ELEC0017: Communication principles
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX80 PR20
Requisites:
Aims & learning objectives: To introduce students to
the basic principles of communications and to provide a good understanding
of the techniques used in modern electronic communication systems.
At the end of this module students should be able to explain and
analyse the basic methods of generation and detection of modulated
signals; calculate the available power of a modulated signal;
analyse the operation of first and second order phase locked loops;
understand the function of source, channel and line coders in
digital transmission systems and the limitations imposed by restricted
bandwidth and signal to noise ratio; describe the characteristics
and relative performance of the various digital modulation schemes.
Content: Communication systems and channels, media characteristics.
Attenuation, distortion and noise. Broadcast and point-point systems.
Simplex and duplex operations. Networks. Modulation systems: methods
of generating and detecting modulated signals, quadrature modulation,
FDM. Phase lock loops. Radio transmitter and receiver architecture,
OSI reference model, Internet and TCP/IP protocols. Functional
elements of a digital communications system. Source entropy and
coding. Bandwidth, signalling rate and multi-level signals. SNR/bandwidth
trade-off. Spectrum shaping and intersymbol interference. Noise
and BER and error control. Digital signal formats, spectral properties,
clock encoding and recovery. Digital modulation generation and
detection of ASK, FSK, PSK, DPSK and QPSK.
MANG0069: Introduction to accounting & finance (service
unit)
Semester 1
Credits: 5
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 CW50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide students undertaking
any type of degree study with an introductory knowledge of accounting
and finance
Content: The role of the accountant, corporate treasurer
and financial controller
Sources and uses of capital funds
Understanding the construction and nature of the balance sheet
and profit and loss account
Principles underlying the requirements for the publication of
company accounts
Interpretation of accounts - published and internal, including
financial ratio analysis
Planning for profits, cash flow. Liquidity, capital expenditure
and capital finance
Developing the business plan and annual budgeting
Estimating the cost of products, services and activities and their
relationship to price.
Analysis of costs and cost behaviour
MANG0070: Business economics (service unit)
Semester 1
Credits: 5
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX60 CW40
Requisites:
Aims and Learning Objectives: To use the basic tools of
economics to introduce students to the nature of the variety of
competitive environments within which business firms have to operate.
At the end of the unit students should be able to identify the
cost and revenue curves of the firm, understand how the concept
of elasticity is useful and identify the fundamental characteristics
of the various forms of market structure. They should be able
to apply their knowledge to the real world and make predictions
about the likely outcome of various market interactions.
MANG0071: Organisational behaviour (service unit)
Semester 2
Credits: 5
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX60 CW40
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To develop the student's
understanding of people's behaviour within work organizations
Content: Topics of study will be drawn from the following:
The meaning of organising and organisation
Socialisation, organisational norms and organisational culture
Bureaucracy, organisational design and new organisational forms
Managing organisational change
Power and politics
Business ethics
Leadership and team work
Decision -making
Motivation
Innovation
Gender
The future of work
MANG0072: Managing human resources (service unit)
Semester 2
Credits: 5
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course aims to give
a broad overview of major features of human resource management.
It examines issues from the contrasting perspectives of management,
employees and public policy.
Content: Perspectives on managing human resources.
Human resource planning, recruitment and selection.
Performance, pay and rewards.
Control, discipline and dismissal.
MANG0073: Marketing (service unit)
Semester 1
Credits: 5
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX60 CW40
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: 1. To provide an introduction
to the concepts of Marketing.
2. To understand the principles and practice of marketing management.
3. To introduce students to a variety of environmental and other
issues facing marketing today.
Content: Marketing involves identifying and satisfying
customer needs and wants. It is concerned with providing appropriate
products, services, and sometimes ideas, at the right place and
price, and promoted in ways which are motivating to current and
future customers. Marketing activities take place in the context
of the market, and of competition.
The course is concerned with the above activities, and includes:
consumer and buyer behaviour
market segmentation, targetting and positioning
market research
product policy and new product development
advertising and promotion
marketing channels and pricing
MANG0074: Business information systems (service unit)
Semester 2
Credits: 5
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX60 PR25 OT15
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: Information Technology
(IT) is rapidly achieving ubiquity in the workplace. All areas
of the business community are achieving expansion in IT and investing
huge sums of money in this area. Within this changing environment,
several key trends have defined a new role for computers:
a) New forms and applications of IT are constantly emerging. One
of the most important developments in recent years has been the
fact that IT has become a strategic resource with the potential
to affect competitive advantage: it transforms industries and
products and it can be a key element in determining the success
or failure of an organisation.
b) Computers have become decentralised within the workplace: PCs
sit on managers desks, not in the IT Department. The strategic
nature of technology also means that managing IT has become a
core competence for modern organisations and is therefore an important
part of the task of general and functional managers. Organisations
have created new roles for managers who can act as interfaces
between IT and the business, combining a general technical knowledge
with a knowledge of business.
This course addresses the above issues, and, in particular, aims
to equip students with IT management skills for the workplace.
By this, we refer to those attributes that they will need to make
appropriate use of IT as general or functional managers in an
information-based age. In dealing with management issues, our
aims are to provide practical as well as theoretical knowledge.
As such, the course integrates hands-on work in the computer lab,
dealing with management problems, and practical elements of IT
practice that managers are likely to encounter when they become
involved with IT in any organisation. Thus, in addition to providing
an appreciation of the business value and opportunities stemming
from new technology, the latter includes the various issues encountered
when devising, evaluating, and managing any IT project.
Content: The course is divided into two components, to
reflect the fact that is oriented to both theoretical and practical
aspects of IT.
Section one comprises the practical element of the course. It
is primarily focused on case studies, involving the application
of selected software to management problems. It involves hands-on
work in the computer laboratory.
Section two relates to the examination of IT in its business context.
Here the focus is upon examining the value of IT in terms of why
IT is strategic and how it can affect the competitive environment,
as well as how it should be managed within the business.
The sessions will be organised as follows: IT and Corporate Strategy;
IT-Induced Transformation; Strategic Alignment of IT and Business
Strategies; Evaluation of IT Investments; Project Development
and Management: Implementation of Technology
MANG0076: Business policy (service unit)
Semester 1
Credits: 5
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX60 CW40
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an appreciation
of how organisations develop from their entrepreneurial beginnings
through maturity and decline .
To examine the interrelationship between concepts of policy and
strategy formulation with the behavioural aspects of business
To enable students to explore the theoretical notions behind corporate
strategy
Students are expected to develop skills of analysis and the ability
to interpret complex business situations.
Content: Business objectives , values and mission; industry
and market analysis ; competitive strategy and advantage ; corporate
life cycle; organisational structures and controls .
MATE0011: Mechanical properties of materials
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX60 CW20 PR20
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To extend the mathematical
description of the effects of loads upon materials, and to relate
their mechanical behaviour to their internal structures. On completion,
the student should be able to: convert between tensor and orthodox
descriptions of elastic behaviour; characterise time-dependent
effects in the deformation of materials; recognise the interaction
of time and temperature effects.
Content: Elasticity: cohesion and bonding, energy-distance
curves and Hooke's Law, departures from linear elastic behaviour,
elastic properties derived from bond energies. Elasticity theory
of crystals, stress and strain tensors, elastic anisotropy, symmetry.
Elastically isotropic solids, technical elastic moduli, measurement
of moduli. Anelasticity: cyclic stressing and internal friction.
thermoelastic effect, Snoek effect, other mechanisms. Specific
damping capacity, logarithmic decrement, loss tangent.
Viscoelasticity: viscous flow, linear viscoelasticity, spring
and dashpot models. Creep and stress relaxation behaviour. Physical
mechanisms of viscoelastic behaviour. The glass transition temperature.
Time-temperature superposition, master curves for creep compliance
and stress relaxation modulus. Effect of molecular architecture
and chemical composition on viscoelastic properties.
Dynamic viscoelasticity, the complex modulus, dynamic loading
of Voigt and Maxwell models, standard linear solid and generalised
models, master curves. Moduli and loss tangent as functions of
frequency and temperature. Inter-relation of viscoelastic parameters.
The effect of polymer structure and crystallinity on dynamic behaviour,
mechanical spectroscopy.
Non-linear viscoelastic behaviour.
MATH0017: Principles of computer operation & architecture
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Computing
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX75 CW25
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: Aims: To introduce students
to the structure, basic design, operation and programming of conventional,
von Neumann computers at the machine level. Alternative approaches
to machine design will also be examined so that some recent machine
architectures can be introduced. In particular the course will
develop to explore the relationships between what actually happens
at the machine level and important ideas about, for example, aspects
of high-level programming and data structures, that students encounter
on parallel courses.
