School of Physics and Astronomy

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Undergraduate Studies

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Contents

Welcome 03

Why The University of Nottingham? 04

Why physics and astronomyat Nottingham? 06

Student profile 08

Careers 09

Physics course structures 10

Physics degree courses 12

Applying for a place 25

Visiting us 26

Contacting us 27

Welcome to theSchool of Physicsand Astronomy

Trent Building, University Park Campus

This is an exciting and challenging time as you embark onchoosing your degree subject and university; it is a choicethat will influence your life, both professional and personal,for many years to come. You will have to weigh up a widevariety of criteria: does the course contain the right sort ofmaterial, presented in an exciting way? Does the universityhave a strong reputation that will impress future employers?What is the social life like and is it a good place to live?Will the campus provide a good working environment?

There is no single correct answer to this diverseset of questions, as each student will havediffering outlooks and priorities.

What we set out to do, partly through thisbooklet but also via the opportunities to visitand meet members of staff at various open daysthroughout the year, is to help you to come upwith the answer that is right for you. We are apopular institution so we are confident that themany facilities provided by our lively city andUniversity will lead to The University of Nottinghamemerging as the first choice for many of you.

If you choose to study for your degree inour School, you will be joining a vibrant,internationally renowned, Nobel Prize-winningcommunity of teaching and research, situated ona green and pleasant campus. We offer a modern,stimulating and dynamic curriculum that providesmany opportunities as you build knowledge andembark upon your professional career. You canbe assured that my academic colleagues, whowill guide your studies, will also be dedicated tosupporting you throughout your time at Nottingham.

I wish you every success in your studies,whichever university you choose.

Professor Richard Bowtell,Head of the School of Physics and Astronomy

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Why The Universityof Nottingham?

Students choose Nottingham for a widevariety of reasons. If it’s academic excellenceyou’re looking for, then Nottingham is theplace for you. Renowned internationallyfor our first-rate teaching and ground-breaking research, Nottingham is respectedworldwide and offers fantastic facilities toensure you make a success of your studies.

In independent teaching assessments, 39 of oursubjects have been awarded ‘excellent’ ratings ofbetween 22 and 24 out of 24, and our scores in thelatest Research Assessment Exercise rankNottingham seventh in the UK in terms of‘research power’.

If you’re interested in great career prospects, thenwe can help with that too. Nottingham is one ofthe top 10 UK universities most often targetedby Britain’s leading graduate employers, and theemployment record of our graduates is one of thebest in the country. We have strong and establishedlinks with businesses across the UK, and offer shortcourses to ensure you develop vital transferableskills. For entrepreneurial students, we providebusiness start-up training to help you gain theskills you need to set up your own businessafter graduation.

We also encourage all students to build a broadrange of outside interests that will appeal toemployers. We have one of the most activeStudents’ Unions in the UK, with over 190 societieswhere you can gain new skills, meet new peopleand even learn a new language.

If you want to broaden your horizons and see theworld, we offer great study abroad opportunities.Nottingham is a global institution with around30,000 students from over 140 countries, andwe have more than 270 partner universities in35 countries. As a result, every Nottinghamundergraduate, no matter what course theychoose, has the opportunity to apply to travelabroad during their time at Nottingham.

For a great social life and an exciting city,Nottingham fits the bill again. Our campuses arebuzzing with life, with organised events, trips andparties taking place throughout the year. For sportsfans, our Athletic Union hosts over 75 clubs andwe offer fantastic facilities for everything fromfootball to bowling. Nottingham itself is a thrivingcosmopolitan city, rich with history and culture, andpacked full of bars, restaurants and nightclubs foryou to take advantage of. With theatres, cinemas(both independent and multiscreen), comedy clubsand a diverse mix of music venues, there is alwaysplenty to keep you entertained.

To help you settle in, we guarantee allundergraduates a place in University-arrangedaccommodation for the first year, provided youfirmly accept your course place and return youraccommodation application form by 1 Augustof the year of entry. Your room will be on orclose to campus and you’ll be able to meet newpeople, make new friends and enjoy universitylife. So why not make your next step Nottingham?

Cornerhouse, Nottingham city centre

“Nottingham is, without doubt, the best city in the country for astudent. Situated in the Midlands, it’s never too far for UK studentsto get home, and being in the middle of the country, you get areally good mix of both southern and northern students along withthe grounded Nottingham locals themselves.”

The Virgin 2008 Alternative Guide to British Universities

Robin Hood statue

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Why physicsand astronomyat Nottingham?

Students have been coming to Nottinghamto learn about physics since the Universitywas founded in 1881. The first professor wasSir Ambrose Fleming, of left- and right-handrule fame, who insisted that good teachingand high-quality original research were tohave equal priority; a balance that we stillstrive to maintain.

