BSc Physics with Biophysics

PHY1032: Physics of Everyday Life

This module is composed of four different blocks:

(1) Newtonian classical mechanics.

(2) Thermodynamics.

(3) Lagrangian mechanics and special relativity.

(4) The structure of our Universe.

1st block: Our interest in mechanics arises from its general applicability to a vast number of familiar phenomena. This module provides meaningful and easily visualizable problems which allow the development of the skills of problem solving, required in all the fields of physics. It provides the necessary background to later modules that will apply the principles of mechanics to the solution of more complex problems.

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PHY1033: Mathematics Skills

This module covers the fundamental mathematical skills Physics students need during their first year. It includes areas such as differential calculus with single and multiple variables, matrices, solutions of linear ordinary differential equations, vector calculus, complex numbers, vector spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, along with Fourier Series and Transforms are covered, that are used daily by physicists.  Emphasis is placed on the use of mathematical techniques rather than their rigorous proof. All those tools have wide applicability throughout physics. It emphasises problem solving with examples taken from physical sciences.

All physicists must possess a sound grasp of mathematical methods and a good level of 'fluency' in their application. The aim of this module is to provide a firm foundation in the mathematical techniques required in the modules Physics: Newtonian Mechanics, Classical Thermodynamics, Lagrangian Mechanics and Special Relativity, and The Structure of Our Universe as well as in the Stage 1 Laboratory.

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PHY1034: Computational Data Analysis

A knowledge of a computing language and how to write programs to solve physics related problems is a valuable transferable skill. This module teaches the Python programming language, but the principles involved are applicable to almost every procedural programming language. Python is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language that is widely used in commercial and academic environments and for scientific research including high level data analysis work.

The module is taught through a series of lectures and practical sessions based on Jupyter notebooks. You will learn the building blocks of the language, and a logical approach to coding, and use these to create your own programs with physics applications.

You will learn to write clearly structured and documented programs in Python (Jupyter notebooks) and will be able to find and use Python module functionality.

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PHY1035: Experimental Physics

This module provides a broad foundation in experimental physics, upon which practical work in Stage 2 and subsequent years builds. Each week, you will work in small groups to undertake an experiment that has been curated to complement the material being covered in the preceding lectures. Examples of experiments will include studying the kinematics of coupled oscillators and working directly with data from the James Webb space telescope. At the beginning of each practical the module lead will provide a short introduction to the apparatus and the experimental skills that will be used during the practical – the latter will include topics such as how to keep a lab-book, dealing with noise and experimental uncertainty, and numerical approaches to compare theory with experiment.

Experimentation is one of the central activities of a scientist. Experimental observations form the bases for new hypotheses and test scientific theories. In this module, you will learn and apply the experimental method and develop your ability to make reliable measurements and to report them in an effective and ethical manner. Furthermore, you will be encouraged to develop and test your own hypotheses and report on these in a manner directly analogous to a professional scientist.

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PHY1036: Employability and Professional Skills Development

This module will provide the students with the set of personal and professional skills needed in their degree.

This module aims to give students the set of skills they will need in their future career as Physicists, as well as the skills they need to face some of the assessments in the curriculum.

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PHY2029: The Physics of Living Systems

Students are introduced to the basic physical concepts and principles required to understand and study living systems. . The module will cover topics like transport and conduction models, physics of perception, and population modelling.

This module aims give physics students a sound grasp of the interdisciplinary knowledge required to undertake biophysics projects at Stage 3/4.

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PHY2039: From Fields to Quanta

This module is composed of four different blocks:

(1)Classical Electrodynamics

(2)From Light to Quanta

(3)Quantum Mechanics

(4)Condensed Matter

1st block: This module surveys the phenomena associated with electrostatics (charges at rest) and magnetostatics (the magnetic effects associated with steady currents). It introduces and develops the use of the electric and magnetic field vectors and relates them by considering electromagnetic induction at a classical level. The connection between these fields and conventional lumped-circuit parameters R, C and L is also developed. This module relies on, and develops, the students ability to apply vector analysis. Maxwells equations in differential form will be developed systematically, starting from the force between two charged particles, thereby building a firm foundation for the study of more advanced material in PHY3051 Electromagnetism II.

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PHY2040: Mathematics for Physicists

The objective of the current module is to acquire the key mathematical techniques you will need in various core and optional physics modules in stages 2 to 4.

