Undergraduate

Course Handbook

2012-2013

Open Days in the Martin Wood Complex

The Course
 These notes have been produced by the Department of
Physics, University of Oxford. The information in this
handbook is for the academic year Michaelmas Term 2012,
Hilary Term 2013 and Trinity Term 2013.

BANBURY ROAD

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Clarendon Laboratory

Denys Wilkinson Building Teaching Faculty Office,

Lindemann and Martin
Dennis Sciama lecture theatre Wood lecture theatres
(via the Level 4 entrance)

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Physics Teaching Laboratories AL

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(entrance down the steps)

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The Department is able to make provision for students with special needs. If you think you may need
any special requirements, it would be very helpful to us if you could contact the Assistant Head of
Teaching (Academic) about these as soon as possible.

Students in wheelchairs or with mobility needs can access the Lindemann and the Dennis Sciama
Lecture Theatres by lifts from ground floors. The Denys Wilkinson Building and the Clarendon
Laboratory have toilet facilities for wheelchair users. The Martin Wood Lecture Theatre has access
for wheelchairs and a reserved area within the theatre. There are induction loop systems for students
with hearing difficulties in the Lindemann, Dennis Sciama and Martin Wood Lecture theatres. Other
provisions for students with special needs can be also be made.

The Physics Teaching Faculty can be found in the Clarendon Laboratory on the Ground Floor.
 Contents
How to use this handbook 3 First Year 2012-2013 13
Introduction 4 Induction 13
The Physics Department 4 Practical Work 13
The Physics Teaching Faculty 4 Self-study modules in basic mathematics
Practical Laboratories 4 and mechanics 13
Lecture Theatres 4 The Preliminary Examination 14
Libraries 4 Introduction to Computer Programming 14
Refreshments 4 Textbooks 14
Data Protection 5 First Year Physics and Maths Lectures 14
University Policy on Intellectual Exam Entry 14
Property Rights 5 Physics and Philosophy 14
Licensed Copying User Guidelines 5 First Year Outline of Topics 15
Citations and Plagiarism 5
Support for Students with Special Needs 5 Second Year 2012-2013 16
Communications 5 The BA and MPhys courses 16
Student Support and Guidance 5 Practical Work including Oral Skills 16
Careers Advice and Graduate Study 6 Physics Department Speaking Competition 16
The Physics Joint Consultative Short Options & Language Option 16
Committee (PJCC) 6 Alternative subjects, extra practicals and
Feedback 6 extended practicals 16
Mathematical, Physical and Life Teaching and Learning Physics in Schools 16
Sciences (MPLS) Division 6 Undergraduate Physics Conference 17
The Institute of Physics 6 Exam Entry 17
Aims and objectives, teaching and Physics and Philosophy 17
examinations 7 Second Year Outline of Topics 18
The Physics Courses – Aims and Objectives 7
Subject Benchmark Statements 7 Third Year 2012-2013 [BA Course] 19
Programme Specifications 7 Choice of Course 19
Accreditation 7 Part B Examination 19
Department and College Teaching 7 Practical Work including Written Skills 19
Vacations 8 Group Project 19
Accessing the Physics Teaching web pages 8 Short Options & Language Option 19
Examinations 8 Alternative subjects, extra practicals and
Assessment of Class 9 extended practicals 19
Assessment of Practical Work 9 BA Project 19
A: First Year (Prelims) 9 Undergraduate Physics Conference 19
B: Second and Third Year 9 Exam Entry 20
Marking Scheme for Oral and Written Skills 9
Marking of the Assessed Practical 10 Third Year 2012-2013 [MPhys Course] 21
Eligibility for MPhys Course 10 Choice of Course 21
Three or Four year course 10 Part B Examination 21
Examination Preparation 10 Practical Work including Written Skills 21
Examination Entry 10 Short Options & Language Option 21
Examination Conventions 10 Alternative subjects, extra practicals and
Examination Dates 10 extended practicals 21
Examination Regulations 10 Changing from the MPhys to the BA 21
Weightings of Papers 10 Major Options 22
Examination Results 10 Alternative Major Options 22
Prizes 10 Exam Entry 22
Past Exam Papers and Examiners’ Reports 11 Physics and Philosophy 22
Physics and Philosophy 11 Third Year Outline of Topics 23
Summary of Examination Requirements 12

1
 Contents Continued
Fourth Year 2012-2013 [MPhys Course] 24 APPENDICES 31
Part C Finals for the 4-year MPhys 24 A: Recommended Textbooks 31
Lectures and Classes for the Major B: Calculators 36
Options 24 C: Syllabuses for Prelims 37
Alternative Major Options 24 D: Syllabuses for Part A 39
Projects 24 E: Syllabuses for Part B 42
Exam Entry 25 F: Syllabuses for Short Options 45
Physics and Philosophy 25 G: Syllabuses for Part C (Major Options) 47
Fourth Year Outline of Topics 26 H: Special Regulations for the Preliminary
Examination in Physics 50
Short Options 2011-2012, Language Option I: Special Regulations for the Honour
& Alternatives 27 School of Physics 51
Short Options 28 J: University Policy on Intellectual
Format of the Short Option Paper 28 Property Rights 53
Prelims 28 K: Photocopying and scanning under the
Parts A & B 28 CLA Higher Education Licence 54
Language Option 28 L: Lecture and Practical Feedback Forms 56
Alternative subjects 28 M: Academic Staff List 58
Pre-approved subjects 28 N: Useful Numbers and e-mail 59
Extra practical work 29
Assessment of extra practical work 29
Alternatives to practical work 29
Teaching and Learning Physics in Schools 30
Examination Entry 30
Useful Numbers and E-mail Addresses 59

2
 How to use this handbook
Students in their first year should read the two sections ‘Introduction’ and ‘First Year’ (see
page 13) in detail and skim the remainder for an overview of the courses. Students in later
years should read the sections on the FHS (Final Honours School) examination structure,
the details for the relevant year and be aware of the overall requirements and content of
their chosen course.
At the end of this handbook are appendices giving the syllabuses for the examination papers Syllabuses
to be taken in Trinity Term 2013 for Physics Prelims, FHS Parts A and B for the three year Appendix C - Prelims
BA and four year MPhys courses, and for the Physics papers for the Physics and Philosophy Appendix D - Part A
course. Syllabuses are also given for the Part C 4th year Major Option papers.
Appendix E - Part B
The handbook gives telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for contacting members of Appendix G - Short Options
the academic staff, a comprehensive book list for the whole course, important dates for the Appendix H - Part C
academic year, information about the undergraduate consultative committee (PJCC) and a
list of people involved in organising the course.
Full details about the Practical Course are given in the Practical Course Handbook. Practical Course
Practical Course Handbook
Members of staff will be happy to answer any questions you might have that are not an-
swered in our printed and online documentation, but for particular information about College
teaching, students should contact their tutors. Further information about the courses can be
obtained from the Department of Physics web site
www.physics.ox.ac.uk and from the Physics Teaching Faculty in the Clarendon Laboratory.

In this document, Michaelmas Term, Hilary Term, Trinity Term refer to Michaelmas (Winter),
Hilary (Spring) and Trinity (Summer) Terms of the academic year, respectively.

Prof Nick Jelley, Head and Chairman of the Physics Teaching Faculty

General Information

For full and up-to date information on lecture timetables, see the Physics Department’s www.physics.ox.ac.uk
Lecture Database (www.physics.ox.ac.uk/lectures).
Lecture timetables
The examination times given in this handbook are based on information available in Sep-
www.physics.ox.ac.uk/
tember 2012. These may be altered and the definitive times are those published by the lectures/
examiners; these will be posted on the official examiners’ web page. The lecture times in
Hilary and Trinity Term 2013 are also subject to possible change and the actual times will Examination Matters
be given in the Lecture Database which is published on the physics web site just before the www.physics.ox.ac.uk/teach/
beginning of each term. exammatters.htm

3
 Introduction
The Physics Department is on Parks Road, directly opposite the end
The Oxford University Physics Depart- of Keble Road and next to the University
ment is one of the largest in the UK, with Parks. The Lindemann Lecture Theatre is
an average annual intake of about 180 on the first floor, inside the main entrance
undergraduates, of whom 120 study for a to the Clarendon. The Martin Wood Lecture
MPhys, 45 for a BA in Physics and 15 for Theatre is in the large new building to the
an MPhysPhil in Physics and Philosophy. right of the main entrance.
There are about 95 academic staff based
Libraries
in six sub-Departments: Astrophysics;
College libraries are generally well stocked
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Phys-
with the recommended physics textbooks,
ics; Atomic and Laser Physics; Condensed
but if your library is without a book you
Matter Physics (including BioPhysics);
need you should tell your tutor or your
Particle Physics and Theoretical Physics.
College librarian. A list of the books recom-
These represent the main areas of research
mended by the lecturers is given in Appen-
carried out in the Department.
dix A. The Radcliffe Science Library (RSL)
The Physics Teaching Faculty in Parks Road also has a comprehensive
Textbooks collection of physics books and journals
All undergraduate teaching is arranged and
Appendix A organised in the Department by the Physics and you may use this library, provided you
Teaching Faculty. The Physics Teaching have your University card with you.
Faculty Office is located in the Clarendon
Computers
Laboratory near Reception.
There are numerous computer workstations
Practical Laboratories in the teaching laboratories on Level 2 of the
All the undergraduate practical laboratories: DWB. All undergraduates have two separate
Atmospheric Physics, Astrophysics, Gen- accounts on the practical course, one for the
eral Physics, Thermal Physics, Electronics, PC and one for the Mac networks. Students
Electrostatics and Magnetism, Optics, Con- can use the computers at any time during of-
densed Matter Physics, Computing, Nuclear fice hours. Students can book practicals as
Physics and Biophysics are located on the well as use the computers to save and analyse
lower two floors of the DWB, together with data taken during practicals. The Colleges
a reception area where undergraduates can all have computing facilities for their un-
meet and obtain refreshments; the entrance dergraduates and there is a University-wide
is from Keble Road down a flight of steps. network, which enables students to access
Oxford University You will need to use your University card Departmental sites, the practical course and
Computer Usage the internet. Undergraduates will also receive
Rules and Etiquette
to gain access to all physics buildings.
an account and a College e-mail address on
www.ict.ox.ac.uk/ Lecture Theatres the University computing system. All new
oxford/rules/ The Department is located in four buildings users will be asked to sign an undertaking
shown on the map inside the front cover: to abide by the University Rules on the use
the Denys Wilkinson Building (DWB) and of computers (see http://www.ict.ox.ac.uk/
the Theoretical Physics building on the oxford/rules). Students should regularly (at
west side of Parks Road, and the Clarendon least once a day during term) check their
Laboratory and the Atmospheric Physics e-mails.
building on the east side. There are lecture
rooms in all buildings, the main ones being Refreshments
the Martin Wood and Lindemann lecture There are vending machines in the recep-
theatres in the Clarendon and the Dennis tion area of the practical course in the DWB
Sciama Lecture Theatre in the DWB. To en- and in the corridor on the first floor of the
ter the DWB, go up the wide concrete steps Clarendon Laboratory between the Linde-
from Keble Road; turn left at the top and mann and the Martin Wood lecture theatres.
the entrance is facing you. Once inside, the You may not take any food or drink into
lecture theatre is one floor up from the en- the lecture theatres, the practical labora-
trance. The main entrance to the Clarendon tories or near any computers.
4
Data Protection Support for Students with Special Needs
The Physics Department follows the general The Department is able to make provision Data Protection Act
guidelines laid down by the University in re- for students with special needs. It would be www.admin.ox.ac.uk/
gard to the provisions of the Data Protection useful to us if you could contact the Assis- councilsec/dp/
Act 1998 (see http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ tant Head of Teaching (Academic), see Ap-
dataprotection/ for details). Only student in- pendix N, who is the Disability Contact for Disability website
formation relevant to the organisation of the the Department, about your requirements.
www.admin.ox.ac.
physics courses is held by the Department. See http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/disab/ uk/eop/disab/
University Policy on Intellectual Property for more information. The Examination
Rights Regulations provides guidance for students
with special examination needs. See the Ex-
The University of Oxford has in place ar-
amination Regulations http://www.admin.
rangements governing the ownership and
ox.ac.uk/examregs/ for more information.
exploitation of intellectual property gener- University Policy in
ated by students and researchers in the course Communications Intellectual Property
of, or incidental to, their studies. More details Academic staff have pigeon holes in the Appendix K
are provided in Appendix J. building where they have an office and
Licensed Copying User Guidelines there is a messenger service that can be
used to deliver mail between Colleges and
The University holds a licence from the
Departments. Staff may also be contacted by
Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) which
telephone or by e-mail. A list of telephone
permits multiple copying (paper to paper)
numbers, e-mail addresses and college Copyright Legislation
from most copyright-protected books, jour-
affiliations is given in Appendix M. All www.admin.ox.ac.uk/
nals, law reports, conference proceedings
administrative information about the course asuc/oxonly/licences/
and magazines for use by students and the copy.shtmll
and the examinations is sent to students by
course tutor on registered taught courses
e-mail. It is essential that students using
and non-credit-bearing short courses. More
e-mail accounts, other than their college
details are provided at http://www.admin.
account, [email protected], set
ox.ac.uk/asuc/oxonly/licences/copy.shtml
the forwarding appropriately and check their Examination Matters
and in Appendix K.
e-mail regularly (at least once a day during www.physics.ox.ac.uk/
Citations and Plagiarism term.) This can be done from College as well teach/exammatters.htm
The University definition of plagiarism can as the Department. Some important informa-
be found at http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/edc/ tion from the Physics Teaching Faculty and
Citations and
goodpractice/. Details relating to ‘good’ University is sent to individual students by Plagiarism
academic practice can also be found at http:// the messenger service, or is distributed via
www.admin.ox.ac.uk/edc/goodpractice/ College Senior Physics Tutors.
Communications
The University’s Regulations state that: No Notices about the examinations are posted
on the official examiners’ web page www. E-mail college and
candidate shall present for an examination
other e-mail accounts
as his or her own work any part or the sub- physics.ox.ac.uk/teach/exammatters.htm.
Noticeboards
stance of any part of another person’s work... Student Support and Guidance
passages quoted or closely paraphrased Messenger service
from another person’s work must be identi- Student health and welfare are primarily
fied as quotations or paraphrases, and the College responsibilities: tutors, chaplains,
source of the quoted or paraphrased material and other confidential advisers make up a
must be clearly acknowledged. (Proctors’ sympathetic and effective network of sup-
and Assessor’s Memorandum, Section 9.5 port for students. In addition, the University
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/proctors/pam/ has a Counselling Service available to help
index.shtml). “Turnitin is a tool that allows students, and the Student Union has officers
papers to be submitted electronically to find working actively to promote student health
whether parts of a document match material and welfare. Students are encouraged to re-
which has been previously submitted .... This fer to http://www.ox.ac.uk/current_students/
is very useful in training students in good index.html for further information.
citation practice...” [Ref: Oxford University The Proctors’ and Assessor’s Memorandum
Computing Service] at http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/proctors/info/
pam/, provides general information on wel-
fare, finance, health and recreation, as well
5
PJCC as on student conduct and on the running Feedback
http://www2.physics. of University examinations. In particular, The PJCC organises the online distribution
ox.ac.uk/students complaints, appeals and advice on illness and collection of data from the electronic
during examinations is provided. lecture and practical feedback forms, a
Your College tutors provide advice about specimen of these can be found in Appendix
the Physics courses, and information is also L. Completion of the on-line feedback is
available from the Physics Teaching Faculty compulsory and forms part of your practi-
in the Clarendon (located near the front en- cal requirement. See http://www.physics.
trance) and from the Practical Course in the ox.ac.uk/pjcc/ for more information. These
Appendix L DWB. Feel free to ask any of the academic are a valuable source of information for the
Compulsory on-line staff for help; you can find them in the De-
feedback
Department’s Academic Committee, which
partment by asking the receptionists in the organises the lectures and is in charge of the
DWB or the Clarendon, or the secretaries Physics courses. The feedback provided is
in room 3.1 of Theoretical Physics. Photo- used as part of the continuing review and
graphs of the staff are displayed outside the development for Departmental, University
Common Room in the Clarendon and in the and QAA quality assurance. Students are
Careers Advice reception area of the DWB, and in the en- encouraged to make full use of the on-line
www.careers.ox.ac.uk trances of the Theoretical and Atmospheric management system for feedback on the
Physics buildings. practicals.
Examinations: Careers Advice and Graduate Study In addition, the “University undertakes
complaints University-wide student surveys to provide
www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ The University Careers Service (at 56 Ban- students with an opportunity to have their say
proctors/info/pam/ bury Road) provides careers advice for both about life at Oxford. Students’ views are used
undergraduates and graduates (see http:// by Colleges, Departments, Faculties and the
www.careers.ox.ac.uk). One of their staff central University services to identify strengths
specialises in advising physics students. The and weaknesses and to put in place changes
Graduate jobs &
further study
service has excellent contacts with many to help improve the student experience of
employers, and maintains links with ex- Oxford.” See http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ac-
www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gso/
Oxford students working in many different div/resources/surveys/ for more information.
www.aspire.ox.ac.uk types of job. The Physics Department can
help you liaise with the Careers Service (see Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences
Appendix N). The Careers Service also has (MPLS) Division
Surveys
http://www.admin.ox.ac.
comprehensive details on post-graduate An undergraduate student, usually a student
uk/ac-div/resources/sur- study in the UK or abroad (see www. member of the PJCC, is a representative on
veys/ prospects.csu.man.ac.uk). Information on the Undergraduate Joint Consultative Com-
research opportunities is also available from mittee of the Division. More details can be
the sub-Departments of Physics and from found at http://www.mpls.ox.ac.uk/intranet/
tutors. For personal development planning teaching-learning/ug-programme/ujcf
see Aspire at www.aspire.ox.ac.uk.
The Institute of Physics
The Physics Joint Consultative Commit-
This organisation offers a number of facili-
tee (PJCC)
ties for students through its ‘Nexus’ network.
The PJCC has elected undergraduate mem- They also have information about careers for
bers who meet twice a term to discuss both physicists. Students are encouraged to join the
academic and administrative matters with IoP and membership is currently free for un-
academic staff representatives. The Depart- dergraduates. See http://www.iop.org/activity/
ment values the advice that it receives from nexus for more information.
Institute of Physics this committee for improving the quality
www.iop.org/ of lectures, practicals and other aspects of
activity/nexus/ the physics courses. The PJCC responsibili-
ties include updating The Fresher’s Guide,
updating the PJCC web site and web pages
linked to the Teaching pages. See http://
www.physics.ox.ac.uk/pjcc/ for more in-
formation.

