1. Physics at Oxford http://www.aps.org/programs/education/whystudy.cfm
The big questions
Firstly, do you have a natural curiosity about the world around us?
Answer question such as:
What happened just after the big bang?
What are the fundamental laws that govern our universe?
Physicists ask really big questions like:
How did the universe begin?
What are the basic building blocks of matter?
How does the Sun keep on shining?
How will the universe change in the future?
New discoveries
New discoveries in a broad range of research
Very big to the very small
Practical to theoretical
Contributes to a wide range of technological advances
Electronics
Medicine
Nanotechnology
Laser
Important in solving global problems such as:
Public health
Environmental protection
Climate change
Energy crisis e.g.
Wind turbines
Nuclear energy
Solar power
Careers
With a hand in so many technologies and research as you may imagine there are a broad range of careers and jobs available in these areas too.
Modelling complex situations – Climate change, weather forecasting, finance, computer games design
Physics doesn’t just deal with theoretical concepts. It’s applied in every sphere of human activity, including:
Development of sustainable forms of energy production
Treating cancer, through radiotherapy, and diagnosing illness through various types of imaging, all based on physics.
Developing computer games
Design and manufacture of sports equipment
Understanding and predicting earthquakes
Physics challenges our imaginations with concepts like relativity and string theory, and it leads to great discoveries, like computers and lasers, that lead to technologies which change our lives—from healing joints, to curing cancer, to developing sustainable energy solutions. 
Like Science? It Began with Physics
It is the most basic and fundamental science. Moreover, it’s the basis of many other sciences, including chemistry, oceanography, seismology, and astronomy (and can be applied to biology or medical science). All are easily accessible with a bachelor’s degree in physics.
But the point is that all of science can, in principle, be reduced down to fundamental physics concepts such as thermodynamics and nuclear physics. 
_____________

2. Physics at Oxford
Six sub-departments covering most areas of Physics research
Atmospheric, oceanic and planetary physics
Condensed matter physics
Astrophysics
Theoretical physics
Very big to very small, outline a variety of areas of research. You can also specialise in these areas by the end of the course.
Physics encompasses the study of the universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles.
Exceptional concentration of experts – 400 researchers
Consistently high in the Research Assessment Exercises
Astro: Cosmology, Galaxy cluster, nearby galaxies, dark matter, stars, telescope design
AOPP: Planets in other star systems exoplanets, planets in our solar system, planet atmospheres, our own atmosphere and oceans. Climate physics and climate forecasting models, space-based measurement systems.
CMP: Nice image of a superconductor. Superconductors, nanomaterials -.
Biophysics: life-related molecules e.g. DNA ************EXPAND*************
A&L: Lasers, Plasmas, Low temperature Physics,, quantum computing ??????????X-ray??????????????
PP: building blocks of the universe, studying quarks, muons, neutrinos. Higgs. International collaborations - CERN, LHC, Atlas
Theory: Nature of matter, string theory, black holes etc.
Theoretical physicists propose and develop models and theories, New physics, to explain mathematically the results of experimental observations. Propose new physical models to propose what we can expect from extreme conditions such as black holes or quantum materials
So I have highlighted all of the areas as by the end of the course you will have specialised in one of these areas too.
______
Other
Historically what have we achieved
Spin-out
_____________
copper laser? biological rotary motor? plasma theory?
A&L: Nonlinear optics
Astro: satellite with atmospheric physics instruments.
Atomic and
Laser physics
Particle
physics 2

3. Undergraduate courses
“An unmatched opportunity to be tutored by the leading experts in your field” (Deyan, student)

4. Why Physics at Oxford? Physics degree courses: Joint course:
Top ranking university - graduate prospects
180 undergraduates - one of the largest in the UK
Physics degree courses:
MPhys: Physics years
BA: Physics years
Joint course:
MMathsPhys: Maths & Phys years
MPhysPhil: Physics & Philosophy 4 years
Can only apply for 4 year course but 3 year BA is possible to change to
Typically 2 permanent academics per college
Tutorials - daily contact with leaders in their field
Each college admits around 6 Physics students per year
Typically two tutorials per week, with one or two other students
All lectures and practical work is carried out in the
Physics Department
% of BA and MPhys
A broad curriculum which covers all areas of physics.
Accredited by IoP
Mathematically grounded
Choice and specialism
A broad curriculum - covers all areas of physics
Mathematically based approach
Stretching and challenging

