School of Chemical and Physical Sciences brochures Physics Astrophysics brochure 2019 | Page 14

14 | 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