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A WORD FROM THE SCHOOL PRESIDENT
Welcome. You are about to begin on an adventure through the inner-most workings of nature, the universe, and all of reality. Be excited. You earned it. The school of Physics and Astronomy (PANDA) is one of the foremost institutions of its kind. From groundbreaking developments in laser physics to the discoveries of planets beyond our own, we are witness and participant to a history of new knowledge. Our expert faculty are here to help you grow as a critical thinker, both inside the classroom and out.
The school is tremendously excited to be presenting such a rich set of events for your first week at the University. I invite you to come along to our entrants quiz on Tuesday afternoon, followed by a casual reception and lab tour. As well, the Physics Society will be hosting an advising breakfast to get us back into the early morning routine. The Astronomical Society, too, will be providing a barbecue at the University Observatory with a rocket launch organised by our resident engineers, the Saints Engineering Group. Check out the orientation schedule for the complete list! There’s plenty to do in this auld grey toon!
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On behalf of all students and staff, we wish you the best. Not only on your degree here at St Andrews, but also further down the line. The skills and techniques you will learn here will carry you for a lifetime, no matter how insignificant that statement might seem just now. Take it in.
John R Weaver Iv
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Big names on campus Wee abbreviated version The study of natural history has been taking place in St Andrews since 1450 and is still thriving in our community today The J.F. Allen Building was named after a former
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Head of School, who had discovered the fountain effect in liquid helium Famous Physicists of St Andrews: ◦
John Napier - llogarithms (left)
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John Leslie - refrigeration
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James Gregory - interference of light, astronomy
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David Brewster - polarisation of light
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Wilson Sibbett - ultrashort pulses from lasers
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Moira Jardine - first observation of a star flipping its magnetic field (left)
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Kishan Dholakia - Guiness book of world records for fastest spinning man-made object
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It’s a long held myth that the dimples on a golfball come from a design created by a university physics professor, after finding an exotic piece of dimpled packing foam flew further than the golf balls at the time. The musician K.T. Tunstall is not only from St Andrews, but she spent much of her childhood in the department, as her father was a lecturer. It’s tradition to celebrate newly qualified PhD’s by throwing them into the school pond The university observatory is the largest optical telescope in the UK, and the largest of its design
Interview with Dr Bruce Sinclair What do you do? I'm the director of teaching. This includes a variety of things but most importantly giving you good modules and a good overall programme. I am involved in student welfare in the school, helping deal with problems should they arise. I also liaise with various other bodies in the university. I work closely with the careers centre e.g. organising career’s events for the school. All of that and my own teaching. When will students see you? Well I teach a variety of classes: Physics 1A optics, Physics 2B Electromagnetism, Junior Honours Transferable skills for Physicists and the 5th year Advanced Lasers module. I also coordinate part of the 3rd and 4th year labs along with sitting on the Student-Staff Council (SSC). (We can say from experience that you will see plenty of Bruce over the coming years). What’s your research on? Originally I started researching miniature solid state lasers of which I made a fair bit of progress. Now I work on research of physics education. What do you do in your spare time? With my family mostly, gardening (doesn’t that sound middle aged) and I also enjoy hiking when I can. What’s the best thing about St Andrews? Definitely the people (students included!). Tell us a fun fact? Which one? There are so many fun facts about physics! Thanks Bruce.
All degrees culminate in a final year project Astrophysics It’s all about space, the universe, and the mysteries that lie beyond our planet. In addition to the core physics and maths modules, you will learn the fundamentals of astronomy through two sub-honours astronomy modules. Later, you will delve into the realm of the nebulae, black holes, galaxies, and other exciting phenomena at the forefront of our knowledge. Experimental
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Joint Degrees Looking to diversify your degree? Interested in the melody of physics and mathematics? Or perhaps the philosophical bases of the scientific method? No matter where your studies take you, the school will be here for you.
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If it makes your heart jump when an elephantsized equation can be boiled down to just 3 terms, this course could be your cup of tea. Your eyes will be opened to complexities beyond Newtonian mechanics. This path will make you a flexible thinker by focusing on content such as quantum field theory, special relativity and an extra dose of maths, culminating in a final year project.
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This path will ensure you are the perfect companion for an apocalypse. An experimental physics degree includes plenty of hands-on experience in the laboratory environment. There is plenty of choice in what you learn as you progress: electronics, lasers, solid state physics and cold atoms are just a few examples. You will become a pro wizard at problem solving. So when it is your turn to fix that one machine and save humanity, you will be prepared!
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Degree Paths
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Entry Points This is flexible to changes during the first week 1st Year Entry
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The most common and most “traditional” route. You begin your degree with a solid foundation in classical mechanics, optics, and other core elements that everything since stands upon. Besides physics and maths modules, you are allowed a selection of modules from without your degree. 2nd Year Entry The accelerated entry into physics can bring great reward with due effort. The school reserves this entry point for those students with demonstrated Advanced Highers or A-level credentials in Mathematics and Physics, or international equivalent. Although some classes will be condensed, or with supplemental material, you will gain the skills necessary to succeed alongside your peers.
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Gateway Aside from the core 1000-level modules in physics and mathematics, the gateway program offers a critical founding in necessary techniques and skills through additional contact time and assistance. Please note that this option is only available to those chosen in the admissions process.
Physics Library If you’re looking for peace and quiet, then head upstairs to the Physics and Astronomy Library. We are fortunate that we have our own dedicated library, which has every book you need for your modules, research project, and beyond. It’s also has two small group study rooms. Foyer Space Looking to work over a bite to eat? Meeting
at the top of the hour and during lunch. Group Study Room If you’re looking for a space for collaborative work, check out the group study room just behind the cafe. Each table has a computer monitor for displaying tutorials, presentations, you name it. But get there early, as seats fill up quickly!