6
 Aims and objectives, teaching and examinations
The Physics Courses – Aims and Objectives apply them in contexts that may not be familiar. Stu-
dents will also have learned the experimental techniques
Both the 3-year BA and the 4-year MPhys courses are
required by working physicists involving sound and
designed to provide education of high quality in physics,
safe procedures, how to record and analyse data and
in a challenging but supportive learning environment,
how to write accounts of laboratory work which can
which will encourage all students to develop independ-
be clearly understood by other scientists, and will have
ent and critical habits of thought and of learning. Both
investigated experimentally some of the most important
courses develop transferable skills related to commu-
physical phenomena.
nication, computing, and problem solving. Their aim
is to ensure that, on graduation, all students will be in a On completion of their course, BA students will have
position to choose from many different careers, and have gained some experience of working on an open-ended
the skills, knowledge and understanding to make a rapid assignment and all students will have had the opportuni-
contribution to their chosen employment or research ty either to acquire some expertise in a more specialised
area, and that those with the aptitude are prepared for area of physics of their choice, or to broaden their edu-
postgraduate study in physics, and thus contribute to the cation by study of a foreign language. MPhys students,
vitality of UK research. in addition, will have acquired in-depth knowledge in
two chosen specialisations within physics, and – from
On completion of either course, students should have de-
their project work – they will have learned how to plan
veloped a thorough understanding and broad knowledge
and execute an open-ended piece of work, and will have
of the general theoretical and experimental scientific
gained experience of a research environment.
principles of physics, so that they have the resources
to apply their knowledge to a wide range of physical Subject Benchmark Statements
phenomena. They should have learned the techniques “Subject benchmark statements ... represent general
required in a modern mathematically-based physics expectations about standards for the award of qualifica-
course, gained an understanding of the conceptual tions at a given level in terms of the attributes and capa-
structure associated with the major physical theories, bilities that those possessing qualifications should have
understood how to set up simple models of physical demonstrated.” [Ref. Quality Assurance Agency, 2008]
problems and learned a wide range of problem-solving More details at http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/
skills, both analytical and computational, and how to InformationAndGuidance/Pages/Subject-benchmark-
statement-Physics-astronomy-and-astrophysics.aspx
Course Structures
Programme Specifications
Year 1 Programme Specifications for the Physics courses and
Prelims
(Foundation) the Physics and Philosophy course can be found at
http://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/students.
Accreditation
Year 2 The 3-year BA and the 4-year MPhys courses are ac-
Part A credited by the Institute of Physics.
(Core)
Department and College Teaching
The teaching of the courses is carried out through lec-
tures, practical work in the laboratories, tutorials in the
colleges (to which the academic staff are also attached),
Year 3 Year 3
Part B Part B
and classes.
BA MPhys There are comprehensive and challenging lecture
courses, in which lecturers are allowed flexibility in
their approach, which may frequently lead to the inclu-
sion of material reflecting developments in the field not
BA Year 4 contained in standard textbooks. Lectures are generally
Part C
(Options)
regarded as essential, but they are not in fact compul-
sory. Printed notes, problem sheets and other handouts
frequently support them. Students need to learn how to
take good lecture notes, and supplement them with their
MPhys own private study, using textbooks and other sources
recommended by the lecturers and their tutors.
7
Students are encouraged take their own notes or to amend on-campus. More information can be found at http://
handouts as they find appropriate. Teaching material, www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/network/vpn/.
including lecture notes or handouts must not be made However some of the lecture materials and lecture lists
available on the web without permission. Publishing might also require the physics teaching login details.
material, including your version of the notes, without These are generally in the form
permission, may be in breach of Copyright. Please note
PHYSICSTEACHING\<four letter college code><four
that all lecture notes are only available from the Oxford
randomly assigned numbers>
domain for students and this is not available to any non-
Oxford websites for Copyright reasons. The password is the same one you use for the PC Net-
work in the teaching labs. Please email support@teach-
Physics depends on experimental observations, and learn-
ing.physics.ox.ac.uk, explaining what you are trying to
ing how to perform and design experiments effectively
do, if you forget your password.
is an essential part of physics education. Practical work
is recorded in logbooks, and some practicals have to be Examinations
written up. Termly progress reports on laboratory work
The First Year exams (Prelims) consist of four com-
are sent to College tutors. During the first three years
pulsory papers, a Short Option paper and satisfactory
practical work is compulsory; more details are given in
completion of practical work. The compulsory papers
the year by year sections.
are individually classified as Pass and Fail, with a Pass
The College-based tutorial teaching provides guid- mark of 40%. The examiners will take into account the
ance on what to study, and in what order, coupled with performance in the whole examination (the four Com-
week-by-week work assignments. These assignments pulsory Papers, the Short Option paper and Practical
are generally problems, with the occasional essay. This Work) when considering the award of a Distinction and
is a “Socratic” mode of instruction in which students’ when considering borderline scripts. A failed compul-
understanding is rigorously and individually probed and sory paper can be re-taken in September. The University
expanded. College examinations (Collections) monitor requires that these papers must be passed at no more
students’ progress during the intervals between Univer- than two sittings: see the Examination Regulations (‘The
sity examinations, and students are given regular reports Grey Book’) for full details. The current syllabuses for
on their progress. the Prelims are given in Appendix C and a copy of
For the more specialised Major Options in Part C of the the Examination Regulations in Appendix H. See Ap-
MPhys course, tutorials are replaced by classes organ- pendix B for information about the types of calculators
ised by the Department. Attendance at these classes is which may be used in the Public examinations.
compulsory, and records are kept of students’ progress
The FHS (Final Honour School in Physics), also called
and sent to College tutors.
Finals, is taken in parts over the final two (BA) or three
Vacations (MPhys) years of your course (details in Year sections
and the formal Regulations are given in Appendix I).
At Oxford, the teaching terms are quite short – they add
The Examiners are a committee set up each year under
up to about 24 weeks in one year. Therefore it is essential
the Proctors. The Finals Examiners include external
that you set aside significant amounts of time each vaca-
examiners from other UK Universities and may be as-
tion for academic work. The course assumes that you will
sisted by a number of Assessors to set and mark some
do this in preparation for College collections that are held
individual papers, projects, etc. In general, papers are
at the end of 0th week. You should go over your notes,
not set and marked by the course lecturers; indeed the
revising the material and supplementing it by informa-
identity of the examiner for any paper is confidential. The
tion gained from tutorials and from your own reading. In
identity of the candidates is hidden from the examiners;
addition to consolidating the previous term’s work, there
no communication with the candidate (or the candidate’s
may be preparatory reading for the next term’s courses.
tutor) is allowed except via the candidate’s College’s
Your tutors may also set you some specific vacation work.
Senior Tutor and the Junior Proctor. The questions are
Accessing the Physics Teaching web pages required to be set in conformity with the syllabus, whose
interpretation is guided by previous papers except where
When you are away from Oxford, you may need to ac- there has been an explicit change of syllabus. The cur-
cess materials on the web which are restricted. In the first rent syllabuses for the final examinations in physics are
instance, access to restricted resources from outside the printed in Appendices D - G.
Oxford network is provided via the Oxford University
Computing Services (OUCS) Virtual Private Network
(VPN) Service. A VPN connection provides your com-
puter with a “virtual” connection to the Oxford network
- it then behaves exactly as it would if you were actually
8
Assessment of Class (i) The first 15 marks are given for completing all ex-
How the examiners work is their responsibility, subject periments. Failure to complete the practical quota would
to guidance from the Physics Academic Committee, and attract the following penalty: (a) A penalty of 5 marks
regulations laid down by the central bodies of the Uni- will be deducted for each missed two-day experiment.
versity. However, the following gives some indication (b) If more than 3 two-day experiments are missed the
of recent practice. Each paper is marked numerically. student can drop a class.
The numerical marks for each paper may be scaled to (ii) Part A: Oral Skills
remove any first-order effect of a difficult (or easy) paper In the second year all students give a 15 minute presen-
and these (scaled) marks are combined to give a total tation called Oral Skills in their Colleges on a physics
numerical mark. topic of their choice.
Class I: the candidate shows excellent problem-solving (iii) Part B: Written Skills
skills and excellent knowledge of the material, and is able
In the third year both BA and MPhys students will write
to use that knowledge in unfamiliar contexts;
up one practical experiment, called Written Skills. The
Class II.1: the candidate shows good problem-solving
report will first be marked informally by your tutors.
skills and good knowledge of the material;
Students will revise the report taking into account the
Class II.2: the candidate shows basic problem-solving
tutor’s comments and the revised version will then be
skills and adequate knowledge of most of the material;
marked by your tutor. Each College will make arrange
Class III: the candidate shows some problem-solving
with their students when they will need to hand in their
skills and adequate knowledge of at least part of the
written skills reports. Tutors must give the examiners the
material;
mark by 6th week of Trinity Term at the latest.
Pass: the candidate has made a meaningful attempt of at
least one question. If you are a BA student who has chosen to do 6 days of
For the BA degree FHS Parts A and B are approximately practical work, you will have to do one written skills
weighted, 43% : 57% and for the MPhys FHS Parts A, B, report based on one of the experiments you have carried
C are approximately weighted 24% : 34% : 42%. out. BA students substituting practical work will not be
required to do written skills. A numeric mark for the
Final Degree Classes are assigned on the basis of a careful
work substituted will instead be given to the Examiners.
consideration of the total numerical mark with the project
and practical taken into account. MPhys students will do one written skills report based
on the mini-project carried out.
Assessment of Practical Work
(iv) Part A and Part B: Assessed Practical
A: First Year (Prelims) In both the 2nd and 3rd years, one of your practicals will
Prelims practical work must be complete with an up to be selected at random to become an “assessed practical”.
date computer record by noon on the Friday of 1st week of This is marked by a senior demonstrator in a short oral
Trinity, and students should complete their practical work examination carried out in Trinity Term. More details can
by the end of Hilary. The Examination Regulations read: be found in the Practical Course Handbook.
“Failure to complete practical work under cl. 2(i), without
good reason, will be deemed by the Moderators as failure Marking Scheme for Oral and Written Skills
in the Preliminary examination and the candidate will be • A mark of 15: Students can attract the top mark for
required to complete the outstanding practicals either by exceptional performance for their oral presentation
examination or by completing them alongside second (talk) in college or for their written skills report.
year study, before entry to the Part A examination will • A mark of 12: Students will attract this mark if the
be permitted. In these circumstances, distinction at the oral presentation or written skills report is regarded as
Preliminary examination will not be possible.” very good.
B: Second and Third Year • A mark of 10: Students will be awarded this mark
if the presentation or written skills report was acceptable
The practical mark for the second and third year consists
and average in quality.
of marks for the experiments, the oral or written skills
• A mark of 9 or below: Students will be awarded this
exercise and an assessed practical. The total marks are
mark if the presentation or written skills report is
made up as follows:
deemed to be below standard.
Part A Part B One student per College, obtaining high marks in Oral
(i) Experiments 15 15 Skills in their College talks may be nominated by their
(ii) Oral Skills 15 - College tutors to participate in the Departmental Speak-
(iii) Written Skills - 15 ing Competition. An average student with an average
(iv) Assessed Practical 20 20 presentation or written skills report should achieve 10
Total 50 50 marks. Students who put in little or no effort can score
very low marks. More details can be found in the Practi-
9 cal Course Handbook.
Marking of the Assessed Practical College Secretary or College Academic Office, however
it is your responsibility to make sure that your entry is
The marks which will be awarded by a Senior Demon-
made and with the correct option choices and project
strator, will be based on both the quality of the entire
titles (as appropriate). See http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/
logbook and the understanding of the assessed practical
exams/ for more information.
demonstrated by the student. An average student with an
average logbook should expect to achieve ~15 marks. Examination Conventions
Specific details pertaining to practical work are published The Examiners are responsible for the detailed weight-
in the Practical Course Handbook. Recommendations to ings of papers and projects. The precise details of how the
the Finals examiners based on the S+ marks will be used final mark is calculated is published on the Examination
for practical prizes and commendations. These recom- matters webpage at www.physics.ox.ac.uk/teach/exam-
mendations will be made to the Finals examiners. It is matters.htm. Students are notified by e-mail when they
important that students consult their tutors early in the become available.
event of difficulty with practical work.
Examination Dates
Eligibility for MPhys Course
After the examination timetables have been finalised they
After the Part A examination, the Finals examiners will
are available at http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/exams/
make known on the Student Self Service the students
timetables/.
eligible to proceed to the MPhys course. The standard
required is the equivalent of a II.1 Class or better in Part A. Examination Regulations
Should you be undecided as to which course you should The regulations for both the Preliminary and Finals
be doing, then in the first instance discuss it with your Honour School are published in Appendices I and J.
College tutor. It is not necessary to make up your mind The Examination Regulations are published at www.
until the start of your third year; however, to avoid having admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/.
to apply for additional Local Authority (LA ) funding at a
later stage, it is generally advisable to register initially for Weightings of Papers
the 4-year MPhys course. Students should realise that the The precise details of how the final mark is calculated
MPhys course is demanding and quite theoretically based. is published in the Examination Conventions on the
Three or Four year course Examination matters webpage at www.physics.ox.ac.
uk/teach/exammatters.htm.
Students who are eligible to proceed to the MPhys course,
but are unsure of whether they want to do the MPhys Examination Results
course should talk to their College tutors. The Examina-
tion entry for the third year is at the end of 4th week of After each part of the examination, your tutor will be
Hilary Term and this is the latest time for changing told the scaled marks that you obtained in each paper and
your course from the BA to the MPhys or vice versa your overall rank amongst candidates in that part. This
(without incurring a fee). More information can be found information will not be published, but will be provided
at http://www.ox.ac.uk/current_students/index.html. (See to enable your tutor to give you some confidential feed-
also ‘Changing from the MPhys to the BA’ on page 21.) back and guidance. Students are now able to view their
examination results at http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/ex-
Examination Preparation ams/results/. Please note that only results from 2007/08
onwards will be available.’ [Ref.: A guide to completing
There are a number of resources available to help you
online registration & accessing Student Self Service at
including your College tutor and the Oxford Student
Oxford (OSS)]. Marks on OSS for all components are
Union. See http://www.ousu.org/ for the Student Union.
given, from 2010 onward, as percentages; e.g. 40 marks
Examination Entry for Part A full practicals is entered as 80.
Entry for all examinations in physics [Prelims, FHS Parts Prizes
A, B (MPhys and BA) and Part C (MPhys)] takes place
A number of prizes are awarded annually for excellence
in two stages.
in various aspects of the BA and MPhys final examina-
The first is at the end of 4th week of Hilary Term; the sec- tions:
ond (for Short Option Choices) is at the end of 3rd week • Scott Prizes for overall best performances
of Trinity Term. The purpose of the exam entry form is (separately for BA and MPhys)
to provide exact information on who is taking the exam • A Gibbs Prize for excellence in the MPhys
that year and to record option choices. Entries are made examination
through your College and are usually organised by the

10
• The Winton Capital Prize for Outstanding will be eligible for the BA degree, as determined by their
Performance in the 2nd year (Part A examination) performance in Parts A and B of the FHS.
• A Gibbs Prize for best use of experimental
The aims and objectives of the physics course, stated
apparatus in the MPhys
above, apply equally – where appropriate – to the Physics
• A Gibbs prize for practical work in Parts A and B
and Philosophy course. Additionally, the aim of the phys-
• The Chairman’s prize for practical work in Prelims
ics components in the Physics and Philosophy course is
• Various project prizes for MPhys Projects (some of
to provide an appropriate basis for the study of founda-
these may be sponsored by external bodies)
tional and philosophical aspects of physical science, in
• BA prizes for the best project and report
particular of quantum mechanics and special relativity.
• A Gibbs Prize for the best performance in the
Physics Department Speaking Competition (held The physics papers taken by Physics and Philosophy
in the 2nd year, see page 16). candidates are marked on exactly the same basis as
those taken by Physics candidates (please refer to the
Past Exam Papers and Examiners’ Reports
section on Examinations). Guidelines to the assessment
Past examination papers, the data sheet and past examin- criteria in philosophy papers are given in the Physics and
ers reports are available on the Physics webpages. See Philosophy Course Handbook. The overall classified
http://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/students for more details. result is derived from the individual marks obtained on
your written papers of the FHS, taking Parts A, B and
Physics and Philosophy C together. “The highest honours can be obtained by
There is a corresponding Handbook for this course: excellence either in Physics or in Philosophy, provided
Physics and Philosophy Course Handbook. Please refer that adequate knowledge is shown in the other subject
to the Physics and Philosophy Course Handbook for all area” [ref. Grey Book].
details of the Physics and Philosophy course that are not The Joint Committee for Physics and Philosophy has
covered in the Physics Undergraduate Course Handbook. endorsed an algorithm for determining class boundaries,
The Physics and Philosophy course is run by the Joint of which the following is an abbreviated description.
Committee for Physics and Philosophy, which consists For either Parts A and B taken together, or for Parts A,
of two staff members from Physics and Philosophy, B and C taken together, a net Physics mark M and Phi-
together with an undergraduate representative. Please losophy mark P are constructed, each on a scale from 0
contact the Chair, Dr Chris Timpson (christopher.timp- to 100, and a combined mark U, weighted according to
[email protected]) or Secretary, Dr Christopher Palmer the total weight of papers in each subject (The weights
([email protected]). of individual papers are given below in the sections
where they are described). No candidate will be given
Physics and Philosophy is normally a 4 year course.
a classification lower than that implied by the value of
The first year of the course leads to the examination
U as follows: 70-100 First; 60-69 Upper Second; 50-
called Prelims, which consists of five papers, three in
59 Lower Second; 40-49 Third; 30-39 Pass; 0-29 Fail.
mathematics and physics and two in philosophy. After
However a candidate who achieves a value of U above
successfully completing Prelims, students enter the Final
67 (or 57) will be awarded a First (or Upper Second)
Honour School (FHS) of Physics and Philosophy, which
provided their net mark in whichever is the preponder-
is divided into three parts: Part A, Part B and Part C. Part
ant subject in Part C is of the higher classification, and
A of the FHS is taken at the end of the second year, and
in the other subject is not more than one class division
consists of three papers in physics. Parts B and C are
lower. The award of a Third, Pass or Fail will always be
taken at the end of the third and fourth years respectively.
by individual consideration.
Students taking Part B will take three or four philosophy
papers and either three or five physics subjects, each Students should note that they will have to complete, as
carrying the weight of half a paper, chosen from a list part of their Part A requirements, three particular physics
of seven: the six Part B physics subjects and a paper on practicals during their second year; and make sure their
Classical Mechanics (BT: VII. Classical Mechanics). In experiments are marked and entered into the computer
Part C there are a range of options including all physics lab record by a demonstrator. It is compulsory for all
or all philosophy. second year Physics and Philosophy students to attend
the Safety Lecture on Monday of 1st week of Michaelmas
Students who satisfactorily complete the fourth year may
Term, see page 13. Although there is no requirement for
supplicate for the MPhysPhil degree, as determined by
practical work in the first year of the course, it is possible
their performance in Parts A, B and C of the FHS; those
to arrange (through your physics tutor) to do some if you
who, for whatever reason, do not wish to proceed to the
want to, but attending or viewing the Safety Lecture is
fourth year, or who begin but do not complete the fourth
compulsory.
year or who otherwise fail to complete it satisfactorily,

