Physics with Astronomy BSc (Hons)

Bachelor's degree

In Liverpool

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Liverpool

A degree in Physics with Astronomy gives students a wide appreciation of the varied astronomical phenomena in the physical Universe. From the formation, evolution and deaths of stars – involving planetary systems, nucleosynthesis and supernovae – through structure of galaxies to the evolution of the Universe itself, the degree structure introduces the Physics involved in the cosmos. At the end of the second year the week-long field trip to the Teide Observatory in Tenerife introduces students to professional observatories. Offered in conjunction with the Astrophysics Research Institute at Liverpool John Moores University, the three-year Physics and Astronomy degree will equip students with skills relevant for jobs in a wide range of careers, from education, finance and the city to industry. Core physics topics include: Newtonian Dynamics, Wave Phenomena, The Material Universe, Working with Physics, Practical Physics and Maths for Physics, Electromagnetism, Condensed Matter, Quantum and Atomic Physics and Nuclear and Particle Physics. There are modules on Astronomy Fundamentals, Astronomical Techniques, Stellar Astrophysics, Galaxies and Cosmology. The two-metre Aperture Liverpool Telescope sited in the Canaries, which is the largest robotically controlled telescope in the world, will provide you with unique access to observations from a major research facility when you undertake a research project your final year. Department Key Facts Number of first year students70 Year One undergraduates in 2015 Graduate prospects90% of our MPhys and 85% of our BSc students are employed or in further study within six months of graduating (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education 2013/14) National Student Survey91% of our students agree the course is intellectually stimulating (National Student Survey 2015) ...

Facilities

Location

Start date

Liverpool (Merseyside)
See map
Chatham Street, L69 7ZH

Start date

On request

About this course

Entry Requirements A level offerABB Subject requirementsPhysics and Mathematics at A level. BTECApplications considered alongside A levels. Please contact the University for further information. International Baccalaureate33 points that must include 6 points each from Physics and Mathematics at Higher level. Irish Leaving CertificateA1, A1, B1, B1 including Physics and Maths at A1. Scottish Higher/Advanced HigherNot accepted without Advanced Highers in Mathematics and Physics. Advanced Welsh BaccalaureateAccepted...

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Subjects

  • IT Law
  • Credit
  • Basic
  • IT
  • Basic IT training
  • Basic IT
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanics
  • Maths
  • Thermodynamics
  • Astronomy
  • Astrophysics
  • Materials
  • Appreciation
  • Law
  • Project
  • Systems
  • GCSE Mathematics
  • GCSE Physics
  • Skills and Training

Course programme

Module details Programme Year One

The first year starts with a one-week project to familiarise you with the staff and other students. There will be two Maths modules in each of the first two years; these are designed to provide the Mathematical skills required by Physics students.

Compulsory modules
  • Newtonian Dynamics (PHYS101) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 60:40 Aims
    • To introduce the fundamental concepts and principles of classical mechanics at an elementary level.
    • To provide an introduction to the study of fluids.
    • To introduce the use of elementary vector algebra in the context of mechanics.
    Learning Outcomes

    Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the laws of classical mechanics, and understand physical quantities with magnitudes, directions (where applicable), units and uncertainties.

    • understand physical quantities with magnitudes, directions (where applicable), units and uncertainties.
    • apply the laws of mechanics to statics, linear motion, motion in a plane, rotational motion, simple harmonic motion and gravitation.

    Apply the laws of mechanics to unseen situations and solve problems.

    Develop a knowledge and understanding of the analysis of linear and rotational motion.

    ​Develop a knowledge and understanding of the analysis of orbits, gravity, simple harmonic motion and fluid flow.

  • Thermal Physics (PHYS102) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 60:40 Aims

    The module aims to make the student familiar with

    • The concepts of Thermal Physics
    • The zeroth, first and second laws of Thermodynamics
    • Heat engines
    • The kinetic theory of gasses
    • Entropy
    • The equation of state
    • Van der Waals equation
    • States of matter and state changes
    • The basis of statistical mechanics
    Learning Outcomes

    Construct a temperature scale and understand how to calibrate a thermometer with that scale

    ​ Calculate the heat flow into and work done by a system and how that is constrained by the first law of Thermodynamics

    ​Analyse the expected performance of heat engines, heat pumps and refrigerators

    ​ Relate the second law of thermodynamics to the operation of heat engines, particularly the Carnot engine

    ​ Understand the kinetic theory of gases and calculate properties of gases including the heat capacity and mean free path

    ​ Use the theory of equipartition to relate the structure of the molecules to the measured heat capacity

    ​ Calculate the linear and volume thermal expansions of materials

    ​Understand the basis of entropy and relate this to the second law of thermodynamics and calculate entropy changes

    ​ Relate the equation of state for a material to the macroscopic properties of the material

    ​ Understand the PV and PT diagrams for materials and the phase transitions that occur when changing the state variables for materials

    ​Be able to link the microscopic view of a system to its macroscopic state variables
  • Wave Phenomena (PHYS103) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 60:40 Aims
    • To introduce the fundamental concepts and principles of wave phenomena.
    • To highlight the many diverse areas of physics in which an understanding of waves is crucial.
    • To introduce the concepts of interference and diffraction.
    Learning Outcomes

    At the end of the module the student should be able to:

    • Demonstrate an understanding of oscillators.
    • Understand the fundamental principles underlying wave phenomena.
    • Apply those principles to diverse phenomena.
    • Understand wave reflection and transmission, superposition of waves.
    • Solve problems on the behaviour of electromagnetic waves in vacuo and in dielectric materials.
    • Understand linear and circular polarisation.
    • Understand inteference and diffraction effects.
    • Understand lenses and optical instruments.
    • Apply Fourier techniques and understand their link to diffraction patterns.
    • Understand the basic principles of lasers.
  • Foundations of Modern Physics (PHYS104) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 60:40 Aims
    • To introduce the theory of special relativity and its experimental proofs.
    • To carry out calculations using relativity and visualise them.
    • To introduce the concepts and the experimental foundations of quantum theory.
    • To carry out simple calculations related to quantum mechanical problem tasks.
    • To show the impact of relativity and quantum theory on contemporary science and society.
    Learning Outcomes

    An understanding why classical mechanics must have failed to describe the properties of light, the motion of objects with speeds close to the speed of light and the properties of microspopic systems.

