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PHYSICSWITHASTROPHYSICSUNDERGRADUATE STUDY2021/22

PHYSICS WITHASTROPHYSICSCoursesIf you like thinking about the universe,where it came from and where it is going,then Physics with Astrophysics is a greatcourse to study.At Warwick, you will join our diverse astrophysicscommunity. The staff there will advise you and support yourstudies during your time with us.Studying physics will help you to develop the analytical,practical and computing skills that will be valuable toyou professionally. At a personal level, there is also thepleasure that will come from being able to understandthe developments and opportunities, particularly inastrophysics, that are likely to occur during your lifetime.There are two variants of the degree course: the three-yearBSc and the four-year MPhys. BSc courses should be seenas part of a general rounded education, which should leaveyou numerate, articulate and employable. The four-yearcourse should appeal most to you if you intend to makedirect use of your knowledge of physics after you graduate.Neil WilsonHead of Undergraduate AdmissionsWarwick's La Palma Observatory, with Gravitational wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO) in the foreground03

THE PHYSICS WITHASTROPHYSICS DEGREEF3FA MPhysF3F5 BScIn astrophysics, we use ideas from the various parts of physics - electromagnetism,gravitation, theory of matter, mechanics, quantum theory - to explain what we cansee. It’s like being a detective. There is what we observe (the evidence) and there ispiecing it together (the thinking).The first year, and a major partof the second year, cover skillsand the fundamental principles.The principles of physics arefundamental in the sense thatthey apply to everything and willalways do so - your counterpartsin the next millennium will still bestudying Newton’s laws and thelaws of thermodynamics. Theygovern the way we move as muchas they do the motion of galaxiesand black holes.One skill you will learn is howto analyse and interpret data,essentially this meanslearning how to separate a signalfrom its background. This is centralto all quantitative investigationsboth within and outside physics.In the second and later years,attention in the lecture modulesmoves away from principles andmore towards how they explain04the phenomena we observe. Thelaboratories include night-time(optical astronomy) and daytime(studying the sun) observation,the handling and processing ofdata, and spectroscopy. There areoptional modules encouragingyou to explore other areas ofphysics and modules from outsideof physics.If you stay for a fourth year,perhaps with a view to working asan astrophysicist, the astrophysicsmodules encourage you tostudy up to the limits of currentunderstanding within differentsub-areas of astrophysics includingexoplanets, galaxies, generalrelativity, and solar physics.In your final year you will becompleting research-style projectsunder the supervision of staffmembers working in the area ofastrophysics. We are one of thetwo leading UK departments inexoplanets research and a leadingdepartment for solar plasmaastrophysics. We also have anoperational observatory on LaPalma (a major astronomical site).We are involved in collaborationsstudying compact objects - blackholes, white dwarfs and neutronstars - as well as the large-scaleproperties of the Universe.Gravitational waves (GW) emittedby collisions between suchcompact objects have opened anew window in astronomy. GWsinteract so weakly with matter thatthey were undetectable for overa century after Einstein predictedtheir existence as a consequenceof his theory of General Relativity.Combining information from GWswith that from electromagneticemission (light) and particleastrophysics will allow us to exploreevents not accessible before.FIRST YearThe first year is currently:Mathematics for Physicists(60 Lectures), Classical Mechanicsand Relativity (30L), Electricity andMagnetism (30L), Introductionto Astronomy (15L), PhysicsFoundations (30L), QuantumPhenomena (15L).The skills modules include:Astrophysics Laboratory I,Physics Skills and ProgrammingWorkshop.Physics involves observingsystems and identifying theprinciples which determinetheir behaviour. The module onclassical mechanics illustratesthis well. The laws of mechanicswere deduced by Newtonafter studying observations ofplanetary motion. They applyto nearly all systems familiar fromeveryday life as well as many ofthe phenomena observed in starsand the other planets, some ofwhich are also discussed in themodule on astronomy.The modules Classical Mechanicsand Relativity, and QuantumPhenomena, deal with thebreakdown of Newtonianmechanics at speeds closeto the speed of light and atshort (atomic) distances. Othermodules treat material, whichshould in part be familiar fromA-level (electricity and heat), butare able to illustrate it with moreinteresting examples and to bringout better the unifying concepts.The module on Astronomyintroduces what we study inastrophysics (planets, stars andgalaxies), how we classify themand how we observe them.Measurement is central to physicsand nearly all discoveries involveexperiment. Time spent in theteaching laboratory helps youto develop the skills needed formeasurement and the reliableinterpretation of data.You may also take other modulestaught within the University underour ‘unusual option’ scheme. Weencourage you to explore outsidethe field of physics. As well asexposing you to alternative waysof thinking, outside modules canhelp set physics into the contextof science as a whole.05

