Applying Physics to the Real World

I graduated a year ago after three enjoyable and ultimately successful years at Leicester. My speciality was in Astrophysics but that was based - as are all the honours courses - in a broad Physics structure. With a view to future careers we were encouraged from the start not just to learn abstract physical concepts but to consider how these might be applied to real-world problems. Group research projects started from the very first term of the first year. These open-ended problems continued in second year and were designed to allow us to be creative in applying our new physics know-how.

In the third and fourth years there was more of an emphasis on individual project work, and we were given the opportunity to work on projects that were genuinely at the cutting edge of physics. One I really enjoyed was the chance to use the Atomic Force Microscope to study DNA that we had extracted from a kiwi fruit, and learn more about Professor Binns' research on nanoparticles and their application to treating cancer tumours.

Research and Study Facilities

In first and second year we were each assigned our 'own room' which acted as a nice base in the department, and was used regularly for working together on workshop questions or just for somewhere to go between lectures. There are two computer suites, and all the seminar rooms have an interactive whiteboard which was useful when we came to tackle group problems such as the fortnightly 'Physics Challenge'. We were also able to use the well-equipped undergraduate laboratories throughout our degree, and when working on third and fourth year projects we had access to more advanced equipment belonging to the respective research groups. Learning to operate the new 20 inch telescope at the University Observatory - which now has a remote access twin in Majorca - has since proved valuable in my present summer job working as a mentor for Space School UK.

In addition to all the usual Physics modules the final year also offers a wider experience. I am interested in going into teaching and so chose the Young Ambassador Scheme for Education, which meant working in a local school for three weeks; an experience I really enjoyed. A couple of my friends did a Sustainability module which meant a two week trip to Kenya - a fantastic opportunity and great way to enhance their degree!

The Flexible Course Structure

The Leicester Physics degree course structure is designed to make it easy to tailor a degree to suit individual interests and skills, although at first I found it almost too much choice! Option modules were available from the first year, and it was possible to combine courses from different areas of physics or to specialise in our chosen area. Looking back, my favourite specialist modules were Life in the Universe, Life Cycles of Stars, Exoplanets, and Cosmology. In addition to course content we could also choose the speed at which we progressed - it was possible to take some options a year early - and hence benefit in our final grading.

In addition to lectures and laboratories, our work was mainly through regular seminars and workshops, where set problems would be gone through and discussed. Whilst we had work set and marked by staff or postgraduates, the seminars were usually student-led and project work was very much self-directed.

The People

Almost all my fellow students agree the Physics and Astronomy department at Leicester is a really friendly place, and having one of the highest staff to student ratios in the country is a big plus. Everyone was assigned to a small tutorial group in their first year, which then met on a regular basis throughout our degree. As well as providing a set of friends straight from the off, and a personal link to a member of staff, this gave a chance to discuss any issues we had on either a work or a personal level. There were numerous societies encouraging undergraduates to get together with postgraduate students, and to arrange external visits and social events such as the annual Physics Ball. I found the lecturers were always approachable, and many students and staff got together for (free) departmental tea and biscuits in the afternoon, an especially welcome break on lab days! All the lecturers were specialists in their fields, and their enthusiasm often showed through. Research staff were also usually happy to help with any difficulties and queries.

All in all, three great years!

Jenny Pounds - Physics and Astrophysics graduate 2010

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