The SchoolThe School of Physics and Astronomy is aflourishing member of the Faculty of Science.We are committed to excellence and innovationin teaching, and run one of the most popularundergraduate degree programmes in the country.

We have more than 40 research-active membersof academic staff, all of whom are closely involvedin undergraduate teaching. We also draw on theskills of some 35 support staff who keep thelaboratories running smoothly, maintain theSchool’s computing facilities, and administerthe courses. Our annual undergraduate intaketypically numbers 110 students. This size ofclass allows us to maintain an important balance.The number is small enough for us to knowall of our students as individuals and maintainpersonal contact via regular tutorials andinformal meetings with lecturers – yet it is alsolarge enough to allow us to offer a wide rangeof subject options, so students can tailor theirdegrees to their scientific interests.

Our reputationThe high standard of the School’s teaching hasbeen confirmed by the ‘excellent’ 23/24 gradethat was awarded by a QAA subject review (thesame score attained for physics by both Oxfordand Cambridge). The high quality of our degreesalso means that our teaching programmes areaccredited by the Institute of Physics.

Equally important to a student is the quality ofthe institution’s research. Not only is it vital thatyou are taught by those currently working at theforefront of the subject, you will also want plentyof opportunities to get involved yourself throughprojects, optional modules and summer internships.In the last national Research Assessment Exercise(2008), the School was ranked joint second out of42 physics departments alongside the universitiesof Cambridge and St Andrews. As an indication ofits research excellence, 95 per cent of the School’sresearch was judged to be of international quality,while 25 per cent was categorised as ‘world-leading’, a score achieved by only four physicsdepartments in the country. We are also proudof the international acclaim that came with theaward of the Nobel Prize, in 2003, to one of ourmembers of staff – Professor Sir Peter Mansfield –for his groundbreaking work on magneticresonance imaging (MRI).

Teaching environmentThe School is well equipped with all the facilitiesneeded to provide a modern teaching andlearning environment. Our lecture theatres havebeen refurbished with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. There are specific laboratoriesfor each year group, each supported by a dedicatedteaching technician. The highly interactive natureof the fourth year of the MSci programmesrequires special facilities for the various student-led activities, so we provide a research area andcomputer room specifically for these students.

We have also invested heavily in the teachinglaboratories to provide up-to-date experimentalapparatus and information technology to ensurean environment conducive to learning practicalskills. Familiarity with computer technology isa key skill for the modern physicist, and theSchool supports this with more than 90 open-access PCs exclusively for our students’ use. Youwill be given password access to various softwareand word-processing packages and to internetand email communications; these services canbe accessed throughout the campus, in halls ofresidence and on the available wireless networks.

We have experience in teaching those withdisabilities, such as visual impairment, and ourlecture theatres are fitted with a loop systemfor those with hearing difficulties.

Your tutorYou will be allocated a tutor who will guide yourstudies and take an interest in your academicprogress and personal wellbeing. This begins inthe first year where, together with four otherstudents, you will meet your tutor weekly toreview your work and answer questions on yourlectures. The frequent contact with your tutor alsoprovides a ‘safety net’ to allow us to make surethat you are thriving in the university environment,and to provide guidance in those rare cases whereit proves necessary.

“The facilities are very good – we aretaught in newly refurbished lecturetheatres, which have the very latestAV technology, and the labs are wellequipped with plenty of computers.”

Physics with Medical Physics student

Cosmic Microwave background: NASA/LAMBDA/WMAPMRI

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Careers

Physics is a fundamental subject that servesas a foundation for most areas of science andengineering. Due to their training, physicistsare adaptable and proficient at mathematicsand problem solving. Employers see a physicsgraduate as someone who has demonstratedan ability to work through a demanding courseof study and who has gained a wide varietyof transferable technical skills.

The range of careers enjoyed by our graduates,and their success in finding lucrative positions,are measures of just how many employersappreciate the value of a physics degree.

Approximately 25 per cent of the School’s graduatesgo on to study for a higher degree, either here orelsewhere. About 25 per cent go into science orengineering, 20 per cent enter the financial sector,10 per cent move into management roles, andthe remainder take up a wide variety of careersincluding teaching, law, meteorology and the media.

In the last few years, all of our students whohave sought work after they left the Universityhave had no problems in finding employment.The quality of our graduates attracts the topemployers who are looking for high-flyers andare offering excellent starting salaries.

Student profileKristopher VernonCourse and year of study:MSci Physics(fourth year)Age: 22

“I looked round a number of universities, but I felt particularly welcome at Nottingham’s open day.The campus seemed a lovely place to live and work.

I also chose Nottingham because the School of Physics and Astronomy is highly regarded, and is oneof the few in the country to have won a Nobel Prize in recent years. Lecturers are actively involved inresearch, particularly in areas like magnetic resonance imaging and nanoscience. Someundergraduates don’t consider research to be important but I think it’s a good indicator – if theuniversity’s research is of a high standard, it will attract more money and good lecturers.