TIMETABLETo give an impression of the weekly workload of lectures andtutorials, please see a typical timetable for the first five weeksof the second term.First Year timetable (Term 2, weeks 1 to 5) - mornings09:05 - 9:5510:05 - 10:5511:05 - 11:5512:05 - 12:55MondayTutorialTuesdayElectricity andMagnetismWednesdayMathematics forPhysicistsThursdayLab preparatorylectureFridayIntroduction toAstronomyProgramming SurgeryElectricity andMagnetismAstrophysics LaboratoryMaths supervisionPhysics examplesclassFirst Year timetable (Term 2, weeks 1 to 5) - afternoons13:05 - 13:55MondayProgramminglectureTuesdayMathematicsfor Physicists14:05 - 14:5515:05 - 15:5516:05 - 16:55Electricity andMagnetismMathematics forPhysicistsSECOND YearCoreAstrophysics Laboratory II andSkills, Electromagnetic Theory andOptics, Mathematical Methods forPhysicists, Quantum Mechanics andits Applications, Stars, The SolarSystem, Thermal Physics II.The modules on the Solar Systemand Stars introduce questions thathave intrigued people throughouttime. What are stars, how do theymove and form, and where do ourSun and the planets fit into thestory? The solar system is wherewe start. There is a lot of data towork with, as the Sun and planetsare close, and we can even sendobservers (spacecraft) to observethem. Studying other stars in theMilky Way (our galaxy) and starsin other galaxies is harder work.Analysing the radiation (principallyelectromagnetic waves) that reachesus has allowed us to develop ourunderstanding of the evolutionaryhistory of stars and galaxies, and ofthe Universe as a whole.PhysicsIn the Astrophysics Laboratory youwill make measurements with bothoptical and radio telescopes, studyspectroscopy and develop skill indata analysis. You will also work ina team on generic skills includingwebsite development, a posterpresentation and writing.Interdisciplinary modules fromWBS (Warwick BusinessSchool), the Language Centre(Arabic, Chinese, French,German, Italian, Japanese,Portuguese, Russian andSpanish), and the Centre forEducation (Introduction toSecondary School Teaching).You choose about four furthermodules (not all modules are thesame length and those on offer maychange over time) from:Computational Physics,Environmental Physics, HamiltonianMechanics, Physics of Fluids.Outside OptionsIntroduction toAstronomyWednesdayThursdayAstrophysics LaboratoryIntroduction toAstronomyFriday0607

THIRD YearBScTHIRD YearMPhysYou will work with a partner on a project chosen from a list of titles proposed bymembers of one of our astrophysics groups.Opting for the MPhys allows you moretime to study how what you havelearnt can be applied to unsolvedproblems of physics.The project asks you to use manyof the skills developed in years 1and 2. You will be working on anunsolved question – one where it is notpossible simply to look up the answersomewhere. You will need to plan howto find (or measure) relevant data, howto analyse the data and how to presentthe results. You will be working asmembers of a research group andinteract with research students andresearch fellows as well as withyour supervisor.may get there. One of the questionsaddressed in the module is whetherthe Universe will continue to expandor ultimately contract. Relevantexperimental data include those onthe Cosmic Microwave Backgroundradiation, the distribution of galaxiesand the distribution of mass in theUniverse.You take modules on the QuantumPhysics of Atoms, Black Holes WhiteDwarfs and Neutron stars, Galaxiesand Cosmology, and CommunicatingScience. Cosmology deals withquestions about the origin of theUniverse, where it is going and how itPhysicsYou take about 4 further modules from(not all modules are the same length):Condensed Matter Physics, NuclearPhysics, Physics in Medicine,Plasma Electrodynamics, ScientificComputing, The Standard Model, TheEarth and its Atmosphere.Outside OptionsModules from WBS, the LanguageCentre, the Mathematics, andother, departments.This is particularly the motivation of the AstrophysicsGroup Project and Astrophysics Laboratory III. In theGroup Project you work in groups of five or six tostudy an active area of research in astrophysics. Youwrite a report and give a presentation on the currentstatus of the field. In the laboratory, you completelonger observations, and need to perform moreinvolved data analysis, than are possible in the1st or 2nd year laboratories.There is a core of compulsory lecture modules,which cover material that will be assumed in thefourth year, and you choose further modulesfrom the list of options.CoreBlack Holes White Dwarfs and NeutronStars, Galaxies and Cosmology,Electrodynamics, Plasma Electrodynamics,Quantum Physics of Atoms.OptionsCondensed Matter Physics, Fluid Dynamics,Mathematical Methods III, Nuclear Physics, Physicsin Medicine, Scientific Computing, The StandardModel, The Weather and the Environment.08“I studied Physics as an undergraduateat Warwick University, initially tofocus on particle physics, but I wasdrawn in by the astrophysics lecturecourses. The astrophysics communityis both world-leading in multipleareas of astrophysics, and a great,friendly place to learn and work. Aftera summer research project and myMPhys final year project within one ofthe astrophysics groups, I didn’t wantto leave and started a PhD. I am nowa Postdoctoral Research Fellow in thedepartment, studying the remnants ofplanetary systems around dead starsknown as white dwarfs, and I still don’twant to leave!”Chris ManserWarwick Graduate, now Postdoctoral Researcher inthe Astronomy and Astrophysics Group09