11
Summary of Examination Requirements

Physics Physics and Philosophy

Prelims Prelims
Four Compulsory Papers CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4 Three Physics Papers CP1, CP3, CP4
Short Option Paper Two Philosophy Papers
Satisfactory Practical Work
Part A Part A
Three Compulsory Papers A1, A2, A3 Three Physics Papers A1, A2P, A3
Short Option Paper [1½ hour per option] Satisfactory Practical Work
Part A Practical Work
Part B BA (3 year Course) Part B
Four Papers including Section III, IV, VI and one other, Three or four papers in Philosophy and either three or
from B1, B2 and B3 five physics subjects, each carrying the weight of half
Short Option Paper [1½ hour per option] a paper, chosen from a list of seven: the six Part B
physics subjects and a paper on Classical Mechanics.
Part B Practical Work
BA Project Report
Part B MPhys (4 year Course)
Three Papers: B1, B2, B3
Each B paper will be presented as two individual
papers. The examination at the end of Trinity Term will
consist of six papers.
Short Option Paper [1½ hour per option]
Part B Practical Work
Part C Part C
Two Papers from C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 The details depend on the option route
MPhys Project Report See the Physics and Philosophy Handbook

12
 First Year 2012-2013
Induction A DVD is available for those who have Dates at a glance
All Physics and Physics and Philosophy been excused because of unavoidable
first years are required to attend Induction commitments at the advertised time or
Induction
from 2.15 - 4.15 pm on Friday afternoon of (for a fee) to those who miss the lecture 5 October 2012
0th week of Michaelmas Term. There you for other reasons. at 2.15 pm
will hear a brief introduction to Oxford Practical Work
Physics, an outline of the first year course, During the first two weeks of Michaelmas
and addresses by a student representative of Term each first-year student will attend
the Physics Joint Consultative Committee sessions introducing some of the test and
and by a representative of the Institute of measurement instruments used on the
Physics. There will also be an introduction practical courses, and the computers and
to the Practical Course, and you will be computing environment.
given your copy of the Practical Course
Handbook. Laboratory practical work starts in the
third week of Michaelmas Term and takes
To keep the numbers manageable, students place between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm on
will be split by College into two groups; Thursdays and Fridays. Laboratories are
please check below which group you are allocated on a rota system. During Mich-
in. Group A will start in the Dennis Sciama aelmas Term weeks 3 - 8 you will also be
Lecture Theatre, Denys Wilkinson Build- assigned to a further 3 hour session in the
ing (DWB); Group B in the Martin Wood computing laboratory - details are given
Lecture Theatre in the Clarendon (see map in the Practical Course Handbook. You
and directions on the inside cover). should not arrange commitments that clash
Group A (Practicals usually on Thursdays) with your practical work; however, if the
allocation raises genuine difficulties for
Balliol, Brasenose, Exeter, Jesus, Magdalen, you, discuss it with your tutor well before
Mansfield, Merton, Queen’s, St Catherine’s, your practical work starts.
St John’s, St Edmund Hall, Wadham,
Worcester. You MUST prepare for practicals by
reading the script before you attend the
Group B (Practicals usually on Fridays) laboratory. Any student who is un- pre-
Christ Church, Corpus Christi, Hertford, pared may be asked to leave.
Keble, Lady Margaret Hall, Lincoln, New, There will be an important meeting on
Oriel, St Anne’s, St Hilda’s, St Hugh’s, St Monday of 1st week at 12.00 noon in the
Peter’s, Somerville, Trinity, University. Martin Wood Lecture Theatre, at which
Please note. This grouping of Colleges also essential administrative arrangements will Essential Administration
shows which day you will probably do practi- be announced. Pairings for practical work 8 October 2012
cal work during the first year. (There is some will be registered at the Practical Admin- at 12.00 noon
reassignment to even out numbers.) istration session immediately following
Safety Lecture the Safety lecture. The Practical Course
Handbook contains all the information
A safety lecture, which is compulsory for you need about this part of the course. It Safety Lecture and
all Physics students is held on the Monday Practical Administration
is important to become familiar with it. 8 October 2012
of 1st week of Michaelmas Term at 2.00 pm at 2.00 pm
in the Martin Wood lecture theatre. Only Self-study modules in basic mathematics
those who have attended are allowed to and mechanics
work on the Practical Course. You will be
asked to sign a safety declaration. These are designed to bridge the gap
between school and university maths and
If for any reason it is not going to be pos- mechanics for those who need it. Your
sible for you to attend, tell your tutor, and tutor has more information, and they will
let Dr Karen Aplin (k.aplin1@physics. be explained at Induction. See also ‘The
ox.ac.uk) know before the beginning of Language of Physics’ J. P. Cullerne and
1st week. A. Machacek (Oxford).
13
 The Preliminary Examination First Year Physics and Maths Lectures
The first year is a foundation year, at the The syllabuses for papers CP1- 4 are given
end of which you will take the Preliminary in Appendix C and those for the Short
Examination (Prelims). This consists of four Options in Appendix F. The timetable of
compulsory 2½ hour papers [CP1: Phys- all the lectures for Prelims is published in
ics 1, CP2: Physics 2, CP3: Mathematical the Departments’s Lecture Database on the
Methods 1 and CP4: Mathematical Methods Web, under Physics Lecture List.
2], a Short Option (1½ hour paper) and Lectures start promptly at five minutes
satisfactory practical work. Each of the CP past the hour and end at five to.
papers will be in two sections: A - containing On the page 15 there is a brief overview
short compulsory questions; B - containing of the first year lectures. As well as the
problems (answer three from a choice of lectures on the mainstream topics shown,
four). The total marks for sections A and B there are others on the list that should be
will be 40 and 60, respectively. attended; those on the analysis of experi-
For Prelims, one of the Short Options S01, mental measurements contain important
Lecture timetables S02 or S03 is chosen. These subjects will
www.physics.ox.ac.uk/
material for the practical course, and the
lectures be covered by lectures at the start of Trinity “Physics Today” lectures cover exciting
Term. There are no resit exams for Short aspects of Contemporary Physics.
Options and a poor mark will not lead to
Prelim Papers
failure in Prelims, but good performance Exam Entry
CP1: Physics 1 helps if you are on the borderline of a Pass Entry for the Prelims exam is at the end
CP2: Physics 2 or a Distinction. of 4th week of Hilary Term and 3rd week
CP3: Mathematical
Methods 1
The practical course requirement for Prelims of Trinity Term for Short Option choices.
CP4: Mathematical is 15 ‘days’ - 11 laboratory experiments plus Specific details will be published by the
Methods 2 4 days computing assignments. Candidates Examiners.
failing to complete their practicals will be The Examination Regulations provides
Short Options
required to complete them before entry to guidance for students with special ex-
S01: Functions of a the Part A, see page 9.
Complex Variable
amination needs. “... An application ...
S02: Astrophysics: from The Compulsory Papers are individu- shall be made as soon as possible after
Planets to the Cosmos ally classified as Pass and Fail, with a Pass matriculation and in any event not later
S03: Quantum Ideas mark of 40%. The examiners will take than the date of entry of the candidate’s
into account the performance in the whole name for the first examination for which
examination (the four Compulsory Papers, special arrangements are sought.” Please
the Short Option paper and Practical Work) see The Examination Regulations http://
when considering the award of a Distinction www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/ for more
and when considering borderline scripts. information.
See Appendix B for information about the
Introduction to Computer Programming types of calculators which may be used in
During the first half of Michaelmas Term, Public examinations.
there will be introductory lectures on com- Physics and Philosophy
puter programming which will be coupled
with the practical sessions on computing. The first year course leads to the Prelimi-
nary examination in Physics and Philoso-
The Department has site licences for several phy, in which you take papers CP1, CP3
powerful data analysis and mathematical & CP4. The syllabuses for these papers are
software packages. See the Practical Course given in Appendix C. See the Physics and
Handbook or the website for more informa- Philosophy Course Handbook for further
tion and how to download the software. details about Prelims, including details of
Textbooks the Philosophy papers.

A list of the books recommended by the

lecturers is given in Appendix A. Your
tutor will advise you as to what books you
should obtain. A guide to library services is
given on page 4.
14
 First Year Outline of Topics

For definitive details see the Physics Department’s Lecture Database

(www.physics.ox.ac.uk/lectures/).

Below is a brief outline of the mainstream topics that will be lectured in Michaelmas,
Hilary and Trinity Terms. Most colleges are able to do two classes or tutorials per Lecture timetables
week. Tutorials are done in pairs, or sometimes in threes. Classes are normally made up www.physics.ox.ac.uk /lectures/
of all the students in that year in a College. There is approximately one tutorial or class
per four lectures.

First Year
Michaelmas Term: week by week
No. of Prelims Papers
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
lectures CP1: Physics 1
[CP1:Mechanics --------------------------] 9
CP2: Physics 2
[CP1:Special Relativity ------------------------------] 10
[CP2:Circuit Theory ---------------------------------] 10 CP3: Mathematical Methods 1
[CP2: Optics -------------------] 6 CP4: Mathematical Methods 2
[CP3: Vectors and Matrices -----------------------------------------------------------] 18
[CP3: ODEs & Complex Numbers] 10
[CP4: Calculus -----------------] 11
[Physics Today & Extras --------------------------------------------------------------] 10

Hilary Term: week by week

No. of
lectures Prelims Papers
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
[CP1:Mechanics -----------------------------------------------------------------------] 20 CP1: Physics 1
[CP2: Electromagnetism --------------------------------------------------------------] 20 CP2: Physics 2
[CP2: Optics ------] 4 CP3: Mathematical Methods 1
[CP4: Multiple Int/Vector Calc ---------------------] 14 CP4: Mathematical Methods 2
[CP4:Normal Modes and Wave Motion -----------------------] 12

Trinity Term: week by week

No. of Prelims Papers
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 lectures
CP Revison
[CP1: Revision -----] 4
[CP2: Revision -----] 4 Short Options
[CP3: Revision -----] 4 S01: Functions of a
[CP4: Revision -----] 4 Complex Variable
[S01: Functions of a Complex Variable--] 12 S02: Astrophysics: from
[S02: Astrophysics -----------------------] 12 Planets to the Cosmos
[S03: Quantum Ideas --------------------] 12
S03: Quantum Ideas

15
 Second Year 2012-2013
The BA and MPhys courses Physics Department Speaking Competition
Part A is the same for the BA (3-year) and The Departmental Competition is held
MPhys (4-year) courses. The examinations early in Trinity Term. College tutors may
nd
will take place at the end of Trinity Term and nominate one student to enter for this com-
Introduction to 2 year consists of three 3 hour papers: A1: Thermal petition.
8 October 2012
Physics; A2: Electromagnetism and Optics;
Each entrant will be allowed a maximum of
and A3: Quantum Physics. The material will
ten (10) minutes for the presentation and up
Part A Papers be covered by lectures, tutorials and classes
to two (2) minutes for questions. Students
A1: Thermal Physics concentrated in Michaelmas Term and Hilary
using PowerPoint slides must provide the
A2: Electromagnetism Term. Full details of the syllabuses are given
Teaching Faculty Office with their presenta-
and Optics in Appendix D. Each of the A papers will
tion 24 hours before the competition.
A3: Quantum Physics be divided into two sections: A containing
short compulsory questions and B contain- The winner of the Department’s competi-
Short Options
see page 28 ing problems (answer three from a choice tion may be eligible for a prize. Examples
of four). Total marks for sections A and B of these talks can be found at http://www.
will be 40 and 60 respectively. In addition physics.ox.ac.uk/teach/OxOnly/OralSkills/
you are required to offer at least one short to give students an idea of what a good oral
Physics Speaking option together with Part A practical work skills talk should be like. Please note that
Competition
including Oral Skills. the talks are meant to be technical and must
include scientific or mathematical content.
Practical Work including Oral Skills
The requirement for practical work for Part Short Options & Language Option
A is 12 days (8 days in Michaelmas Term Details on the Short Options (including the
Teaching and Learning and 2 days in Hilary Term for electronics Language Option) are given on page 28. It
Physics in Schools only, and 2 days in Trinity Term, weeks 3 is possible to offer a second Short Option in
10 October 2012 & 4). It is possible to substitute 6 days of place of 6 days of practical work.
practical work with alternatives as explained
opposite. There is also an assessed practical,
see page 9. Alternative subjects, extra practicals and
extended practicals
The Practical Course Handbook and http://
www.physics.ox.ac.uk/teach/exammatters. Given the necessary permission, it is also
htm will contain details of the handling of possible to offer alternative subjects, extra
logbooks. practicals or an extended practical in place
of the compulsory Short Option. Details are
During Hilary Term, second year students
given on page 28.
give short talks within Colleges, as training
Undergraduate
in oral communication skills. There will be a Teaching and Learning Physics in Schools
Physics Conference lecture at the end of Michaelmas term giving
This popular option is offered to 2nd year
guidance on how to give a talk (see the Mich-
www.physics.ox.ac.uk/ physics undergraduates in Hilary Term and
users/palmerc/oupc.htm aelmas Term lecture list). The Oral Skills
is run jointly by the Department of Phys-
talks should be written to last 15 minutes,
ics and the Department of Education. The
with a further 5 minutes allowed for ques-
eight (8) seminars provide students with an
tions. Topics on any branch of science and
opportunity to explore key issues in phys-
mathematics or the history of science may
ics education, looking at evidence from
be chosen, but your title must be approved
physics education research and discussing
by your College tutor. Your tutor will mark
current developments in policy and practice.
your talk out of a maximum of 15 marks. See
Students also spend six (6) days in local
page 9 for the marking scheme.
secondary schools, working closely with
experienced physics teachers in lessons and
gaining valuable insights into schools from
the teachers’ perspective.

16
An introductory lecture is given at 11 am in Physics and Philosophy
the Lindemann Theatre on Wednesday 1st Part A is examined at the end of Trinity Term
week Michaelmas Term to which all inter- and consists of three Physics papers: A1:
ested students are invited. Those wishing to Thermal Physics and A3: Quantum Physics
take the option are asked to submit a piece from Physics Part A with syllabuses given
of writing (one side of A4) by Friday 2nd in Appendix D and a short paper A2P:
week Michaelmas Term to Dr Judith Hillier Electromagnetism from the Physics Prelims
([email protected]) on syllabus (paper CP2 without the topics in
(a) why it is important to teach physics and circuit theory or optics - Appendix C). You
(b) why the student wants to be accepted should also attend the 20-lecture course in
onto the option. See page ? for more details, Michaelmas Term on Mathematical Meth-
ods (See Appendix D for the syllabus).
A modified version of the course is available
for Physics and Philosophy students. There are no philosophy papers in Part A.
The philosophy covered in both the second
Undergraduate Physics Conference and third years (for details see the Physics
and Philosophy Course Handbook) is ex-
This conference is an annual event held in
amined in Part B at the end of the third year.
0th week of Trinity Term for second and third
year students. There is a small fee for attend- The three part A papers taken together have
ance, for which students may apply to their a weight for the purposes of the Finals al-
Colleges, with bookings being taken from gorithm of 2, made up as ¾ for A1 and A3
the beginning of Hilary. For more details and ½ for A2P.
see www.physics.ox.ac.uk/users/palmerc/
For the experimental requirements in Phys-
oupc.htm.
ics and Philosophy Finals Part A, three
physics practicals must be completed by the
Exam Entry
end of your second year. The three practicals
Entry for the FHS Part A exam is at the end are: “Free and bound electrons” (practi-
of 4th week of Hilary Term, and 3rd week cal GP14 in the Physics Practical Course
of Trinity Term for Short Option choices Handbook), “Michelson interferometer”
(except for certain alternatives). Specific (Practical OP02) and “Stern-Gerlach effect”
details will be published by the Examiners. (Practical OP15). See the Practical Course
The Examination Regulations provides Handbook section 1.5 for more details.
guidance for students with special exami- During Hilary Term, students give short
nation needs. “... An application ... shall be talks within Colleges, as training in oral
made as soon as possible after matriculation communication skills. There will be a lec-
and in any event not later than the date of ture at the end of Michaelmas term giving
entry of the candidate’s name for the first guidance on how to give a talk (see the
examination for which special arrangements Michaelmas Term lecture list). A modified
are sought.” Please see The Examination version of the Physics in Schools is avail-
Regulations http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ able to P&P as an alternative to the oral
examregs/ for more information. skills training - interested students should
See Appendix B for information about the attend the introductory lecture in 1st week.
types of calculators which may be used in
You have to attend the 1st year ‘Introduction
Public examinations.
to Practicals’ and the Safety Lecture at the
beginning of your second year, see page 16.
Only students who are recorded as having
attended the Safety Lecture are allowed to
work on the Practical Course.

17
 Second Year Outline of Topics

For definitive details see the Physics Department’s Lecture Database

(www.physics.ox.ac.uk/lectures/).

Lecture timetables
Below is a brief outline of the mainstream topics that will be lectured in Michaelmas,
Hilary and Trinity Terms. Most colleges are able to do two classes or tutorials per week.
http://www.physics.ox.ac.
uk/lectures/
Tutorials are done in pairs, or sometimes in threes. Classes are normally made up of all
the students in that year in a College. There is approximately one tutorial or class per four
lectures.

