Studying Physics at Salford

Prof Ian Morrison

Head of Physics

School of Sciences, Engineering and the Environment

Programme

• Overview of Physics Programmes

• Laboratory Work

• Computing and Mathematics

• Undergraduate Projects

• The Physics Society

• Careers and Employability

BSc programmes (three or four years)

• Physics

• Physics with Acoustics

• Pure and Applied Physics

• Physics with a Foundation Year

MPhys programmes (four years)

• Physics

• Physics with Acoustics

• Physics with Studies in North America

All our Physics degrees are fully accredited by the Institute of Physics

• 3rd Year – you can spend a year at the University of Toledo• Salford - Toledo Exchange running since 1994• Approx. 20% fee UK fee charged during year abroad• Some assistance from Student Loan Company (flights)• Ritter Observatory• Opportunities for summer internships (photovoltaics – medical physics)• Transfer onto this course option is possible in your 2nd year

MPhys Physics with Studies in North America

The Physics Degree

PHYSICS

Mechanics

Particle

Physics

Relativity

Nuclear

Physics

Thermal

Physics

Astrophysics

Quantum

Physics

Gravitation

Waves

Optics

Condensed

Matter

Magnetism

• Lectures

• Tutorials

• Problem-solving classes

• Practical laboratories

• Electronics

• Computing

Laboratories

• Group projects

• Placement year

• Final year project

• Problem-solving skills

• Practical skills

• Computing and IT skills

• Presentation skills

The First Year

Mathematics for PhysicsFundamentals

of Physics

A

Mechanics

Relativity

Nuclear Physics

Particle Physics

Fundamentals

of Physics

B

Thermal Physics

Kinetic Theory

Waves

Quantum

Physics

Fundamentals

of Physics

C

Electricity

Magnetism

Electronics

Optics

Frontiers of

Physics

Mathematics and

Computing

The First Year Course

Fundamentals of Physics A•Classical Dynamics, Relativity, Atomic and Particle Physics

Fundamentals of Physics B• Thermal Physics, Kinetic Theory, Waves and Vibrations, Optics

Fundamentals of Physics C•Electricity, Magnetism, Electronics, Quantum Physics

Lectures Group problem solving classesLaboratory Classes

Text : Young and Freedman, 'University Physics with Modern Physics'

The First Year Course

Mathematics For Physics•Algebra•Trigonometrty•Vectors•Calculus•…………

Mathematics and Computing•Differential Equations•Series•…………….

LecuturesGroup problem tutorial classesComputer laboratories – Computer Simulation

Second Year

Core:

Classical and quantum waves

Properties of matter

Mathematical methods and application

Computing for physics

Laboratory – including 2nd Semester group project

(design, build, demonstrate….)

using our MakerSpace as well as other facilities

Options: Astrophysics, acoustics, languages ..

Third Year

Core: Nuclear and particle physicsMaxwell’s equations and waves opticsQuantum mechanics of atoms, molecules and solidsTheoretical physics (MPhys – BSc Option)

Project - BSc: 40 Credits, MPhys: 20 Credits

Options: photonics, nano-technology, room acoustics, acoustics of music, languages ..

Fourth Year – MPhys

• Advanced quantum mechanics

Our researchers are specialists in:

• Magnetism, materials• Thin films, nanotechnology• Materials characterisation

• Research methods and research project – 60 Credits

Some key points:

Common core syllabus with optional modules

• Allows students to explore different subjects as you progress

Assistance with mathematics

• Assess students on entry

• Optional maths modules (pure and applied physics)

• School provides “walk-in” support (Mathscope)

Additional support

• “open door policy” – friendly, supportive, knowledgeable staff

• Salford University Physics Society (SUPS) peer support

Materials

& Physics

Research

Research Areas

Quantum Technologies

Quantum Computing

Complexity

Non linear Physics

High Pressure Physics

Chemical Physics

Energy Materials

First Principles

Modelling

Vacuum Technology

Nanotechnology

Thin Films

Materials

Synthesis and

Characterisation

Laser Physics

Student Projects

• Experimental

• Design and Build

• Theoretical and Computational

• Medical Physics projects

• Often aligned to staff research interests

Some Examples :-

Dr. John Proctor

Diamond anvil cells Phase diagram of CO2 Raman spectrometer

Planetaryinteriors

Ethane in the diamond anvil cell at 60,000 atmospheres pressure

Dr Mark Hughes

Quantum technologiesDeveloping quantum computing and communication technology using erbium implanted siliconRecently published in Nature Scientific Reports 2019

non-volatile memory devicesFabricating and testing new type of memory device that could replace RAM and hard drivesProject student’s work was published recently IoP Nanotechnology 2018

