department of physics and astronomy professor bob warwick head of department
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Department of Physics and Astronomy
Origins
• 1921, Founding of the Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland College in buildings of an old lunatic asylum
• 1924, Departments of Physics and Chemistry established
• 1927, Renamed University College, Leicester
• 1946, First Chair in Physics (Prof E A Stewardson)
• 1957, University of Leicester granted its Royal Charter and degree awarding status
Department of Physics and Astronomy
A Successful University
• Six Faculties: Arts & Humanities, Biological Science & Medicine, Education, Law, Science, Social Science.
• 7300 Undergraduates
• 1200 Postgraduates, Research; 9700 Postgraduates, Taught
• 650 Academic Staff, 670 Academic-related, 1700 Other staff
• Turnover of £150 million per year
Department of Physics and Astronomy
A Top Rated Teaching & Research Department
• Top Grade 5 in the last three Research Assessment Exercises (1992, 1996, 2001).
• Excellent rating in the Teaching Quality Assessment 1999.
• The Queen’s Anniversary Prize 1994.
• Our research earnings per staff member are among the highest in the UK.
• Vibrant and innovative teaching programme
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Numbers of Students and Academic Staff
Academic Staff
Professors 9
Readers 4
Senior Lecturers 5
Lecturers 8
Total 26
Students
Fd Yr 13 (0)
1st Year 65 (12)
2nd Year 75 (12)
3rd Year 61 (14)
4th Year 28 (8)
Postgrads 41 (13)
Total 283 (59)
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Innovation in Physics Teaching
1973 Physics with Astrophysics
1988 “Physics at Work” Initiative
1990 Physics with Space Science and Technology
2000 Teaching Developments eg “Business Skills”
2002 National Award for “Problem-based Learning”
2003 Physics with e-Science
2004 i-Science
2005 Physics with Planetary Science
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Teaching Programme
BSc/MPhys Degree Courses in:
• Physics
• Physics with Astrophysics
• Physics with Space Science & Technology
• Experimental Physics
• Physics with e-Science
Science Foundation Year Programme
PhD and MPhil by Research
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Two Routes to a Physics Degree at the University of Leicester
• Pure and Applied Physics Route
• Astronomy and Space Science Route
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Pure & Applied Physics Route
core
physics
& maths
Physics, Experimental Physics, Physics with e-Science
Nanotechnology
Cosmology
Elementary Particles
Experimental Methods
Radiation & Matter
Plasma Physics
Fractals & Chaos
Advanced Materials
Radio Systems
Computer Simulation
e-Physics
Quantum Optics
Biophysics
Solid State Devices
Medical Physics
Management
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Astronomy & Space Science Route
core
physics
& maths
Physics with Astrophysics, Physics with Space Science & Technology
Life in the Universe
Active Galaxies
Extra-Solar Planets
Relativity & Black Holes
Star Formation
Supernovae
Cosmology
High Energy Astrophysics
Rocket Propulsion
Planetary Exploration
Digital Image Processing
Space Plasmas
Space Flight Dynamics
Solar Physics
Human Space Flight
Space Systems Design
Department of Physics and Astronomy
DEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Radio & Space Plasma Physics
• Theoretical Astrophysics
• X-Ray & Observational Astronomy
• Space Projects and Instrumentation
• Earth Observation Science
• UK Astrophysical Fluids Facility
• Astrogrid
Physics Building
Space Research Centre
National Facilities
LUMPS Mk3
Nanoclusters have enhanced magnetism
STM image of individual (2-3nm) Fe nanoclusters on
Si
The nanoclusters can be used as building blocks for advanced
materials
The group has produced the most magnetic material on earth, breaking
a record that has been held for 70 years
Nanotechnology
Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Radio and Space Plasma Physics Group’s new SPEAR (Space Plasma Exploration by Active Radar)
facility on Spitzbergen as of Sept 2003.