Originally, I started on the three-year course but later transferred onto the four-year programme. Itwas only after I started studying here that I realised how well Nottingham has structured the fourthyear. There are no exams – all the assessment is done through coursework and presentations. I knowthat employers look for skills like teamwork and communication, and these are things that the fourthyear helps you to develop. They’ll be useful not only if you go into research, but also if you want towork in industry.

The staff here are very approachable – you can just knock on lecturers’ doors and ask for help.They’re all passionate about what they’re doing and they’re happy to answer your questions.I’ve never struggled to get help with anything.

Outside of the course, I’ve been to social events arranged by the Physics Society and played fortheir football team. My first year in Willoughby Hall was a brilliant experience – halls are a centralhub for arranging events and you get to know people from other courses who you might nototherwise have met.

After I graduate, I’d like to go into finance. I’m keeping my eye out for opportunities at Capital Oneand Experian, both of which have their headquarters in Nottingham.”

Top tip: “Don’t be scared to approach the lecturers for help. Getting to know them will open upopportunities and their passion for their subject will rub off on you.”

“One of the great things aboutstudying here is the diversity ofstudents – from different countriesand cultures. I enjoy learning fromother people and will probably stayon at Nottingham to pursue amasters degree.”

Physics and Philosophy student

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ham.ac.uk/physics Three or four years?

One decision that you will have to make iswhether to opt for a three-year Bachelor ofScience (BSc) degree, or whether to invest theextra time in a four-year Master of Science (MSci)degree. Significantly, the final year of the MSciprogramme here is rather different from manyother universities, in that the emphasis is onstudent-centred learning rather than lectures;assessment is by coursework, with no exams.

The MSci course teaches you a broader range ofhigh-level skills, allowing you to apply and enhanceyour knowledge through project work. In ourexperience, students enjoy and respond well tothis challenge; notably they value the training andexperience when making their job applications.

‘Physics with’ and other ‘joint’ degreesIf you are interested in a particular area of physics,a ‘Physics with’ degree may be for you. Forexample, the Physics with Astronomy degreesallow you to combine the study of physics withastronomy. Similarly, the Physics with MedicalPhysics degrees teach you about applications inthe field of medicine. The Physics with TheoreticalPhysics, and Physics with Theoretical Astrophysicsdegrees explore the more theoretical side of thesubject in greater detail, with correspondingly lessemphasis on experimental work.

If you wish to pursue a European language toa higher level, then the Physics with EuropeanLanguage degrees give you the option to spenda year at universities throughout continentalEurope. An exchange programme in NorthAmerica allows students to spend a year at theUniversity of Toronto. In addition, MSci projectwork can involve overseas travel; we have asuccessful exchange programme with FudanUniversity in which two students visit Chinato carry out their research project.

Don’t worry if you’re not yet sure which ofthese possibilities you would like to pursue.Our programme structure provides a largeamount of flexibility, which will allow youto transfer between courses.

If you wish to combine studies with otherdisciplines, then we offer honours degrees inMathematical Physics (taught jointly with theSchool of Mathematical Science), Chemistry andMolecular Physics (taught jointly with the Schoolof Chemistry), a joint honours degree in Physicsand Philosophy and Natural Sciences. A completeoverview, showing the basic structure of thedegree programme as well as details of theindividual modules, can be found on our website:www.nottingham.ac.uk/physics

“The best thing about my course isthat it allows you to cover a bit ofeverything to see what interests you.”

Physics with Medical Physics student

Physics coursestructures

Course structureMost of the syllabus is delivered betweenSeptember and Easter with the third term afterEaster reserved for revision classes and exams.Typically there are 10 lectures per week and,in addition, your understanding is reinforced byworking through problem sheets and directedreading. In assessing your performance in eachyear, there will typically be four or five two-hourexam papers between May and June. However,the course structure ensures there are formativeassessments throughout the year to help you toguide your studies and to obtain regular feedbackon how you are getting on. With an ‘open door’policy, if there is something you do notunderstand, you are always welcome to goand discuss it with the appropriate memberof academic staff.

In addition, you will spend typically two to threehours per week on tutorials, computing andproblem classes. The practical modules usuallyinvolve working six hours per week in laboratories,where, in addition to traditional experimentaltechniques, we emphasise the importance ofcomputer control in the modern laboratory. To thisend, we teach you to use the industry standardMATLAB software to control a variety ofexperiments. Many students go on to applythese skills in their research-project work.

To allow you to tailor your single honours degreeprogramme to your own interests, you have anaverage of 10 credits each semester where youcan choose what you want to study. You can usethis flexibility to explore aspects of physics thatinterest you in greater depth. We offer a range ofmodule options, including Computational Physics,Atmospheric Physics, Nanoscience, Principlesof Dynamics, Chaos and Non-Linear Physics,Quantum Optics, Semiconductor Devices, ParticlePhysics, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, MedicalPhysics, Biophysics, Medical Imaging, Astronomy,Structure of Stars and Galaxies, Cosmology andExtreme Astrophysics.