If you need a computer and don’t mind the buzz of PC’s, then head over to the PC classroom, located just next to the entrance. There’s plenty of room, except when the space is booked out for classes. Best place for printing out materials too!
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Computer Lab
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up with friends? The newly renovated foyer space near the cafe is a great spot to get work done at most hours during the day. Just keep in mind that it can get very noisy
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Libraries/Study Spaces in Physics
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things: f o p o t on Staying During your degree, you will be challenged in various ways. This can be very enjoyable, but it is important to not become overwhelmed by the workload and a new lifestyle. Here are some tips from the Physics Society: • • • •
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Read ahead before lectures Review your notes after class Go to lectures, workshops and labs, even if they are not compulsory Tutorial sheets are great practice, if you can do these then you are likely to pass the exam. Keep up to date, and go to the tutorials Talk through problems with friends Find questions that stretch you Revise for exams! Give yourself enough time to get through everything Sleep! It sounds ridiculous, but many students forget about this major part of the learning process Same goes for conscious relaxation everyone needs a bit of time off
HEALTH WARNING: It is impossible to do all of this for every course. Instead, go to all timetabled learning opportunities. Focus on tutorials and areas that you struggle more with. Remember that you can always ask for help.
Make sure physics is a mutually beneficial endeavour! The more you put in, the more you get back from this subject. With this in mind, stay engaged! How? We've got it covered. PhySoc We host regular talks, trips, movies and social events where you can meet likeminded physicists Talk to your lecturers Find out about their research; most are sincerely pleased to talk about their work. Talks There will be group seminars, departmental colloquia and inagural lectures: most of these events welcome undergraduate attendance. Although daunting, nobody will mind and this is a great way of piquing your own interest Summer research projects Approach staff directly, with enthusiasm (and early) Do your own thing! Don't be too scared to make cool things happen! This is a great place to find people who will help you go far in your achievments.
Seminars PhySoc Lecture Series The most versatile and accessible lecture series in the department is hosted by our own Physics Society. Speakers are recruited from around the department, highlighting the ongoing projects. Bring your lunch! Time: varied Place: see calendar School Colloquium Although aimed at seasoned researchers and PhD students, the school colloquium is open to everyone. This is a nice way to be exposed to more advanced topics and a professional academic environment. Time: Weekly Place: Theatre C - check calendar Astro Lunchtime Talks More inclined towards astrophysics? Exoplanets? Then check out the weekly talks held by our resident astronomers. Speakers are usually a mix between local and international researchers. You can expect a full room, but a very casual atmosphere. Lunches are welcome! Time: Weekly Place: Room 222 (?)
RESEARCH GROUPS Photonics Ensuring an abundance of ‘laser hazard’ signs about the department, St Andrews photonics researchers explore various topics, including semiconductor optoelectrics, quantum optics, and mmwaves. The School’s Photonics Innovation Centre interacts regularly with industrial organisations, while recent efforts in biophotonics have enabled new techniques for the study and treatment of disease at the cellular level. Condensed Matter The condensed matter research going on at the School is extensive and varied. Theoreticians work hard on concepts ranging from quantum many body effects to dynamics in nanostructures, while the basement hides an ever expanding array of facilities, from cutting edge ultra-high vacuum chambers in which the electron structures of materials are probed, to complex laser systems used for cooling and trapping atoms. Astro Astronomy at St Andrews is diverse. Although most of our researchers focus on either exoplanets or galaxies, it’s always a mixed bag. Utilizing state-ofthe-art observatories from around the world and in space, the school constantly produces noteworthy scientific papers, working to answer fundamental questions of extraterrestrial life, and the fate and evolution of the universe itself.
SUMMER RESEARCH/CAREERS Whether you’re set on a career in academia, or in industry, or otherwise, it’s always a good strategy to think a few steps ahead. Securing an internship is a fantastic way to improve your skillset and show potential employers your mettle.
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Where to start? The best way to seek out opportunities is showing an earnest interest in whatever it is you want to do.
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Enjoyed a talk? Speak with the lecturer afterwards! It might just happen that they’re looking for someone to join their research in the near future.
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Email around! Show your interest in their subject by reading about it. Check out their own research. Explain to them how it is interesting to you. More often than not they will make the time to talk to you.
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Need advice? The careers centre is here for you. Check out their website: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/
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There are talks from current students about their internships. Find out what they have been up to! Ask questions!
ELECTIONS/SSC YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
The School of Physics and Astronomy works through a collective known as the Student Staff Council. Twice each semester the SSC convenes a meeting to discuss issues within the school. Each module elects a representative who give feedback on the module, and work closely with the module coordinator to make improvements. Why get involved? Being a class representative is extremely rewarding. You work alongside your peers to address problems, brainstorm ideas and implement solutions. As physicists, we are problem solvers. It’s amazing how effective and universal that skillset can be. Positions for 1st/2nd year: ◦
1st year physics x2
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1st year astro
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2nd year physics
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2nd year astro
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2nd year direct entry physics
EVENTS PHYSOC •
Pub crawl
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Weekly lunchtime lectures
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Trip to CERN
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STARBALL
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Fresher's Rep
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Movie nights, socials
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Orientation week breakfast
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Stargazing nights
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Annual trips
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Trip to CERN
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BBQ/stargazing
All of this plus more will be on our advertisement pages Keep an eye out for Facebook events, posters and emails from our committee
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ChemSoc BioSoc AtroSoc SUMS SEG Sci@StAnd
A handy map for your travels...
Check out our website! www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~physoc1/