This module aims to enable you to build on the knowledge and skills developed in stage 1 mathematics, in order to achieve a deeper understanding of and greater competence in some central mathematical ideas and techniques used throughout physics.

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PHY2041: Experimental Physics II

Laboratory work is an important part of the process of learning physics where you will apply your knowledge practically. It allows you to deepen your understanding and improve problem solving techniques, and enables you to take an active part in the enquiry into the natural world. This Stage 2 module builds upon the Stage 1 experimental physics module introducing more advanced techniques and equipment, with more detailed and often open-ended experiments that require your active engagement. The experiments complement lecture material of the Term 1 and 2 modules. A number of experimental topics aim to extend your overall vision of physics and your ability to define and solve problems independently. In addition, the module aims to develop a wide range of experimental skills, as well as careful record keeping, critical interpretation of data and their presentation in reports and talks.

Experimentation is one of the central activities of a scientist. Experimental observations form the bases for new hypotheses and test scientific theories. In this module, you will learn and apply the experimental method and develop your ability to make reliable measurements and to report them in an effective and ethical manner. Furthermore, you will be encouraged to develop and test your own hypotheses and report on these in a manner directly analogous to a professional scientist.

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PHY2042: Employability and Skills Development II

This module will provide the students with the set of personal and professional skills needed in their degree.

This module aims to give students the set of skills they will need in their future career as Physicists, as well as the skills they need to face some of the assessments in the curriculum.

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PHY3221: Study Abroad Options

This module consists of the courses taken by a Study Abroad student in their year abroad. At least half of the credits must be for physics courses, with the remainder being referred to as electives. Physics and elective courses at study abroad host institutions must be approved by the Stage 3 Study Abroad Co-ordinator. Physics courses should normally be at RQF Level 6 or above while not substantially overlapping modules that have already been taken as part of the degree. They must comprise learning within the domain conventionally known as 'Physics', but within this constraint students are encouraged to select courses that draw on the specialisms available in their host institution and/or that will broaden their education. Elective courses should normally be at RQF Level 5 or above while not substantially overlapping modules that have already been taken as part of the degree. Students are encouraged to select electives that are characteristic of the culture of the host country and/or that will broaden their education.

Physics courses within the Study Abroad programmes aim to enable the student to develop their understanding physics and of the educational system and culture of the host country and institution. Elective courses within the Study Abroad programmes are intended to enable the student to develop their understanding of the educational system and culture of the host country and institution.

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PHY3308: Professional Placement

This module gives the student direct experience of undertaking a research project in a in a non-university professional environment, normally an industrial or government laboratory. The project topic will usually be physics-based but in some cases may involve the application of physics-related skills (e.g., mathematical modelling) to another field.

This module aims to give students first-hand experience of the commercial/industrial scientific working environment and its various pressures, including financial and managerial, and practices of the commercial environment. This will enhance the employability of the students, and motivate them to seek employment in roles where they are able apply physics and physics-related skills to economically important practical problems.

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PHY3052: Nuclear and High Energy Particle Physics

This module is an introduction to nuclear and particle physics delivered as a series of lectures and integrated self-study packs presenting topics as a series of keynote areas forming the foundations of the subject. This is a core module for all Physics programmes and is supported by Stage 3 tutorials and problems classes.

Investigations of the atomic nucleus and, of the fundamental forces that determine nuclear structure, offer fascinating insights into the nature of the physical world. The tools for probing these systems are high-energy particle accelerators and, more recently, colliding-beam systems. This module, aims to give students a broad overview of the subject matter, and encouragement to seek further information.

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PHY3061: The Biophysics of Cells and Tissues

The physical properties of tissues and their constituent cells and biomolecules are central to their biological functions. Physical processes are also vital to normal growth and development and diseases, ranging from arthritis to cancer, may be related to failures in these processes. This module describes the fundamental physical properties of biomolecules, cells and tissues and introduces some of the biophysical and biomechanical challenges in understanding the behaviour of normal tissues and their failures in disease.

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PHY3071: Soft Matter

This module will discuss important approaches for describing and understanding the behaviour and interactions in soft matter systems. In particular, topics explored in this module will include electrostatic and other interactions in solutions, random walks, conformation of (bio)polymers, diffusion processes, mechanics of soft membranes and hydrodynamic interactions in liquid films. In addition, it will introduce important experimental methods used to study soft matter systems and will discuss their theoretical bases.

Pre-requisite modules: PHY1021, PHY1024, PHY2021, PHY2023 and PHY2025 or equivalent modules.