However, you are also free to use these creditselsewhere in the University; you might want toimprove your future employability with modulesin a language or business skills, or (subject tocertain pre-requisite skills) you could choose topursue an interest in anything from archaeologyto zoology.

Surface of liquid oxygen in a magnetic field of 17T Supercomputer simulation of the universe: Virgo Consortium

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ham.ac.uk/physics Single honours

MSci PhysicsF303 (MSci 4 years)

The four-year MSci degree allows you to coverphysics in more breadth and depth than is possibleon the conventional BSc degree. At Nottingham,we also place a greater emphasis on transferableskills, which are taught in an innovative ‘student-centred’ manner. To allow students the maximumdegree of flexibility in transferring betweencourses, the first two years of the MSci programmeare the same as the BSc.

In the third year, much of the core materialremains common to both the BSc and MSci,but MSci students also take modules designedspecifically as preparation for the student-centredlearning of the final year. In the fourth year itself,the traditional structure of lectures, private studyand examinations is entirely replaced bycontinuously-assessed team-based activities suchas the preparation of scientific reports, problemsolving, and presentations of advanced physicslectures by the students.

Building on the skills developed in earlier years,the students work together to obtain a detailedunderstanding of the interplay between differentaspects of physics, giving a complete overviewof the subject.

The transferable skills acquired in these student-centred modules (collaborative research, workingto deadlines, making presentations, etc) are highlyprized by employers, giving the MSci graduates amajor advantage in the job market.

The other aspect of the fourth year is a largeproject. The innovative style of this project moduleand the quality of the work produced by thestudents has been highly acclaimed by the externalexaminers. Project sponsors include companies andindustry, local hospitals and research institutionsas well as world-leading research groups in theSchool. Once the student consultants havecharacterised the problem, they set aboutdevising a solution drawing on their extensiveknowledge of physics, seeking advice from thestaff here, and using the resources of the Schoolto implement their proposals. These projects offerthe benefit of allowing our students to apply therange of skills that they have acquired in physicsto a real-world research problem. They alsoallow the students to practise their transferableskills and this means that our graduates are wellprepared for a wide variety of careers, includingthe world of business.

“The course strikes a good balancebetween theoretical lectures andpractical lab work.”

Physics student

Single honoursBSc PhysicsF300 (BSc 3 years)

The BSc Physics degree forms the core of ourteaching programme. Within the three years of thisprogramme, you will learn the fundamentals ofmodern physics, together with the mathematical,practical and computational skills that you will needto fully appreciate the subject. The modules in thefirst year will provide you with knowledge of keyphysical processes, skills in practical physics forcarrying out experiments and the mathematicaltools that you will need to derive the theory thatunderlies the physics.

In subsequent years, you will build on these coreskills to study all aspects of physics includingquantum theory, statistical mechanics, solid statephysics, optics, and electromagnetism. In addition,you will have the option to specialise and takemore advanced modules in aspects of physicsthat particularly interest you.

The practical work involves learning moreadvanced experimental techniques such as thecomputer control of experiments, and applyingthese skills to more sophisticated experiments.In the third year, students undertake a year-longproject on a research topic in an area thatinterests them, and apply the theoretical,computational and experimental techniques thatthey have learned to a problem at the cuttingedge of current physics research.

A unique aspect of the programme is built aroundthe ‘synoptic’ elements that occur throughout thecourse. These bring together the various strandsof physics in order to see how all these topics fittogether. Thus, students develop an overview ofthe whole structure of the current knowledge ofphysics (as well as where there are still large gaps!).Obtaining an understanding of this ‘big picture’is a vital part of the training of any scientist.The synoptic elements make use of a variety ofteaching methods including tutorials, problemclasses and work in small groups.

Trapped quantum particle exhibiting quantum chaos

Physics degreecourses

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Physics degreescourse structure(BSc and MSci)

The BSc degree is three years and the MSciis four years. The inner ring of the diagramrepresents the core modules required bymost physics courses. The outer ring representsthe specialised ‘options’ from which studentscan choose to tailor their degree to their owninterests and strengths.

This diagram gives an overview of the‘typical’ course structure for physics coursesat Nottingham. Generally all courses havethe same core elements. An exception to thisincludes Physics with Theoretical Physicswhere the laboratory components after yearone are replaced by modules in the Methodsof Mathematical Physics.

Students on ‘Physics with’ courses musttake the relevant options that define theirnamed degree.

