Physics with Radiation Protection BSc (Hons)

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 the first year and one in the second year. 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.
• 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






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• an introductory knowledge of functions of several variables




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




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• an introductory knowledge of series




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• 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 level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 70:30 Aims
  • To consolidate and extend the understanding of mathematics required for the physical sciences.
  • To develop the student’s ability to apply the mathematical techniques developed in the module to the understanding of physical problems.
  Learning Outcomes Ability to manipulate matrices with confidence and use matrix methods to solve simultaneous linear equations.

  ​ Familiarity with methods for solving first and second order differential equations in one variable.

  ​ A basic knowledge of vector algebra.

  A basic understanding of Fourier series and transforms.
  

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  ​A basic understanding of series methods for the solution of differential equations

Programme Year Two

In Year Two you will broaden your understanding of Physics and Radiation Protection, with modules designed to ensure you have mastered the full range of Physics concepts.

Compulsory modules

• Electromagnetism (PHYS201) Level 2 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 70:30 Aims
  • To introduce the fundamental concepts and principles of electrostatics, magnetostatics, electromagnetism and Maxwell''s equations, and electromagnetic waves.
  • To introduce differential vector analysis in the context of electromagnetism.
  • To introduce circuit principles and analysis (EMF, Ohm''s law, Kirchhoff''s rules, RC and RLC circuits)
  • To introduce the formulation fo Maxwell''s equations in the presence of dielectric and magnetic materials.
  • To develop the ability of students to apply Maxwell''s equations to simple problems involving dielectric and magnetic materials.
  • To develop the concepts of field theories in Physics using electromagnetism as an example.
  • To introduce light as an electromagnetic wave.
  Learning Outcomes

  ​ Demonstrate a good knowledge of the laws of electromagnetism and an understanding of the practical meaning of Maxwell''s equations in integral and differential forms.

  ​A pply differential vector analysis to electromagnetism.

  ​D emonstrate simple knowledge and understanding of how the presence of matter affects electrostatics and magnetostatics, and the ability to solve simple problems in these situations.

  ​D emonstrate knowledge and understanding of how the laws are altered in the case of non-static electric and magnetic fields and the ability to solve simple problems in these situations.

• Condensed Matter Physics (PHYS202) Level 2 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 70:30 Aims

  The aims of Phys202 are to introduce the most important and basic concepts in condensed matter physics relating to the different materials we commonly see in the world around us. Condensed matter physics is one of the most active areas of research in modern physics, whose scope is extremely broad. The ultimate aim of this course is to introduce its central ideas and methodology to the students.

  Condensed matter refers to both liquids and solids and all kinds of other forms of matter in between those two extremes, generally known as “soft matter". While the course will touch on liquids, the emphasis will be on crystalline solids, including some nano-materials. The reason for focusing on crystals is that the periodicity of a crystal is what allows us to make progress in developing a theory for various phenomena in solids based on first principles. Two important concepts are:

  • the electronic states of electrons in a solid and

  • the vibrations of atoms in the solid.

  The description of these ideas basically refer to the theory of electronic band structure and the theory of phonons. These concepts form the basis for understanding a wide range of phenomena including how the atoms bond together to form the crystal, what are some basic statistical properties like specific heat, how electrons move in solids and electronic transport, why are some materials metals and others semiconductors and insulators, and how do solids interact with electromagnetic fields. The course will also introduce optical and magnetic properties in solids, scattering phenomena, thermal conductivity and effect of defects in solids, semiconductors, magnetism and go beyond the free electron model to touch on intriguing effects such as superconductivity.

  Learning Outcomes