DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY Professor Bob Warwick Head of Department
Department of Physics and Astronomy Origins 1921, Founding of the Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland College in buildings of an old lunatic asylum 1924, Departments of Physics and Chemistry established 1927, Renamed University College, Leicester 1946, First Chair in Physics (Prof E A Stewardson) 1957, University of Leicester granted its Royal Charter and degree awarding status
Department of Physics and Astronomy
A Successful University Six Faculties: Arts & Humanities, Biological Science & Medicine, Education, Law, Science, Social Science Undergraduates 1200 Postgraduates, Research; 9700 Postgraduates, Taught 650 Academic Staff, 670 Academic-related, 1700 Other staff Turnover of £150 million per year
Department of Physics and Astronomy A Top Rated Teaching & Research Department Top Grade 5 in the last three Research Assessment Exercises (1992, 1996, 2001). Excellent rating in the Teaching Quality Assessment The Queen’s Anniversary Prize Our research earnings per staff member are among the highest in the UK. Vibrant and innovative teaching programme
Department of Physics and Astronomy Numbers of Students and Academic Staff Academic Staff Professors9 Readers4 Senior Lecturers5 Lecturers8 Total 26 Students Fd Yr13 (0) 1st Year65 (12) 2nd Year75 (12) 3rd Year61 (14) 4th Year28 (8) Postgrads 41 (13) Total 283 (59)
Department of Physics and Astronomy Innovation in Physics Teaching 1973 Physics with Astrophysics 1988 “Physics at Work” Initiative 1990 Physics with Space Science and Technology 2000 Teaching Developments eg “Business Skills” 2002 National Award for “Problem-based Learning” 2003 Physics with e-Science 2004 i-Science 2005 Physics with Planetary Science
Department of Physics and Astronomy Teaching Programme BSc/MPhys Degree Courses in: Physics Physics with Astrophysics Physics with Space Science & Technology Experimental Physics Physics with e-Science Science Foundation Year Programme PhD and MPhil by Research
Department of Physics and Astronomy Two Routes to a Physics Degree at the University of Leicester Pure and Applied Physics Route Astronomy and Space Science Route
Department of Physics and Astronomy Pure & Applied Physics Route core physics & maths Physics, Experimental Physics, Physics with e-Science Nanotechnology Cosmology Elementary Particles Experimental Methods Radiation & Matter Plasma Physics Fractals & Chaos Advanced Materials Radio Systems Computer Simulation e-Physics Quantum Optics Biophysics Solid State Devices Medical Physics Management
Department of Physics and Astronomy Astronomy & Space Science Route core physics & maths Physics with Astrophysics, Physics with Space Science & Technology Life in the Universe Active Galaxies Extra-Solar Planets Relativity & Black Holes Star Formation Supernovae Cosmology High Energy Astrophysics Rocket Propulsion Planetary Exploration Digital Image Processing Space Plasmas Space Flight Dynamics Solar Physics Human Space Flight Space Systems Design
Department of Physics and Astronomy DEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH Condensed Matter Physics Radio & Space Plasma Physics Theoretical Astrophysics X-Ray & Observational Astronomy Space Projects and Instrumentation Earth Observation Science UK Astrophysical Fluids Facility Astrogrid Physics Building Space Research Centre National Facilities
LUMPS Mk3 Nanoclusters have enhanced magnetism STM image of individual (2-3nm) Fe nanoclusters on Si The nanoclusters can be used as building blocks for advanced materials The group has produced the most magnetic material on earth, breaking a record that has been held for 70 years Nanotechnology
Department of Physics and Astronomy The Radio and Space Plasma Physics Group’s new SPEAR (Space Plasma Exploration by Active Radar) facility on Spitzbergen as of Sept 2003.
Department of Physics and Astronomy Colliding Neutron Stars
Accreting Black-holes in the Nearby Galaxy M101 OPTICAL X-RAY
Planetary Exploration: Beagle 2
Department of Physics and Astronomy Good luck in your exams and enjoy your visit!