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F3F5 (BSc 3 years)F3FM (MSci 4 years)

The School offers both BSc and MSci degreesin Physics with Astronomy. Students registeringfor these courses will find very similar coursestructures to those of the corresponding physicsdegrees, as they will receive the core lectures inphysics that are common to all single honoursphysics courses. Additionally, we draw on theexpertise of the School’s internationally knownastronomy research group to teach a numberof specialised astronomy modules. The lecturesare backed up by astronomy tutorial classes,pertinent laboratory work and directed reading.

In the first year of the course, students takea general introduction to astronomy through theFrontiers in Physics module, which assumes noprior knowledge of the subject. It is followed-upin the second year with modules on the Structureof Stars and the Structure of Galaxies. In the thirdyear, students take more advanced modules inCosmology and Extreme Astrophysics, which aredesigned to deepen the physical understandingof the basic concepts, and to provide a thoroughgrounding in most areas of contemporary activityin astronomy.

Also in the third year, students undertake researchprojects designed to give them hands-on experienceof working with astronomical data. The data forthese projects is obtained using either the School’s10-inch computer-controlled optical telescope –the Radio Telescope – or as part of the extensiveastronomy research programme in the School, whichgives access to world-class facilities such as theHubble Space Telescope and the enormous 11-metre diameter Southern African Large Telescope(SALT), of which the University owns a share.

In the fourth year, MSci students take synopticcourses that illustrate the interplay betweenastronomy and other areas of physics, and alsoundertake a larger project within the astronomyresearch group. The structure of the fourth year,with its emphasis on student-centred activity,is very similar to the MSci Physics degree, butfocuses this activity in areas of relevance toastronomy as well as physics.

Many career paths are open to graduates of thesedegrees, not just astronomical research. Astronomygraduates acquire a wide range of skills in imageprocessing and data analysis, particularly in themaintenance, organisation and processing oflarge and complex data sets. For this reason,astronomy graduates are much sought after inthe industrial and financial sectors.

Nanoscience – the study andmanipulation of the fundamentalatomic and molecular building blocksof matter – exploits our understandingof the physics of the ultrasmallto create entirely new structuresand devices.

Physics with NanoscienceF390 (BSc 3 years)F391 (MSci 4 years)

Two innovative degree courses in nanoscience andnanoscale physics are now offered by the Schoolof Physics and Astronomy.

The Nottingham Nanoscience Group isinternationally renowned for its research in areassuch as self-assembly and self-organisation, singlemolecule manipulation, molecular nanostructures,and soft surfaces and interfaces. The Physics withNanoscience courses exploit this expertise toprovide undergraduates with the highest qualityteaching and training, informed by the latestdevelopments in the field.

Both the BSc and MSci courses provide a soundfoundation in physics together with specialisednanoscience modules. Building on a year-oneintroduction to the fundamental physics andchemistry underpinning the interactions of atomsand molecules, year two of the course addressesquestions which are at the very core ofnanoscience. These include:

• How do forces at the nanoscale differ fromthose observed in macroscopic systems?

• What strategies should we use to buildnanoscale/molecular motors and machinery?

• What are the ultimate limits of miniaturisationand what physical and chemical processes canwe harness in the development of nanosensors?

In year three, the manipulation of matter viaself- and directed-assembly will be covered intwo modules: Imaging and Manipulation at theNanoscale, and Self-assembly and Self-organisation.Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) underpinspractically every area of nanoscience, and theuse of SPMs to image, move, and ‘feel’ individualatoms and molecules will be covered in considerabledepth. Self-assembly and self-organisationcomplement the ‘brute force’ pushing, pulling,and sliding of molecules possible with SPMsby harnessing and directing the physical andchemical forces that exist in molecular assemblies.

The third year of the course also involves a majorproject – spanning one semester for those on theMSci course and two semesters for the BSc degree– where students will gain hands-on experienceof experimental, theoretical, or computationalresearch problems in nanoscale physics. Potentialproject areas include: the application of SPMsto the study of molecular nanostructures; patternformation in nanoparticle assemblies; and thedevelopment of computer models to simulateself-assembling nanosystems. Similarly, in thefinal year of the MSci course, students willhave the opportunity to work in a nanoscienceresearch laboratory in the School of Physics andAstronomy or, more importantly, to get involvedin collaborative work with researchers indisciplines other than physics (eg chemistry,pharmacy, or materials science).

Sombrero Galaxy: NASA: STScl Clusters of C60 molecules trapped withina supramolecular network

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Physics withEuropean LanguageF3R9 (BSc 3 years)F3RX (MSci 4 years)

The aim of these courses is to provide a broadand challenging programme in physics togetherwith training in a second European language.The first and second years are very similar to thePhysics BSc degree, but the appropriate languageis also studied in the University Language Centre.The third year is spent abroad, assuming that youhave passed the language examination to anappropriate standard and achieved the requiredphysics average. During the year abroad, youwill study physics in a foreign university in yourchosen language, and all classes and examinationswill be in that language.

