PH30126: Symmetry & topology
[Page last updated: 03 June 2024]
| Academic Year: | 2024/25 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Physics |
| Credits: | 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 120 |
| Level: | Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
- Semester 2
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| Assessment Summary: | EXOB 100% |
| Assessment Detail: | |
| Supplementary Assessment: |
- Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
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| Requisites: |
Before taking this module you must take PH30030 OR take PH30134
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| Learning Outcomes: |
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
- explain the importance of symmetry in theoretical physics;
- classify the symmetries of physical systems;
- explain aspects of abstract group theory;
- apply concepts of group theory to problems in quantum mechanics;
- describe, classify and outline the role of topology in physical systems.
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| Aims: | The aim of this unit is to provide an introduction to group theory, representation theory and topology, and their application in describing and understanding physical systems.
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| Skills: | Numeracy T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A.
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| Content: | Symmetries in nature. Group theory: concepts, and general properties. Discrete groups and their representation. Continuous groups and their representation. Space-time symmetries. Gauge symmetry. Topological symmetries. Applications, drawn from classical dynamics, quantum, atomic and condensed matter physics: including symmetry decomposition, perturbations, level splitting and selection rules; molecular vibrations; LCAO theory; graphene.
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| Course availability: |
PH30126 is Compulsory on the following courses:
Department of Physics
- USPH-AFB16 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AFM16 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AFM17 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Research placement (Year 3)
PH30126 is Optional on the following courses:
Department of Physics
- USXX-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics (Year 3)
- USPH-AFM02 : MPhys(Hons) Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AFM04 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Research placement (Year 3)
- USPH-AFM10 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics (Year 3)
- USPH-AFM11 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Research placement (Year 3)
- USXX-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
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Notes: - This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
- Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
- Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
- Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.
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