Objectives: Familiarity with the von Neumann model, the nature
and function of each of the main components and general principles
of operation of the machines, including input and output transfers
and basic numeric manipulations.
Understanding of the characteristics of logic elements; the ability
to manipulate/simplify Boolean functions; practical experience
of simple combinatorial and sequential systems of logic gates;
and a perception of the links between logic systems and elements
of computer processors and store.
Understanding of the role and function of an assembler and practical
experience of reading and making simple changes to small, low-level
programmes. Understanding of the test running and debugging of
programmes.
Content: Basic principles of computer operation: Brief
historical introduction to computing machines. Binary basis of
computer operation and binary numeration systems. Von Neumann
computers and the structure, nature and relationship of their
major elements. Principles of operation of digital computers;
use of registers and the instruction cycle; simple addressing
concepts; programming. Integers and floating point numbers. Input
and output; basic principles and mechanisms of data transfer;
programmed and data channel transfers; device status; interrupt
programming; buffering; devices.
Introduction to digital logic and low-level programming: Boolean
algebra and behaviour of combinatorial and sequential logic circuits
(supported by practical work). Logic circuits as building blocks
for computer hardware.
The nature and general characteristics of assemblers; a gentle
introduction to simple assembler programmes to illustrate the
major features and structures of low-level programmes. Running
assembler programmes (supported by practical work).
MATH0025: Machine architectures, assemblers & low-level
programming
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Computing
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre MATH0017
Aims & Learning Objectives: Aims: To introduce students
to the structure, basic design, operation and programming of conventional,
von Neumann computers at the machine level. Alternative approaches
to machine design will also be examined so that some recent machine
architectures can be introduced. In particular the course will
develop to explore the relationships between what actually happens
at the machine level and important ideas about, for example, aspects
of high-level programming and data structures, that students encounter
on parallel courses.
Objectives: Development of a critical awareness that what happens
at machine level is strongly related to the forms and conventions
developed at higher levels of programming. Reinforcement of structured
programming by practical development of low-level programming
skills that can be related to high-level practice.
Awareness of the potential advantages and disadvantages of different
architectures; appreciation of the importance of the synergistic
relationship between hardware and system software, e.g. in operating
systems. A launch point for more advanced architecture studies.
Content: Low-level programming and structures: A more detailed
examination of machine architecture and facilities, exemplified
by the 68000 series. Further exploration of different modes of
operand addressing; the implementation of program control mechanisms;
and subroutines. The relationship between the low-level and aspects
of high-level, structured programming such as decisions, loops
and modules; nested and recursive routines and conventions for
parameter transmission at high and low levels will be examined
(supported by practical programming work which may continue throughout
the semester).
Aspects of modern computer architectures: Non von Neumann architectures
and modern approaches to machine design, including , for example,
RISC (vs. CISC) architectures. Topics in contemporary machine
design, such as pipelining; parallel processing and multiprocessors.
The interaction between hardware and software.
MATH0075: Advanced computer graphics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Computing
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX75 CW25
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: Aims: The primary aims
are to understand the ways of representing, rendering and displaying
pictures of three-dimensional objects (in particular). In order
to achieve this it will be necessary to understand the underlying
mathematics and computer techniques.
Objectives: Students will be able to distinguish modelling from
rendering. They will be able to describe the relevant components
of Euclidean and projective geometry and their relationships to
matrix algebra formulations. Students will know the difference
between solid- and surface-modelling and be able to describe typical
computer representations of each. Rendering for raster displays
will be explainable in detail, including lighting models and a
variety of visual effects and defects. Students will be expected
to describe the sampling problem and solutions for both static
and moving pictures.
Content: Euclidean and projective geometry transformations.
Modelling: Mesh models and their representation. Constructive
solid geometry and its representation. Specialised models.
Rendering: Raster images; illumination models; meshes and hidden
surface removal; scan-line rendering. CSG: ray-casting; visual
effects and defects. Rendering for animation.
Ordered dither; resolution; aliasing; colour.
MATH0079: Computer speech processing
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Computing
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: Aims: To introduce the
essential concepts and techniques of automatic speech processing
and to use speech processing as an illustration of an area of
active research and development in computer technology that is
both novel and lies near the limits of present capability.
Objectives: Students will be able to i) outline the essential
processes of human speech production and read and write simple
phonetic transcriptions, ii) to demonstrate an understanding of
signal processing, iii) to describe, compare and contrast digital
schemes for sampling, coding and analysing speech, iv) to comprehend
the theoretical and practical issues in automatic speech processing
and v) to explain, and assess major speech synthesis and recognition
techniques.
Content: Speech production: the articulatory system; acoustic-phonetics
and prosody; phonetic transcription and co-articulation; phonemes,
phones, phonology and allophones. Speech signals: their nature,
characterisation and representation in different domains; theory
of
elementary signal processing. Speech coding and analysis: simple
PCM; sampling and quantisation errors; other coding schemes for
data compression and feature extraction. Speech synthesis: articulatory,
formant and other types of synthesis; synthesis by rule and text-to-speech
synthesis. Speech recognition: matching complex and variable patterns;
segmentation of connected and continuous speech; speaker dependence;
time variations and warping; statistically-oriented techniques
for recognition and some current methods; recognition versus understanding.
THIS UNIT IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN ACADEMIC YEARS STARTING IN AN EVEN
YEAR.
MATH0080: Computer vision
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Computing
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre MATH0021
Aims & Learning Objectives: Aims: To present a broad
account of computer vision, with the emphasis on the image processing
required for its low level stages.
Objectives: To induce an appreciation of the processes involved
in robotic vision and how this differs from human vision.
Content: Image formation. Colour versus monochrome. Preprocessing
of the image. Edge finding: elementary methods and their shortcomings;
sophisticated methods such as those of Marr-Hildreth, Canny, and
Prager. Optical flow. Hough transform. Global and local region
segmentation techniques: histogram techniques, region growing.
Representation of the results of low level processing. Some image
interpretation methods employing probability arguments and fuzzy
logic. Hardware. Practical problems based on an image processing
package.
THIS UNIT IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN ACADEMIC YEARS STARTING IN AN ODD
YEAR.
PHYS0001: Introduction to quantum physics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To review the evidence
for the existence of atoms and the scientific developments which
reveal the breakdown of classical physics at the atomic level.
To introduce the ideas of energy and angular momentum quantisation
and the dual wave-particle nature of matter. To prepare students
with the background for courses in quantum mechanics, atomic physics,
nuclear physics, solid-state physics and astrophysics.
Content: The constituents of the atom: Quantum and classical
domains of physics. Existence of atoms. Avogadro's number. Electrons
and ions. The mass spectrograph. Atomic mass units. Structure
of atoms; scattering of alpha-particles and Rutherford's model.
Photons and energy quantisation: Black-body radiation; the ultraviolet
catastrophe and Planck's hypothesis. Photoelectric effect. The
electromagnetic spectrum. X-rays. Compton scattering. Sources
of photons; the Bohr model of the atom. Deficiencies of Bohr's
model.
Wave-particle duality: An introduction to waves. Wave-like properties
of photons and other particles; inadequacies of classical models.
De Broglie's hypothesis. Electron diffraction. Electron microscopy.
Wave aspects of larger particles; atoms, molecules, neutrons.
The uncertainty principle.
Introduction to quantum mechanics: Probability distributions.
Introduction to Schrodinger's wave equation. Energy levels for
hydrogen. Quantum numbers. Electron spin. The exclusion principle.
The periodic table. Optical and X-ray spectra. Shells, valency
and chemical bonding.
Students must have A-level Physics and Mathematics to undertake
this unit.
PHYS0002: Properties of matter
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To gain insight into how
the interplay between kinetic and potential energy at the atomic
level governs the formation of different phases. To demonstrate
how the macroscopic properties of materials can be derived from
considerations of the microscopic properties at the atomic level.
Content: Balance between kinetic and potential energy.
The ideal gas - Kinetic Theory; Maxwell- Boltzmann distribution;
Equipartition. The real gas - van der Waals model. The ideal solid
- model potentials and equilibrium separations of molecules and
Madelung crystals. Simple crystal structures, X-ray scattering
and Bragg's law. First and second laws of thermodynamics, P-V-T
surfaces, phase changes and critical points, thermodynamic temperature
and heat capacity of gases. Derivation of mechanical (viscosity,
elasticity, strength, defects) and transport properties (heat
and electrical conduction) of gases and solids from considerations
of atomic behaviour. Qualitative understanding of viscosity (Newtonian
and non-Newtonian) in liquids based on cage models.