Second Year
Michaelmas Term: week by week
No. of
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 lectures
Part A Papers
[A1: Statistical and Thermal Physics --------------] 13
A1: Thermal Physics [A2: Electromagnetism ---------------------------------------------------------------] 20
A2: Electromagnetism [A3: Quantum Mechanics --------------] 12
and Optics [S20: History of Science --------------------------------------------------------------] 8
[Probability and Statistics] 2
A3: Quantum Physics
[Mathematical Methods --------------------------------------------------------------] 20

Hilary Term: week by week

No. of
Part A Papers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 lectures
[A1: Statistical and Thermal Physics ------------------------------------------------] 24
A1: Thermal Physics
[A2: Optics ------------------------------] 10
A2: Electromagnetism [A3: Quantum Mechanics ---------------------------] 15
and Optics [A3: Further Quantum Physics] 11
A3: Quantum Physics [Probability and Statistics ----------------] 5
S07: Classical Mechanics [S07: Classical Mechanics --------------------------------------] 12
[S21: Philosophy of Science ----------------------------------------------------------] 8
[S27: Philosophy of Space Time------------------------------------------------------] 8

Trinity Term: week by week

No. of
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 lectures
[A2: Optics --------------------] 5
Papers A2 and A3 [A3: Further Quantum Physics] 7
[S01: Functions of a Complex Variable] 4
[S02: Astrophysics: from Planets to the Cosmos] 4
Short Options [S09: Financial Physics ---------------] 12
[S10:Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy] 12
[S25: Physics of Climate Change ------] 12
[S28: Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics] 8

18
 Third Year 2012-2013 [BA Course]
Choice of Course an external company, with the support of an
During Michaelmas, you must decide whether external industrial mentor and an internal
you will take the three year course (BA) or academic supervisor. The project is assessed
the four year course (MPhys). If you have any in two ways: (i) a group presentation on
doubts concerning which course you should Wednesday afternoon of 7th week, for which
take you should discuss the situation carefully each group member is awarded the same mark,
with your tutor. For the BA approximately 57% by a marking panel, and (ii) a mark for your
of the marks for your final degree classification individual contribution to the team, based on rd
Introduction to 3 year
depend on work done for Part B. a short report. More details will be announced 8 October 2012
at the introductory lecture.
Part B Examination BA Project or Essay
The examination will take place at the end of Short Options & Language Option BA Projects
Trinity and consists of four papers, a Short Op- Details on the Short Options (and alternatives) Handbook 2012-2013
tion paper, assessed practical work and a report are given on page 28. It is possible to offer a
on a project or extended report. The four papers second Short Option in place of 6 days of practi-
are chosen from the B papers of the 3rd year of cal work, but note that most short option lec-
the MPhys course: B1: I. Flows, Fluctuations tures are delivered at the start of Trinity Term.
and Complexity and II. Symmetry and Relativ-
ity; B2: III. Quantum, Atomic and Molecular Alternative subjects, extra practicals and
Physics and IV. Sub-Atomic Physics; B3: V. extended practicals
General Relativity and Cosmology and VI. Given the necessary permission, it is also pos-
Condensed-Matter Physics and must include sible to offer alternatives in place of the Short Part B Papers
III, IV and VI. Students will be required to Option. Details are given on page 28. B1: I. Flows, Fluc-
answer two questions from a total of four. tuations and Complexity
BA Project and II. Symmetry and
The material will be covered by lectures, tutori-
The project is either a laboratory or a literature Relativity
als and classes concentrated in Michaelmas &
Hilary of the third year. Full details of the syl- project and undertaken during the final four B2: III. Quantum,
weeks of Hilary. The BA Projects Handbook Atomic and Molecular
labuses are given in Appendix E. Physics and IV. Sub-
contains details of both types of projects and Atomic Physics
Practical Work including Written Skills will be circulated at the start of Michaelmas.
B3: V. General Relativ-
The requirement for practical work for Part B This contains the timetable for carrying out ity and Cosmology and
is 6 days, undertaken in Michaelmas and Trin- the project work and handing in the report. VI. Condensed-Matter
You must specify your choice of project Physics
ity. A second Short Option may be offered in
place of practical work. There is no practical or report by noon on Friday of 2nd week of
work in Hilary. BA students have to write a Michaelmas. The allocation of projects will
report on one of the practicals they have done be published during 5th week of Michaelmas,
in Michaelmas Term, which will be selected and you should then contact your supervisor
Undergraduate
for them at random. The BA project is under- to discuss preparation for the project work. Physics Conference
taken in the second half of Hilary Term. There is a compulsory Safety Lecture in 7th www.physics.ox.ac.uk/
The practical report write-up is part of the week of Michaelmas, which all BA project users/palmerc/oupc.htm

training in written communication skills for in students MUST attend. Three (3) copies of Part B Practical
Part B. There is also an assessed practical, see the report with a declaration of authorship and
page 9 of the Practical Course Handbook and a copy of the report in pdf format on a CD must
the examiners’ matters web page will contain be handed in to the Examination Schools by
details of the handling of logbooks. Monday of 1st week of Trinity Term.

Group Project
The Group Industrial Project is compulsory
for all third year students who are registered
on the BA course by the start of Michaelmas.
Students will be organised into groups of 5-6
to work on a physics-related problem set by

19
Undergraduate Physics Conference Exam Entry
This conference is an annual event held in Entry for the Part B exam is at the end of 4th
0th week of Trinity Term for second and third week of Hilary Term and 3rd week of Trinity
year students. There is a small fee, for which Term for Short Option choices (except for
students may apply to their College, for attend- certain alternatives). Specific details will be
ance with bookings being taken from the be- published by the Examiners.
ginning of Hilary. For more details see www. The Examination Regulations provides guid-
physics.ox.ac.uk/users/palmerc/oupc.htm. ance for students with special examination
needs. “... An application ... shall be made
as soon as possible after matriculation and in
any event not later than the date of entry of
the candidate’s name for the first examination
for which special arrangements are sought.”
Please see The Examination Regulations
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/ for
more information.
See Appendix B for information about the
types of calculators which may be used in
Public examinations.

20
 Third Year 2012-2013 [MPhys Course]
Choice of Course There is no practical work in Hilary but
students should write a report on the mini-
During Michaelmas, you must decide wheth-
project they have done. The practical report
er you will take the three year course (BA) or
write-up is part of the training in written com-
the four year course (MPhys). Your tutor will
munication skills and contributes to Written
have received the results of your Part A ex-
Skills in Part B. rd
Introduction to 3 year
amination over the long vacation, and if you
8 October 2012
have any doubts concerning which course you The Practical Course Handbook and http://
should take you should discuss the situation www.physics.ox.ac.uk/teach/exammatters. Short Options
carefully with your tutor in the light of your htm will contain details of the handling of Language Option
examination results. After Part A the examin- logbooks.
ers will have published a list of those students
eligible to proceed to the MPhys course; the Short Options & Language Option
standard required is the equivalent of a II.1 Details of the Short Options (and alterna-
Class or better in Part A. You should bear in tives) are given on page 27. It is possible to
mind that the four year course is designed to offer a second Short Option in place of 6 days Undergraduate
be a challenging one and will involve an ap- of practical work. Physics Conference
preciable amount of advanced work. You will
also be expected to work more independently Alternative subjects, extra practicals and
than during your first three years. If you take extended practicals
the four year course, 42% of the total marks
leading to your final degree classification will Given the necessary permission, it is also
depend on work done in the 4th year. possible to offer alternative subjects or an
account of extra practicals or an extended
Part B Examination practical in place of the compulsory Short Major Options
Option. Details are given on page 27.
The examination will take place at the end of
Trinity Term and consist of six papers: B1: I. Changing from the MPhys to the BA
Flows, Fluctuations and Complexity and II. Part B Papers
Symmetry and Relativity, B2: III. Quantum, If you are considering transferring from the
Atomic and Molecular Physics and IV. Sub- MPhys to the BA, this must be done through B1: I. Flows, Fluctuations
and Complexity and II.
Atomic Physics, B3: V. General Relativity to your College. If you change to the BA Symmetry and Relativity
and Cosmology and VI. Condensed-Matter before you have entered for the MPhys Part
B2: III. Quantum, Atomic
Physics. Students will be required to answer B (4th week of Hilary Term),you will have to and Molecular Physics and
two questions from a total of four on each of do a BA project and either a BA group pro- IV. Sub-Atomic Physics
these papers. ject or an extra assessed practical. You will B3: V. General Relativity
have to formally withdraw from the MPhys and Cosmology and VI.
The material will be covered by lectures, tuto- degree course via College and re-enter to do Condensed-Matter Physics
rials and classes concentrated in Michaelmas the BA course.
& Hilary of the third year. Full details of the
syllabuses are given in Appendix E. If you decide to change to the BA after you
have entered for the MPhys Part B (4th week
Practical Work including Written Skills of Hilary Term), you will have to formally
The requirement for practical work for Part withdraw from the MPhys degree course via
B is 10 days (usually 6 days in Michaelmas College and re-enter to do the BA course.
and 4 days in Trinity), The mini-project takes Your classification will be determined by
place in Michaelmas Term and amounts to performance in Parts A and B of the FHS.
Part B Practical
2 days of practical credit plus an extra two Those who enter the FHS and satisfactorily
days of work which is then written up. It is complete the fourth year will be eligible to
possible to substitute for 6 days of practical petition for a Masters degree, the MPhys,
work, by taking a second short option, but but those who, for whatever reason, do not
you must carry out a mini-project plus one wish to proceed to the fourth year, or who
other 2 day practical. There is also an assessed begin but do not complete the fourth year,
practical, see page 9. are still eligible for the BA, as determined

21
by their performance in Parts A and B of Trinity Term for Short Option choices (ex-
the FHS. This exit route is available to all cept for certain alternatives). Specific details
MPhys students until they complete Part C, will be published by the Examiners.
but, as you would expect, the award of the
The Examination Regulations provides guid-
BA precludes the possibility of ever taking
ance for students with special examination
Part C and obtaining the MPhys.
needs. “... An application ... shall be made
A MPhys classification does not have an as soon as possible after matriculation and in
equivalent BA classification. Once you have any event not later than the date of entry of
taken the MPhys examination, you receive the candidate’s name for the first examination
a MPhys degree and are ineligible for a BA for which special arrangements are sought.”
degree. Please see The Examination Regulations
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/ for
Undergraduate Physics Conference
more information.
This conference is an annual event held in
See Appendix B for information about the
0th week of Trinity Term for second and third
types of calculators which may be used in
year students. There is a small fee for attend-
Public examinations.
ance, for which students may apply to their
College, with bookings being taken from
Physics and Philosophy
the beginning of Hilary. For more details
see www.physics.ox.ac.uk/users/palmerc/ The physics component in Part B consists of
oupc.htm. three (or five if your elective paper is in phys-
ics) subjects drawn from the following list:
Major Options • B1:I. Fluctuations, flows and complexity
In 5th week of Trinity Term, there will be a • B1:II. Symmetry and relativity
general introduction to the Major Options • B2:III. Quantum, atomic and molecular
(for details consult the lecture list). By Friday physics
of 6th week you will be required to return a • B2:IV. Sub-atomic physics
form indicating your option choices in order • B3:V. General Relativity and cosmology
of preference. • B3:VI. Condensed-matter physics
• BT: VII. Classical mechanics
Alternative Major Options Your selection must include at least two of
It is possible to substitute another subject in the subjects II, V and VII.
place of a Physics Major Option, provided the Subjects I-VI are the same as the core Part
course and exam already exist and are of suf- B physics papers taken by MPhys students,
ficient weight. Permission must be sought via which are examined in three three-hour pa-
the Assistant Head of Teaching (Academic) pers, B1, B2 and B3 as shown above, with
in Trinity Term of your third year. 1½ hours allocated to each of the two sections
in each paper. The syllabus and lectures for
Exam Entry subject VII Classical Mechanics are identical
with those for the Physics Short Option S07
Entry for the FHS Part B exam is at the end of the same name, but the paper is not the
rd
of 4th week of Hilary Term, and 3 week of same. The BT paper is specially set for PP
students, in the same format as the other six
subjects in Part B, and 1½ hours in length.
The weights assigned to the Part B papers
in the Finals algorithm are 1 for each 3-hour
Philosophy paper and ½ for each 1½-hour
physics paper.

22
 Third Year Outline of Topics
For definitive details see the Physics Department’s Lecture Database
(www.physics.ox.ac.uk/lectures/).
Lecture timetables
www.physics.ox.ac.uk/ Below is a brief outline of the mainstream topics that will be lectured in Michaelmas, Hilary
lectures/
and Trinity Terms. There are normally two classes or tutorials per week. Tutorials are done in
pairs, or sometimes in threes. Classes are normally made up of all the students in that year in
a College. There is approximately one tutorial or class per four lectures.
Third Year
Part B Papers Michaelmas Term: week by week
B1: I. Flows, Fluctuations No. of
and Complexity and II. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
lectures
Symmetry and Relativity
[B1: I. Flows, Fluctuations and Complexity ------------------------------------------] 22
B2: III. Quantum, Atomic [B1:II. Symmetry and Relativity ------------------------------------------------------] 22
and Molecular Physics and [B2: III. Quantum, Atomic and Molecular Physics ----------------------------------] 22
IV. Sub-Atomic Physics
[S20: History of Science ---------------------------------------------------------------] 8
B3: V. General Relativity [Extras ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------] 2
and Cosmology and
VI. Condensed-Matter
Physics
Hilary Term: week by week
No. of
S18: Advanced 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 lectures
Quantum Mechanics [B2: IV. Sub-Atomic Physics ----------------------------------------------------------] 22
S07: Classical [B3: V. General Relativity and Cosmology -------------------------------------------] 22
Mechanics [B3: VI. Condensed-Matter Physics --------------------------------------------------] 22
[S07:Classical Mechanics ---------------------------------------] 12
BA Projects [S18:Advanced Quantum Mechanics --------------] 12
[S21: Philosophy of Science -----------------------------------------------------------] 8
[S27: Philosophy of Space Time-------------------------------------------------------] 8
[Extras ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------] 1

Trinity Term: week by week No. of

Part B Papers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 lectures
Part B Practical [B1: I. Flows, Fluctuations and Complexity ] 2
[B1:II. Symmetry and Relativity ---------] 2
Short Options [B2: III. Quantum, Atomic and Molecular Physics ] 2
[B2: IV. Sub-Atomic Physics -------------] 2
[B3: V. General Relativity and Cosmology ] 2
[B3: VI. Condensed-Matter Physics -----] 2
[S09: Financial Physics ------------------] 12
[S10: Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy] 12
[S16: Plasma Physics ---------------------] 12
[S19: Particle Accelerator Science -------] 12
[S25: Physics of Climate Change --------] 12
[S26: Stars and Galaxies -----------------] 12
[S28: Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics] 8

23
 Fourth Year 2012-2013 [MPhys Course]

Part C Finals for the 4-year MPhys The lectures are an integral part of the Major
Options and as such you are strongly advised
In Trinity Term, you are required to take
to attend all lectures. Classes will be treated
two Major Options papers of your choice
like tutorials and any absence, or failure to
(see Appendix G). These papers together
submit written work, will be reported to your
with a project form Finals Part C for the
College.
MPhys course. Although you will have made
a considered preliminary choice of options
Alternative Major Options
in Trinity Term of your third year, you may
revise that choice at the start of Michaelmas It is possible to substitute another subject in
Term. place of a Physics Major Option, provided
the course and exam already exist and are
If you wish to change, or have not yet in-
Major Options of sufficient weight. See the Examination
dicated your choice, it is essential that you
2 Major Options Regulations on page 51.
inform the Assistant Head of Teaching (Aca-
demic) no later than Friday of 0th week Permission must be sought from the Head of
Alternative Major of Michaelmas (see http://www2.physics. the Physics Teaching Faculty in Trinity Term
Options ox.ac.uk/students). of your third year via the Assistant Head of
Teaching (Academic) by e-mail at c.leonard-
Lectures and Classes for the Major [email protected]. Students will
Options be advised of the decision by the start of
MPhys Projects Michaelmas Term at the latest.
The lectures for the Major Options take place
MPhys Projects
from the start of Michaelmas Term until the
Handbook 2012-2013 Projects
middle of Trinity Term. During Hilary Term,
fewer lectures are given to allow time for the Projects are carried out during Hilary Term.
MPhys project. There is a compulsory Safety Lecture in
7th week of Michaelmas Term, which all
The lecture courses cover the material given
MPhys students must attend. The MPhys
in the syllabuses in Appendix G at the back
Projects Handbook containing details of the
of the handbook.
projects for the MPhys will be circulated at
For each option there will be a total of 8 the start of Michaelmas Term. This also con-
classes, distributed roughly as: 4 classes in tains a timetable for carrying out the project
Michaelmas, 2 classes in Hilary and 2 classes work and handing in the report. You must
in Trinity. More details on the Major Options specify your choice of project by noon on
are given via the Physics web page http:// Friday of 2nd week, Michaelmas Term. The
www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/students. allocation of projects will be published in 5th
The Major Options available are: week. Before the end of Michaelmas Term
students must contact their supervisor to
• C1: Astrophysics
discuss the preparation for the project work.
• C2: Laser Science and Quantum
Information Processing Three (3) copies of the final report with a
• C3: Condensed Matter Physics declaration of authorship and a copy of the
report in pdf format on a CD must be handed
• C4: Particle Physics
in to the Examination Schools by Monday
• C5: Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans of 1st week of Trinity Term. See the MPhys
• C6: Theoretical Physics Projects Handbook for more details.
• C7: Biological Physics

Each of the seven physics Major Options are

examined in a single 3-hour paper. Answer
4 questions from a choice of 8.

24
Exam Entry Physics and Philosophy
Entry for the MPhys Part C exam is at the The fourth year comprises Part C of the FHS.
end of 4th week of Hilary Term (choice of The examination is in the latter part of Trin-
Major Options and a project title). Specific ity Term in both disciplines. Candidates will
details will be published by the Examiners. be required to offer three units in Physics or
Philosophy, chosen in any combination from
The Examination Regulations provides guid-
the lists for Physics and for Philosophy. Each
ance for students with special examination
unit has a weight of 1⅓ for the purposes of
needs. “... An application ... shall be made
the Finals algorithm, giving a total weight
as soon as possible after matriculation and in
11½ for Parts A, B and C.
any event not later than the date of entry of
the candidate’s name for the first examination A unit in Physics consists of either a written
for which special arrangements are sought.” paper on a Physics Major Option, or a project
Please see the Examination Regulations report on either advanced practical work or
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/ for other advanced work. The Physics Major
more information. Options and the Projects are those specified
Physics and Philosophy
on page 24 and in the MPhys Projects Hand-
See Appendix B for information about the
book 2012-2013. Syllabuses for the Physics
types of calculators which may be used in
Major Options are given in Appendix G.
Public examinations.
A unit in Philosophy consists of one of the
permitted philosophy papers together with
a submitted essay on a topic from the paper,
or a philosophy thesis. For details see the
Physics and Philosophy Course Handbook.
If you wish to offer a physics project, please
refer to the note on page 24 about project
allocation etc., and most importantly, you
must attend the Safety Lecture in 7th week
of Michaelmas Term if you intend to do
an experimental project.

