT skills and programming. The semester 2 laboratory is specifically focused on astrophysics. Each week there are 17-18 hours of directly taught classes featuring a mixture of traditional lectures; practical and computational laboratory classes; problem classes and tutorial sessions, in smaller groups, focused on applying material covered in lectures. All these sessions are delivered by members of academic staff. Postgraduate demonstrators provide additional support in labs, tutorials and problem classes. Indicative Year 1 modules are: Semester 1 Semester 1 & 2 Semester 2 Mechanics, Gravity and Relativity gives a calculus-based development of classical mechanics, Kepler’s laws and Newtonian gravitation, and Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity. 2 hours lecture Nature of Matter demonstrates that, while classical physics provides an adequate description of the behaviour of matter under familiar, “everyday” circumstances, a quantum treatment is necessary for a more complete understanding. 2 hours lecture per week Physics Laboratory 3 hours per week Scientific Practice and Scientific Programming provide the core communication, writing, presentation and study skills required by the practising physicist and provide an introduction to the essentials of computational analysis and programming. 2 hours per week + 2 hours practical classes Mathematics for Physics and Applied Mathematics and Statistics cover the fundamental mathematics required in the course – from calculus to complex numbers – and apply this to a variety of physical scenarios, with a mixture of lectures and problem- based learning. 2 hours of lectures + 2 hours of tutorial per week Problem Classes supporting the Physics/Astrophysics modules 2 hours per week per week Oscillations and Waves occur in virtually every branch of Physics, in the form of light and 2 hours lecture sound waves, oscillations of bridges and of atoms in crystals, resonance in mechanical per week systems and electrical circuits, quantum-mechanical waves, etc. Electricity and Magnetism will expand your study of the static and dynamic aspects of electricity, magnetism and their related fields. The transient and steady-state responses of electrical networks are examined in lectures and in laboratory experiments. 2 hours lecture per week Introduction to Astronomy and Stellar Structure surveys the universe and the measurements that are made in order to characterise its contents. You will learn the basics of stellar physics and stellar evolution and about the history of the universe as a whole. 2 hours lecture plus 2 hours practical observing per week Astrophysics Laboratory 3 hours per week keele.ac.uk/physics