Students must have A-level Physics or Chemistry and A-level Mathematics
to undertake this unit.
PHYS0003: Introduction to electronics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Co: PHYS0007
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an introduction
to electronics by developing an understanding of basic concepts
in electric circuits and digital electronics. To develop techniques
for analysing dc and ac circuits. To introduce the ideal operational
amplifier, Boolean algebra, basic logic gates and flip-flops and
to show how basic gates may be combined to form powerful functions.
To indicate some of the characteristics of real logic families.
To develop the idea of design using simple logic circuits.
Content: DC Circuits: Kirchoff's voltage and current laws.
Analysis of simple circuits using nodal voltage technique. Ideal
voltage and current sources. Equivalent circuits. Thevenin''s
and Norton''s theorems. Diodes.
Ideal Operational Amplifiers: Theory of ideal operational amplifiers.
Simple applications e.g. inverting and non-inverting amplifiers,
addition and subtraction.
Transients: Techniques for solving for transient waveforms in
simple circuits involving inductors and capacitors. Initial conditions.
AC Circuits: AC voltage and current concepts (phase, rms value,
amplitude etc.). Capacitors and inductors as circuit elements.
Phasors and phasor notation. Complex impedance. LCR circuits (resonance,
Q factor etc). Frequency dependence of circuits. Bode plots.
Combinational Logic: Digital and analog electronics. Combinational
logic. Representation of logic levels. AND, OR and NOT gates.
Truth tables. XOR, NAND and NOR.
Boolean algebra: Notation, laws, identities and De Morgan's Laws.
Standard sum of products. Manipulation between forms. Karnaugh
maps: 2,3 and 4 variables. Simplification. PAL.
Logic gates and characteristics: Basic implementation of gates
using discrete devices (AND using resistors and diodes). Limitations.
Logic family characteristics: Fan out, noise margin and propagation
delay.
Combinational functions: Adder, decoder, encoder, multiplexer,
demultiplexer, ROM structure.
Sequential logic: Latch, SR flip-flop and JK flip-flop. Shift
register. Ripple and synchronous counters. Synchronous counter
design. Basic RAM structure.
Introduction to microprocessors (68000 based): Binary arithmetic.
A simple microprocessor architecture and operation. Concepts of
buses, input/output, DMA and interrupts.
PHYS0004: Relativity & astrophysics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide a broad introduction
to astronomy and astrophysics. To explore how the fundamental
laws of physics allow us to study the cosmos, from nearby planets
to stars, galaxies and the most distant of quasars.
To give an understanding of the basics of special relativity and
its consequences for wide areas of physics. To provide a qualitative
introduction to general relativity and its cosmological consequences.
To explain our current understanding of the history of the universe,
from the Big Bang to the present.
Content: Gravitation. Gravitational force and potential
energy. Weight and mass. Circular orbits; Kepler's Laws; planetary
motion. Escape velocity. Solar System. Earth-Moon system. Terrestrial
planets; Jovian planets. Planetary atmospheres. Comets and meteoroids.
Formation of the solar system. Stellar Evolution. Structure of
the sun. Stellar distances, magnitudes, luminosities; black-body
radiation; stellar classification; Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.
The interstellar medium and star birth. Star death: white dwarfs,
neutron stars, black holes. Galaxies. Galactic structure; classification
of galaxies. Formation and evolution of galaxies. Active galactic
nuclei and quasars. Astrophysical jets. Astrophysical Techniques.
Telescopes and detectors. Invisible astronomy : X-rays, gamma-rays,
cosmic rays, infrared and radio astronomy. Special Relativity.
Galilean transformation. Speed of light - Michelson-Morley experiment;
Einstein's postulates. Simultaneity; time dilation; space contraction;
invariant intervals; rest frames; proper time; proper length.
Causality. Lorentz transformation. Relativistic momentum, force,
energy. Doppler effect.
General Relativity. Gravity and geometry. The principle of equivalence.
Deflection of light; curvature of space. Gravitational time dilation.
Red shift. Black holes. The Universe. Large scale structure of
the Universe. Hubble's Law. The expanding universe. The hot Big
Bang. Cosmic background radiation and ripples therein. History
of the universe. The missing mass problem.
Students must have A-level Physics and Mathematics to undertake
this unit.
PHYS0005: Mechanics & waves
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0007; Co: PHYS0008
Aims & Learning Objectives: To present students with
a clear and logical guide to classical mechanics. To strengthen
understanding of mechanics by analysis of practical problems.
To introduce students to the fundamental concepts and mathematical
treatment of waves, and to appreciate their central role in physics.
Content: Dimensions and Units: fundamental SI units, measurement
standards, dimensional analysis
Newton's Laws of Motion. Motion in 1D and 2D with constant and
non-constant acceleration. Linear momentum, collisions, rockets
Work and Energy, potential energy, conservative and non-conservative
forces.
Circular motion; Rigid body rotation: moments of inertia; torque
and angular momentum as vectors; equations of motion of rotating
bodies; gyroscopes.
Simple Harmonic Motion including damped, forced; resonance.
Coupled oscillations and introduction to normal modes
Travelling waves; strings, sound, water, particle and light waves.
Mathematical representation; sinusoidal waves; amplitude, frequency,
wavelength, wavenumber, speed, energy, intensity and impedance.
General differential equation for 1D wave. Complex exponential
notation
Superposition; Wave interference, reflection and transmission
at boundaries. Dispersive and non-dispersive waves, phase and
group velocity. Beats. Michelson interferometer.
Doppler effect
PHYS0006: Electricity & magnetism
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0007
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce the laws of
Electricity and Magnetism. To introduce techniques used in the
solution of simple field problems, both vector and scalar.
Content: Introduction to scalar and vector fields
Electrostatics Electric forces and fields. Electric charge, Coulomb's
Law, superposition of forces, electric charge distribution, the
electric field, electric flux, Gauss's Law, examples of field
distributions, dipole moment, energy of a system of charges. Electric
potential. Line integral of the electric field, potential difference,
calculation of fields from potential, examples of potential distributions,
energy associated with electric field. Electric field around conductors,
conductors in an electric field, capacitors and their capacitance,
energy stored.
Magnetic fields. Magnetic force on a moving charge, definition
of magnetic field, Lorentz force, force on a current carrying
wire, force between current carrying wires, torque on a current
loop. magnetic moment, Biot-Savart Law, Ampere's Law, magnetic
flux, Gauss's Law, field in loops and coils.
Electromagnetic Induction. Induced emf and examples, Faraday's
Law, Lenz's Law, energy stored in a magnetic field, self and mutual
inductance, energy stored in an inductor.
PHYS0007: Mathematics for scientists 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Co: PHYS0008
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce basic mathematical
techniques required by science students. To show how methods may
be used for different applications. To develop an understanding
for the interpretation of mathematical results.
To review common mathematical functions and their graphical representation.
To introduce complex numbers. To introduce vectors in three dimensions.
To develop differential calculus.
Content: Functions of a real variable (3 hours): Graphs
of standard functions (polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric
and hyperbolic functions). Domains and ranges. Composite functions.
Inverse functions. Symmetries and transformations (reflections,
rotation) of graphs. Polynomial curve fitting.
Complex numbers (4 hours): Definition and algebra of complex numbers
in x+iy form. Complex conjugate. Modulus and argument. Argand
diagram, rej form. De Moivre's theorem.
Vector algebra (8 hours): Introduction to vectors; physical examples
of scalar and vector quantities. Magnitude of a vector, unit vector.
Cartesian components. Scalar product; projections, components,
physical examples. Vector product; determinantal form for Cartesian
components, physical examples. Geometrical applications of vectors.
Triple product. Introduction to vector spaces.
Differentiation (9 hours): Review of differentiation. Higher derivatives,
meaning of derivatives. Logarithmic and implicit derivatives.
Taylor and Maclaurin expansions. Standard series. Convergence
of series; ratio test, limits, L'Hopital's rule. Functions of
two variables. Partial differentiation. Taylor expansion in two
variables. Chain rule.
Students must have A-level Mathematics to undertake this unit.
PHYS0008: Mathematics for scientists 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0007;
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce basic mathematical
techniques required by science students. To show how methods may
be used for different applications. To develop an understanding
for the interpretation of mathematical results.
To develop integral calculus. To introduce ordinary differential
equations. To introduce matrices and show how they are used in
linear algebra.
Content: Integration (7 hours): Review of integration.
