Durham University Department of Physics

University of Durham Department of Physics
Location	Durham, County Durham, England
Campus	Main Campus, Durham University
Affiliations	University of Durham
Website	www.dur.ac.uk/physics

The Department of Physics at Durham University in Durham, England, is a large Physics and Astronomy Department involved in both undergraduate teaching and scientific research. In the most recent subject review report by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education, the Department achieved maximum marks (24/24)^[1] and in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise the Department retained a Grade 5A rating.^[2] In addition, the Department's research into Space Science and Astrophysics was rated as number one in Europe and fourth in the world by Thomson Reuters from its Essential Science Indicators (1998–2008). ^[3]

Location and admissions

The Department is situated on the University's Science Site, on the south side of the city of Durham, 2 miles from Junction 62 of the A1(M) and approx 5 minutes drive from Durham Station.^[4] Students are members of one of the 14 colleges in the city.

Each year the Department admits around 140 students for degrees in Physics, Physics & Astronomy and Theoretical Physics. The current standard conditional offer given to a student taking A-Level examinations is A*AA, to include Physics and Mathematics.^[5]

Admissions are processed through UCAS. In addition, an applicant must be accepted by one of the colleges of Durham University.^[6]

Taught programmes

The Department offers 3 year (Bachelor's) Undergraduate courses in Physics and Physics & Astronomy, 4 year (Master's) courses in Physics, Physics & Astronomy and Theoretical Physics and also participates in Joint Honours and Natural Science programmes with other departments of the university. Taught and research based Master's degrees and research based PhDs are available at Postgraduate level.^[7]

All research takes place within the department whilst teaching also takes place in various locations around the University. The department's equipment includes a suite of modern, computer controlled telescopes and a network of over 40 PC's for undergraduate use. Increasing use is made of the University's online learning environment, Durham University Online (DUO). All undergraduates in the department are entitled to membership of the Institute of Physics.^[8]

Members of staff

The Departments staff includes 24 professors, 6 readers, 8 senior lecturers, 9 lecturers, about 50 post-doctoral researchers and fellows and 90 PhD postgraduate students.^[9][10] These include:

• Professor Martin J Ward, Head of Department
• Professor Richard Abram, Condensed Matter Theory
• Professor Charles Adams, Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Professor Patricia Ball, Particle Theory
• Professor Richard Bower, Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology
• Professor Martyn Chamberlain, Terahertz Physics
• Professor Shaun Cole, Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology
• Professor Chris Done, Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology
• Professor Ken Durose, Condensed Matter
• Professor David Flower, Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Professor Carlos Frenk, Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology
• Professor John Girkin, Biophysics
• Professor Nigel Glover, Particle Theory
• Professor Ruth Gregory, Mathematical Physics
• Professor Damian Hampshire, Condensed Matter
• Professor Peter Hatton, Condensed Matter
• Professor Professor Valya Khoze, Particle Theory
• Professor Tom McLeish, Condensed Matter
• Professor Andy Monkman, Organic Electronics
• Professor Simon Morris, Astronomy (Advanced Instrumentation)
• Professor Mike Pennington, Mathematical Physics
• Professor Tom Shanks, Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology
• Professor Ray Sharples, Astronomy (Advanced Instrumentation)
• Professor Georg Weiglein, Particle Theory

Research groups

The Department maintains five research groups:

• Advanced Instrumentation
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Elementary Particle Theory

In addition the Department is involved with the Institute for Computational Cosmology, the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, the Photonic Materials Institute, the Centre for Renewable Energy and the Biophysical Sciences Institute.^[11]

PhysSoc

The Durham University Physical Society (PhysSoc) is mostly made up of Physics Undergraduates from the Department but is open to a wider audience, aiming to "bring together undergraduates with an interest in Physics, with an aim to further their understanding and interest in the most fundamental science."^[12] It runs a regular lecture series and a Summer Ball for Physics students at the University.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ QAA - Report on University of Durham, Physics and Astronomy, QAA, UK. Retrieved 1/10/09.
2. ^ Research Assessment Exercise, UK. Retrieved 1/10/09.
3. ^ "Institutional rankings in space sciences". Times Higher Education Supplement. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=403363. Retrieved 2009-01-31. 
4. ^ Durham University Physics Department - Location, Durham University, UK. Retrieved 1/10/09.
5. ^ Durham University Department of Physics - Undergraduate Courses, Durham University, UK. Retrieved on 10th October 2011.
6. ^ Durham University Department of Physics - How to apply, Durham University, UK. Retrieved on 1st September 2009.
7. ^ Durham University Physics Department - Courses, Durham University, UK. Retrieved 1/10/09.
8. ^ Durham University Physics Department - Studying here, Durham University, UK. Retrieved 1/10/09.
9. ^ Durham University Physics Department - About, Durham University, UK. Retrieved 1/10/09.
10. ^ Durham University Physics Department - Staff, Durham University, UK. Retrieved 1/10/09.
11. ^ Durham University Physics Department - Research, Durham University, UK. Retrieved 1/10/09.
12. ^ Durham University Physical Society, Durham University, UK. Retrieved 1/10/09.