Physics with a Year Abroad MPhys

Medical Physics is a diverse field that applies many areas of physics to diagnose and treat people.  The course devolves into the physics of the human body including the loading of the skeletal system, visual and audio defects and corrective techniques and how the heart generates an electrical signal that can be measured using an electrocardiogram (ECG).  Different types of diagnostic imaging techniques using both ionising and non-ionising radiation is investigated along with therapeutic delivery and the effect radiation has on biological systems.

This module introduces underlying principles of nuclear science. The first three weeks will give an introduction to the structure of nuclei, their relative stability, how they decay and properties of different types of radiation. In the second half of the course, after studying nuclear reactions, we will look at various practical applications of nuclear science and the design of nuclear power stations in particular. 

Astronomy is the study of Universe – applying a broad range of physics (and indeed chemistry and even biology) to both understand the cosmos and our place in it, andit and improve our understanding of the underlying physics. In this module you will be introduced to the constituents of the Uuniverse – from our Solar System, through stars, exoplanets and galaxies, to the evolution of spacetime -– and study some of the observational techniques used to answer outstanding questions about the cosmos.

This module provides an introduction to applications of accelerators and radioisotopes in medical imaging and tumour therapy. Concepts are developed from a simple physics perspective to provide an insight into the principles and practices of these modern medical applications. The lectures are complemented by workshops in which students can work collaboratively on problems to solve set problems. Experimental demonstrations to reinforce concepts also take place in the workshops. As well as being of interest to students considering careers in medical physics or nuclear-related industries, this module should also appeal to those curious to see how physics can be applied in a multidisciplinary approach to other areas of science.​ ​

An introduction to basic mathematic concepts and techniques. Following three semester math courses there the emphasis is on solutions of ordinary and partial differential equations with bits also on relativity, statistics and group theory

Why are some stars faint, while others are millions of times brighter than the Sun? Why do some stars appear blue, while others appear red? Why do some stars suddenly explode, while others slowly fizzle out on timescales longer than the age of the Universe? These questions can be answered once we understand the theory of the physics of stellar structure, and how stars of different masses change in appearance as they evolve.

The physics internship module is designed to give students the experience of working in a STEM related working environment or setting that is different from any project work that they undertake in the Department of Physics. It should provide an insight into how students may apply skills and experiences later in their career; whether working abroad or in any other non-UoL, off-campus scientific or secondary school setting.

This module gives an introduction to nuclear physics. Starting from the bulk properties of atomic nuclei different modes of radioactivity are discussed, before a closer look at the nucleon-nucleon interaction leads to the development of the shell model. Collective models of the nucleus leading to a quantitative understanding of rotational and vibrational excitations are developed. Finally, electromagnetic decays between excited states are introduced as spectroscopic tools to probe and understand nuclear structure.

​Introduction to Particle Physics.  To build on the second year module involving Nuclear and Particle Physics.  To develop an understanding of the modern view of particles, of their interactions and the Standard Model.

Condensed Matter Physics (CMP) is the largest subfield of physics with practical applications that has changed our everyday life such as semiconductor devices, magnetic recording disks, Magnetic resonance imaging. It deals with the study of the structure and physical properties of large collection of atoms that compose materials, which are found in nature or synthesized in laboratory. This particular module aims to advance and extend the concepts on solids introduced in Year 1 and Year 2 modules. Especially, it focuses on the atomic structure and behaviour of electrons in crystalline materials, which are essential for understanding of physical phenomena in complex systems.

Preparation and characterisation of a range of materials of scientific and technological importance.

The magnetic properties of solids are exploited extensively in a wide range of technologies, from hard disk drives, to sensors, to magnetic resonance imaging, and the development of magnetic materials is a multi-billion pound industry. Fundamentally, magnetism in condensed matter also represents one of the best examples of quantum mechanics in action, even at room temperature and on a macroscopically observable scale. In this module we will explore how the interactions between electrons in solids can result in the magnetic moment, and how this relates to the quantum mechanical property of spin. We will use these tools to probe the complicated processes that allow spontaneous magnetism to exist within certain select materials, and their implications for future technologies and our theoretical understanding of the nature of solids.

This module develops the physics concepts describing semiconductors in sufficient details for the purpose of understanding the construction and operation of common semiconductor devices.

​Statistical Methods in Physics Analysis: Understanding Statistics and its application to data analysis

Producing sufficient energy to meet the demands of an expanding and increasingly power-hungry society, whilst striving not to exacerbate the impacts of climate change, is a significant challenge. This module looks at the key physical concepts which underpin a range of energy generation sources, from traditional fossil fuel fired turbine generation to photovoltaic solar cells. This builds on prior knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid behaviour and semiconductors to show how these concepts can be practically applied to power generation and storage systems.

​​This module focuses on nuclear reactors as a source of energy for use by society. After reviewing the underlying physics principles, the design and operation and nuclear fission reactors is introduced. The possibility of energy from nuclear fusion is then discussed, with the present status and outlook given.​

In this module, students will develop an understanding of the principles of radiotherapy and treatment planning. Topics include interaction of radiation with biological matter, radiation transport, biological modelling, beam modelling, medical imaging, electron transport and treatment planning.

​This c ourse aims at providing students with a basic knowledge of the principles of radiation transport, the interaction of photons and matter, the computation of stellar atmosphere models, the application of radiation transport methods to expanding atmospheres such as stellar winds and Supernova envelopes. We also look at how stellar winds are created and at the properties of Supernovae. ​

This course considers the application of physics to the study of planets, with a focus on the application of fundamental physical principles rather than providing detailed planetary descriptions. The first four weeks address the planets of our solar system, including what constraint is provided on their physics from studies of our own planet, Earth. We consider particularly insights from observations of orbits, gravitational field, rotation, thermal properties and magnetic field, with brief coverage of formation,composition, and seismology. The focus is on application of basic physical principles rather than detailed observational descriptions, and on methods that might (eventually) be of use in the study of exoplanets. The final two weeks considers exoplanets specifically, particularly the methods of their detection,and our current understanding of planetary systems in general.