Meaning of integration. Methods of integration. Multiple integral,
change of order of integration. Applications of integration (area,
volume, etc). Numerical integration; rectangle rule, trapezium
rule, Simpson's rule.
Ordinary differential equations (8 hours): Origin of ODEs. Solution
of first order ODEs by integrating factors and separation of variables.
Solution of second order ODEs with constant coefficients. Complementary
functions and particular integral. Applications in the natural
sciences; rate equations, population dynamics, oscillatory systems,
etc. Numerical solution of ODEs; Euler method, Runge-Kutta methods.
Introduction to partial differential equations (3 hours): Origin
of PDEs. Solution of PDEs by separation of variables. Wave equation
in one dimension.
Matrices and determinants (6 hours): Introduction to matrices.
Rows and columns. Special matrices. Transpose of a matrix. Matrix
multiplication. Linear transformations. Introductions to determinants.
Inverse of a matrix. Simultaneous linear equations. Numerical
solution of simultaneous equations; Gaussian elimination.
PHYS0011: Laboratory & information skills - 1A
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 1
Assessment: PR90 CW10
Requisites: Co: PHYS0012
Aims & Learning Objectives: This course aims to give
the student confidence and competence in (a) basic laboratory
skills and practice, and (b) information processing skills. It
does this through a combination of structured laboratory sessions,
project work and supporting lectures. A further aim is to reinforce
lecture material through self-paced laboratory demonstrations.
Content: Laboratory:
Techniques of measurement. Use of multimeters, oscilloscope, protoboard,
operational amplifier and digital timer/counter; mechanical measurements,
light sources and detectors, computer interfacing.
Demonstrations. Equipotentials and field lines, ultrasonic waves
in air and in liquids, vibrations of strings, RC networks, series
resonance, the Michelson interferometer, diffraction, polarisation,
statistics of radiation counting.
Electronics. Characteristics and applications of basic combinatorial
and sequential logic elements. Design exercise using K-maps; construction
and testing of the design. Mini-project to design, construct and
test a more extended digital system.
Projects. Two independent projects to simulate the processes of
researching, planning, performing, analysing and reporting a small-scale
experimental investigation. The topics are chosen from a wide
range of physics appropriate to first-year students, and include
hypothesis testing, design of apparatus, assessing published proposals
and investigating novel phenomena.
Supporting Lectures and PC Laboratory Sessions. The use of logarithmic
scales for graphing experimental data, statistical treatment of
random error and variation; mean, standard deviation, standard
error, confidence limits, linear regression. The use of spreadsheets,
such as EXCEL to perform statistical operations and data analysis.
PHYS0012: Laboratory & information skills - 1B
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 1
Assessment: PR80 OT20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0011
Aims & Learning Objectives: This course aims to build
on the basic laboratory skills developed in PHYS0011, extending
the scope of the demonstrations and project work. The basic aims
remain the same as PHYS0011. Two additional aims are to introduce
the use of computer software to simulate electrical circuits,
and to give students experience of presenting their work in the
form of a poster.
Content: Laboratory:
Demonstrations. Ultrasonic waves in air and liquids, RC Networks,
Series Resonance, the Michelson Interferometer, Polarisation.
Electronics. Characteristics and applications of basic combinatorial
and sequential logic elements. Design exercise using K-maps; construction
and testing of the design. Mini-project to design, construct and
test a more extended digital system.
Projects. A second independent project, similar in nature to that
in PHYS0011. The students' second project is reported in writing
and in the form of a Poster Presentation, in the style of conference
posters. This will be judged by all staff and students at an open
evening presentation.
PC Laboratory Sessions. Scientific Computer Packages - Circuit
simulation.
Standard computer software is used to simulate the behaviour of
simple, passive, electrical circuits. The simulation is tested
against measured behaviour.
PHYS0013: Quantum & atomic physics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0001, PHYS0008, PHYS0005 is desirable but
not essential
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce the Schrodinger
wave equation and its solutions in one and three dimensions. To
explain the significance of the wavefunction in determining the
physical behaviour of electrons and other particles. To distinguish
between bound and unbound solutions and show how quantisation
arises from boundary conditions. To develop the quantum mechanical
description of the hydrogen atom and develop this to discuss the
electron configurations and energy levels in atoms. To introduce
atomic spectra.
Content: Introduction: The breakdown of classical concepts.
Old quantum theory.
Basic assumptions of quantum mechanics: Wave functions and probability
density. Observables; position, momentum and energy.
Schrodinger's equation: Time dependence of the wave function.
Time-independent Schrodinger equation and stationary states.
Motion in one dimension: The infinite square well; bound state
energies and wave functions. Parity of solutions. Motion of free
particles. Reflection and transmission at a potential step. Bound
states of a finite square well. Tunnelling through a barrier.
The harmonic oscillator.
Motion in three dimensions: Central potentials. Angular dependence
of solutions. Angular momentum quantum numbers; s, p and d states.
The hydrogen atom: Statement of energy levels and wave functions.
Quantum numbers n, l and m. Comparison of Bohr/Sommerfeld and
Schrodinger models. Vector model of angular momentum. Selection
rules in atomic spectra. Orbital magnetic moment of hydrogen and
introduction to Zeeman effect. Electron spin and magnetic moment;
quantum numbers s and ms. Magnetic coupling of spin
and orbital angular momentum; quantum numbers j and mj.
Fine structure in hydrogen energy level diagram and spectrum.
Atoms with more than one electron: Pauli exclusion principle.
Shell structure of atoms and nomenclature for atomic configurations.
The Periodic Table. Atoms with one electron outside closed shells;
screening of central interaction. Atoms with two electrons outside
closed shells; exchange interaction and coupling of spin angular
momenta, effect on energy level diagram.
Spin-orbit interaction and fine structure in many-electron atoms.
Terminology for labelling angular momentum states of many-electron
atoms. Hund's rules. Zeeman effect in many-electron atoms.
Effects of the nuclear magnetic moment on atomic spectra.
Natural science students must have taken PHYS0048 in order to
undertake this unit.
PHYS0014: Electromagnetic waves & optics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0005, PHYS0008, PHYS0006 desirable but not
essential
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce the properties
of electromagnetic plane waves. To relate these to geometric optics.
To cover the basic aspects of diffraction and interference. To
introduce the fundamental physics of lasers.
Content: Electromagnetic plane waves. The em spectrum;
wave and photon description; the optical region; Revision of 1D
waves. 3D plane waves, Vector nature of em waves; relationships
between E B and k. Polarisation. Energy and the Poynting vector.
Impedance. Phase velocity, permittivity, permeability and refractive
index. Concept of birefringence. Dispersive waves; group velocity
Rays and waves for describing light. Huygen's principle. Snell's
Law and lenses. Geometric optics and principles of the telescope
and microscope.
Diffraction. Introduction to Fresnel diffraction; Fraunhofer diffraction
as far-field case. Derivation of Fraunhofer pattern for single
slit, discussion of circular aperture. The diffraction grating.
Diffraction limits on optical systems. Definition of resolution,
Rayleigh criterion and resolving power. Resolving power of the
telescope and grating.
Interference and Coherence. Interference with multiple beams.
The interference term and fringe visibility. Anti-reflection coatings.
The Fabry-Perot interferometer.
Lasers. Interaction between light and matter. The Einstein relations.
Obtaining and maintaining lasing action. The properties of laser
light.
Natural science students must have taken PHYS0051 in order to
undertake this unit.
PHYS0015: Electronics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites:PHYS0007, PHYS0003, PHYS0011 and PHYS0012 desirable
but not essential
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an introduction
to analogue electronics and device physics. This is achieved by
introducing amplifiers and devices as "black boxes"
and showing departures from ideal behaviour. The fundamental ideas
of semiconductor physics are introduced in a qualitative manner
leading to descriptions of the action of semiconductor devices,
such as the pn junction diode and FET. The techniques used to
produce silicon devices in integrated circuit form are discussed
Content: Review of DC and AC circuits: Current and voltage
sources, potential dividers, load lines, CR filters. Simple (ideal)
op-amp circuits: inverting, non-inverting and differential amplifiers,
integrator.
Amplifiers and feedback Blackbox treatment of amplifiers; input,
output and transfer characteristics. Negative feedback systems.
Advantages of nfb. Non-ideal op-amps, effect of finite gain and
bandwidth. Stability of nfb systems. Gain and phase margins. Positive
feedback in oscillators and comparators.
Digital-to-Analogue and Analogue-to-Digital Converters Binary
weighted and R-2R DACs. Counting, dual-slope, successive approximation
and flash ADCs.
