School of Chemical and Physical Sciences brochures Physics Astrophysics brochure 2019 | Page 10

10 | 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
Physics External Examiner, 2017
I was extremely impressed to see the data analysis
module in year 3 - which provided some very
interesting and original ideas. It is unusual to see a
module of this kind delivered at a high level in an
undergraduate degree.
“