As part of our commitment to student support,we maintain frequent contact with students evenduring their year abroad to be sure that everythingis progressing satisfactorily. For the BSc degree,you will only be required to pass this year as aqualifying hurdle to continue into the fourthyear of the course, which will then follow asimilar pattern to the third year of the BScPhysics degree.

For the MSci, the marks will count towards yourdegree classification. You will take a set of physicsmodules chosen in consultation with your homeand host universities to complement thoseavailable here. The fourth-year modules to betaken when you return are then chosen to follow onfrom the topics you studied abroad. At the presenttime, we have on-going integrated courses with:

• Institut National des Sciences Appliquées deToulouse, France

• École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,Switzerland

• Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München,Germany

• Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.

If you are interested in studying a Europeanlanguage not covered by these institutions,we are happy to make the necessary arrangements.

“So far, the course has more thanexceeded my expectations; it coversa broad range of topics fromenvironmental physics to astrophysicsand I just make sure that I turn upand grab every opportunity thatpresents itself.”

Physics and Medical Physics student

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Medical PhysicsF350 (BSc 3 years)F371 (MSci 4 years)

The BSc and MSci Physics with Medical Physicsdegrees give you the opportunity to study themany medical applications of advanced physics.Medical physics modules, taught by staff ofthe School of Physics and Astronomy, aresupplemented by specialist lectures given bysenior practising medical physicists from theadjacent Queen’s Medical Centre (one of Europe’slargest accident and emergency hospitals) andfrom other leading healthcare centres andresearch institutions. Both the MSci and the BScdegrees have the same physics core, common toall the single honours physics courses. They alsocover the basic elements of medical physics andbiophysics in a coherent, interconnected series ofmodules. Experience of hospital physics may begained in practice, together with an insight intomedical physics research.

In the first year there is an introduction to medicalphysics through the Frontiers in Physics module.The subject is developed through more substantialmodules in the second year, which also includeaspects of molecular biology, biotechnology,the physics of the human body, medicalinstrumentation, radiation physics andradiotherapy. In the third year, the accent is onmedical imaging, including magnetic resonanceimaging (MRI) in which the School is a worldleader – our invention of the technique wasrecognised with the award of a Nobel Prize.At this point, the BSc and MSci courses diverge.BSc students undertake a project in the MedicalSchool or the Magnetic Resonance Centre (a £5mresearch annex adjacent to the School of Physicsand Astronomy, which houses the sophisticatedequipment that MRI requires). The MSci degreehas the unique University of Nottingham emphasison student-centred activity, but is firmly basedaround topics of interest to medical physicists.

A variety of career paths are open to graduateswith these degrees, not just medical physics.For example, the course forms an excellent basefor a career in biotechnology, and occupationalor environmental monitoring. Students arefrequently inspired to study for a research degreein this area; research studentships are oftenavailable at the School and many former studentshave built distinguished academic and industrialcareers via this route.

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Physics withTheoretical PhysicsF344 (BSc 3 years)F340 (MSci 4 years)

The BSc and MSci programmes in Physics withTheoretical Physics are based on the commoncore of physics modules, but with no practicalwork after the first year. Instead, students studya set of modules that provide knowledge of awide range of sophisticated theoretical techniquesand applications of these techniques tophysical problems.

In the third year, students carry out a theoreticalresearch project. In addition, students are able tochoose from a range of modules in topics suchas astrophysics, condensed matter physics, andnuclear and particle physics. Students on theMSci course also take a number of modulesthat prepare them for the different style oflearning in the fourth year, including a moduleon communication skills.

The fourth year follows a similar structure tothe MSci Physics degree. The final quarter ofthe year is dedicated to a major project carriedout in small groups. These projects are basedaround topics drawn from the broad range ofleading theoretical physics research undertakenat the School.

Physics withTheoretical AstrophysicsF346 (BSc 3 years)F345 (MSci 4 years)

These degrees follow the same structure as thePhysics with Theoretical Physics programmesdescribed previously. In addition to the coretheoretical physics elements, students of thesedegrees take the astrophysics modules from thePhysics with Astronomy programme.

This combination of material provides students witha thorough grounding in theoretical astrophysics,providing an excellent springboard for thosestudents planning to pursue research in this area,as well as those who have an interest intheoretical astrophysics but are looking to thebroad range of careers available to graduates witha physics degree.

The final-year project work in these degreesallows students to get involved in the cutting-edge theoretical astrophysics research undertakenin the School, which includes both analytic andlarge-scale computational studies of everythingfrom the fluctuations in the microwavebackground radiation to the formation of large-scale structures in the universe.

Mathematical PhysicsF326 (BSc 3 years)F325 (MSci 4 years)

The School of Physics and Astronomy and theSchool of Mathematical Sciences jointly offer BScand MSci programmes of study in MathematicalPhysics. These tailor elements from single honourscourses in physics and mathematics to produce anintegrated programme of study. Transfer betweenthe Mathematical Physics degrees and singlehonours Physics with Theoretical Physics, Physicswith Theoretical Astrophysics or single honoursMathematics is possible during the first year.