Basic principles of semiconductor physics (using a qualitative
approach). Lattice structure, concepts of energy gap and holes.
Conduction and valence bands. Extrinsic and intrinsic semiconductors,
concept of binding energy - Fermi level and Fermi-Dirac statistics.
The pn junction (using a semi-quantitative approach). Form of
depletion region (under unbiased and biased conditions). Voltage
and field profile.
I-V characteristic (without derivation). Diode models; one way
valve, piece-wise linear and diode equation. Junction capacitance.
Applications, including rectifiers, clamps and Zener regulation.
Field effect transistor The FET - JFET basic operation (including
I-V characteristic). Electrical characteristics of n-channel JFET.
Small signal analysis and equivalent circuit. Biasing arrangements.
Analysis and design of common source amplifier including frequency
response. Source follower. Differential amplifier.
Introduction to bipolar junction transistor Electrical characteristics
in common emitter connection and equivalent circuit.
Introduction to IC fabrication Lithography, oxidation, diffusion
and ion implantation. Fabrication of simple devices.
PHYS0016: Building blocks of the universe
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre PHYS0013, PHYS0004
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an overview
of our current understanding of elementary particles and the nature
of the fundamental forces acting between them. To describe the
atomic nucleus, radioactive decay processes and nuclear reactions
such as fission and fusion. To discuss how knowledge of the above
enables us to understand the origin of the universe and of the
elements, stars and galaxies within it.
Content: Decays and Interactions. Particle decay laws,
half-life and mean lifetime, generation and decay. Particle kinematics
and the discovery of the neutrino. Elementary Particles. Quarks,
leptons and mediators. Anti-particles. Hadrons (baryons and mesons)
in terms of multiplets. Baryon and lepton number. Fundamental
Interactions. The four forces. The exchange particle model and
Feynman diagrams. The discovery of the W and Z. Conservation laws.
Unification of forces.
The Nucleus. Nucleon interactions and binding energy. Nuclear
size and mass. The liquid drop model and semi-empirical mass formula.
The shell model. Radioactive Decay. Beta-decay. Electron and positron
emission; K-capture. Alpha decay : energetics and simplified tunnelling
theory.
Nuclear Reactions and Fission. Centre of mass frame. Scattering,
spontaneous fission, fission products. Induced fission, chain
reactions, delayed neutrons. Nuclear Fusion Reactions. Principles
of fusion reactions. Stellar nucleosynthesis. The Cosmic Connection.
The Big Bang re-visited. Separation of unified forces. Inflation
theory. Formation of elementary particles. Cosmic nucleosynthesis.
Dark matter in the universe. MACHOs, WIMPs and Winos.
Natural science students must have taken PHYS0049 in order to
undertake this unit.
PHYS0017: Introduction to solid state physics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0008, PHYS0013, PHYS0002
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce students to
the real space and reciprocal lattice. To develop an elementary
understanding of the organisation of electron states in energy
bands in metals and semiconductors. To describe the basic properties
of metals and semiconductors
Content: The real space lattice, translational symmetry,
unit cells, Miller indices and planar spacings. The reciprocal
lattice and its use in X-ray crystallography. Introduction to
bonding and energy bands in metals. Atomic orbitals leading to
sp³ hybridisation in C, Si and Ge. Bonding in covalent solids,
energy bands and gaps in semiconductors. Acceptor and donor doping
in extrinsic semiconductors, electrons and holes. Introduction
to momentum (k) space and propagation of plane waves in solids.
The Brillouin zone and Bragg reflection for simple lattices. Bloch's
theorum. Free electron theory of metals and semiconductors. Fermi-Dirac
statistics and the equilibrium Fermi gas. Electronic specific
heat. Difference between semiconductors and metals. E-k diagrams,
direct and indirect gaps, band edges and effective mass in semiconductors.
Nearly free electron model. Semi-classical dynamics of electrons
in solids and transport properties. Mobility and conductivity.
Plasma oscillations. Hall effect, cyclotron resonance and other
experimental techniques for investigating band structure.
PHYS0018: Programming skills
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 2
Assessment: CW100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To develop generic programming
skills and a structured approach to programming. To introduce
computer programming as a tool for problem solving. To develop
good programming style and understanding of the methods used for
testing and debugging programs. To introduce the FORTRAN programming
language.
Content: Concept of algorithms for problem solving.
Top-down design and structured programming; flowcharts and pseudocode.
Writing, testing and debugging of programs.
Representation of numbers; types of numbers, rounding errors,
limitations of numerical techniques.
Introduction to the FORTRAN language and compiler: Use of REAL,
INTEGER and CHARACTER variable types; Arithmetic, simple loops,
if-then-else structure; 1-D arrays and sub-programs; File handling,
input and output including formatting; Use of COMPLEX and DOUBLE
PRECISION variable types; Multi-dimensional arrays.
Sub-program libraries.
PHYS0019: Mathematics for scientists 3
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0008
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce basic mathematical
techniques required by science students. To show how methods may
be used for different applications. To develop an understanding
for the interpretation of mathematical results.
To introduce the fundamentals of Fourier analysis and give examples
of its applications to physical systems.
Content: Transform methods (18 hours): Definition of Fourier
series and Fourier components for simple periodic functions. Fourier
sine and cosine series. Complex form of Fourier series and Fourier
coefficients.
Transition to aperiodic functions, the Fourier transform. Properties
of the Fourier transform; inversion, convolution. Applications
of Fourier transforms to physical systems.
Causal functions and the Laplace transform. Applications of the
Laplace transform.
Discrete Fourier transform. Sampling theorem and applications
to signal processing.
Eigenvalues and eigenvectors (6 hours): Homogeneous linear equations.
Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of Hermitian matrices and their properties.
Linear transformations. Diagonalisation of quadratic forms. Normal
modes of vibration.
PHYS0020: Mathematics for scientists 4
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0019
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce basic mathematical
techniques required by science students. To show how methods may
be used for different applications. To develop an understanding
for the interpretation of mathematical results.
To introduce orthogonal curvilinear coordinate systems. To introduce
vector calculus in Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical coordinate
systems. To introduce scalar and vector fields. To introduce grad,
div and curl and show their physical significance. There are two
alternative endings to this course. Physics students will be shown
how to apply vector analysis to the derivation of Maxwell's equations.
Natural Sciences students will be introduced to the theory of
functions of a complex variable.
Content: Vector analysis (16 hours): Differentiation of
vectors. Space curves; parameterisation of curves, tangent vector.
Polar coordinates; velocity and acceleration. Introduction to
scalar and vector fields. Directional derivative; gradient of
a scalar field, as a vector operator in Cartesian coordinates.
Introduction to div and curl in Cartesian coordinates; physical
interpretation. Identities involving , definition of 2.
Tangential line integrals. Classification of fields; conservative
fields, potential functions, path independence of line integrals
in conservative fields. Orthogonal curvilinear coordinate systems;
Cartesian, spherical polar and cylindrical polar coordinates.
Surface and volume integrals. Div and curl; definitions as limits
of integrals; explicit forms. 2 in spherical and cylindrical
polar coordinates. Vector integral theorems; divergence and Stokes
theorems, derivation and applications. Green's theorem and applications.
EITHER
Introduction to Maxwell's equations (8 hours): Derivation of integral
and differential forms of Maxwell's equations and continuity equation.
The wave equation in source-free vacuum. Plane wave solutions.
OR
Functions of a complex variable (8 hours): Differential functions,
analytic functions, singularities, Cauchy-Riemann equations, power
series in a complex variable, elementary functions, principal
values, branch cuts. Complex integration; Cauchy's theorem and
integral, zeroes and poles, Laurent expansion, residue theorem,
principal value of an integral, Jordan's lemma, integration of
simple functions, summation of series.
PHYS0021: Laboratory & information skills 2A
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 2
Assessment: PR100
Requisites: Co: PHYS0022, Pre PHYS0011 and PHYS0012
Aims & Learning Objectives: To develop practical laboratory
skills, data analysis techniques and written presentation skills.
Content: Students will be introduced to devices, instrumentation
and measurement systems as found in a modern research environment.
A combination of short benchmark experiments and longer open ended
projects will be employed. Students will routinely work in pairs
but larger groups of four or give will be the norm in longer projects.
Experiments will be drawn from topics encompassing optical physics,
x-rays, electromagnetism, analogue electronics and ultrasonics.
These activities will be underpinned by workshops on writing skills
and scientific computer packages.