25
 Fourth Year Outline of Topics

For definitive details see the Physics Department’s Lecture Database

(www.physics.ox.ac.uk/lectures/).
Lecture timetables
www.physics.ox.ac.uk Below is a brief outline of the mainstream topics that will be lectured in Michaelmas, Hilary
/lectures/
and Trinity Terms. Each physics Major Option is usually supported by 8 classes. Typically a
class size is 8 students.

Fourth Year
Michaelmas Term: week by week
No. of
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 lectures
Part C Papers
[C1: Astrophysics ----------------------------------------------------------------------] 29
[C2: Lasers and Quantum Information Processing ----------------------------------] 24
[C3: Condensed Matter Physics -------------------------------------------------------] 24
[C4: Particle Physics -------------------------------------------------------------------] 24
[C5: Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans --------------------------------------------] 23
[C6: Theoretical Physics ---------------------------------------------------------------] 24
[C7: Biological Physics-----------------------------------------------------------------] 24

Hilary Term: week by week

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 No. of
lectures
[C1: Astrophysics ----------------------------------------------------------------------]
9
[C2: Lasers and Quantum Information Processing ----------------------------------]
9
[C3: Condensed Matter Physics ------------------------------------------------------]
7
[C4: Particle Physics -------------------------------------------------------------------]
Part C Papers 9
[C5: Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans --------------------------------------------]
9
MPhys Projects [C6: Theoretical Physics ---------------------------------------------------------------]
18
[C7: Biological Physics-----------------------------------------------------------------]
10

Trinity Term: week by week

No. of
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 lectures
[C1: Astrophysics ----------------------------------------------------------------------] 8
[C2: Lasers and Quantum Information Processing ----------------------------------] 8
[C3: Condensed Matter Physics ------------------------------------------------------] 13
[C4: Particle Physics -------------------------------------------------------------------] 8
[C5: Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans --------------------------------------------] 11
[C6: Theoretical Physics ---------------------------------------------------------------] 0
[C7: Biological Physics-----------------------------------------------------------------] 8

Part C Papers

26
 Short Options 2012-2013, Language Option & Alternatives
The Short Options for the academic year 2012/13 are listed below. Each Physics short option is covered by 12 lectures
and examined in a 1½ hour paper. The syllabuses for the Short Options are given in Appendix F.
The column labelled ‘Years’ indicates the year or years in which it would be most appropriate to take the option (based
on assumed prior knowledge). Short options will be offered in alternate years and this came into effect from Trinity 2012.
If in doubt, consult your tutor or the option lecturer(s). A Short Option subject may only be offered once, except
the Language Option provided it is a different language.

Physics Short Options

Code Title Years Notes Term

S01 Functions of a Complex Variable 123 (a) TT
S02 Astrophysics: from Planets to the Cosmos 1 2 (a) TT
S03 Quantum Ideas 1 only (a) TT

S07 Classical Mechanics 2 3 (a), (c) HT

S09 Financial Physics 2 3 (b) TT
S10 Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy 2 3 (b) TT
S16 Plasma Physics 3 (f) TT
S18 Advanced Quantum Mechanics 3 (a) HT
S19 Particle Accelerator Science 3 (g) TT
S25 Physics of Climate Change 2 3 (b) TT
S26 Stars and Galaxies 3 (a) TT

From other Departments or Faculties

S20 History of Science 2 3 (d) MT
S21 Philosophy of Science 23 (d) HT
S22 Language Option (French and Spanish or German) 2 3 (e) TT
S27 Philosophy of Space-Time 23 (d) HT
S28 Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics 23 (d) TT

Note:
(a) This Short Option offered every year
(b) This Short Option will be offered in Trinity 2013 not in 2014.
(c) Physics and Philosophy Paper BT: VII. Classical Mechanics.
(d) These subjects are pre-approved. The examination for these options are taken in either Michaelmas or Hilary or Trinity Term.
(e) Subject to passing the preliminary test in Hilary Term.
(f) This Short Option will be offered in Trinity 2013.
(g) to be confirmed.

27
Short Options For the language options, final assessment is based on
the syllabus and learning outcomes published by the
Short Options are intended to introduce either specialist
Language Centre.
topics or subjects outside the mainstream courses. They
allow students to experiment with new material without For further information, contact the Physics Teaching
significant prejudice to their degree class, as they carry Faculty (see Appendix N) or Dr Robert Vanderplank at
a low weighting. the Language Centre ([email protected].
uk).
Format of the Short Option Paper
Students may offer to do language option on more than
Physics Short Options will be examined by a single one occasion provided it is different language. For ex-
compendium paper divided into sections - one for each ample a student can do French in Part A and German in
option - each containing 3 questions. Candidates offer- Part B, the subject to eligibility to take this option by the
ing one Short Option should attempt two questions from preliminary test in the middle of Hilary Term.
one section in 1½ hours. Candidates offering two Short
Options should attempt four questions, two from each Alternative subjects
section, in 3 hours.
Application must be made via the Assistant Head of
Teaching (Academic) by e-mail to c.leonard-mcintyre@
Prelims
physics.ox.ac.uk to replace the compulsory Short Option
Choose from one of the Short Options S01, S02 or S03. paper in Part A or Part B; the deadline is Friday of 4th week
The Short Option in Prelims is not subject to a resit, Michaelmas Term. The application will only be agreed
but is a required part of the examination and a good if the proposed course and an examination paper already
performance will help if you are on the borderline of a exists within the University, and the alternative subject is
Pass or Distinction. considered appropriate. Students will be advised of the
decision by the end of 8th week of Michaelmas Term.
Parts A & B
At least one Short Option must be offered in Parts A & B Pre-approved subjects
(for both courses). Alternatives, including the Language Several alternative subjects offered by other faculties or
Option, are available. departments can be studied in place of one or two short
For both Parts A and B, a second Short Option may be options have been pre-approved as follows:
offered in place of 6 days of practical work. Students a) History and Philosophy of Science: this is a Supple-
electing to take this choice must inform the Assistant mentary Subject is a paper offered within the University
Head of Teaching (Academic) by e-mail at c.leonard- by other departments. Physics students may substitute
[email protected] by the end of Michaelmas such a paper instead of two short options. Students may
Term. also take either the History of Science or Philosophy of
At the start of Michaelmas Term, meetings will be held Science as a short option.
for the 2nd and 3rd years to explain the options and choices b) Anyone wishing to do the S20: History of Science
open to them with regard to Short Options, Practical course should attend to the first lecture, to be given in
Work and alternatives. Details about times and places the Tanner Room, Linacre College, see the Physics De-
will be announced in the Lecture List. partment’s Lecture Database (www.physics.ox.ac.uk/
lectures/). It is especially important to be present at the
Language Option first lecture, immediately after which tutorial groups for
The language option will involve 32 hours of classes the term will be arranged. Please contact Prof. P. Corsi
together with associated work in Trinity Term. It can be ([email protected]). More details can be
used to replace the Short Option paper in either Part A found at http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/teaching/sshistory.
or Part B. html. If you wish to offer this option, please inform the
Assistant Head of Teaching (Academic) by e-mail at
A course is offered in French every year. Courses in Ger- [email protected] by 2nd week of
man or Spanish are offered in alternate years. In Trinity Michaelmas Term.
Term 2013, the language courses will be French and
German. The minimum entry requirement is normally c) S21: Philosophy of Physics, S27: Philosophy of Space-
an A at GCSE in the relevant language or equivalent. Time and S28: Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics, can
be taken separately to replace one short option. These
There will be a presentation for those interested in taking options are offered by the Philosophy Faculty. If you wish
a language option at the Language Centre, 12 Woodstock to offer these options, please inform the Assistant Head of
Road on the Friday of 4th week, Michaelmas Term, at Teaching (Academic) by e-mail at c.leonard-mcintyre@
3.00 pm. Formal application to the Head of the Physics
28
physics.ox.ac.uk. (b) Extended practical
Please note: Students must seek permission from their Extended practical work must have the support of an
College tutors to study these topics as there will be a appropriate supervisor, and must be equivalent to six
financial cost for classes and/or tutorials. The examina- days practical work. If you need assistance finding a
tion dates for the History and Philosophy of Science, supervisor, please contact Dr Karen Aplin once you have
S20: History of Science, S21: Philosophy of Physics, decided which area of physics you would like to work in.
S27: Philosophy of Space-Time and S28: Philosophy Students must submit one printed copy and an electronic
of Quantum Mechanics is different from the Physics of their report to the Physics Teaching Faculty Office,
Short Option examination date. No examination results NOT the Examination Schools, before noon on Friday
will be released before the completion of all the Physics of 5th week of Trinity Term. It is also helpful if you email
examinations. us a PDF file, but the deadline will be defined by when
the print out is received.
Extra practical work
Please ensure you write your candidate number ONLY
There are two ways to do extra practical work instead f on the report and NOT your name/college so that the
a short option, extra practicals, or an extended practical. reports can be marked anonymously.
Extra practicals are simply more of the same experi-
Your supervisor may read and comment upon one draft
ments carried out for the basic quota, whereas extended
only of your report before submission.
practicals are effectively a small project. Permission
to do extra practical work can be obtained by emailing Assessment of extra practical work
[email protected], clearly stating which
of the options below you wish to apply for. The marking of the extra practicals and extended practi-
cals is done using the following categories:
The application must be made before noon on Friday
of 4th week of Michaelmas Term. Applications submit- • Introduction and abstract
ted late will not be considered. • Description of method/apparatus
• Experimental work/results and errors
(a) Extra practicals • Analysis of results
Extra practicals are an additional six days of standard • Conclusions
practicals. You can only book for those practicals allo- • Good argument in the analysis, the use of clear Eng-
cated to you by the MS (Management Scheme). If you lish, writing style, and clear diagrams/plots and refer-
want to work out of allocation you must see what is free ences will also be taken into account.
on the day. Each of the extra practicals must be marked • 25% of the marks available will be deducted for late
at least S on your MS record, and you must write up submission.
one of the practicals, selected at random. Students will Alternatives to practical work
be informed which practical to write up by noon on
Wednesday of 4th week of Trinity Term. No tutor input It is possible to replace some of the practical quota by
for this Report will be allowed. Students must submit reports on Physics-related vacation placements, by taking
one printed copy and an electronic of their report to the an extra short option, or for Part A students, to take an
Physics Teaching Faculty Office, NOT the Examination option related to teaching Physics in schools.
Schools, before noon on Friday of 5th week of Trinity (a) Vacation placements
Term. It is also helpful if you email us a PDF file, but the
Work carried out during a vacation placement may be
deadline will be defined by when the print out is received.
submitted for practical course credit. Should you wish to
Please ensure you write your candidate number ONLY gain credit for vacation work, you must firstly apply for
on the report and NOT your name/college so that the approval to the Head of Physics Teaching Faculty (Teach-
reports can be marked anonymously. [email protected]) after the placement by
The six extra days practical work will begin only when returning the form AD12 at http://www-teaching.physics.
the normal practical quota has been completed. They ox.ac.uk/practical_course/Admin — project substitution
should be booked and grades entered on the MS as usual. for practical work in Michaelmas term before noon on
Part A students doing the six additional days of practi- Friday of 4th week of Michaelmas Term. It is possible to
cal in Part A will not be allowed to repeat this option submit vacation work for practical credit in both Parts A
for Part B. You may work alone or with a partner. It does and B, as long as the projects are distinct pieces of work.
not matter which course your partner is registered for or You may only submit one vacation project per year
if they are not doing extra practicals. for practical credit.

29
Teaching and Learning Physics in Schools Please Note: It is NOT possible to substitute for all
practical work in Part A by doing BOTH an extra short
This popular option is offered to 2nd year physics under-
option AND the Teaching Physics in Schools option. It is
graduates in Hilary Term and is run jointly by the Depart-
anticipated that students should know whether or not they
ment of Physics and the Department of Education. The
have been successful in obtaining a place on this option
eight (8) seminars provide students with an opportunity
by Friday 3rd week Michaelmas Term. Occasionally there
to explore key issues in physics education, looking at
are delays allocating students to this option, in which case
evidence from physics education research and discussing
you should carry on with your practical work as usual to
current developments in policy and practice. Students
prevent you from falling behind if you are not selected
also spend six (6) days in local secondary schools,
– ideally making a start on the compulsory Electronics
working closely with experienced physics teachers in
experiments so that you can get them finished in good
lessons and gaining valuable insights into schools from
time. If you end up doing extra practical work as a result
the teachers’ perspective.
of this delay, then the Part A Assessed Practical will be
An introductory lecture is given at 11 am in the Linde- chosen from your highest graded practicals.
mann Theatre on Wednesday 1st week Michaelmas Term
to which all interested students are invited. Those wishing Examination Entry
to take the option are asked to submit a piece of writing
For Prelims and FHS (Final Honours School) Parts A &
(one side of A4) by Friday 2nd week Michaelmas Term to
B, examination entry for Physics Short Options is at the
Dr Judith Hillier ([email protected]) on
end of 3rd week of Trinity Term. Specific details regarding
(a) why it is important to teach physics and the examinations will be published by the Examiners.
(b) why the student wants to be accepted onto the option. The Examination Regulations provides guidance for stu-
Assessment is in the form of a 5 minute presentation, dents with special examination needs. “... An application
given on Monday 8th week Hilary Term, and a 3000 ... shall be made as soon as possible after matriculation
word essay, submitted on Friday 1st week Trinity Term. and in any event not later than the date of entry of the can-
Guidance and support are given as to the literature to be didate’s name for the first examination for which special
drawn on and the data to be collected for the assignment. arrangements are sought.” Please see The Examination
The option replaces eight (8) days of practicals. A prize Regulations http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/ for
will be awarded to the student presenting the best work more information.
in this option.
“Teaching Physics in Schools” is ideal preparation for
any student contemplating a career in teaching after
graduation. It is also very valuable for anyone intend-
ing to pursue a career in the wider field of education or
a career which requires good teamwork and both written
and verbal communication skills.

30
APPENDIX A

Recommended Textbooks

(** main text * supplementary text) Books listed as far as possible by Short Options and Examination Papers
Lecturers will give more details at the start of each course
Short Options

S01: Functions of a Complex Variable S16: Plasma Physics

‘Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering: A Com- ‘Plasma Dynamics’, R.O. Dendy (OUP)
prehensive Guide’, K F Riley, M P Hobson and S J Bence (CUP, ‘Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion: Volume
2002), ISBN 0521-81372 7 (HB), ISBN 0521-89067 5 (PB) ** 1, Plasma Physics’ Francis F. Chen (Plenum)
‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, Boas
‘Mathematical Methods for Physicists’, Arfken S18: Advanced Quantum Mechanics
‘Complex Variables’, Spiegel “Quantum Mechanics”, L.D.Landau and E.M.Lifshitz,( Pergamon
Press, 1965)
S02: Astrophysics:from planets to the cosmos “Advanced Quantum Mechanics”, J.J.Sakurai, (Addison Wesley,
(suitable for 1st and 2nd years) 1967)
‘Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics’, Zeilek & Gregory “Modern Quantum Mechanics”, 2nd edition, J.J.Sakurai and
‘Universe’, Kaufmann & Freedman J.J.Napolitano, (Addison Wesley, 2010)
“Intermediate Quantum Mechanics”, H.Bethe and R.Jackiw, (Ad-
dison Wesley, 1986)
S03: Quantum Ideas “Scattering Theory”, J.Taylor, (Dover, 1972)
‘QED’, R P Feynman (Penguin) “Scattering Theory of Waves and Particles”, R.Newton, (McGraw-
‘Quantum Theory: A Very Short Introduction’, J. Polkinghorne Hill, 1966)
(OUP) “Quantum Mechanics: Selected Topics”, A.Perelomov and
‘The New Quantum Universe’, T. Hey and P. Walters (CUP) Ya.B.Zeldovich, (World Scientific, 1998)
‘The Strange World of Quantum Mechanics’, Daniel F. Styer (CUP) “Quantum Theory of Scattering”, T.Wu and T.Ohmura, (Dover,
2011)
S07: Classical Mechanics†
‘Mechanics (Course of Theoretical Physics), Vol 1’, L D Landau S19: Particle Accelerator Science
and E Lifshitz (IoP Publishing [earlier editions published by ‘An introduction to particle accelerators’, Edmund Wilson, (Clar-
Pergamon]):First volume of the celebrated ‘Course of Theoretical endon Press, 2001), QC787.P3 WIL, ISBN-10: 0198508298,
Physics’**. ISBN-13: 978-0198508298 **
‘Classical mechanics’, 5th ed, T.W.B. Kibble & F.H. Berkshire** ‘The physics of Particle accelerators’, Klaus Wille, QC787.P3
‘Classical mechanics’, 3rd ed H. Goldstein, C. Poole & J. Safko. WIL ISBN 0198505493 *
Covers more advanced topics too. More advanced:
The following books are more difficult: ‘Handbook of Accelerator Physics and Engineering’, Alex Chao
‘Mathematical methods of classical mechanics’, V.I. Arnold. and Maury Tigner, ISBN: 9810235003 *
Adopts an elegant, more mathematically sophisticated approach
than the other books listed here, developing the maths along with S25: Physics of Climate Change
the mechanics. ‘Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast’, David Archer(
‘Structure and interpretation of classical mechanics’ G.J. Sussman Blackwell, 2007) ISBN: 978-1-4051-4039-3
& J. Wisdom. Uses a modern, explicit “functional’” notation and ‘Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis’, S. Solomon,
breaks everything down into baby steps suitable for a computer. D. Qin et al (eds.)(CUP, 2007) ISBN: 978-0-521-70596-7, avail-
† also for BT:VII. Classical Mechanics able online at http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/
en/contents.html
S09: Financial Physics “An Introduction to Atmospheric Physics” (2nd edition), D. G.
‘Financial Market Complexity’, Neil F. Johnson, Paul Jefferies , Andrews, CUP, 2010, Chapter 8
Pak Ming Hui (OUP, 2003)
S26: Stars and Galaxies
S10: Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy “Astrophysics for Physicists”, Chouduri
‘Fundamental Physics for Probing and Imaging’, Wade Allison, “Galactic Dynamics”, Binney & Tremaine
Oxford (2006) ISBN 9780199203888 and 9780199203895 “Stellar Structure and Evolution”, Kippenhahn & Weigert
Useful resource:
3D Conformal Radiation Therapy – A multimedia introduction to
methods and techniques Springer ISBN 978-3-540-71550-4