FOURTH YearIn the fourth year you will join one of the research groups andwork as a member of a pair on a research-style project.You will be working on a topic,which relates to questions of currentinterest, and will be supported by amember of staff active in that areaof astrophysics. Your project will alsogive you experience of independentworking - taking responsibility forthe time spent on different aspectsof the project, informing yourselfof the background to the work, andwriting a report. The report has toexplain not just what your resultsare but also why they are interestingand what they imply. These are allskills that will be valuable to you,whether you choose to work as ascientist or not.List BCondensed Matter Physics II,Neutrino Physics, RelativisticQuantum Mechanics.Outside OptionsThere is no formal list of outsideoptions. However, you canfollow modules from outside thedepartment provided that thetimetable permits this.The List A options are those thatare directly relevant to astrophysics.Solar MHD looks at current modelsof the Sun’s behaviour. The basicoperation of the Sun is simple: Heatmoves outwards from its source atthe centre (nuclear fusion). However,on its way out, this energy drivesprocesses on different lengthscales, many of which are not yetwell understood. Exoplanets arenow being discovered in largenumbers and these discoveriesare challenging existing theoriesof planet formation and evolution.The module looks at this rapidlydeveloping field and addressesquestions relating to habitabilityon these planets.You will take between five and tenfurther modules (not all modulesare the same length). At least fourshould be from List A.List AThe Distant Universe, GeneralRelativity, High PerformanceComputing in Physics, PlanetsExoplanets and Life, SolarMagnetohydrodynamics (MHD).1011

FIND OUT MOREHOW TO APPLYSTUDENT FEES AND FUNDINGDISCOVER MOREApplications are made through UCASucas.comWe want to ensure that, whereverpossible, financial circumstances donot become a barrier to studying atWarwick. We provide extra financialsupport for qualifying students fromlower income families. warwick.ac.uk/studentfundingTo find out more about theUniversity, including opportunitiesto visit and engage with yourdepartment of choice, visitwarwick.ac.uk/undergraduate/visitsIf you are made and accept an offer,and meet all conditions we willconfirm your place and look forwardto warmly welcoming you at the startof your life here at Warwick.ACCOMMODATIONFor more detailed informationabout how we process applicationsplease visit: warwick.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/applyOVERSEAS APPLICANTSAt Warwick, we welcome applicationsfrom across the globe, and havededicated teams available toadvise and support, as well as aglobal network of Agents andRepresentatives. For more informationon applying from your country see:warwick.ac.uk/ioUndergraduate AdmissionsDepartment of PhysicsThe University of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALWarwick Accommodation has around7000 rooms across a range of wellmanaged, self-catering residences.We also have an excellent networkof support staff in the Residential LifeTeam. warwick.ac.uk/accommodationwarwick.ac.uk/physics 44 (0) 24 7652 3965Disclaimer: This course information was accurate at the time ofpublication (May 2020). Our course and module content and scheduleis continually reviewed and updated to reflect the latest researchexpertise at Warwick, so it is therefore very important that you checkthe relevant course website for the latest information before you applyand when you accept an offer. For full terms and conditions, please visitwarwick.ac.uk/ugtermsandconditions

In astrophysics, we use ideas from the various parts of physics - electromagnetism, gravitation, theory of matter, mechanics, quantum theory - to explain what we can see. It’s like being a detective. There is what we observe (the evidence) and there is piecing it together (the thinking). The first year, and a major part of the second year, cover skills and the fundamental principles. The .

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