5. Compulsory: Optional: (e.g.)
Typical topics
Compulsory: Optional: (e.g.)
Mechanics Climate change
Special Relativity Astrophysics
Quantum mechanics Plasma physics
Thermodynamics Foreign Language
Electromagnetism Philosophy of science
Atomic and nuclear physics History of science
Fluid flow and complexity Medical Physics
Sub Atomic Physics
Maths

6. Practical teaching On average 1 day a week of practicals
Approximately 1 day in lab
Like in the end
Some taught to support
Some through practical
Mini specialism – Astro / condensed matter / computer programming
Work in pairs in first year
Big choice unusual to Oxford
Year 1 : For two terms students spend one day a week working in pairs in the laboratories. Practical work covers general physics, computing, electronics, optics and astronomy. It complements lectures and tutorials and introduces areas of physics that may be less familiar to students.
Year 2 and Year 3: Practical work occupies two days a fortnight during the second and third years. Students normally do a total of 12 days, however half the practical work may be substituted by a second short option, or extra practical work may be done in place of a short option.
Year 3: Students gain hands-on experience in relation to the topics covered in the core subjects, such as semiconductor devices and lasers.
Year 4: MPhys project – theoretical or experimental

7. BA: Group Industrial Project
Physics Year 3
BA: Group Industrial Project
Work in teams of 4-5 to solve a real physics problem set by one of our industrial partners
Examples of companies we’ve worked with:
Lab or computer-based work, usually in Oxford but sometimes at the company’s site
Assessed by a group presentation and by an individual report
Work in small teams. Work with an external industrial supervisor plus a local Oxford supervisor.
Projects run October-Easter
Kickoff visit to company followed by weekly interactions with industrial supervisor.
Group assessment: students normally all get the same mark but most marks for the writeup.
Example companies: Oxford Instruments (Cryogenics), Siemens (Magnet Technology), STFC (Space and Lasers), Moog (Aircraft components) and many others. We run about 10 projects a year and students can choose which they would like to sign up to.
“The BA project in the third year gives great opportunity to not only implement the laboratory practice and theory learnt from the practical course during the degree, but since it involves external firms, it gives an invaluable work experience otherwise not experienced during a degree.” Natalie , a third year BA student.

8. Physics Year 4: MPhys Major Options PROJECT Two courses from:
Astrophysics
Biological Physics
Condensed Matter Physics
Laser Science and Quantum
Information Processing
Particle Physics
Physics of Oceans and Atmospheres
Theoretical Physics
PROJECT
May notice these are very similar to Sub department
Up to date – training for research areas
Specialise ‘Astro and particle’
Approx. term each
Climate prediction; Regenerative amplifier, part of a 2 terawatt Ti:Sapphire laser; SNO; JET( plasma theory)

9. Physics and Philosophy
of physics
Physics
Philosophy
Introduction to Philosophy
e.g.
Philosophy of relativity
Philosophy of quantum mechanics
Logic
Core modules
Less practicals
Highly demanding – maths and essay/augments
Two subjects studied in parallel for three years,
with option for specialisation in the 4th year
Progress in either subject
Very few labs – 3 days in 2nd year
Year 1: Grounding in philosophy – same as PPE
Year 2 and 3: (from 3rd term of 1st year)
Lots of Phil or Phys modules – special to Oxford e.g…..
Similar to a theoretical physics degree
Not applied philosophy e.g. ethics, religion
Metaphysics – study of knowledge, models and theories. Foundations of theories
Interview question – very general, discussing ideas – no right or wrong
Do you think science is truth? Do cats think?
Specialise in the 4th year
“If you want to know everything there is to know about ‘the universe’, Physics and Philosophy is a good place to start” (Áron Pólos, student)

10. Lectures Practical work
The Department
and Colleges
There are 30 undergraduate colleges
The college to which you apply is not necessarily where you will end up – if you are a suitable student you will be offered a place
College
Tutorials
Classes
Accommodation
Department
Lectures Practical work
If you apply to a college that doesn’t offer your chosen course, your application will fail immediately. (This cannot happen with an Open application)
As your college will offer you your “home” for 4 years, you might prefer to choose one you would really like to live in. ( e.g. old/new, big/small, noisy/quiet, central/outlying)
Don’t try to choose by “academic excellence”, as most teaching is done centrally and you may even have tutorials at another college if that is where the subject expert for that topic is based.
Physics at Oxford
ALL EXCEPT: Harris Manchester

11. Admissions
Information specific to admissions for Physics and Materials Science at Oxford

12. Admissions process ~1350 UCAS application October 2017
Everyone gets the grades
We are not too concerned about your forth A-level – quality over quantity!
FP1 Further Pure Mathematics Further Pure
FP2 Further Pure Mathematics
FP3 Further Pure Mathematics