PHYS0022: Laboratory & information skills 2B
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 2
Assessment: PR100
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0021
Aims & Learning Objectives: To develop practical laboratory
skills, data analysis techniques and written and oral presentation
skills.
Content: Students will be introduced to devices, instrumentation
and measurement systems as found in a modern research environment.
A combination of short benchmark experiments and longer open ended
projects will be employed. Students will routinely work in pairs
but larger groups of four or give will be the norm in longer projects.
Experiments will be drawn from topics encompassing optical physics,
x-rays, electromagnetism, analogue electronics and ultrasonics.
These activities will be underpinned by a workshop on oral presentation
skills.
PHYS0023: Electromagnetism
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0020, Pre: PHYS0014
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide a formal treatment
of electromagnetic fields. To develop a phenomenological approach
to the analysis of electromagnetic waves in materials. To introduce
the electromagnetic boundary conditions. To provide an outline
of methods in antenna and waveguide theory via introductory examples.
Content: Mathematical review: vector calculus; div, grad,
curl; divergence and Stokes' theorem.
Maxwell's equations: Differential form of "static" Maxwell
equations from Gauss, Biot-Savart and Ampere Laws. Time variations;
Faraday's Law, the continuity equation and vacuum displacement
current.
Solutions in infinite vacuum: The wave equation. Plane wave solutions
and properties; polarisation, impedance. Electromagnetic energy.
Poynting's theorem. Radiation pressure.
Solutions in infinite materials: Concepts of linearity, isotropy
and homogeneity. Characterisation of materials in terms of macroscopic
parameters. Multipole expansion of electrostatic fields. Dipoles,
susceptibility and polarisation / magnetisation. Capacitors. The
modified wave equation; solution in conductors, dielectrics, lossy
media and plasma.
Boundaries between media: The general electromagnetic boundary
conditions. Plane waves at a planar boundary; general angle of
incidence (Fresnel equations). Brewster and critical angles. Coefficients
of transmission and reflection at normal incidence.
Radiation: Electromagnetic potentials; Retarded potentials; Near
and far fields; Radiation from a Hertz dipole; Simple antennae.
Guided waves: The rectangular metal pipe waveguide.
PHYS0024: Contemporary physics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: ES100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To enable students to find
out about some of the most exciting developments in contemporary
Physics research.
Content: This unit will be based around 5 or 6 seminars
from internal and external speakers who will introduce topics
of current interest in Physics. Students will then choose one
of these subjects on which to research and write a technical report.
Topics are likely to include recent developments in:
Astrophysics and Cosmology
Particle Physics
Medical Physics
Laser Physics
Semiconductor Physics
Superconductivity
Quantum Mechanical Simulation of Matter.
Students should have taken an appropriate selection of Year 1
and Year 2 Physics units in order to undertake this unit.
PHYS0025: Equations of science
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0020
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce methods for
solving some of the most important partial differential equations
which arise in the natural sciences. The course will cover both
linear equations and non-linear equations.
Content: Linear equations of science (15 hours): Partial
differential equations of science, including Laplace's equation,
Poisson's equation, diffusion equation, wave equation, Schrodinger's
equation. Solution by separation of variables; separation in Cartesian,
cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems. Series solutions
of differential equations; examples including Legendre polynomials,
spherical harmonics and Bessel functions. Theory of orthogonal
functions; eigenvalues and eigenvectors, superposition methods,
Green's functions. Examples from the natural sciences.
Non-linearity and chaos (9 hours): Origins of non-linearity in
the natural sciences; mathematical description. Wave propagation
and non-linearity; solitons, soliton interactions. Vibrations
of non linear oscillators; phase space, trajectories, attractors,
repellors, limit cycles, chaos. Logistic maps. Bifurcations. Fractals.
PHYS0026: Semiconductor physics & technology
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0015, Pre: PHYS0017
Aims & Learning Objectives: To describe the physics
controlling the operation of semiconductor devices and develop
the basic equations used in the modelling of such devices.
To demonstrate how the properties of materials and principles
of physics are exploited to provide a complete technology for
the production of semiconductor devices.
To describe the operation of basic electronic devices and develop
appropriate equations for their characteristics. To consider how
real devices differ from the ideal.
Content: Semiconductor Physics Semiconductor statistics
and Law of Mass Action. Carrier transport phenomena: Mobility,
scattering mechanisms, resistivity, diffusion and drift. Recombination
processes, surface recombination. Optical, thermal and high field
properties, decay of photoexcited carriers. Introduction to the
basic equations of semiconductor device operation: current density
equation and continuity equation.
Semiconductor Technology. Relevant properties of Silicon, GaAs
and SiO2. Development of the photolithography, oxide
growth, metallisation and ion implantation techniques. Crystal
growth and doping, MBE and CVD. Assessment techniques - Hall Mobility,
Oxide Tunnelling and Spectroscopy. Relationship between carrier
lifetime, resistivity, doping concentration and mobility. Limits
to the technology imposed by physics - the consequences to device
and circuit performance from ever decreasing dimensions. Complementary
attributes of Silicon vs compound semiconductors, engineering
of band gaps. Introduction to low dimensional devices.
Semiconductor Devices. PN Junction Diode. Built-in potential;
depletion layer width; ideal diode equation; depletion and diffusion
capacitance. Deviations from the ideal; generation and recombination;
reverse breakdown. Bipolar Transistor. Semi-quantitative description
of operation leading to the ideal transistor characteristics;
injection efficiency, base transport and current gain factors.
DC characteristics in common base and common emitter modes. Early
effect and other deviations from ideal. Hybrid Pi equivalent circuit
model.
Junction FET. Current-voltage characteristics; saturation; small
signal equivalent circuit.
MOSFET. MOS capacitor; surface charges; inversion, depletion and
accumulation; current-voltage characteristic, equivalent circuit.
Introduction to optoelectronic devices. LED, diode lasers and
photodiode.
PHYS0027: Signals & measurement systems
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0003, Pre: PHYS0019
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce concepts of
noise and methods of recovering signals from noise. To introduce
sampled signals, the artefacts generated by sampling and digital
signal processing. To introduce some of the wide range of transducers
used in measurement and control systems. To explain how feedback
is used in a wide variety of measurement and control systems.
To show through a detailed study of selected measurement and control
systems how the basic building blocks can be chosen and assembled
and the static and dynamic system performance analysed.
Content: Noise and random signals. Noise sources: thermal
noise and shot noise. Noise calculations. Noise figure and noise
contours. Signal to noise ratio.
Sampled signals and the sampling theorem. Discrete Fourier transform.
Fundamental interval and aliasing. Resolution. Discontinuities
and spectral leakage. Windowing techniques.
Introduction to digital signal processing e.g. filtering.
Environmental noise and how to minimise its effects as illustrated
by low level dc voltages and current measurements.
AC measuring techniques and signal recovery methods: filtering,
averaging and phase sensitive detection. Lock-in amplifier, box-car
integrator and multichannel averager. Correlation techniques.
Introduction to sensor and transducer technologies. Feedback,
and its application to measurement and control systems. Static
and dynamic theory of feedback. Case studies of instrumentation
systems e.g. Frequency and amplitude stabilisation of a laser.
Fluxgate magnetometer. Tunnelling microscope.
PHYS0028: Solids & surfaces
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0017, Pre: PHYS0020
Aims & Learning Objectives: To extend the study of
solid state physics beyond that of electrons in perfect crystals
covered in the 'Introduction to Solid State Physics' unit. To
introduce the physics of disorder (lattice vibrations and defects
in crystalline materials, amorphous materials) and surfaces
Content: Lattice vibrations: dynamics of linear, monatomic
and diatomic chains, dispersion relations, acoustic and optic
vibrations. Extension to three-dimensional crystals. Quantisation
and phonons, crystal momentum. Study of phonons by inelastic neutron
and light scattering. Elastic constants. Thermal properties of
insulating crystals; lattice contribution to specific heat. Debye
approximation. Thermal conductivity. Dielectric and optical properties.
Scattering of electrons by phonons, saturation of electron drift
velocity, temperature dependence of electrical conductivity. Phase
transitions and lattice dynamics.
Defects and non-crystalline materials: point defects and dislocations
in crystals. Effect on electronic, optical and mechanical properties.
Charge compensation, colour centres and excitons. Deformation
of crystals, fracture and hardening. Crystal growth. Introduction
to amorphous solids. Structural, electronic (eg localised states,
mobility gap) and thermal properties.
Surface physics: importance of surfaces, eg catalysis, corrosion,
epitaxial growth. Atomic structure, reconstruction, defects. Electronic
structure and localised states. Adsorbates. Experimental probes;
STM, LEED, photoemission.