The module will offer insights into the complex and fascinating physics of various systems generally known as soft matter. It aims to develop students understanding of the physical principles, interactions and processes governing the behaviour of such systems and provide the necessary tools for quantitative description of their behaviour.

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PHY3072: Physics Project

This module comprises two one-term projects, which may be theoretical or experimental, and are normally undertaken in a pair. These projects are open-ended. Although normally inspired by research in the Department, students may propose their own topics for investigation. Students will produce a formal written scientific report of their first project, and will collaborate to make a poster presentation of their second project.

Project work not only gives students the opportunity to carry out research or a detailed investigation into a specific area of experimental or theoretical physics but it also requires them to develop and apply analytical and problem-solving skills in a context where they won't be told the 'right' answer but must discover, and validate it themselves. This may involve devising explanations or solutions, use of the library, computer, and other resources, working in small groups, and in the presentation and communication of their work, in both written and oral form.

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PHY3073: States of Matter

This module builds upon the stage 1 Thermal Physics content taken by students at Stage 1. It emphasises four aspects of statistical physics by applying them to a number of physical systems in equilibrium. Firstly, it is shown that a knowledge of the thermodynamic state depends upon an enumeration of the accessible quantum states of a physical system; secondly, that statistical quantities such as the partition function can be found directly from these states; thirdly, that thermodynamic observables can be related to the partition function, and fourthly, that the theoretical results relate to experimental observations.

This module aims to give students an understanding of how the time-symmetric laws of quantum mechanics obeyed by all systems can be linked, through a chain of statistical and thermodynamic reasoning, to the (apparently time-asymmetric) natural processes occurring in macroscopic systems. It also furnishes the theoretical background in statistical mechanics that can be drawn on in other modules e.g. PHYM003 Condensed Matter II.

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PHY3074: Employability and Professional Skills Development III

This module will provide you with the set of personal and professional skills needed in your degree and in your future career as Physicts.

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PHY3051: Electromagnetism II

This is the second electromagnetism module taken by Physics students. It builds on PHY2021 (Electromagnetism I) and covers fundamental physics that you are capable of directly observing. The module aims to develop your understanding of Maxwell's equations and their applications including some advanced topics. It provides a brief recap and reinforces the difficult material treated at the end of PHY2021. The Maxwell equations are stated and manipulated to obtain the wave equation, and the form of the solutions discussed. The dielectric and magnetic properties of solids are introduced, with emphasis on the frequency dependence of their real and imaginary components, and the consequences for wave propagation. Wave propagation at interfaces between dissimilar materials is considered, leading to derivation of Fresnel reflection and transmission coefficients. The need to guide electromagnetic waves of different frequency is discussed, and guiding by transmission lines, waveguides and optical fibres is introduced. The electromagnetic fields generated by moving charges are discussed. A number of interesting physical phenomena are considered that are important in a wide variety of areas and in many key technologies. This is a core subject for Physics programmes and is supported by Stage 3 tutorials.

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PHY3062: Methods of Theoretical Physics

The mathematical techniques presented relate directly to the advanced modules at Stages 3 and 4 of Physics programmes, and also have wide applicability across the mathematical sciences. Practical skills are emphasised, rather than formal proofs.

This module aims to develop a deeper understanding of, and greater competence in using, some of the important mathematical methods and techniques of theoretical physics not covered in PHY2025.

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PHY3064: Nanostructures and Graphene Science

In this module students work in groups to prepare presentations for the whole class and follow this by working individually on their own reports, which comprise the majority of the assessed components. The fundamental physics learned in previous core modules on quantum mechanics, solid-state and statistical physics, is used as a basis to describe and explain the operation of devices that exploit both quantum phenomena and the unique characteristics of graphene. As well as demonstrating the application of physics to technology, the module also provides a grounding that will be useful for careers in the electronics and photonics industries.

Our ability to transmit, process, and store information now depends upon the quantum properties of matter and radiation and in some cases may exploit the properties of single quanta. In addition to their potential applications, quantum phenomena continue to provide new ways of probing our understanding of the world and allow us to explore the new physics of nanostructures and nanomaterials, such as graphene.

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PHY3066: Galaxies and High Energy Astrophysics

This module applies the two main techniques of astronomy - astronomical observations and theoretical modelling - in order to understand galaxies in the Universe, including the Milky Way, and their physical processes. These systems are studied at a more advanced level than in PHY2030 and the module complements PHY3063 Stars, which covers the small-scale universe (e.g. stellar astrophysics).