Solid-state electrolytes for lithium ion batteriesDeveloping materials to make lithium ion batteries safer and longer lasting

Quantum computer programmingProgramming IBM’s publicly available quantum computers to give project students an understanding of this new frontier in computing

Photolithography technology developmentProject students have made their own photolithography setup to fabricate their own microchips – now employed by local semiconductor company

Dr Heather Yates and Dr Richard Pilkington

Deposition and analysis of thin material coatings by Chemical Vapour Deposition, CVD, Evaporation and Sputtering

Plasma Enhanced CVD

Flame Assisted CVD

Electron MicroscopyX-Ray Diffraction

Infection control via CVD• Characterisation and durability testing of thin layers of bacteria killing materials within a matrix of silica or titania.

Studying the component parts of solar cells for –

• Formation of high optical haze double textured electrode films for improved light trapping.

• Charge transfer films for perovskite solar cells.

• Optical properties of bromine doped perovskite.

• Weathering of films for determination of solar cell durability.

Increasing Br

Spontaneous pattern formation in discrete optical cavities

Dr James Christian – Theory and Computational Modelling

• Pattern formation ubiquitous in nature:

• Fundamental research, exploring new mathematical and computational analyses in the field of pattern formation

• Applications in optical information transmission

Why is it important?

What we are as a society

• Trips• Socials• Peer Support

Trips Abroad: Berlin

SOCIALS

Frontiers of PhysicsThe Stimulating Physics Project

What can you do with a Physics Degree?

Frontiers of Physics

Employer Engagement – Employer Awareness

Improving Employability

Employer Seminar Series - Integrated into curriculum

Problem Based Learning laboratory:

incorporating many different skill sets:

Problem Solving, Information Literacy, Project Management, Presentations, Report Writing and Researching.

Recent Industrial Seminars

Laser Quantum

Diodes ZetexSemiconductors Ltd

Nuvia

Astrium

BPD Acoustics

Technical Fibres

Patent Law

Edwards Vacuum

Salford Energy House

Salford Royal Hospital

The Christie Hospital

BAE Systems

CCLRC - Daresbury

Rolls Royce

Money Supermarket

Npower, Serco, E-on

Agilent Technologies

Curtins

TDA

Some Recent Salford Graduate Destinations

Versarian (Materials Engineering)

Agilent (Scientific Instrumentation)

EADS Astrium (Engineering)

AMEC (Engineering)

PA Consulting (Engineering)

PGS (Geophysics)

4energy

Oak Ridge National Labs (Government Labs)

Mercer Instruments (Scientific Instruments)

Hiden (Scientific Instruments)

British Antarctic Survey (Environmental Science)

Hewlett Packard – (IT)

The Telegraph (Media)

Matter Christie College – Australia (Teaching)

Homeserve (Financial Services)

Highland Scientific (Scientific Instrumentation)

NetApp (IT- Systems Engineering)

Scientific Civil Service – HMRC

Culham - UKAEA (Nuclear Fusion)

KPMG (Finance)

Medovate Limited (Medical Technologies)

Phds – Salford, Manchester, Lancaster,

Toledo, Oxford, Jyvaskyla, Southampton,

Liverpool, Sussex ……

Bangor University (Oceanography)

Nimans (Telecommunications)

Liverpool University (Materials)

Barclays (Financial Services)

Nu Instruments (Scientific Instruments)

Malvern Instruments (Scientific Instruments)

Christie Hospital (Medical Physics)

Ted Baker (Retail Services)

University of Birmingham (Materials)

Kratos Analytical (Scientific Instruments)

SPECIFIC (Engineering)

RBS (Financial Services)

Nanoco (Chemical Engineering)

National Physics Laboratory

Rolls Royce (Aerospace)

Patent Seekers Ltd (Patent Law)

BBC (Sound Engineering)

Thanks to

Any Questions?

Contact me via email:

i.morrison@salford.ac.uk

Happy to answer questions via email, phone, video conferencing ….

To see what other presentations are available today, please go

back to our event hub