School of Chemical and Physical Sciences brochures Physics Astrophysics brochure 2019 | Page 17

PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS | 17
Combined Honours Astrophysics First Year
Your current studies will give you a basic introduction to some of the central themes of Physics. These are
reinforced and developed by some of the first-year modules. You will also meet several new concepts and
cover some basic introductory topics in Astrophysics.
Essential mathematics and computing are taught within the course,
so prior study of them at A-level is, while beneficial, not a requirement.
Approximately 20% of lectures (and assessment) in the first-year
modules are devoted to maths, beginning with differentiation and
working through to multivariable calculus, with an emphasis on Physics
applications. Practical labs contain work to develop computer and IT
skills, including basic programming.
Each week there are four 1-hour lectures in Physics and Astrophysics,
plus one 3-hour laboratory class, one 1-hour tutorial in mathematical
methods, and one 2-hour problem class in which you apply the material
covered in lectures. All of these are led and delivered by members of
the academic staff, and postgraduate demonstrators provide additional
support for the 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
Mathematics for Physics (lectures and tutorials) 2 hours per week
Problem Classes supporting 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 Stellar Structure will expand your study of the static and dynamic
aspects of electricity, and provide an introduction to the physics of stellar structure
and evolution. 2 hours lecture
per week
Astrophysics Laboratory (including computing) 3 hours per week
keele.ac.uk/physics