PHYS0029: Thermodynamics & statistical mechanics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0002, Pre: PHYS0008
Aims & Learning Objectives: To develop an appreciation
of the concepts of classical thermodynamics and their application
to common physical processes. To introduce the concepts of statistical
mechanics showing how one builds from an elementary treatment
based on counting ways of arranging objects to a discussion of
Fermi-Dirac and Bose systems, simple phase transitions and more
advanced phenomena.
Content: Classical thermodynamics; First and second laws
of thermodynamics. Isothermal and adiabatic processes. Thermodynamic
temperature scale, heat engines, refrigerators, the Carnot cycle,
efficiency and entropy. Thermodynamic functions, Maxwell's relations
and their applications. Specific heat equations, phase changes,
latent heat equations and critical points.
Statistical Mechanics; Basic postulates. Systems in thermal contact
and thermal equilibrium. Statistical definitions of entropy, temperature
and chemical potential. Boltzmann factor and partition function
illustrated by harmonic oscillator and two-state system. Planck
distribution: photons, radiation, phonons. Fermions and Bosons:
Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distribution functions. Properties
of Fermi systems: ground state of a Fermi gas, density of states;
Fermi gas at non-zero temperature; electrons in solids, models
of white dwarf and neutron stars. Properties of Bose systems:
Bose-Einstein condensation, superfluidity and superconductivity.
Applications of Statistical Mechanics to classical and quantum
systems such as non-reacting and reacting mixtures of classical
gases; equilibrium of two-phase assemblies; models of magnetic
crystals, the Ising model; mean-field and other approaches to
phase transitions in ferromagnets and binary alloys; elementary
kinetic theory of transport processes; transport theory using
the relaxation-time approximation: electrical conductivity, viscosity;
propagation of heat and sound.
PHYS0030: Quantum mechanics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0020
Aims & Learning Objectives: To develop a mathematical
model of the quantum world and to show how this may be used to
describe a wide range of physical phenomena. To show the relation
between wave functions, operators and experimental observables.
To set up and solve the Schrodinger equation in a number of standard
model systems.
Content: Introduction: Breakdown of classical concepts.
Old quantum theory.
Quantum mechanical concepts and models: The "state"
of a quantum mechanical system. Hilbert space. Observables and
operators. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. Dirac bra and ket vectors.
Basis functions and representations. Probability distributions
and expectation values of observables.
Schrodinger's equation: Operators for position, time, momentum
and energy. Derivation of time-dependent Schrodinger equation.
Correspondence to classical mechanics. Commutation relations and
the Uncertainty Principle. Time evolution of states. Stationary
states and the time-independent Schrodinger equation.
Motion in one dimension: Free particles. Wave packets and momentum
probability density. Time dependence of wave packets. Bound states
in square wells. Parity. Reflection and transmission at a step.
Tunnelling through a barrier. Linear harmonic oscillator.
Motion in three dimensions: Stationary states of free particles.
Central potentials; quantisation of angular momentum. The radial
equation. Square well; ground state of the deuteron. Electrons
in atoms; the hydrogen atom. Hydrogen-like atoms; the Periodic
Table.
Spin angular momentum: Pauli spin matrices. Identical particles.
Symmetry relations for bosons and fermions. Pauli's exclusion
principle.
Approximate methods for stationary states: Time independent perturbation
theory. The variational method. Scattering of particles; the Born
approximation.
PHYS0031: Simulation techniques
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0020
Aims & Learning Objectives: To outline the steps required
in the construction of a mathematical model of a physical system.
To introduce various computational techniques to analyse these
models, illustrated through case studies.
Content: Construction of a mathematical model of a physical
system; de-dimensionalisation, order of magnitude estimate of
relative sizes of terms.
Importance of boundary conditions. The need for computed solutions.
Discretisation using grids or basis sets. Discretisation errors.
The finite difference method; review of ODE solutions. Construction
of difference equations from PDEs. Boundary conditions. Applications.
The finite element method; Illustration of global, variational
approach to solution of PDEs. Segmentation. Boundary conditions.
Applications.
Molecular Dynamics and Monte-Carlo Methods; examples of N-body
problems, ensembles and averaging. The basic MD strategy. The
basic MC strategy; random number generation and importance sampling.
Applications in statistical mechanics. Simulated annealing. Computer
experiments. Solving finite difference problems via random walks.
Other major algorithms of computational science; the Fast Fourier
Transform, matrix methods, including diagonalisation, optimisation
methods, including non-linear least squares fitting.
PHYS0032: Lasers & modern optics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0013, Pre: PHYS0017,
Pre: PHYS0023
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide a treatment
of the interactions of light with matter, with particular emphasis
on the generation and manipulation of laser radiation
Content: Diffractive Optics
Bandwidth of a finite pulse, diffraction at apertures, spatial
filtering, introduction to holography, gaussian beams, matrix
methods, laser cavities and resonators
Lasers
Principles of laser operation, temporal and spectral characteristics,
types of lasers, linewidths and broadening, Q switching and mode
locking
Manipulation of light
Dielectric waveguides, optical fibres, periodic structures, scattering,
non-linear optics, electro-optical and acousto-optic effects,
introduction to quantum optics
PHYS0033: Advanced electronic devices
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0013, Pre: PHYS0015,
Pre: PHYS0017, Pre: PHYS0023
Aims & Learning Objectives: To give an introduction
to the physics and operation of a range of advanced electronic
and optoelectronic devices. To develop an understanding of how
fundamental principles affect performance
Content: Electronic Devices
MBE. Contrast between group IV and III-V semiconductors; Schottky
diodes; Ohmic contacts; Gunn diodes; Heterojunction bipolar transistors;
MESFETs; Modulations doped structures and High Electron Mobility
Transistors; Tunnel diodes; Quantum well devices, resonant tunnelling
diodes; Hot electron devices; Superconducting devices, Josephson
junctions and SQUIDS
Electron photon interaction in semiconductors
Properties of semiconductor diode lasers: basic structure, spectral
operation, modulation performance, classes of diode lasers
Advanced optical detectors: PIN photodiodes, avalanche detectors
Optical amplification: physical principles, semiconductor amplifiers,
erbium fibre amplifiers
Application of optoelectronic devices: Optical communications,
optical storage
Optical properties of quantum well devices: quantum confined effects,
quantum well lasers, quantum well modulators
PHYS0034: Complex states of matter
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0017
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce the physics
and applications of highly ordered states of matter including
magnetism, superfluidity and superconductivity.
Content: Introduction to solid state magnetism and models
of magnetic crystals; Ising model, Heisenberg model. Ferromagnetism,
anti-ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism and magnetic phase transitions.
Ferromagnetism; the magnetisation process, anisotropy, domain
structure, hysteresis loops, magnetisation dynamics and magnetostriction.
Hard and soft materials and their applications..
The production of low temperatures; liquid cryogens, the Helium
dilution refrigerator, adiabatic demagnetisation and Pomeranchuck
cooling. Laser cooling and Bose-Einstein condensation in atomic
traps.
The physics of the superfluid and superconducting state.
Superfluidity; properties of liquid Helium-4, superfluidity in
Helium-4, London and Landau models. Differences between Helium-4
and Helium-3. Different phases and superfluidity in liquid Helium-3.
Superconductivity; basic phenomena of superconductivity: critical
temperature, zero resistance, critical magnetic field, Meissner
effect, penetration depth, coherence length. Thermodynamics of
superconductivity. Two fluid model. Ginsburg-Landau theory. Microscopic
theory, Cooper pairs, electron phonon interaction, isotope effect,
BCS model and the energy gap. Type I and type II superconductors,
the mixed state. Applications of type II materials. Tunnelling
in superconductors, Josephson effect, SQUIDs and applications.
High Tc superconductivity.
PHYS0035: Medical physics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0008, Pre: PHYS0014, Pre: PHYS0016
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce the application
of physics to medicine in the specific areas of medical imaging
and ionising radiation. To show how core physics from earlier
modules can be applied to these medical applications.
Content: Ionising radiation: Photon, electron and heavier
particle absorption and scattering processes in tissue, including
the effects of incident energy and tissue inhomogeneity. Influence
of above processes on radiotherapeutic and radiodiagnostic techniques
and equipment. Principles of dosimetry. Nuclear magnetic resonance
imaging:
Physical properties of body tissues. Production of cross-sectional
images of tissue properties, and function, using nuclear magnetic
resonance imaging. Spatial resolution, dynamic range, imaging
speed, contrast enhancement and safety.