31
First Year Vectors and Matrices
‘Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering: A Com-
CP1: Physics 1 prehensive
Guide’, K F Riley, M P Hobson and S J Bence (CUP,
Classical Mechanics 2002), ISBN 0521-81372 7 (HB), ISBN 0521-89067 5 (PB) **
‘Classical Mechanics’, M W McCall (Wiley 2001) ‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’,Boas *
‘Introduction to Classical Mechanics’, A P French & M G Ebison
(Chapman & Hall) (Out of print but in most libraries) Ordinary Differential Equations and Complex
‘Analytical Mechanics’, 6th ed, Fowles & Cassidy (Harcourt 1999) Numbers
‘Fundamentals of Physics’ (Chapters on Mechanics), Halliday, ‘Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering: A Com-
Resnick & Walker (Wiley) prehensive Guide’, K F Riley, M P Hobson and S J Bence (CUP,
‘Physics for Scientists & Engineers’, (Chapters on Mechanics) 2002), ISBN 0521-81372 7 (HB), ISBN 0521-89067 5 (PB) **
Tipler (W H Freeman 1999) ‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, M L Boas
Special Relativity Multiple Integrals
‘Special Relativity’, A P French, (MIT, Physics Series) [Nelson, ‘Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering: A Com-
1968] prehensive Guide’, K F Riley, M P Hobson and S J Bence (CUP,
‘Spacetime Physics’, E F Taylor & J A Wheeler (Freeman, 1992) Several 2002), ISBN 0521-81372 7 (HB), ISBN 0521-89067 5 (PB) **
publishers including Nelson, Chapman & Hall. ‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, Boas
‘Introductory Special Relativity’, W G V Rosser
‘Lectures on Special Relativity’, M G Bowler (Pergamon, 1986) Vector Calculus
‘Special Theory of Relativity’, H Muirhead, (Macmillan) ‘Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering: A Com-
‘Introducing Special Relativity’, W S C Williams (Taylor & prehensive Guide’, K F Riley, M P Hobson and S J Bence (CUP,
Francis, 2002) 2002), ISBN 0521-81372 7 (HB), ISBN 0521-89067 5 (PB) **
‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’, Boas
‘Advanced Vector Analysis’, C E Weatherburn (1943)
CP2: Physics 2
Mathematical Methods
Electronics and Circuit Theory ‘Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering: A Com-
‘Electronics Circuits, Amplifiers & Gates’, D V Bugg (A Hilger, prehensive Guide’, K F Riley, M P Hobson and S J Bence (CUP,
1991)** 2002), ISBN 0521-81372 7 (HB), ISBN 0521-89067 5 (PB) **
‘Electronics Course Manual’, G Peskett (Oxford Physics) ‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’,Boas *
‘Basic Electronics for Scientists and Engineers’, Dennis L. Egg- ‘Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers,’ G
leston, CUP 2011, ISBN 0521154308 * Stephenson, 3rd ed reprinted 1998, Imperial College Press) **
Electromagnetism ‘Fourier Series and Boundary Value Problems’, Churchill and
‘Electromagnetism’, Second Edition, I S Grant, W R Phillips, Brown (McGraw-Hill) *
(Wiley, 1990) ISBN: 978-0-471-92712-9** ‘Intro to Mathematical Physics, Methods & Concepts’, Chun wa
‘Electromagnetism, principles and applications’, P Lorrain & Dale Wong, (OUP), *
R Corson, 2nd ed (Freeman) * ‘Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering’, K F Riley,
‘Electricity and Magnetism’, W J Duffin, (McGraw Hill) (CUP), *
‘Mathematical Methods of Physics’, J Mathews and R L Walker,
Optics (Benjamin) *
‘Optics’, E Hecht, 4th ed (Addison-Wesley, 2003) *
‘Optical Physics’, A. Lipson, S. G. Lipson and H. Lipson, 4th ed
(Camridge University Press, 2011) *
‘Introduction to Modern Optics’, G R Fowles, 2nd ed 1975 (still
in print as a Dover paperback)
‘Essential Principles of Physics’, P. M. Whelan and M. J. Hodgson Second Year
(any edition from the 1970s) Mathematical Methods
‘Essential Principles of Physics’, P. M. Whelan and M. J. Hodgson See first year list.
(any edition from the 1970s) ‘Mathematical Methods for Physicists’, Arfken and Weber (El-
sevier)
CP3 & CP4: Mathematical Methods 1 & 2 A1: Thermal Physics
Calculus Statistical and Thermal Physics
‘Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering: A Com-
prehensive Guide’, K F Riley, M P Hobson and S J Bence (CUP, Textbook based on the Oxford course as taught up to 2011:
2002), ISBN 0521-81372 7 (HB), ISBN 0521-89067 5 (PB) ** ‘Concepts in Thermal Physics,’ S. J. Blundell and K. M. Blundell
‘Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences’,Boas * (2nd edition, OUP 2009) **
‘All you ever wanted to know about Mathematics but were afraid
to ask’, L Lyons (CUP, 1995) * More undergraduate textbooks:
‘Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics,’ F. Reif (Wave-
land Press 2008) *
‘Equilibrium Thermodynamics,’ C. J. Adkins (3rd edition, CUP
1997) *
32
‘Statistical Physics,’ F. Mandl (2nd edition, Wiley-Blackwell 2002) books&qid=1276775894&sr=1-1> by P. A. M. Dirac
‘Elementary Statistical Physics,’ C. Kittel (Dover) <http://www.amazon.com/P.-A.-M.-Dirac/e/B000API1UQ/
‘Thermodynamics and the Kinetic Theory of Gases,’ W. Pauli ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1276775894&
(Volume 3 of Pauli Lectures on Physics, Dover 2003) * sr=1-1>
(OUP paperback) A very beautiful book for those who appreci-
More advanced-level books: ate mathematical elegance and clarity.*
‘Statistical Thermodynamics,’ E. Schroedinger (Dover 1989) * [a A Z Capri, Non-relativistic Quantum Mechanics, World Scientific,
beautiful and very concise treatment of the key topics in statistical 3rd ed. 2002 * Contains an accessible discussion of mathematical
mechanics, a bravura performance by a great theoretical physicist; issues not normally discussed in QM texts
may not be an easy undergraduate read, but well worth the effort!] C Cohen-Tannoudji, B Diu and F Laloë, Quantum Mechanics (2
‘Statistical Physics, Part I,’ L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz (3rd vols) Wiley-VCH 1977 *. A brilliant example of the more formal
edition, Volume 5 of the Landau and Lifshitz Course of Theoretical French style of physics textbook.
Physics, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000) ** [the Bible of statistical B H Bransden and C J Joachain, Physics of Atoms and Molecules,
physics for theoretically inclined minds] Prentice Hall 2002 *. Contains useful material on quantum me-
‘Physical Kinetics,’ E. M. Lifshitz and L. P. Pitaevskii (Volume chanics of helium.
10 of the Landau and Lifshitz Course of Theoretical Physics, “Principles of Quantum Mechanics”, 2nd ed, R. Shankar (Plenum
Butterworth-Heinemann, 1999) Press)
‘The Mathematical Theory of Non-uniform Gases: An Account of
the Kinetic Theory of Viscosity, 
Thermal Conduction and Diffu-
sion in Gases,’ S. Chapman and T. G. Cowling (CUP 1991) [the
Third Year
Cambridge Bible of kinetic theory, not a page-turner, but VERY
thorough] B1: I. Flows, Fluctuations and Complexity,
‘Statistical Physics of Particles,’ M. Kardar (CUP 2007)
and II. Symmetry and Relativity

A2: Electromagnetism and Optics I. Flows, fluctuations and complexity

Electromagnetism Physical Fluid Dynamics, D. J. Tritton (CUP, 2nd edition, 1988),
‘Introduction to Electrodynamics’, 3rd ed., David J. Griffiths ** ISBN- 10: 0198544936**
`Electromagnetism’, 2nd ed., I.S. Grant and W.R. Phillips Elementary Fluid Dynamics, D. J. Acheson (OUP, 1990), ISBN-
`Fields and Waves in Communication Electronics’, 3rd ed., S. 10: 019859679*
Ramo, J.R. Whinnery and T. van Duzer Fluid Dynamics for Physicists, F E Faber, (CUP, 1995), ISBN-10:
‘Classical Electrodynamics’, 3rd ed., J D Jackson 0521429692*
‘Electricity & Magnetism’, 3rd ed., B I Bleaney & B Bleaney Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos, S. H. Strogatz (Perseus, 1994),
‘Electromagnetic Fields and Waves’, P. Lorrain, D.R. Corson ISBN 0738204536**
and F. Lorrain  ‘Physical Biology of the Cell’, R. Phillips, J. Kondev & J. Theriot
  (Garland Science, 2008) **
‘Biological Physics: Energy, Information, Life’, updated 1st edi-
Optics tion, Philip Nelson (W.H.Freeman & Co Ltd, 2008)**
“Optics”, E Hecht, 4th ed (Addison-Wesley, 2002) ** ‘Physical Biology of the Cel’l, R. Phillips, J. Kondev & J. Theriot
“Optical Physics” 4th Edition Ariel Lipson, Stephen G. Lipson, (Garland Science, 2008) **
Henry Lipson (Cambridge University Press 2010)* ‘Biological Physics: Energy, Information, Life’, updated 1st edi-
“Modern Classical Optics”, G.A. Brooker, Oxford Masters Series tion, Philip Nelson (W.H.Freeman & Co Ltd, 2008)**
(Oxford University Press, 2003) ‘Molecular and Cellular Biophysics’, M. B. Jackson (CUP, 2006) **
“Principles of Optics”, M Born and E Wolf , 7th ed (Pergamon, ‘Biochemistry’ 3rd Ed, D. Voet & J.G. Voet, (John Wiley & Sons
1999) Inc, 2005) OR
‘Biochemistry’, 6th Ed., L. Stryer, et al (W.H.Freeman & Co Ltd, 2006)
‘Mechanics of Motor Proteins and the Cytoskeleton’, J. Howard,
A3: Quantum Physics Sinauer Associates Inc. (ISBN) 0-87893-333-6).
Quantum Physics
“The Physics of Quantum Mechanics” J Binney and D Skinner, II. Symmetry & relativity
(Cappella Archive http://www.cappella.demon.co.uk/cappubs.
Special Relativity
html#natsci) ISBN 978-1-902918-51-8; available at Clarendon
reception of £20.00 Written for the course** ‘Six not-so-easy pieces : Einstein’s relativity, symmetry and space-
‘The Feynman Lectures on Physics Vol. 3’, R. Feynman, time’, R P Feynmann (Allen Lane, 1998)
Leighton & Sands A classic but unorthodox QM text. Full of ‘Introduction to Special Relativity’, W Rindler, (OUP) **
deep physical insight* ‘Einstein’s miraculous year’, J Stachel (Princeton, 1998)
‘The ‘Strange World of Quantum Mechanics’, D. Styer (CUP ‘The Special Theory of Relativity’, Muirhead (Macmillan)
paperback) A non-technical introduction that may help bring his- ‘An Introduction to Special Relativity and its applications’, F N
tory & ideas into focus* H Robinson, (World Scientific)**
The Principles of Quantum Mechanics (International Series of ‘Introducing Special Relativity’, W S C Williams (Taylor & Fran-
Monographs on Physics) cis, 2002) ISBN: 9780415277624
<http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Quantum-Mechanics-Inter- “Relativity made relatively easy”, A. Steane (OUP)**
national-Monographs/dp/0198520115/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=

33
B2: III. Quantum, Atomic and Molecular VI. Condensed Matter Physics
‘The basics of crystallography and diffraction’, C Hammond (OUP)
Physics, and IV. Sub-Atomic Physics ‘Introduction to Solid State Physics’ C Kittel (Wiley) *
‘Solid State Physics’, J R Hook and H E Hall (Wiley) *
III. Quantum, atomic and molecular physics ‘The Solid State’, H M Rosenberg (OUP) *
‘Atomic Physics’, Chris Foot (Oxford Master Series in Phys- ‘Solid State Physics’, N W Ashcroft and N D Mermin (Saunders)
ics) ** ‘Solid State Physics’, G Burns (AP)
‘Atomic & Quantum Physics’, Haken & Wolf (Springer) ‘Solid State Physics’, H Ibach and H Luth (Springer)
‘Principles of Modern Physics’, RB Leighton (McGraw Hill) * ‘States of Matter’, David Goodstein (Dover publishing)
‘Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei and Par-
ticles’, E Eisberg and R Resnick (Wiley)*
‘Elementary Atomic Structure’, G K Woodgate (Oxford) * Fourth year
‘Atomic Physics’, J C Willmott (Wiley) Manchester Physics Series
Laser Physics, S Hooker and C Webb (Oxford Master Series in C1: Astrophysics
Physics)** ‘Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics’, Zeilik and Gregory
“The Physics of Quantum Mechanics” J Binney and D Skin- (Saunders) *
ner, (Cappella Archive http://www.cappella.demon.co.uk/ ‘An Introduction to Modern Astronomy’, B. Carroll and DA Ostlie
cappubs.html#natsci) * (Addison-Wesley)
‘Principles of Lasers,’ Orazio Svelto, (Plenum Publishing Corpora- ‘Astrophysics I, II’, Bowers and Deeming (Jones and Bartlett)
tion KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL) ‘Galactic Astronomy’, Binney and Merrifield (Freeman)
ISBN10: 0306457482, ISBN13: 9780306457487 ‘High Energy Astrophysics I, II’, Longair (CUP)
“Laser Physics” Hooker and Webb, ISBN13: 9780198506911, ‘Galactic Dynamics’, J Binney & S Tremaine (Princeton Univer-
ISBN10: 0198506910 sity, 1987)
‘Physics & Chemistry of the Interstellar Medium’, Sun Kwok
(University Science Books, Sausalito, California) ISBN-10:
IV. Sub-atomic Physics I-891389-46-7
‘Nuclear and Particle Physics: An Introduction’, Brian R. Martin
(Wiley, 2006) ISBN: 978-0-470-02532-1 ** C2: Laser Science and Quantum Information
‘Introduction to Nuclear Physics’, W N Cottingham & D A Green- Processing
wood, 2nd edition, (CUP, 2001) * Quantum Information
‘Particle Physics’, A Martin & G Shaw, (Wiley) * ‘Quantum Information, Computation and Communication’, J. A.
‘Modern quantum mechanics’, Jun John Sakurai, San Fu Tuan, Jones and D. Jaksch (CUP in press)**
2nd edition, Addison-Wesley Pub. Co., 1994 ‘Quantum Computing: A Short Course from Theory to Experi-
ISBN 0201539292, 9780201539295 ment’, J. Stolze and D. Suter 2nd Ed. (Wiley 2008) *
‘Nuclear and Particle Physics’, W S C Williams, (OUP, 1997) ‘Quantum Computer Science’, N. D. Mermin (CUP 2007)
‘Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics’, A Das & T Ferbel, ‘Feynman Lectures on Computation’, Richard P. Feynman, An-
(Wiley) thony J. G. Hey, Robin W. Allen (Penguin 1999)
‘Introductory Nuclear Physics’, P.E. Hodgson, E Gadioli and E
Gadioli Erba, Oxford Science Publications, ISBN 0 19 851897 Laser Science and Modern Optics
8 (paperback) ‘Lasers and Electro-Optics: Fundamentals and Engineering’, C.
C. Davies (CUP 1996)**
B3: V. General Relativity and Cosmology, ‘Laser Physics’ S. Hooker and C. Webb (OUP 2010)*
‘Modern Classical Optics’, G. Brooker (OUP 2003)*
and VI. Condensed-Matter Physics ‘Laser Electronics’, J. T. Verdeyen, (Prentice-Hall, 3rd ed. 1995)
‘Quantum Electronics’, A. Yariv, (Wiley, 3rd ed. 1989)
V. General relativity and cosmology ‘Optical Electronics in Modern Communications’, A. Yariv (OUP
“Gravitation and Cosmology”, -Steven Weinerg (Wiley, 1972) 1997)
“Gravity- an introduction to Einstein’s theory of general ‘Fundamentals of Photonics’, B. E. A. Saleh & M. C. Tech (Wiley
relativity”, James Hartle (Addison Wesley) 1991)
“Spacetime and Geometry”, -Sean Carroll (Addison Wesley) ‘Principles of Lasers,’ O. Svelto (Springer 2010)
“General Relativity- an introduction to physicists” , -Michael
Hobson, G. Efstathiou and A. Lasenby (Cambridge) Quantum Optics
‘An Introduction to Modern Cosmology’, A. R. Liddle (Wiley, ‘Modern Foundations of Quantum Optics’, V. Vedral (Imperial
New York) College Press 2001)**
‘Cosmological Physics’, J. A. Peacock (Cambridge University
Press)
‘Principles of Physical Cosmology’, P. J. E. Peebles (Princeton C3: Condensed Matter Physics
University Press)
‘The State of the Universe’, Pedro G. Ferreira (Phoenix 2007)
General texts
‘Solid State Physics’, N W Ashcroft and N D Mermin (Saunders, 1976) **
‘Solid State Physics’, G Burns (Academic Press, 1990) *
‘Introduction to Solid State Physics’, C Kittel (John Wiley & Sons,
th
8 ed., 2005) *
‘Principles of Condensed Matter Physics’, P M Chaikin and T C
34 Lubensky (CUP, 2000) *
Individual topics C5: Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans
● Structure & Dynamics ‘An Introduction to Atmospheric Physics’ (2nd edition), D. G.
‘Structure and Dynamics’, M T Dove (OUP, 2003) ** Andrews, CUP, 2010, ISBN-13: 9780521693189 *
‘The Basics of Crystallography and Diffraction’, C Hammond ‘The Physics of Atmospheres’, 3rd edition, J T Houghton, (CUP)
(OUP, 2001) * 2002, ISBN-10: 0521011221 *
‘Fundamentals of Crystallography’, C Giacovazzo, H L Monaco, ‘An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology’, 4th edition, J R
G Artioli, D Viterbo, G Ferraris, G Gilli, G Zanotti and M Catti Holton, (AP) 2004, ISBN-10: 0123540151 *
(OUP, 2002) * ‘Atmospheric Science, An Introductory Survey’, 2nd edition, J
● Electronic Properties M Wallace and P V Hobbs, (AP) 2006, ISBN-10: 012732951X*
‘Band Theory and Electronic Properties of Solids’, J Singleton ‘An Introduction to Atmospheric Radiation’, 2nd edition, K N
(OUP, 2001) ** Liou, (AP) 2002, ISBN-10: 0124514510 *
● Optical Properties ‘Remote Sensing of the Lower Atmosphere’, G L Stephens, (OUP)
‘Optical Properties of Solids’, A M Fox (OUP, 2001) ** 1994, ISBN-10: 0195081889 *
● Magnetism ‘A First Course in Atmospheric Radiation’, 2nd edition, G W Petty,
‘Magnetism in Condensed Matter’, S J Blundell (OUP, 2000) ** (Sundog Publishing) 2006, ISBN-10: 0972903313 *
‘Theory of Magnetism’, K Yosida (Springer, 1996) * ‘Atmospheric Radiation’, R L Goody and Y L Yung, (OUP) 1995,
● Superconductivity ISBN-10: 0195102916 *
‘Superconductivity, Superfluids and Condensates’, J F Annett, ‘Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics’, G Vallis, (CUP)
(OUP, 2004) ** 2006, ISBN-10: 0521849691
‘Introduction to Superconductivity’, M Tinkham, (McGraw- ‘Chemistry of Atmospheres’, 3rd edition, R P Wayne, (OUP),
Hill, 1996) * 2000, ISBN-10: 019850375X
‘Superconductivity: A Very Short Introduction’, S J Blundell ‘The Martian Climate Revisited’, P L Read and S R Lewis,
(OUP, 2009) * (Springer-Praxis) 2004, ISBN-10: 354040743X
‘Giant Planets of our Solar System’, P G J Irwin, (Springer-Praxis)
2003, ISBN-10: 3540006818
C4: Particle Physics
Introductory C6: Theoretical Physics
‘Particle Physics’, B R Martin & G P Shaw (Wiley (3rd Ed))
‘Introduction to Gauge Field Theory’, D. Bailin and A. Love,
mainly chapters 1 – 6 **
Course Texts (There is no text that matches the scope and ‘Statistical Mechanics’, R. P. Feynman mainly chapters 3, 4 and 6 **
level of the course very well) ‘Statistical and Thermal Physics’ , F. Reif, chapter 15 **
‘Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics’, A Bettini (CUP) * ‘Statistical Mechanics of Phase Transitions’, J. M. Yeomans,
‘Nuclear and Particle Physics’, W E Burcham & M Jobes (Long- chapters 1 – 5 **
man) * An overview A. Zee, ‘Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell’, Part I **
‘Introduction to High Energy Physics’, D H Perkins (CUP (4th ed)) * ‘A Modern Course in Statistical Physics’, L. E. Reichl (McGraw-
‘Introduction to Elementary Particles’, M Griffiths (Wiley (2nd Ed)) Hill) *
‘Femtophysics’, M G Bowler (Pergamon) ‘Stochastic Processes in Physics and Chemistry’, N. G. van
Kampen (North Holland) *
Reference (Most are graduate level texts) ‘Introduction to Statistical Mechanics’, K. Huang (CRC Press) *
‘Experimental foundations of Particle Physics’, R Cahn & G ‘An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory’, M. V. Peskin and D.
Goldhaber (CUP (2nd Ed)) V. Schroeder (Addison-Wesley) *
‘An Intro. to the Standard Model of Part. Phys.’, Cottingham & ‘Principles of Condensed Matter Physics’, P. M. Chaiken and T.
Greenwood (CUP (2nd Ed)) C. Lubensky (CUP) *
‘Quarks & Leptons’, F Halzen & A D Martin (Wiley)
‘Deep Inelastic Scattering’, Devenish & Cooper-Sarkar (OUP)
‘Particle Astrophysics’, D H Perkins (OUP (2nd Ed)) C7: Biological Physics
‘Biological Physics: Energy, Information, Life’, Philip Nelson
RQM (W.H.Freeman & Co Ltd)
‘Relativistic Quantum Mechanics’, P Strange (CUP) ‘Molecular Biology of the Cell’, Bruce Alberts (Editor),( Garland
‘Relativistic Quantum Mechanics’, I J R Aitchison (Macmillan) Science)
‘Quantum Mechanics II’, R H Landau (Wiley) ‘Biochemistry’, Donald Voet, (John Wiley & Sons Inc) OR
‘Biochemistry’, 5th Ed., Lubert Stryer, et al (W.H.Freeman &
Co Ltd)
Accelerators & Detectors ‘Random Walks in Biology’, Howard C. Berg (Princeton Uni-
‘The Physics of Particle Accelerators’, K Wille (OUP) versity Press)
‘An introduction to Particle Accelerators’, E J N Wilson (Claren- ‘Mechanics of Motor Proteins and the Cytoskeleton’ Jonathon
don Press) Howard (Palgrave Macmillan)
‘Detectors for Particle Radiation’, K Kleinknecht (CUP (2nd Ed)) ‘An Introduction to Systems Biology: Design Principles of
‘Particle Detectors’, C Grupen (CUP) Biological circuits’, U. Alon, Chapman and Hall (2006) *