    ​A basic knowledge on the experimental and  theoretical concepts which founded modern physics, i.e. that either relativity or quantum theory or both are needed to explain certain phenomena. ​

    ​A  knowledge of the postulates of special relativity. ​

    ​An understanding of the concept of spacetime, of the relativity of length, time and velocity. ​

    An ability to apply the Lorentz transformation and the concept of Lorentz invariance to simple cases​

    ​A n ability to apply the equations of relativistic energy, momentum and rest mass. ​

    ​An understanding of the Doppler effect for light and visualisation of relativistic effects. ​

    ​An ability to solve problems based on special relativity. ​

    ​An understanding why quantum theory is the conceptual framework to understand the microscopic properties of the universe. ​

    ​An understanding of the quantum theory of light and the ability to apply the energy-momentum conservation for light, e.g. photo-electric effect, Compton effect. ​

    ​A n understanding of the structure of atoms and its experimental foundations.

    ​An understanding of Bohr''s theory of the atom and its application to the H-atom including the concept of principal quantum numbers. ​

    ​An understanding of de Broglie waves and their statistical interpretation. ​

    ​An ability to explain the experimental evidence of de Broglie waves with scattering experiments of electrons, X-rays and neutrons. ​

    ​An understanding of the principles of quantum mechanical measurements and Heisenberg''s uncertainty principle. ​

    ​An understanding of the identity principle of microscopic particles and the basic idea of quantum (Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein) statistics. ​

    ​A basic knowledge of contemporary applications of quantum theory and relativity, e.g. nuclear reactor and nuclear fissions, and the impact on our society. ​

  • Working With Physics I (PHYS105) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Whole Session Exam:Coursework weighting 35:65 Aims
    • To develop skills with spreadsheets
    • To develop skills in using computers to perform mathematical calculations
    • To illustrate the insight into physics which can be obtained by exploiting computational software packages
    • To improve science students'' skills in communicating scientific information in appropriate written and oral formats
    • To provide students with a broad introduction to astronomy
    • To describe how telescopes and detectors are used to make observations
    • To explain how observations support our understanding of stars, galaxies, and the Universe as a whole
    • To introduce students to the methods by which astronomers measure the brightness and distance of astronomical objects
    Learning Outcomes

    Ability to use spreadsheets and mathematical packages to calculate and graph mathematical equations.

    Ability to apply mathematical software packages to physics problems

    Ability to communicate more confidently

    Understanding of some of the key factors in successful communication

    ​A basic knowledge of the structure and constituents of the Universe ranging in scale from the Solar System to clusters of galaxies

    Ability to outline the methods which astronomers employ to gather and analyse data

    Understanding of the techniques of measurement of brightness and distance of astronomical objects

    ​Knowledge of the current cosmological model and the evidence supporting it

  • Practical Physics I (PHYS106) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Whole Session Exam:Coursework weighting 0:100 Aims
    • To provide a core of essential introductory laboratory methods which overlap and develop from A-Level
    • To introduce the basis of experimental techniques in physical measurement, the use of computer techniques in analysis, and to provide experience in doing experiments, keeping records and writing reports.
    • To compliment the core physics program with experimental examples of material taught in the lecture courses.
    Learning Outcomes

    At the end of the module the student should have:

    • Experienced the practical nature of physics.
    • Developed an awareness of the importance of accurate experimentation, particularly observation, record keeping.
    • Developed the ability to plan, execute and report on the results of an investigation using appropriate analysis of the data and associated uncertainties
    • Developed the practical and technical skill required for physics experimentation and an appreciation of the importance of a systematic approach to experimental measurement.
    • Developed problem solving skills of a practical nature
    • Developed analytical skills in the analysis of the data
    • Developed communication skills in the presentation of the investigation in a clear and logical manner
    • Developed investgative skills in performing the experiment and extracting information from various sources with which to compare the results
    • Developed the ability to organise their time and meet deadlines
    • Understand the interaction between theory and experiment, in particular the ties to the material presented in the lecture courses.
  • Mathematics for Physicists I (PHYS107) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 70:30 Aims

    To provide a foundation for the mathematics required by physical scientists.

    To assist students in acquiring the skills necessary to use the mathematics developed in the module.

    Learning Outcomes

  • a good working knowledge of differential and integral calculus



  • familiarity with some of the elementary functions common in applied mathematics and science



  • an introductory knowledge of functions of several variables


  • manipulation of complex numbers and use them to solve simple problems involving fractional powers


  • an introductory knowledge of series


  • a good rudimentary knowledge of simple problems involving statistics: binomial and Poisson distributions, mean, standard deviation, standard error of mean
  • Mathematics for Physicists Ii (PHYS108) Level 1 Credit...

Physics with Astronomy BSc (Hons)

Price on request