13. Other qualifications are also welcome
Admissions process
UCAS application
October 2017
~1350
A* A A
Physics and Maths
Everyone gets the grades
We are not too concerned about your forth A-level – quality over quantity!
FP1 Further Pure Mathematics Further Pure
FP2 Further Pure Mathematics
FP3 Further Pure Mathematics
Other qualifications are also welcome

14. Admissions process ~1350 ~500 UCAS application October 2017
Physics Aptitude Test
2nd November 2017
~500
The continued strong interest in the PHYS2 scheme for Materials means that this will be offered again for this year, despite the increasing numbers of students applying directly to Materials Science. The requirements for selection for interview are demanding and students must have demonstrated an interest in Materials, or Materials-related aspects of Physics, in their UCAS application.
The application deadline:
All candidates must do an aptitude test in Physics and Maths (the PAT).
Interviews occur around the second week in December.

15. Admissions process ~1350 ~500 ~200 UCAS application October 2017
Physics Aptitude Test
2nd November 2017
~500
Interviews (3-5)
December 2017
The continued strong interest in the PHYS2 scheme for Materials means that this will be offered again for this year, despite the increasing numbers of students applying directly to Materials Science. The requirements for selection for interview are demanding and students must have demonstrated an interest in Materials, or Materials-related aspects of Physics, in their UCAS application.
The application deadline:
All candidates must do an aptitude test in Physics and Maths (the PAT).
Interviews occur around the second week in December.
~200

16. Admissions process ~1350 ~500 ~200 UCAS application October 2017
Physics Aptitude Test
2nd November 2017
~500
Interviews (3-5)
December 2017
The continued strong interest in the PHYS2 scheme for Materials means that this will be offered again for this year, despite the increasing numbers of students applying directly to Materials Science. The requirements for selection for interview are demanding and students must have demonstrated an interest in Materials, or Materials-related aspects of Physics, in their UCAS application.
The application deadline:
All candidates must do an aptitude test in Physics and Maths (the PAT).
Interviews occur around the second week in December.
~200
Exam results
July 2018

17. What tutors are looking for?
Motivation, knowledge and skills
UCAS application
Personal statement
School reference
Academic record e.g.:
GCSE results
AS results
A2 predicted results
Physics Aptitude Test
Performance in test
Interviews
Problem solving skills
Independent thinking
A genuine interest and commitment to your chosen subject
Your potential and motivation to do well at Oxford!
Apply – what is the worst that can happen: End up at another world class university studying physics.
Selected on your ability and skills – our students deserve to be there – or with materials slide
Fresh in mind – why you want to study the course, what you enjoy/interest you in UCAS
Reading outside of the curriculum – more broadly, widen your knowledge and thinking

18. Isaacphysics.org: a resource to help students and teachers
Possible way of preparing for interview is to improve problem solving skills – good not just for Physics and Materials Science but all STEM subjects
Website is isaacphysics.org: students can use the website on their own or teachers can use the website to set homework
Idea is to improve problem solving skills, e.g. make students draw a picture, write down equations, give the answer to the correct number of significant figures
Questions range from GCSE level to pre university so something for everyone’s ability
Student and teacher events also being held around the country which aims to show how topics in maths (e.g. vectors and exponentials) get used within physics
Both website and events are useful for anyone going to do a STEM subject, not just physics or materials science

19. isaacphysics.org: maths and physics questions with different levels of difficulty
Student and Teacher events around the country to show connection between maths and physics
Possible way of preparing for interview is to improve problem solving skills – good not just for Physics and Materials Science but all STEM subjects
Website is isaacphysics.org: students can use the website on their own or teachers can use the website to set homework
Idea is to improve problem solving skills, e.g. make students draw a picture, write down equations, give the answer to the correct number of significant figures
Questions range from GCSE level to pre university so something for everyone’s ability
Student and teacher events also being held around the country which aims to show how topics in maths (e.g. vectors and exponentials) get used within physics
Both website and events are useful for anyone going to do a STEM subject, not just physics or materials science

21. Can set questions as homework for students, this is automarked
Some questions grouped into lesson topics
Can set work from general questions or books
To use all teacher features need to request an upgrade to your account to teacher status
Online or CPD training in how to use the website

23. Gameboard on Particle Physics

24. Conclusion Physics at Oxford – course and admission process
Problem solving using Isaac Physics