Computed X-ray tomography: Spatial resolution, dynamic range,
imaging speed, contrast enhancement and safety.
Radioisotopes: Basic characteristics, common radionuclides and
their generation, detectors including gamma camera, scintography,
ECT and PET.
Ultrasonic Imaging: Generation and structure of ultrasonic fields:
Piezoelectric devices. Nearfield and far field of transducers,
focused fields and pulsed fields. Arrays. Field measurements.
Nonlinear propagation. Attenuation and absorption: Characteristics
of typical propagation media and effects on system design. Plane
wave reflection and transmission at interfaces. Scattering from
discrete scatterers. Introduction to scattering from random media.
Limitations on resolution of systems.
The Doppler principle. Continuous wave and pulsed Doppler instruments.
Medical ultrasound systems in current use and clinical applications.
Exposure measurement and safety.
PHYS0036: Final year project - A
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: OT100
Requisites: Co PHYS0037
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide students with
the opportunity to investigate in depth some aspect or application
of physics, to develop experimental and/or professional skills
complementary to those developed in formal lecture courses, and,
in the best cases, giving students first-hand experience of innovation
and research.
Content: Final year projects offered cover a wide range
of physics and most reflect the research interests of academic
staff. Many are related to the School's externally sponsored research
projects (funded by the Research Councils, public companies, and
UK government or EU agencies). Each year a few projects are carried
over from students' industrial placements. A few projects are
concerned with the development of undergraduate experiments.
PHYS0037: Final year project - B
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: PR67 OR33
Requisites: Co PHYS0036
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide students with
the opportunity to investigate in depth some aspect or application
of physics, to develop experimental and/or professional skills
complementary to those developed in formal lecture courses, and,
in the best cases, giving students first-hand experience of innovation
and research.
Content: Student continues work of unit project A
PHYS0038: MPhys laboratory A
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Undergraduate Masters
Assessment: PR100
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0021, Pre: PHYS0022,
Co: PHYS0039
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce ideas as to
how open-ended problems can be efficiently approached and limited
time and resources managed. To provide first hand experience of
working in a scientific research group.
Content: (i) Five One Day Attachments to Research Groups
taken from:
Optics and Optoelectronics
Quantum Structures and Terahertz Physics
Experimental Solid State Physics
Applied Magnetics
Underwater Acoustics and Medical Ultrasonics
Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
(ii) Mini Research Project
The student will select one of the single day attachments to a
research group to develop further. He/she will take the initiative
in deciding the project scope and management including the construction
of a time management Gantt chart including milestones and objectives
as appropriate.
PHYS0039: MPhys laboratory B
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Undergraduate Masters
Assessment: PR100
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0021, Pre; PHYS0022,
Co: PHYS0038
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce the student
to a broad range of measurement and characterisation techniques
that are routinely employed in the physical sciences
Content: This module is synthesised from short laboratory
sessions given at the undergraduate Masters level in the Schools
working in the physical sciences. Possible contributions are:-
Physics:- IC design, Computational Physics, X-ray Characterisation
of Solids.
Chemistry:- Spectroscopic characterisation of Materials.
Materials Science:- Mechanical Properties of Solids, Structural
Characterisation of Solids, Electron Optical Techniques
PHYS0040: Industrial placement
Academic Year
Credits: 60
Level: Level 2
Assessment: OT100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: (i) To provide practical
experience in the application and usefulness of knowledge and
skills gained at the university, by working on a significant research
project or other professional activity in an approved laboratory
or other organisation employing a significant number of physicists.
(ii) To develop in an applied research environment personal skills,
such as communication orally and in writing, planning and time
management, problem solving, decision making and team membership.
Content: The content varies from placement to placement.
In choosing the placement, the university will try to ensure that
the project offers adequate opportunities for the student to demonstrate
competence in at least six of the eleven assessed categories:
Application of academic knowledge, Practical ability, Computational
skill, Analytical and problem solving skill, Innovation and originality,
Time management, Writing skills, Oral expression, Interpersonal
skills, Reliability, and Development potential.
PHYS0041: Research placement
Academic Year
Credits: 60
Level: Undergraduate Masters
Assessment: OT100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: (i) To provide practical
experience in the application and usefulness of knowledge and
skills gained at the university, by working on a significant research
project in an approved advanced research laboratory.
(ii) To develop in an applied research environment personal skills,
such as communication orally and in writing, planning and time
management, problem solving, decision making and team membership.
(iii) To acquire an understanding of the general structure and
significance of the employing organisation, and the importance
of the research to the organisation's overall strategy.
Content: The content varies from placement to placement.
In choosing the placement, the university will try to ensure that
the project offers adequate opportunities for the student to demonstrate
competence in at least eight of the eleven assessed categories:
Application of academic knowledge, Practical ability, Computational
skill, Analytical and problem solving skill, Innovation and originality,
Time management, Writing skills, Oral expression, Interpersonal
skills, Reliability, and Development potential.
PHYS0042: BSc year abroad
Academic Year
Credits: 60
Level: Level 2
Assessment: OT100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: (i) To assist the student
to develop personal and interpersonal communication skills and
to develop the ability to work and interact effectively in a group
environment in which cultural norms and ways of operating may
be very different from those previously familiar.
(ii) To develop an understanding of the stresses that occur in
working in a different culture from the UK, and to learn to cope
with those stresses and work efficiently. To develop the self-confidence
and maturity to operate effectively with people from a different
cultural background.
(iii) In the case of students attending lectures in a language
other than English, to develop the ability to operate at a high
scientific level in the language of the country concerned; this
would include oral communication and comprehension as well as
reading and writing.
(iv) In the case of students attending Universities in countries
whose language is not English some knowledge of the host language
by attending classes therein.
Content: It is assumed that the student abroad will accomplish
work equivalent to 60 University of Bath credits (10 units). Details
of these are necessarily left to negotiation with individual University,
students and the Bath Director of Studies but a sample study programme
would include work in Physics, Maths and in Science areas outside
these. It would also be appropriate to include Management, work
in Language if appropriate, and one or two units in areas more
related to the culture of the country in which the student is
working.
PHYS0043: MPhys year abroad
Academic Year
Credits: 60
Level: Undergraduate Masters
Assessment: OT100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: (i) To assist the student
to develop personal and interpersonal communication skills and
to develop the ability to work and interact effectively in a group
environment in which cultural norms and ways of operating may
be very different from those previously familiar.
(ii) To develop an understanding of the stresses that occur in
working in a different culture from the UK, and to learn to cope
with those stresses and work efficiently. To develop the self-confidence
and maturity to operate effectively with people from a different
cultural background.
(iii) In the case of students attending lectures in a language
other than English, to develop the ability to operate at a high
scientific level in the language of the country concerned; this
would include oral communication and comprehension as well as
reading and writing.
(iv) In the case of students attending Universities in countries
whose language is not English some knowledge of the host language
by attending classes therein.
Content: It is assumed that the student abroad will accomplish
work equivalent to 60 University of Bath credits (i.e. 10 units).
Details of those are necessarily left to negotiation with individual
Universities, students and the Bath Director of Studies but a
sample study programme might be:
EUROPE USA
* Academic units 36 credits (6 units) 42 credits (7 units)
* Management 6 credits (1 unit) 6 credits (1 unit)
* Research project 12 credits (2 units) 12 credits (2 units)
* Language work 6 credits (1 unit) 0
Among the Academic units there should be units equivalent to those
taken by students on the Bath full-time MPhys course
PHYS0044: Introduction to solid state physics & electromagnetism
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre: PHYS0014, Pre: PHYS0020
Aims & Learning Objectives: This unit will run only
in 1997/98 and provides a transition for students returning from
placement or study year abroad. It will consist of approximately
16 lectures on 'Introduction to Solid State Physics' followed
by the last 8 lectures of the 'Electromagnetism' unit.
Content: see 'Introduction to Solid State Physics' (Year
2) and 'Electromagnetism' (Year 3)
PHYS0045: Advanced topics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Level: Undergraduate Masters
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: This unit consists of a
number of advanced topics designed to extend the breadth and depth
of knowledge of MPhys students beyond what would be expected of
BSc students.
Content: The unit will run on a two-yearly basis and will
consist of two or three courses in each year. The courses will
tend to reflect the research interests of staff members in the
School of Physics. Possible courses include: Theory of complex
variables; Quantum nanostructure devices; Fluid dynamics; Advanced
quantum theory; Acoustic scattering theory; Group theory; Tensor
properties of solids; Remote sensing principles.
Back to:
Physics Programme Catalogue
Programme / Unit Catalogue 1997/98