Applied Physics
BSc (Hons)

Practical Physics: Experimental Techniques, Data Measurement and Analysis (Core)

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of experimental work in physics, including keeping adequate records and writing experimental reports. It illustrates selected parts of the Level 4 syllabus via experimental investigations, as well as the determination of fundamental physical constants and metrology. It will also introduce you to experimental techniques via visits to research laboratories.

Particles, Waves and Quanta (Core)

This module will introduce you to the fundamental wave and particle properties, the laws of classical mechanics, kinematics and statics, special relativity, and the foundations of quantum mechanics.

Electricity and Magnetism Electronics (Core)

This module will introduce you to the fundamental principles of electric and magnetic fields, magnetic materials, current electricity, simple AC circuits and their analysis, and the fundamental circuit elements of analogue and digital electric circuits. It will also provide a brief introduction to a range of basic optoelectronic devices and their uses.

Heat and Thermodynamics Matter and Materials (Core)

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of thermodynamics up to the second law and to the properties of aggregates of particles as gases, solids and liquids.

Mathematical Methods 1: Computing (Core)

This module will introduce you to algebra, trigonometry, vectors, series, complex numbers, and calculus with emphasis on the application to descriptions in physics and the modelling and analysis of physical processes.

You will learn statistics with particular reference to the handling of data and the use of computer programming via R package for statistics analysis, and Octave for data analysis, handling and plotting.

Environmental Physics and Nanotechnology (Core)

This module will introduce you to the greenhouse effect and the factors contributing to it, to the physics of global warming, to energy resources, and to the features of environmental monitoring with particular reference to remote sensing. It also provides you with an introduction to nanotechnology.

Practical Physics: Instrumentation and Monitoring, Effects and Techniques (Core)

This module aims to support you in developing good experimental skills, appropriate knowledge acquisition and analytical technique, and teamwork skills within the context of the set experiments.

You will build upon what you learnt in Practical Physics: Experimental Techniques, Data Measurement and Analysis to gain a detailed understanding of a range of experimental techniques, the context in which they may be employed and the characteristics of experimental design, including the importance of health and safety.

Atomic and Nuclear Physics (Core)

This module will introduce you to the fundamental properties of atoms and nuclei, and you will learn how individual quantum numbers arise in the treatment of the hydrogen atom and the extension to hydrogen-like systems. You will also explore nuclear size, mass and decay modes.

Electromagnetism Electronics, Metrology and Standards (Core)

You will learn how to apply differential vector calculus in the context of electromagnetism and Maxwell’s equations, and to analyse the features of a range of AC bridges and their use.

This module also introduces the main features of a number of analogue and digital circuits and explores their utility with particular reference to signal conditioning, and the establishment of standards and metrology.

Solid State Physics (Core)

This module aims to establish a foundation in basic crystallography and to introduce the main features of the phonon and electron description of solids. You will also learn the main features of geometrical optics and interferometry, lasers and electro-optic devices.

Mathematical Methods 2: Advanced Computing and Statistical Mechanics (Core)

This module introduces you to coordinate geometry, advanced vector calculus, matrix algebra, and advanced methods to solve differential equations. You will also learn the fundamental concepts of statistical mechanics and advanced programming using Octave and Python.

Biomechanics and Medical Physics (Optional)

You will gain an understanding of the fundamental experimental aspects of biomechanics, and radiation and imaging aspects of medical physics. The module will deepen your knowledge of how to apply classical mechanics to the study of the structure and function of biological systems, such as humans, and the ability to process and analyse biomechanical data. You will gain knowledge and understanding of the uses and effects of radiation in medical physics and of the fundamental principles of medical imaging.

Experience and Employment in Education (Optional)

This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to experience the workplace and to develop skills and knowledge in a relevant discipline. The module will help prepare you for the workplace by raising awareness of workplace issues within the education sector, encouraging you to reflect on the development of your professional practice.

It will also help you to define and then develop the specific work-related skills that you need in order to become more employable. You will be encouraged to share experience in order to encourage learning and to help you articulate your strengths.

Experience and Employment in Business (Optional)

This module will give you the opportunity to analyse and reflect on your own core competencies, personal qualities and areas for development using in-depth psychometric testing. Having undertaken these tests, you will identify and explore key areas for development within the context of your future career aspirations.

The module incorporates a period of work experience which will enable you to focus on both the practical application and development of your key skills, whilst simultaneously exploring and defining the corporate culture of your workplace to enable you to define your own cultural fit. The combination of psychometric testing, reflection and analysis of the workplace will culminate in the production of a focussed career action plan.

Experience and Employment in Sport (Optional)

This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to experience the workplace and to develop skills and knowledge in relation to working within the sport sector.

The module will help prepare you for the workplace by raising awareness of workplace issues, and encouraging you to reflect on your own personal and professional development. It will also help you to define and then develop the specific work-related skills that you need in order to become more employable in a sporting field. You will be encouraged to share experience in order to encourage learning and to help you articulate your strengths.

Research Project (Core)

The module will allow you to make an in-depth study of a specific area within the area of applied physics. It is designed to develop your knowledge and critical understanding of your selected topic.

Mathematical Methods 3: Special and General Relativity (Core)

The module aims to develop an understanding of integral transforms, perturbation theory, complex analysis, as well as of the main features of Einstein’s special and general theory of relativity and its role in an understanding of cosmology.

You will also develop an understanding of the four vector formalism and its application in relativistic kinematics, and relativistic dynamics.

Solid State Physics: Low Temperature Physics (Core)

The module introduces you to the concept of density of states and its relation to boundary conditions. It also aims to develop your understanding of the band theory of electrons in solids and to describe the band structure of semiconductors.

You will develop an understanding of the magnetic properties of materials and the dynamic effects associated with spin angular momentum of nuclei and electrons with particular reference to NMR and ESR. You will also explore physics at very low temperatures including the phenomena of superfluidity and superconductivity, and of the principal techniques in the production and maintenance of high vacuum.

Nanotechnology and Nanodevice Physics (Optional)

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the techniques of measurement and manipulation (atomic force microscopy and scanning tunnelling microscopy) of materials at the nanoscale and to explore in more detail the properties and uses of selected materials (carbon nanotubes and metallic nanoparticles).

Medical Physics (Optional)

You will develop an understanding of medical imaging and ultrasound and their use for diagnostics and therapy. You will also explore radiology, radiation monitoring, dose, nuclear medicine, NMR, measurement of bioelectricity and biomagnetism, SQUID measurements of brain activity, and magnetic delivery of drugs.

Space Physics (Optional)

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of astrophysics and cosmology (nuclear reactions within stars, stellar evolution, black holes, dark matter and dark energy), satellites and probes (detectors, instruments, materials), and launch, payload and recovery of satellites.

3D Manufacturing (Optional)

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the principles of 3D manufacturing including solid freeform and additive techniques (3D printing) and its applications in engineering (constructions and archaeology), biophysics (tissue engineering), and electronics (3D integrated circuit construction).