​This module covers the physics and observational techniques of the field of Galactic Astrophysics

​The course covers the concepts required to connect special relativity, Newtonian gravity, general relativity, and the cosmological metrics and dynamical equations. The main part of the course is focussed on cosmology, which is study of the content of the universe, structure on the largest scales, and its dynamical evolution. This is covered from both a theoretical and observational perspective. 

Einstein’s theories of special and general relativity have introduced a new concept of space and time, which underlies modern particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology. It makes use of, and has stimulated the development of modern differential geometry. This module develops the required mathematics (tensors, differential geometry) together with applications of the theory to particle physics, black holes and cosmology. It is an essential part of a programme in theoretical physics.

The module will build on students’ existing knowledge of Newtonian mechanics, and introduce important principles, concepts and techniques from Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics.   The core material will be based on systems of particles, but field theory will also be discussed.   The focus will be on application of these topics to classical systems, but this will also give some insight into fundamental aspects of modern physics (including quantum mechanics).   Delivery will be through lectures and tutorials/problems classes.

Modern concepts and advanced quantum mechanics problems will be discussed in depth and supported by complex calculations. In the course it will be demonstrated that quantum mechanics is an extraordinary successful theory describing nature, i.e. part of the course emphasis is on applications of quantum physics and state-of-the art experiments, but not always in full detail​.

There are almost 50,000 particle accelerators in the world, ranging from the linear accelerators used for cancer therapy in modern hospitals to the giant ‘atom-smashers’ at international particle physics laboratories used to unlock the secrets of creation.

Accelerator and beam physics is a broad discipline that draws on concepts from linear and nonlinear mechanics, electrodynamics, special relativity, plasma physics, statistical mechanics, and quantum mechanics.

This course covers the fundamental physical principles of particle accelerators, with a focus on basic beam dynamics and beam diagnostics. It teaches the fundamental concepts of the most commonly used accelerator types, beam motion and diagnostics. The course links these concepts to the current research programmes of the Liverpool Accelerator Group, based at the Cockcroft Institute.

This module introduces the current and active field of nanoscale physics and technology. It will cover basic physics at the nanoscale as well as nanoscale fabrication and characterisation techniques and will discuss a range of applications of nanostructures.

This module begins with a description of the physical conditions necessary for the evolution of life in a universe. It gives an introduction to the physical principles that underpin the organisation and activity of living things including aspects of evolution and ecology. It also gives an introduction to current thinking of how life evolved on earth and of the sensitivity of the biosphere to changes in the earth’s orbit and the composition of its atmosphere. It will provide physical insight into the drivers of climate change, the loss of biodiversity, the origin of disease and the spread of bacterial resistant to antibiotics.

​ The Advanced Nuclear Physics course introduces forms of the nucleon-nucleon interaction and the nuclear mean-field potential. Deformation (non-spherical nuclear shapes) is introduced via the deformed shell model (Nilsson model) and collective modes of excitation discussed. Exotic nuclear behaviour at the extremes of spin (angular momentum), isospin (proton-neutron imbalance) and charge/mass (superheavy elements) is presented. Various types of nuclear reaction are discussed, particularly in relation to the astrophysical creation of the elements.​

​ Neutrinos are fundamental particles that were thought to be simple massless particles that only experienced the weak interaction. Recent measurements have shown that the neutrino is much more complex and these particles can potentially provide a window into new areas of physics.  Observations of the structure of the universe require the existence of a new form of a new form of gravitationally interacting matter known as dark matter. Experiments to detect neutrinos and dark matter both have distinct features to achieve the extremely low backgrounds that are required to measure these particles. This course will discuss the field of neutrinos physics and dark matter and these low background techniques.

This module looks at how basic calculations are done in particle physics.
Relativistic quantum mechanics and their limitations are introduced and applied to various particle physics problems. Feynman rules are discussed and examples of calculations of cross sections and particle lifetimes are given in the context of electromagnetic, weak and strong interactions. The development of the electroweak theory and the Higgs boson, as well some historical elements and description of current particle physics research are also covered.

This module starts from our knowledge of stellar evolution, to describe methods employed by astrophysicists to determine chemical composition and ages of stellar populations in the universe. This is a crucial information needed to understand how galaxies form and evolve in time. Examples of applications of these techniques to real observations will be also shown.​

​ Stellar clusters, galaxies, clusters of galaxies are held together by mutual gravity of their components: mainly stars and possibly dark matter. In this module, you will learn how systems containing millions and billions of point-like gravitating bodies sustain and evolve. Although only Newton’s law shapes these systems, you will see that a lot can be implied from it when one employs sophisticated mathematical tools.​

This module will look at some of the many ways that matter and radiation interact, in relativistic and non-relativistic physical contexts. The aims of the module are:

To see how physical phenomena can be applied and used to explain the appearance and spectra of celestial objects
To provide an astrophysical context for statistical mechanics
To introduce Einstein’s A and B coefficients
To understand the importance of the hydrogen 21cm line
To demonstrate how emission line ratios inform on physical properties​.

Building on the content of the Stellar Atmospheres Module, Time Domain Astrophysics explores the transient Universe, in particular the explorive transients such as Novae, Supernovae, and Gamma Ray Bursts. This module is delivered by an ensemble of staff, all delivering content in which they are expert researchers.