In this more mathematical programme, studentsdo not undertake any laboratory work. In thefirst year, students meet for weekly tutorials inboth physics and mathematics. In subsequentyears, there is a regular programme ofsmall-group classes to support the learningactivities. The BSc and MSci degrees are identicalfor the first two years but differ substantially inthe third year.

The BSc programme allows a range of options tobe studied in the final year in addition to corelecture modules and a research project. MScistudents have fewer options but take additionalcore components, including the CommunicationSkills module that is an essential preparation forthe fourth year. During the fourth year of theMSci programme, students participate in a seriesof both traditional lecture modules and modulesthat largely replace formal lecturing with student-centred learning activities, including seminars,projects and dissertations. The aim of thesesynoptic modules is to develop students’ keyskills, such as the ability to research advancedscientific topics and to communicate themeffectively, whilst further developing theirknowledge of theoretical physics. In addition,fourth-year students undertake a theoreticalphysics project.

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Chemistry andMolecular PhysicsFF31 (BSc 3 years)FFH1 (MSci 4 years)

The School of Physics and Astronomy and theSchool of Chemistry have jointly developed theChemistry and Molecular Physics degrees, with astrong emphasis on the interrelationship betweenthe basic disciplines of physics and chemistry.The courses offer a rare opportunity for anintegrated study of molecular and solid statephysics, quantitative aspects of chemistry, and theapplication of modern instrumental techniques;this combination has proved very popular withstudents and employers alike. The physics andchemistry modules make up equal fractions of thecourse, and are underpinned by a supportingmathematical base.

In the first year, courses in physics, chemistryand mathematics are taken in common with otherstudents registered on physical science degreecourses. This allows the maximum of flexibility;a final choice of MSci or BSc, Physics, Chemistryor Chemistry and Molecular Physics can be madeafter the first-year examinations.

The topics covered in the second year includeatomic and molecular spectroscopy, quantummechanics, quantum chemistry and bonding,classical fields, chemical reaction kinetics,physical aspects of organic chemistry, interfaces,electrochemistry and thermodynamics. Laboratorysessions are conducted in both schools to developexperimental skills in physics and chemistry.

In the third year, core lectures are attendedin which the unified theme of chemistry andmolecular physics is developed. You can alsochoose from a range of specialised modules whichcover topical subjects in depth. The practicalcomponents comprise a 10-week laboratoryproject and a major literature review exercise.

The four-year MSci course is designed to coverthe subjects in more breadth and depth than ispossible on the BSc course. We also teach youtransferable skills in communications and problemsolving in innovative ways. A substantial partof the fourth year is spent on an extendedexperimental or theoretical research project.

Physics and PhilosophyFV35 (BSc 3 years)

The close links between physics and philosophygo back at least as far as the ancient Greeks.The novel joint honours Physics and Philosophydegree allows students to explore the richinterplay between these two disciplines.

In the first year, the modules are divided betweenphysics, philosophy and mathematics. The physicsand mathematics modules are similar to thosetaken by the single honours physics students,so that transfer between courses is possible.Because of the inherent diversity of a joint honourscourse, the full range of options offered to singlehonours students is not available to joint honoursstudents – but there is still some flexibility in themodules that students on this degree programmecan take, even in the first year.

In the second and third years, physics andphilosophy modules are taken in parallel; theworkload is equally divided between the twosubjects. The physics component consists of anappropriate selection from the modules that makeup the single honours Physics course, while awide variety of topics is covered in philosophy,with options ranging from formal logic or thephilosophy of science, to Wittgenstein or thephilosophy of law. In order to fit in both subjects,the laboratory element of the programme issignificantly reduced from the single honoursPhysics degree. However, students are still ableto undertake a dissertation-style project in thethird year.

Atomic Force Microscope image of a frozen polymer MRI

“I’m visually impaired but I've foundgetting around campus relativelyeasy. Staff in the School have beenparticularly helpful – the lecturers areconstantly finding new ways of aidingmy learning process.”

BSc Physics and Philosophy student

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Applyingfor a place

UCAS applicationsYou should apply to us through UCAS. Mostapplicants will have studied three or moreA levels (to A2 level) and we require physics andmathematics to be among these (unless youundertake the Science Foundation Programme).Our offer grades will usually be in the region of AABto ABB for the single honours courses. We alsoaccept other qualifications such as European andInternational Baccalaureate, Advanced Highers, IrishLeaving Certificate and US Advanced Placement.We welcome applications from mature candidateswho are offering a range of qualifications such asOpen University credits, Access Diplomas, HNDsand BTEC. All applicants are treated as individualsand are considered equally based on merit.

ScholarshipsThese are cash payments that will not have tobe repaid.