This module aims to develop an understanding of the physics of galaxies, their constituents, and their evolution over cosmological time. The fascination that these objects hold is due in part to the challenge of extracting information from objects so faint and distant, and in part to the exotic physics of dark matter, black holes, non-Newtonian gravity, quasars and the expansion of the Universe. By the end of this module, students should be able to digest galaxy-related material on the web and in the popular scientific press, and begin to engage with the astrophysics literature, as a means of updating their knowledge in this fast-moving field. This module also provides the student with a practical primer in the radiation processes fundamental to astronomical observations.

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PHY3068: Principles of Theoretical Physics

This module reviews the most important concepts of theoretical physics, in particular: the action, symmetries, and conservation laws. It shows how they help physicists to think about seemingly disconnected topics, ranging from mechanics to quantum field theory. The module is recommended as an option for students who wish to specialise in theoretical physics, and who are intending to take level 7 theory option(s), such as PHYM013 Quantum Many-Body Theory. The topics covered will be also of interest to the students who want to understand the language of theoretical physics without making it their field of research.

Pre-requisite modules :  PHY2022 AND EITHER PHY3051 OR PHY3055 OR equivalent modules.

Theoretical physics aims to organise our knowledge about the physical world using a compact set of principles that are expressed mathematically.

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PHY3070: Stars from Birth to Death

The study of stellar systems encompasses a wide range of physics, including gravitation, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics. This module takes these fundamental physical concepts, learned in the core modules, and uses them to derive the properties of stars. The basic internal structure of stars is described in the first sections, while later sections deal with the ageing and death of both high- and low-mass objects. The final sections describe how stars form.

This module aims to develop familiarity with topics at the forefront of current astrophysical research, such as star formation and a detailed understanding of the physics that govern stellar structure and evolution.

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PHY3075: Introduction to Quantum Technology

This module starts by investigating the most successful platforms that are employed in existing quantum computers, focussing on their strengths and weaknesses, and pointing out the factors that must be improved to reach fault tolerance. The module will proceed to explore the main quantum algorithms and their implementations in real devices. Challenges and solutions, such as noise and quantum error correction codes, will complete the overview about the developments and (near) future of quantum computing. This module assumes notions of the mathematical formulation of quantum theory, that will be expanded to analyse the topical applications encountered.

This module aims at (1) developing all tools that are required to understand the latest results in the field of quantum computing. And (2), giving a specialized overview of the field: where it comes from, what is happening today, and which direction(s) will be taken in the near future.

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PHY3220: Fluid Dynamics in Physics and Astronomy

Many systems of both everyday and astrophysical importance can be studied using the equations and concepts of fluid dynamics.  The cup of coffee you drink in the morning, the waves you see at the beach, the blood pumping through your body -- but also the interiors of stars and planets, and the disks in which they form – are all governed by some version of these equations.

In this module, you will learn the fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics and apply them to a variety of problems in physics, everyday life, and astronomy. You will learn how to solve the Navier-Stokes equations (which govern the flow) in simple cases, and how to describe some aspects of fluid dynamical phenomena even in cases where no analytical solution is possible.

Pre-requisite modules: PHY1022, PHY1031, PHY2025, PHY2023 and PHY2021 or equivalent modules.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the basic concepts of fluid dynamics, and practice in using these to solve problems of interest.  It also aims to highlight some of the many important applications of fluid dynamics in physics and astronomy, and to develop some physical intuition for the many problems in which no complete solution for the flow can be obtained.

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PHY3222: Energy, Materials and Sustainability

This module will allow you to develop a critical, scientific, and pragmatic understanding of the role energy and materials can play in building a sustainable future. The module will emphasise the relationship human activity has with our only finite resource, the Earth . The environmental and societal impacts of acquiring energy and primary resources required to survive as a species will be explored. We will discuss the costs and limitations of manufacturing using more sustainable materials on a planet with finite resources. You will gain a strong background in renewable energy generation and new materials to help build a sustainable future.

This module will provide you with:

• A global perspective of our total energy and resource needs now and in the future.
• An overview of established energy sources.
• An overview of renewable energy sources including photovoltaics, wind, and wave power
• An overview of how these more sustainable technologies can help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and the environmental implications of the move to renewable energy sources.

In addition, the module will enable you to:

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