Physics and Astrophysics Undergraduate Programmes for 2020 Entry 2020 Entry | Page 8

8 | PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS Single Honours Physics Third Year In your third year you will take core modules in Physics, plus a choice of modules that reflect staff research interests. Single Honours students in Physics have a core of Electromagnetism, a Physics project, a dissertation and a further advanced module in Quantum Mechanics, together with a choice of 4 options. Student demand determines which options, out of the full array listed here, are run in any given academic year. All of the option modules are open to Physics or Astrophysics students. Astrophysics-oriented modules do not assume prior astronomical knowledge but develop their subjects as applications and extensions of the fundamental, core physics covered in years 1 and 2 by all Keele students. Each lecture module (whether core or option) involves 2 hours per week of lectures and in most cases a regular tutorial session. Project work takes roughly 6 hours per week and students might be expected to spend a similar amount of time researching and writing their dissertations. Indicative Year 3 modules are: Core Electromagnetism  Physics Project  Dissertation  Option Atmospheric Physics  Binary Stars and Exoplanets  Cosmology  Data Analysis and Model Testing  Life in the Universe  Particle Physics and Accelerators  Physics of Compact Objects  Physics of Fluids  Plasma Physics  Polymer Physics  Quantum Mechanics II  All Physics students carry out an independent research project, with guidance from academic staff, throughout their third year. The project can be experimental, computational or theoretical in nature. Students can choose from a list of suggested topics, or they may (with staff approval) develop one from scratch that fits their own interests. Projects build on the knowledge base and the experimental, analytical and reporting skills acquired during Years 1 and 2, and they also develop new physics-specific expertise and transferable skills for employment. Single Honours students also write a dissertation on a Physics topic chosen from an extensive list. keele.ac.uk/physics STEVEN WYE (BSC PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY, 2007; PHD PHYSICS, 2011) PHYSICS TEACHING FELLOW AT KEELE “Studying Physics at Keele was challenging and rewarding and prepared me very well for my PhD. The course taught me many aspects of Physics from the quantum and sub-atomic world to the enormous scale and motions of planets and galaxies”.