We are pleased to offer Sir Peter MansfieldHigh-Achiever Scholarships to physics applicantswho enter the University with high grades atA level or equivalent qualifications. Applicantswill be informed of the value of these awards atour UCAS visit days. All candidates who meetthe defined criteria will automatically receivean award to assist in financing their studies.

Additionally, The University of Nottingham offersa generous range of bursaries and scholarshipsfor which you may be eligible. It is expected thatapproximately half of the students entering theUniversity will qualify for such an award.

Information on scholarships, bursaries and money-matters can be found atwww.nottingham.ac.uk/financialestimator

Finally, the School of Physics and Astronomyis pleased to offer First-Year Scholarships thatreward hardwork and achievement during thefirst year. Full details will be supplied at theUCAS visit days.

International studentsWe welcome applications from overseas candidates.Each year we offer scholarships to well-qualifiedinternational applicants, and these are worthapproximately £2,500 in each year of study.Please contact us to discuss entrance qualifications,English language requirements etc.

Gap yearWe are happy for students to take a gap yearbefore coming to Nottingham, but it is best toapply for your place first. If you choose to deferwith a gap year, then our advice is:

• Do something useful or interesting in youryear out

• Save up some money

• Keep up with your physics and mathematicsso that restarting is not too great a shock tothe system

Science FoundationProgramme (PhysicsPathway)CFG0 (Foundation 1 year)

The Science Foundation Programme is a one-yearfull-time course for students who have the potentialto succeed in degree-level science subjects but donot, at the time of applying, have the appropriatequalifications for direct year-one entry. The intakerequirement ‘potential to succeed’ is determinedon an individual basis, taking into account previousacademic experience and work-life experience.Candidates will not normally have previouslystudied for A levels in both mathematics andphysics. A physics pathway is defined within thebroader structure of the Science FoundationProgramme, and upon successful completionthere is guaranteed entry to a student’s choiceof physics undergraduate degree at Nottingham.

The objective of the foundation programme is toprovide students with a solid grounding in a rangeof relevant science subjects. All physics pathwaystudents will be required to study 70 credits ofcompulsory core modules in the subjects of physicsand mathematics. Additionally they must select50 credits of modules from a range of specifiedscience and engineering topics. These can includechemistry, biology, computer science, businessmethods, study skills and psychology.

All modules are taught on University Park Campusby academic staff from the main science schoolsand departments. The modes of delivery includelectures, practical work in laboratories and tutorialand self-directed coursework. Modules areassessed through a combination of examinations(approximately 60 per cent) and coursework(approximately 40 per cent).

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Visiting us

UCAS visit daysSuitably qualified candidates will be invited toa UCAS visit day which will include an individualmeeting with an academic member of staff;this is an opportunity to discuss your applicationin person since we place great importance ontreating all candidates as individuals. There will beopportunities to tour the physics and astronomybuildings, the University campus and a hall ofresidence. You will also have the opportunity tomeet and talk to current physics students.

Visiting usIf you wish to visit the School and campus beforeyou make your UCAS application, the Universityorganises annual open days for which we offera full programme of tours around our laboratories,scientific lectures and demonstrations. Please seethe University web page for details or contact usvia the number on the back page of this brochure.

Other visitsOther less formal opportunities to visit ourcampus are available. If you want to look aroundthe School of Physics and Astronomy, then it’simportant that you visit during the week. Pleasecontact us before you visit so that we can makearrangements to show you around the School.

Campus tour daysThe University runs tours of University ParkCampus on some Wednesdays throughoutthe year.

For further information or to book a placeon a campus tour day, please contact the EnquiryCentre on +44 (0)115 951 5559, or emailundergraduate-enquiries@nottingham.ac.uk

Contacting us

Front cover image courtesy of NASA, ESA and theHubble Heritage Team (STScl/AURA). Such galaxyinteractions and galaxy mergers feature amongthe School’s astronomy research projects.

This document is available in large print on request.If you require an alternative format, please discussyour needs with our Disability Officer.

For further information please contact:

Undergraduate Admissions SecretarySchool of Physics and AstronomyThe University of NottinghamUniversity ParkNottinghamNG7 2RDUK

t: +44 (0)115 951 5165f: +44 (0)115 951 5180e: julie.kenney@nottingham.ac.ukw: www.nottingham.ac.uk/physics

For international student enquiries,please contact:

The International Officet: +44 (0)115 951 5247f: +44 (0)115 951 5155e: international-office@nottingham.ac.ukw: www.nottingham.ac.uk/international

For general undergraduateenquiries contact:

The Enquiry CentreKing’s Meadow CampusLenton LaneNottinghamNG7 2NRUK

t: +44 (0)115 951 5559f: +44 (0)115 846 8062e: undergraduate-enquiries@nottingham.ac.ukw: www.nottingham.ac.uk

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