35
Appendix B FOR PHYSICS AND PHYSICS and PHILOSOPHY STUDENTS

Calculators for ALL Public Examinations*

The regulations are likely to follow recent practice which is: Notes:
A candidate may bring a pocket calculator into the examination These guidelines follow closely the regulations on the ‘Use
provided the calculator meets the conditions set out as follows: of calculators in Examinations’ in the University Examination
Regulations (‘The Grey Book’).
• The calculator must not require connection to any
external power supply. The exact requirements in a given year will be published by the
Examiners. For some Prelims papers in Maths calculators are
• It must not be capable of communicating (e.g. by radio)
not allowed at all.
with any other device.
The intention of the rules is to prevent the possibility of a candidate
• It must not make a noise that could irritate or distract
obtaining an advantage by having a powerful calculating aid (or
other candidates.
of reading stored information as a substitute for knowing it). It is
• It must not be capable of displaying functions graphi- appreciated that candidates may already own calculators that are
cally. excluded by these rules. In such a case the candidate is responsi-
ble for obtaining a more basic calculator that is within the rules,
• It must not be capable of storing and displaying text,
and for becoming familiar with it in advance of the examination.
other than the names of standard functions such as
‘sin’ or ‘cosh’.
• It must not be able to store programs or user-defined
formulae.
• It must not be able to perform symbolic algebra, or
perform symbolic integration or differentiation.

• Within the above, the calculator may be capable of

working out mathematical functions such as sin(x), log(x),
exp(x), xy and it may contain constants such as π.
• The examiners may inspect any calculator during the
course of the examination.

* for the Physics papers when the use of calculators is permitted

36
Appendix C FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

Preliminary Examination in Physics

Each of the Papers CP1 - CP4 is a 2½ hour paper in two sections
Section A: Short compulsory questions (total marks 40)
Section B: Answer 3 problems from 4 (total marks 60)
Syllabuses for CP1 CP2, CP3 and CP4.
also Preliminary Examination in Physics and Philosophy
Syllabuses for CP1, CP3, CP4
Part A Physics and Philosophy A2P (CP2 without Circuit Theory and Optics)

CP1: Physics 1 CP2: Physics 2

Newton’s law of motion. Mechanics of particles in one dimension. The treatment of electromagnetism is restricted to fields in vacuo.
Energy, work and impulse. Conservation of linear momentum Vector operator identities required will be given on the data sheet
including problems where the mass changes, e.g. the motion of a and complicated manipulations of vector operators will not be set.
rocket ejecting fuel. Conservation of energy.
Electromagnetism
Vector formulation of Newton’s law of motion. Time-dependent
vectors and differentiation of vectors. Coulomb’s law. The electric field E and potential due to a point
charge and systems of point charges, including the electric dipole.
Mechanics of particles in two dimensions. Equations of motion The couple and force on, and the energy of, a dipole in an external
in Cartesian and plane polar co-ordinates. Simple cases of the electric field. Energy of a system of point charges; energy stored
motion of charged particles in uniform E and B fields. in an electric field. Gauss’ Law; the E field and potential due to
surface and volume distributions of charge (including simple
Projectiles moving under gravity, including such motion subject to
examples of the method of images), no field inside a closed con-
a damping force proportional to velocity. Dimensional Analysis.
ductor. Force on a conductor. The capacitance of parallel-plate,
Systems of point particles. Centre of mass (or momentum) frame cylindrical and spherical capacitors, energy stored in capacitors.
and its uses. Torque and angular momentum. Conservation of
The forces between wires carrying steady currents. The magnetic
angular momentum. Two-body collisions.
field B, Ampere’s law, Gauss’ Law (“no magnetic monopoles”),
Central forces. Importance of conservation of energy and an- the Biot-Savart Law. The B field due to currents in a long straight
gular momentum. Classification of orbits as bound or unbound wire, in a circular loop (on axis only) and in straight and toroidal
(derivation of equation for u=1/r not required; explicit treatment solenoids. The magnetic dipole; its B field. The force and couple
of hyperbolae and ellipses not required). Inverse square central on, and the energy of, a dipole in an external B field. Energy
forces. Examples from planetary and satellite motion and motion stored in a B field.
of charged particles under the Coulomb force. Distance of closest
The force on a charged particle in E and B fields.
approach and angle of deviation.
Electromagnetic induction, the laws of Faraday and Lenz. EMFs
Calculus of variations. Principle of stationary action (Hamilton
generated by an external, changing magnetic field threading a
principle). The Euler-Lagrange equation. Constraints. Application
circuit and due to the motion of a circuit in an external magnetic
to particle motion in one and two dimensions. Small oscillations,
field, the flux rule. Self and mutual inductance: calculation for
normal coordinates. Compound pendulum. Conservation laws.
simple circuits, energy stored in inductors. The transformer.
Noether’s theorem. The Hamiltonian and energy conservation.
Charge conservation, Ampere’s law applied to a charging capaci-
Moment of inertia of a system of particles. Use of perpendicular-
tor, Maxwell’s addition to Ampere’s law (“displacement current”).
and parallel-axis theorems. Moment of inertia of simple bodies.
Simple problems of rigid body dynamics. Angular impulse, Maxwell’s equations for fields in a vacuum (rectangular co-
collision and rolling. The concept of principal axes. Angular ordinates only). Plane electromagnetic waves in empty space:
momentum and total energy in rigid body rotation. their speed; the relationships between E, B and the direction of
propagation.
Special Relativity
Circuit Theory
Special theory of relativity restricted throughout to problems in
one or two space dimensions. The constancy of the speed of light; EMF and voltage drop. Resistance, capacitance, inductance and
simultaneity. The Lorentz transformation (derivation not required). their symbolic representation. Growth and decay of currents in
Time dilation and length contraction. The addition of velocities. circuits, time constant. The concept of complex impedance in
Invariance of the space-time interval. Proper time. steady-state AC circuit analysis.
Energy, momentum, rest mass and their relationship for a single Ideal Op-amp: inverting and non inverting amplifier circuits;
particle. Conservation of energy and momentum and the use of summation, integration and differentiation circuits.
invariants in the formation sub-atomic particles. Elementary
kinematics of the scattering and decay of sub-atomic particles,
including photon scattering. Relativistic Doppler effect (longi-
tudinal only).

37
Optics CP4: Mathematical Methods 2
Elementary geometrical optics in the paraxial approximation. Elementary ideas of sequences, series, limits and convergence.
Refractive index; reflection and refraction at a plane boundary (Questions on determining the convergence or otherwise of a
from Huygens’ principle and Fermat’s principle; Snell’s Law; total series will not be set.) Taylor and MacLaurin series and their ap-
internal reflection. Image formation by reflection at a spherical plication to the local approximation of a function of one variable
boundary; concave and convex mirrors. Real and virtual images. by a polynomial, and to finding limits. (Knowledge of and use of
Magnification. Image formation by refraction at a spherical bound- the exact form of the remainder are excluded.) Differentiation of
ary and by converging and diverging thin lenses. Derivation of the functions of one variable including function of a function and im-
expression for the focal length of a thin lens. [Non-examinable: plicit differentiation. Changing variables in a differential equation,
Image formation by systems of thin lenses or mirrors as illustrated integration of functions of one variable including the methods of
by: a simple astronomical telescope consisting of two convex integration by parts and by change of variable, though only simple
lenses, a simple reflecting telescope, a simple microscope.] uses of these techniques will be required, such as ∫xsinx dx and
Simple two-slit interference (restricted to slits of negligible width). ∫xexp(-x2) dx. The relation between integration and differentiation,
b
i.e. ∫a dx (df/dx) and d/dx(∫a f(x´) dx´).
x
The diffraction grating, its experimental arrangement; conditions
for proper illumination. The dispersion of a diffraction grating.
Differential calculus of functions of more than one variable. Func-
(The multiple-slit interference pattern and the resolution of a dif-
tions of two variables as surfaces. Partial differentiation, chain
fraction grating are excluded.) Fraunhofer diffraction by a single
rule and differentials and their use to evaluate small changes.
slit. The resolution of a simple lens.
Simple transformations of first order coefficients. (Questions on
Note: the above electromagnetism syllabus is also that for the transformations of higher order coefficients are excluded.) Taylor
Physics and Philosophy Part A paper A2P (Electromagnetism), expansion for two variables, maxima, minima and saddle points
excluding the sections on Circuit Theory and Optics. of functions of two variables.
Double integrals and their evaluation by repeated integration in
Cartesian, plane polar and other specified coordinate systems. Jaco-
CP3: Mathematical Methods 1
bians. Line, surface and volume integrals, evaluation by change
Differential equations and complex numbers of variables (Cartesian, plane polar, spherical polar coordinates
and cylindrical coordinates only unless the transformation to be
Complex numbers, definitions and operations. The Argand dia-
used is specified). Integrals around closed curves and exact dif-
gram; modulus and argument (phase) and their geometric inter-
ferentials. Scalar and vector fields. The operations of grad, div
pretation; curves in the Argand diagram. De Moivre’s theorem.
and curl and understanding and use of identities involving these.
Elementary functions (polynomial, trigonometric, exponential,
The statements of the theorems of Gauss and Stokes with simple
hyperbolic, logarithmic) of a complex variable. (Complex
applications. Conservative fields.
transformations and complex differentiation and integration are
excluded.) Waves
Ordinary differential equations; integrating factors. Second-order Coupled undamped oscillations in systems with two degrees of
linear differential equations with constant coefficients; comple- freedom. Normal frequencies, and amplitude ratios in normal
mentary functions and particular integrals. Application to forced modes. General solution (for two coupled oscillators) as a super-
vibrations of mechanical or electrical resonant systems, including position of modes. Total energy, and individual mode energies.
the use of a complex displacement variable; critical damping; Response to a sinusoidal driving term.
quality factor (Q), bandwidth, rms, peak and average values.
Derivation of the one-dimensional wave equation and its applica-
[Physical interpretation of complex impedance and power factor
tion to transverse waves on a stretched string. D’Alembert’s solu-
is not assumed]
tion. Sinusoidal solutions and their complex representation. Char-
Vector algebra acteristics of wave motion in one dimension: amplitude, phase,
frequency, wavelength, wavenumber, phase velocity. Energy in
Addition of vectors, multiplication by a scalar. Basis vectors
a vibrating string. Travelling waves: energy, power, impedance,
and components. Magnitude of a vector. Scalar product. Vector
reflection and transmission at a boundary. Superposition of two
product. Triple product. Equations of lines, planes, spheres. Using
waves of different frequencies: beats and elementary discussion of
vectors to find distances.
construction of wave packets; qualitative discussion of dispersive
Matrices media; group velocity. Method of separation of variables for the
one-dimensional wave equation; separation constants. Modes of
Basic matrix algebra: addition, multiplication, functions of matri- a string with fixed end points (standing waves): superposition of
ces. Transpose and Hermitian conjugate of a matrix. Trace, deter- modes, energy as a sum of mode energies.
minant, inverse and rank of a matrix. Orthogonal, Hermitian and
unitary matrices. Vector spaces in generality. Basis vectors. Scalar
product. Dual vectors. Linear operators and relation to matrices.
Simultaneous linear equations and their solutions. Determina-
tion of eigenvalues and eigenvectors, characteristic polynomial.
Properties of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of Hermitian linear
operators. Matrix diagonalisation.

38
Appendix D FOR SECOND YEAR STUDENTS

Final Honour School - Part A

A knowledge of the topics in the syllabuses for the four compulsory physics Prelims papers will be assumed. Emphasis will be placed
on testing a candidate’s conceptual and experimental understanding of the subjects, apart from explicitly mathematical questions.

Non-examinable topics. Material under this heading will be covered in the lectures (with associated problems). Questions on these topics
will not be set in Part A, but general knowledge of the material will be assumed by the 3rd year lectures. Only if these topics appear in
the Part B syllabus may explicit questions be set on them in that examination.
Each of the three A Papers is a 3-hour paper in two sections
Section A: Short compulsory questions (total marks 40)
Section B: Answer 3 problems from 4 (total marks 60)
Mathematical Methods A1: Thermal Physics
Matrices and linear transformations, including translations and Kinetic Theory
rotations in three dimensions and Lorentz transformations in
four dimensions. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of real symmet- Maxwell distribution of velocities: derivation assuming the Boltz-
ric matrices and of Hermitian matrices. Diagonalization of real mann factor, calculation of averages, experimental verification.
symmetric matrices; diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. The Derivation of pressure and effusion formulae, distribution of
method of separation of variables in linear partial differential velocities in an effusing beam, simple kinetic theory expressions
equations in two, three and four variables; and for problems with for mean free path, thermal conductivity and viscosity; depend-
spherical and planar symmetry. Use of Cartesian, spherical polar ence on temperature and pressure, limits of validity. Practical
and cylindrical polar coordinates (proofs of the form of D will
2 applications of kinetic theory.
not be required). Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of second-order Heat transport
linear ordinary differential equations of the Sturm–Liouville type;
orthogonality of eigenfunctions belonging to different eigenvalues; Conduction, radiation and convection as heat-transport mecha-
simple eigenfunction expansions including Fourier series. Fourier nisms. The approximation that heat flux is proportional to the
transform, its inverse, and the convolution theorem. Concept and temperature gradient. Derivation of the heat diffusion equation.
use of the delta function. Solution by separation of variables for Generalization to systems in which heat is generated at a steady
problems with spherical and planar symmetry. Steady-state prob- rate per unit volume. Problems involving sinusoidally varying
lems, initial-value problems. surface temperatures.

