School of Chemical and Physical Sciences brochures Physics Astrophysics brochure 2019 | Page 13

PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS | 13
Combined Honours Physics Third Year
In your third year you will take core modules in Physics, plus a choice
of several option modules that reflect staff research interests. Students
continuing with both subjects as part of their Combined Honours BSc
degree take a core module in Electromagnetism, do an individual project,
and take two option modules. Students specialising in Physics also
take Electromagnetism and do a project, plus they research and write
a dissertation and take a total of five option modules. 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 any Physics or Astrophysics
student. In particular, Astrophysics-oriented modules do not assume any
prior knowledge of astronomy, but develop their subjects as applications
and extensions of the fundamental, core physics covered at Levels 1 and
2 by all Keele students.
Each lecture module (whether core or option) involves 2 hours per week
of lectures. In many cases, the module lecturer will additionally offer
regular tutorial sessions. Project work takes approximately 6 hours per
week, and the dissertation for students specialising in Physics another
6 hours per week.
Indicative Year 3 modules are:
Continuing with
Two Subjects Specialising in
Physics
Core Core
Option
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.
Connor Martin
(BSc Physics with Mathematics, 2016)
My Physics course at Keele provided
me with answers to the mysterious,
from the weirdness of quantum
mechanics to the vastness of
cosmology. I feel confident and ready
to use the skills I have learned here to
go further, in a postgraduate degree.
“
keele.ac.uk/physics