Physics with Astrophysics BSc

This module explores the physical processes involved in the most extreme environments known in the Universe. Among the objects studied are neutron stars, black holes, supernova explosions, and active galactic nuclei.

This module explores the properties of matter across a wide range of scales, covering nuclear and particle physics, atomic physics, and solid state physics.

The focus will be on key concepts and models essential for understanding behaviour at each scale. You will also learn how quantum and statistical physics methods are applied to determine material properties, from microscopic systems to macroscopic bodies.

Cosmology is the scientific study of the Universe as a whole. It aims to understand what the Universe is made of, and its evolution from the Big Bang until today (and into the future).

You’ll study:

• observational evidence for the Big Bang
• how the expansion of the Universe depends on its contents and geometry
• how the contents of the Universe evolve as it expands and cools
• dark matter and dark energy: observational evidence and the latest theoretical models
• inflation, a proposed period of accelerated expansion in the very early Universe

In the first semester of this module, you'll engage in a series of lectures, workshops, and practical classes. Some sessions will build on the "Discovery" strand from Investigations in Physics I and II, while others will provide training on various computational techniques applied to astrophysics problems relevant to the offered projects. This foundational training will equip you with the skills needed for your upcoming project work.

During the second semester, you'll work in pairs on a computational astrophysics project chosen from a published list. By the end of the module, you'll have successfully used advanced computational techniques and developed a broader knowledge of computational astrophysics, including recent developments from current literature. You'll enhance your independent learning skills and further develop your investigative abilities by designing and conducting a computational study, analysing its results, and drawing critical conclusions. Additionally, you'll write a professional report summarising your background study and project results, preparing you for a career in astrophysics research and development.

You will carry out a project drawn from one of several areas of physics. The project may be experimental or theoretical in nature. Many of the projects reflect the research interests of members of academic staff. You will work in pairs and are expected to produce a plan of work and to identify realistic goals for your project. Each pair has a project supervisor responsible for setting the project. You will also be required to maintain a diary/laboratory notebook throughout.

Occasionally the work from these projects is used in scientific publications, and the students involved are named as authors on those publications.

Depending upon the type of project that you decide to do, you will design and carry out your own experiments, theoretical calculations or computational work and use them to generate what are often new and interesting results. The project culminates in your writing a scientific report which is submitted for assessment along with your laboratory notebook.

This module builds on your knowledge of quantum theory, with a focus on how quantum systems evolve over time. It develops the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics and introduces key physical models and applications, including quantum computing.

The module begins with a review of Dirac notation and its use in formulating quantum problems. It then covers the dynamics of operators and wavefunctions, along with approximate methods for solving time-dependent problems.

Finally, you will be introduced to open quantum systems, quantum systems that interact with their environment, and the mathematical tools used to study them.

This module explores how electrical currents enable communication within the body. You will learn the biological processes in nerve cells that allow electrical signalling, as well as how the ear converts sound and the eye converts light into electrical signals. The module also covers how the heart uses electrical activity to pump blood and how muscles function.

Building on this, you will study how electrical signals from the heart, muscles, and brain can be measured and interpreted through surface recordings. The module also introduces magnetoencephalography (MEG), explaining how tiny magnetic fields generated by electrical currents in the brain can be detected, and the physical design of sensors and specialised rooms required for these measurements.

This module covers the Standard Model of particle physics, detailing the known particles of nature and the theoretical concepts behind them. It introduces natural units, relativistic field equations, and the mathematics of group theory and Lie groups.

Building on this, you will explore the Standard Model's particle content and their interactions through Feynman diagrams. The module will also cover gauge symmetries, applied to the force-carrying particles, as well as discrete symmetries, quantum mixing, and the Higgs mechanism.

This module begins by exploring the techniques for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS). In the first semester, it covers the classical description of MRI, focusing on how images with contrast are generated to assess structure and function in the body for clinical diagnoses.

In the second semester, the module delves deeper into the physics of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and MRI, presenting a quantum description of the technique and examining the clinical applications of MRS. It then shifts to other imaging methods commonly used in hospitals, including ultrasound and optical coherence tomography (OCT). For each technique, you will learn about the transmitters, detectors and safety considerations involved.

Macroscopic matter displays a wide range of phases, from the familiar solids, liquids, and gases to more exotic phases like liquid crystals, superfluid and superconductors. 

In this module, you will learn how these ordered phases are described through broken symmetries, which helps in understanding their properties and phase transitions. You will study various mean-field approaches used to analyse these phases. Finally, you will explore how moving beyond the mean-field approach reveals the emergence of universal critical behaviour.

This module introduces spacetime and gravity, as explained by Einstein's theories of relativity.

You will learn that when velocities approach a significant fraction of the speed of light, spatial distance and elapsed time become relative to the observer. The relativistic laws of mechanics are presented within a unified framework of four-dimensional spacetime, and key implications, such as Einstein's famous equation E=MC2

The module also covers the concept of gravitational effects, which require spacetime to be warped or curved. You will study the relevant mathematics to describe this curvature and its physical effects, using the Schwarzschild solution and the corresponding black hole as a key example.

In this module, you'll explore the physics underlying the optical and electrical properties of semiconductors, their applications in modern technologies, and their prospects. Building on concepts from the Properties of Matter module, you'll delve into the electronic band structure of semiconductors and how it determines their physical properties. You'll learn how semiconductor materials and devices have revolutionised the world, ushering in the Information Age, and how they can address global challenges like climate change.

The module aims to extend your knowledge of solid-state physics and introduce you to the physics of semiconductor materials and devices, with a focus on optoelectronics and renewable energy generation. By the end of the module, you'll have broadened your understanding of the electronic and optical properties of semiconductors, including recent developments in the field. You'll enhance your ability to manage your own learning, access material beyond lectures, and summarise advanced topics, presenting solutions to complex problems effectively.