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Projects An undergraduate student presents her project work to some of her peers at our physics mini-conference.All MPhys students undertake amajor project in their final yearwith expert guidance from amember of staff .Project topics can be experimental or theoretical andshould be relevant to the student’s chosen degree theme,if any ( so Theoretical Physics students will do a theoreticalproject etc). The aim of project work is to provide anopportunity to study a particular subject in depth and tofurther develop transferrable skills that are highly soughtafter by prospective employers, such as independentstudy and thinking, planning, time management,communication skills (written and oral) and experimental ortheoretical research techniques. Projects give ourstudents an insight into physics research and provideexcellent training for those who want to pursue a researchcareer in academia or industry.The world-class research undertaken in our department isreflected in the broad range of project topics we offer,some examples of which are listed opposite. Studentsusually choose their project topic from a similar list, whichis renewed annually, but can also suggest their own,subject to there being a suitable project supervisorspecialised in the field. For this reason projects are usuallyrelated to the current research interests of the projectsupervisor and often uncover new results, occasionallyleading to a publication in a scientific journal. Someprojects are conducted in collaboration with industry orother external agencies.Students may work singly or in pairs on a project, but eachstudent writes up the results of their project in an individualfinal report, and presents their work to fellow students andstaff members at a mini-conference at the end of thesummer term. Since it comes after the final exams themini-conference has a relaxed and fun atmosphere,offering a chance to develop vital presentation andcommunication skills amongst friends. Researchcommunication skills, including professional poster design,are taught in a course given to MPhys and MSci students.It is not surprising that graduates often describe projectwork as the most useful, enjoyable and rewarding part oftheir degree course, and that many stay on to study for adoctorate in the same field as their project.I can't imagine not having done the 4th year project, whileit was some of the hardest work I did in my degree, it wasalso by far the most stimulating and rewarding. Whileworking on your project you are doing real researchalongside approachable and genuinely interested staff,research that could get published. I most definitely learneda lot working on my project, including how physicalprinciples can be used to study a new real life system. Ialso, and more importantly, discovered what kind ofphysics I liked doing and what kind of work I reallywanted to do following my degree. Without a doubt thiswas what prompted me to study for my PhD.Nathan Davies graduated in 2007 (MPhys Physics withTheoretical Physics) and is now a PhD student in theLancaster Condensed Matter Theory Group.22www.physics.lancs.ac.uk
The following list of final year projects offered to our finalyear students in 2011 shows the breadth of the researchinterests of our staff:Low Temperature, Solid State, Biomedical andGeneral PhysicsPressure-induced electrical signals in graniteSuperfluid helium-4 in aerogelSelf-assembled quantum dotsMicroelasticity of biological and biomimetic materialsNanoscale probe microscopy of low-dimensionalnanostructuresThermophotovoltaic cellsInfrared avalanche photodiodesLight analogues of matter wavesNonlinear dynamics of selectivity, conductivity andgating in biological ion channelsPhysics of non-autonomous systems: a newperspective on the time variability of complexsystemsQuantum turbulence in superfluid helium-4Novel InAsN dilute nitride quantum structuresParticle PhysicsDepolarisation at the interaction points of futureparticle collidersW bosons for polarimetry at electron-positroncollidersDesigning a source to produce very intense positronbeamsCP violation of B mesons using data from theTevatronStudy of the like-sign dimuon charge asymmetry atTevatronHiggs searches at the LHCCharacterisation of silicon sensors for ATLASB-hadron lifetime measurements with first ATLASdataQuarkonium physics with ATLAST2K – neutrino oscillation physicsAstronomy/Space Science Spectrographic measurements using the telescope The solar wind: origin and evolution The impact of Solar Flares on Cosmic Radio Noise(CNA) absorption Investigating the source mechanism for energeticparticle precipitation into the Earth's atmosphere Black aurora Atmospheric contraction and satellite lifetime Amateur radio telescope In-situ measurements of magnetosphere-ionospherecoupling Multi-wavelength solar observationsMy fourth year project was the most enjoyable aspect ofmy whole course. I was able to work with fellow studentswithout a pre-written instruction guide, allowing us acertain level of freedom to investigate low temperaturephenomena whilst under supervision by academic staff.This was the closest I came in an undergraduate contextto experiencing a research environment, which inconjunction with the excellent supervision I received mademe decide to stay on at Lancaster to do a PhD in the samearea as my fourth year project.Matthew Fear graduated MPhys Physics in 2007 andrecently completed his PhD at Lancaster. He is currentlya research associate at Manchester University.www.physics.lancs.ac.uk 23
Page 1 and 2: Physics at LancasterUndergraduate 2
Page 4 and 5: Studying physics at LancasterAbout
Page 6 and 7: Choosing your degreeListed on the p
Page 8 and 9: The core physics syllabusFirst year
Page 10 and 11: PhysicsUCAS code: F303 (MPhys), F30
Page 12 and 13: Astrophysics and Space ScienceUCAS
Page 14 and 15: Theoretical PhysicsUCAS code: F321(
Page 16 and 17: Physics (North America)Theoretical
Page 18 and 19: OpenPluswith the Open UniversityLan
Page 20 and 21: Awards foracademic scholarshipRewar
Page 24 and 25: After your degreeIf you enjoy physi
Page 26 and 27: Is Lancaster the place for me?If yo
Page 28 and 29: Research at LancasterWe carry out c
Page 30 and 31: Low Temperature PhysicsLow Temperat
Page 32 and 33: Theoretical Condensed Matter Physic
Page 34 and 35: Experimental Particle PhysicsMatter
Page 36 and 37: Student financeLancaster University
Page 39 and 40: M6InvernessAberdeenGlasgowEdinburgh

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