Undergraduate Prospectus 2020 Keele Undergraduate Propsectus 2020 | Page 250

260 | Physics and Astrophysics
Physics with Astrophysics
BSc (Hons)
Why study this course?
Physics and Astrophysics at Keele is consistently rated highly in the National
Student Survey - No. 1 for Physics and Astronomy in 2016 and 2017. The course
features high levels of contact time with academic staff engaged in world-leading
astrophysics research and an excellent staff/student ratio.
Astrophysicists seek to understand the universe, from its smallest
constituents to the largest possible scales. The language of the universe
is physics and mathematics; Physics with Astrophysics students study
these, along with computational and statistical techniques, and apply
their skills to tackling problems as diverse as stellar interiors, galaxies,
black holes and the evolution of the universe itself. You will gain an
understanding of the fundamentals of physics and the essential ability
to plan investigations, analyse results and present your work.
Regular laboratory sessions, including access to our on-campus
observatory, enable you to investigate unfamiliar phenomena and develop
valuable transferable skills such as scientific writing and programming.
We operate an open-door policy giving excellent and flexible access to
staff in seeking advice and feedback. Our Single Honours programme
builds upon, and then goes beyond, the core topics defined by the UK
Institute of Physics to provide breadth of study, modules informed by
the international research of our astrophysics staff, with additional
emphasis on mathematics and computing as tools for (astro)physical
problem-solving.
What will this mean for my future?
A Physics with Astrophysics degree from Keele will prepare you for many
different careers. Employers value numerate, versatile graduates who can
analyse, investigate and communicate. You could take up roles as a research
scientist, medical physicist or enter the space, telecommunications
or nuclear industries. Or instead, you may find employment that is not
directly related to physics or astrophysics, such as a science writer,
chartered accountant or IT consultant.
Single Honours Physics with Astrophysics is also ideal preparation for
further study; many of our graduates go on to (astro)physics-related
master’s degrees or perform research at a doctoral level.
INDICATIVE MODULES
First Year
• Mechanics Gravity & Relativity
• Introduction to Astronomy &
Stellar Structure
• Electricity & Magnetism
• Scientific Practice
• Applied Mathematics & Statistics
Second Year
• Galaxies
• Quantum Mechanics
• Applied Physics & Emerging
Technologies
• Stellar Astrophysics
• Mathematical Physics
Third Year
• Electromagnetism
• Astrophysics Project
• Cosmology
• Astrophysics Dissertation
Plus 4 options from
• Quantum Mechanics II
• Life in the Universe
• Particle Physics & Accelerators
• Polymer Physics
• Physics of Compact Objects
• Physics of Fluids
• Plasma Physics
• Atmospheric Physics
KEY INFORMATION
UCAS Code - F301
Foundation Year
Yes
Indicative entry
requirements
Single Honours
A level: BBB-ABC
BTEC: DDD
Course duration
3 years or 4 years
with an international
year
Study abroad
Yes
International Year
Yes
Learn a Language
Yes
For further information on entry requirements please visit keele.ac.uk/entryrequirements