Probability and Statistics

Thermodynamics
Essential properties and applicability of basic probability distri-
butions (Binomial, Poisson, Normal, Chi-squared); Appropriate Zeroth & first laws. Heat, work and internal energy: the concept of
application of “Trial penalties” in the case of multiple, independent a function of state. Slow changes and the connection with statisti-
tests. Simple applications of Bayes’ Theorem. Basic error propaga- cal mechanics: entropy and pressure as functions of state. Heat
tion. [Non-examinable: Assessment of data/model consistency via engines: Kelvin’s statement of the second law of thermodynamics
probability distributions; maximum likelihood.] and the equivalence and superiority of reversible engines. The
significance of ∫dQ/T=0 and the fact that entropy is a function
The above material on mathematical methods, probability and of state. Practical realization of the thermodynamic temperature
statistics is not attributed to a specific paper. scale. Entropy as dQ (reversible)/T. Enthalpy, Helmholtz energy
Short questions on mathematical methods, probability and sta- and Gibbs energy as functions of state. Maxwell relations.
tistics will be set in one or more of papers A1, A2 and A3. It is Concept of the equation of state; thermodynamic implications.
expected that the total credit for these short questions will amount Ideal gas, van der Waals gas. Reversible and free expansion of
to about 15% of the total credit for short questions, as this is gas; changes in internal energy and entropy in ideal and non-
roughly the length of the mathematical methods course as a frac- ideal cases. Joule–Kelvin expansion; inversion temperature and
tion of all courses for papers A1, A2 and A3. One long question on microscopic reason for cooling. Impossibility of global entropy
mathematical methods may be set in one of papers A1, A2 or A3. decreasing: connection to latent heat in phase changes. [Non-ex-
aminable: Constancy of global entropy during fluctuations around
equilibrium.] Chemical potential and its relation to Gibbs energy.
Equality of chemical potential between phases in equilibrium.
Latent heat and the concepts of first-order and continuous phase
changes. Clausius–Clapeyron equation and simple applications.
Simple practical examples of the use of thermodynamics.

39
Statistical mechanics Diffraction, and interference by division of wave front (quasi-
monochromatic light). Questions on diffraction will be limited
Boltzmann factor. Partition function and its relation to internal
to the Fraunhofer case. Statement of the Fraunhofer condition.
energy, entropy, Helmholtz energy, heat capacities and equations
Practical importance of Fraunhofer diffraction and experimental
of state. [Non-examinable: Quantum states and the Gibbs hypoth-
arrangements for its observation. Derivation of patterns for mul-
esis.] Density of states; application to: the spin-half paramagnet;
tiple slits and the rectangular aperture using Huygens-Fresnel
simple harmonic oscillator (Einstein model of a solid); perfect gas;
theory with a scalar amplitude and neglecting obliquity factors.
vibrational excitations of a diatomic gas; rotational excitations of
(The assumptions involved in this theory will not be asked for.)
a heteronuclear diatomic gas. Equipartition of energy. Bosons and
The resolving power of a telescope. Fourier transforms in Fraun-
fermions: Fermi–Dirac and Bose–Einstein distribution functions
hofer diffraction: the decomposition of a screen transmission
for non-interacting, indistinguishable particles. Simple treat-
function with simple periodic structure into its spatial frequency
ment of the partition function for bosons and fermions when the
components. Spatial filtering. [Non-examinable: The Gaussian
particle number is not restricted and when it is: microcanonical,
function and apodization.] The resolving power of a microscope
canonical and grand canonical ensemble. Chemical potential.
with coherent illumination.
High-temperature limit and the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribu-
tion. [Non-examinable: Simple treatment of fluctuations.] Low- Interference by division of amplitude (quasi-monochromatic
temperature limit for fermions: Fermi energy and low-temperature light). Two-beam interference, restricted to the limiting cases of
limit of the heat capacity; application to electrons in metals and fringes of equal thickness and of equal inclination. Importance
degenerate stars. Low-temperature limit for boson gas: Bose– in modern optical and photonic devices as illustrated by: the
Einstein condensation: calculation of the critical temperature of Michelson interferometer (including its use as a Fourier-transform
the phase transition; heat capacity; relevance to superfluidity in spectrometer); the Fabry–Perot etalon (derivation of the pattern,
helium. The photon gas: Planck distribution, Stefan–Boltzmann definition of finesse). Single and multiple λ/4 coatings for nor-
law. [Non-examinable: Kirchhoff’s law.] mally incident light: high-reflectors and anti-reflection coatings.
Distinction between completely polarized, partially polarized and
unpolarized light. Brewster angle. Total internal reflection . [Non-
examinable: Fresnel equations], Phenomenological understanding
of birefringence; principles of the use of uniaxial crystals in practi-
cal polarizers and wave plates (detailed knowledge of individual
A2: Electromagnetism and Optics
devices will not be required). Production and analysis of com-
Electromagnetism pletely polarized light. Practical applications of polarized light.
The interference of polarized light; conditions for observation.
Dielectric media, polarisation density and the electric displacement
D. Dielectric permittivity and susceptibility. Boundary conditions [Non-examinable: Properties of laser radiation; brightness com-
on E and D at an interface between two dielectrics. Magnetic pared to conventional sources; coherence length measured using
media, magnetisation density and the magnetic field strength H. the Michelson Interferometer. Measurement and use of transverse
Magnetic permeability and susceptibility; properties of magnetic coherence. Propagation of laser light in optical fibres.]
materials as represented by hysteresis curves. Boundary condi-
A3: Quantum Physics
tions on B and H at an interface between two magnetic media.
Maxwell’s equations in the presence of dielectric and magnetic Probabilities and probability amplitudes. Interference, state vec-
media. tors and the bra-ket notation, wavefunctions. Hermitian operators
and physical observables, eigenvalues and expectation values.
Treatment of electrostatic problems by solution of Poisson’s
The effect of measurement on a state; collapse of the wave func-
equation using separation of variables in Cartesian, cylindrical or
tion. Successive measurements and the uncertainty relations.
spherical coordinate systems. Representation of curl-free magnetic
The relation between simultaneous observables, commutators
fields by a magnetic scalar potential and applications.
and complete sets of states.
Electromagnetic waves in free space. Derivation of expressions for
The time-dependent Schroedinger equation. Energy eigenstates
the energy density and energy flux (Poynting vector) in an elec-
and the time-independent Schroedinger equation. The time evo-
tromagnetic field. Radiation pressure. Magnetic vector potential.
lution of a system not in an energy eigenstate. Wave packets in
Simple description of radiation fields from an electric dipole aerial.
position and momentum space.
Electromagnetic wave equation in dielectrics: refractive index and
impedance of the medium. Reflection and transmission of light at
a plane interface between two dielectric media. The electromag-
netic wave equation in a conductor: skin depth. Electromagnetic
waves in a plasma; the plasma frequency. Scattering, dispersion
and absorption of electromagnetic waves, treated in terms of the
response of a damped classical harmonic oscillator.
Theory of a loss-free transmission line: characteristic impedance
and wave speed. Reflection and transmission of signals at connec-
tions between transmission lines and at loads; impedance matching
using a quarter-wavelength transmission line. [Non-examinable:
Rectangular loss-less waveguides and resonators.]
Optics

40
Probability current density. Stark effects in hydrogen.
Wave function of a free particle and its relation to de Broglie’s Exchange symmetry for systems with identical fermions or bos-
hypothesis and Planck’s relation. Particle in one-dimensional ons; derivation of the Pauli principle. Gross-structure Hamiltonian
square-well potentials of finite and infinite depth. Scattering off, of helium. Implications of exchange symmetry for wavefunctions
and tunnelling through, a one-dimensional square potential barrier. of stationary states of helium; singlet and triplet states. Estima-
Circumstances in which a change in potential can be idealised as tion of the energies of the lowest few states using hydrogenic
steep; [Non examinable: Use of the WKB approximation.] wavefunctions and perturbation theory.
The simple harmonic oscillator in one dimension by operator The variational method for ground-state energies; application
methods. Derivation of energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions to helium.
and explicit forms of the eigenfunctions for n=0,1 states.
The adiabatic and sudden approximations with simple applica-
Amplitudes and wave functions for a system of two particles. tions.
Simple examples of entanglement.
Time-dependent perturbation theory. The interaction of a hy-
Commutation rules for angular momentum operators including drogen atom with an oscillating external electric field; dipole
raising and lowering operators, their eigenvalues (general deriva- matrix elements, selection rules and the connection to angular-
tion of the eigenvalues of L2 and Lz not required), and explicit form momentum conservation. Transition to a continuum; density of
of the spherical harmonics for l=0,1 states. Rotational spectra of states, Fermi’s golden rule.
simple diatomic molecules.
Representation of spin-1/2 operators by Pauli matrices. The mag-
netic moment of the electron and precession in a homogeneous
magnetic field. The Stern–Gerlach experiment. The combination
of two spin-1/2 states into S=0,1; [non-examinable: Derivation
of states of well-defined total angular momentum using raising
and lowering operators]. Rules for combining angular momenta
in general (derivation not required). [Non-examinable: Spectro-
scopic notation.]
Hamiltonian for the gross structure of the hydrogen atom. Centre
of mass motion and reduced particle. Separation of the kinetic-
energy operator into radial and angular parts. Derivation of the
allowed energies; principal and orbital angular-momentum quan-
tum numbers; degeneracy of energy levels.
Functional forms and physical interpretation of the wavefunc-
tions for n<3.
First-order time-independent perturbation theory, both non-
degenerate and degenerate (questions will be restricted to systems
where the solution of the characteristic equation can be obtained
by elementary means). Interaction of a hydrogen atom with a
strong uniform external magnetic field. The linear and quadratic

41
Appendix E FOR THIRD YEAR STUDENTS

Final Honour School - Part B

A knowledge of the topics in the syllabuses for the four compulsory physics Prelims papers and the compulsory material for Part A
will be assumed. Emphasis will be placed on testing a candidate’s conceptual and experimental understanding of the subjects. The
word ‘qualitative’ indicates that the treatment of the topic will outline the physical principles involved, may include order of magnitude
estimates, but will not be a full mathematical treatment.

Each of the physics B papers is a 3-hour paper, divided into two sections
Answer 2 questions from 4 in each section offered; with each question worth 25 marks.

B1: I. Flows, Fluctuations and Complexity, and II. Symmetry and Relativity

Each section is 1.5 hour in duration and has four questions.

Answer two questions in each section offered.

I. Flows, fluctuations and complexity II. Symmetry & relativity

Fluxes and conservation principles. Phase-space and Liouville’s Transformation properties of vectors in Newtonian and relativistic
theorem. Deterministic and stochastic systems. mechanics; 4-vectors; proper time; invariants. Doppler effect,
The Navier-Stokes equation, mass conservation. Solution for aberration. Force and simple motion problems. Conservation of
Poiseuille flow, Reynolds’s experiment. Dynamical similarity, the energy-momentum; collisions. Annihilation, decay and formation;
Reynolds number. Phenomena of instability, chaos and turbulence. centre of momentum frame. Compton scattering.

Vorticity, Kelvin’s circulation theorem. Ideal fluid flows without Transformation of electromagnetic fields; the fields of a uniformly
vorticity. Bernoulli’s theorem, lift force, hydraulic jumps. Bound- moving charge. 4-gradient.The electromagnetic potential as a four-
ary layers. Very viscous flows: Stokes’ law, biological motility at vector; gauge invariance, general solution of Maxwell’s equations
low Reynolds number. Sound waves, shocks. Convective instabil- using retarded potentials.
ity, Rayleigh-Bénard convection. Equations of particle motion from the Lagrangian; motion of a
Flows in phase space, fixed points, stability, attractors, bifurca- charged particle in an electromagnetic field.
tions. Lorenz system as a simple model of Rayleigh-Bénard con- Field of an accelerated charge; qualitative understanding of its
vection, strange attractor, aperiodicity and predictability in simple derivation; radiated power, Larmor’s formula. The half-wave
chaotic systems. Fractals, Lyapunov exponents. attenna; synchrotron radiation.
Simple stochastic processes, Einstein’s theory of Brownian motion 3-d and 4-d tensors; angular momentum and helicity; the Maxwell
as an example of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. Molecular field tensor F ; Lorentz transformation of tensors with applica-
diffusion. Fully developed turbulence, simple Kolmogorov theory, tion to E and B. Energy-momentum tensor of the electromagnetic
2-d and 3-d turbulence. field, simple applications (e.g. ideal capacitor, solenoid, plane
Freely-jointed chain model of the mechanical properties of bi- wave or similar).
opolymers. Biomolecular machinery as examples of stochastic 2-spinors: rotation, Lorentz transformation and parity; classical
processes; the reaction-diffusion equation applied to molecular Klein-Gordon equation [Non-examinable: Weyl equations; Dirac
machines. Single-molecule measurements on biological molecular spinors, Dirac equation.]
motors.

42
B2: III. Quantum, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and IV. Sub-Atomic Physics
Each section is 1.5 hour in duration and has four questions.
Answer two questions in each section offered.

III. Quantum, atomic and molecular physics IV. Sub-atomic Physics

Einstein A&B coefficients. Semi-classical treatment of two-level Knowledge of the special relativity in the Prelims paper CP1
system: rate equation limit, Rabi oscillations and Bloch sphere. will be assumed
Decaying states and Lorentzian lineshape.
Concept of a scattering cross section, Quantum mechanical
Classical uncertainty in quantum mechanics: pure and impure scattering; The Born approximation. Feynman rules in quan-
states. The density matrix and trace rule. Time-evolution of the tum mechanics. Yukawa potential, propagator, virtual particle
density matrix. Measurement and loss of coherence. exchange. Resonance scattering, Breit-Wigner; decay widths.
Fermi’s golden rule. Use of invariants in relativistic particle
Multi-electron atoms and the central field approximation. Elec-
decay and formation.
tron configurations, shell structure and the Periodic Table. Atoms
with 1 or 2 valence electrons. Residual electrostatic interaction, Elastic and inelastic scattering; form factors. Structure of the
singlet and triplet terms, LS-coupling. Spin-orbit interaction (fine nucleus: nuclear mass & binding energies; stability, radioactivity,
structure).  and  decay; measurement of radioactivity with semiconductor
detectors; Fermi theory, the (A,Z) plane.
Simple ideas of atomic spectra and energy levels, spectroscopic
notation. Selection rules for electric dipole radiation. X-rays. Energy production through fission (nuclear reactors), fusion (p-p
Magnetic dipole hyperfine structure; weak and strong magnetic and D-T) in the Sun and Tokamaks. The p-p & CNO cycles.
field phenomena in both fine and hyperfine structure;. Solar neutrinos. Stellar structure; formation of heavier elements.
Basic ideas of molecular physics, Born-Oppenheimer approxi- Quark model of hadrons: the light meson and baryon multiplets;
mation, vibrational and rotational motion. Molecular spectra, nucleons as bound states of quarks; quarkonium; the ratio of
Franck-Condon principle. [Non-examinable: Simple ideas of cross-sections (e+ + e- to hadrons) to (e+ + e- to muons); phe-
molecular bonding, effects of exchange symmetry in homonuclear nomenology of deep inelastic scattering.
diatomic molecules.]
The Standard Model: quark and lepton families, fundamental
Homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening of spectral lines. interactions and flavour mixing. The strong interaction and
Saturated absorption and saturated gain. Minimum conditions qualitative discussion of confinement. Weak interaction; decay
for laser operation, population inversion, the optical gain cross- of the neutron and parity violation. Production, experimental
section, rate equations governing population inversion and growth detection, and decay of the W and Z bosons; the width of the Z
of laser radiation; cavity effects. 3- and 4-level laser systems. and the number of neutrino types; neutrino oscillation.
Frequency tuning of lasers.

43
B3: V. General Relativity and Cosmology, and VI. Condensed-Matter Physics
Each section is 1.5 hour in duration and has four questions.
Answer two questions in each section offered.

V: General relativity and cosmology VI: Condensed-matter physics

Newtonian gravity, examples of two body and spherical configu- Free electron model of metals, Fermi energy and Fermi surface.
rations; Gravitational and inertial mass; the Einstein equivalence Drude theory, conductivity and Hall effect (one carrier only).
principle.
Lattice vibrations: law of Dulong and Petit; phonons; dispersion
Accelerating frames, metrics, covariant derivatives and the geo- relation with two atomic types: acoustic and optical branches;
desic equation; connection between metric and the Newtonian Einstein and Debye models of heat capacity.
potential; the Newtonian limit. [Non examinable: GPS.]
Structure and types of condensed matter. Bonding of atoms: ionic,
Gravity and light: gravitational redshift, deflection of light, lens- covalent, van der Waals, metallic [Non examinable: hydrogen].
ing. Curvature of spacetime; the curvature tensor; Ricci tensor Elasticity and thermal expansion.
and scalar.
Crystals. Bravais lattices, lattice planes, Miller indices and unit
Einstein field equations: the Einstein tensor, symmetries, the cells (conventional and primitive). Reciprocal lattice: Bragg
energy-momentum tensor, the conservation of energy, relation of and Laue formulation of diffraction; Brillouin zone; neutron and
curvature and energy; Poisson’s equation in the Newtonian limit. x-ray scattering.
Experimental tests of General Relativity: planetary probes; Hulse- Electrons in periodic potentials; tight binding model; band struc-
Taylor pulsar; emission lines from accretion discs. ture; Fermi surface; semiconductors and insulators. Semiconduc-
tors: Doping; law of mass action; direct and indirect band gap;
Homogeneous isotropic spacetimes, Friedmann equations, red-
concepts of holes and effective mass; mobility and Hall effect in
shift, scale factor, luminosity distance.
semiconductor [Non examinable: p-n junction, MOSFET].
The expanding universe: its contents and energy-momentum ten-
Magnetism: Para- dia-, ferro-,antiferro-, and ferrimagnetism;
sor. Closed and open universes. Cosmological distance ladder,
application of Hund’s rules to determination of magnetic ground
Hubble constant and deceleration.
states of isolated ions; Local Moment vs Itinerant magnetism.
Thermal history of the universe. Saha’s equation and the CMB; Mean field theory. Domains, domain motion, hysteresis.
decoupling between photons and baryons; observations; non-
equilibrium n/p abundance, freeze out and the formation of the
light elements.

44
Appendix F FOR FIRST, SECOND and THIRD YEAR STUDENTS

Syllabuses for Short Options

Short Options will be examined by a single compendium paper divided into sections - one for each option - each containing 3 questions.
Candidates offering one Short Option should attempt two questions from one section in 1½ hours. Candidates offering two Short Op-
tions should attempt two questions from each of two sections in 3 hours. All questions are worth 25 marks. For restrictions and other
administrative details, refer to page 28.
S01: Functions of a complex variable S07: Classical Mechanics*
Complex differentiation and definition of analytic functions, Calculus of variations: Euler--Lagrange equation, variation subject
Cauchy-Riemann equations, orthogonal families of curves and to constraints.
complex mapping, conformal transformations and applications. Lagrangian mechanics: principle of least action; generalized co-
Complex integration, Cauchy’s integral theorem and integral for- ordinates. Application to motion in strange co-ordinate systems,
mula, Taylor series, isolated singularities and Laurent series, resi- particle in an electromagnetic field, normal modes, rigid bodies.
due theorem and evaluation of real integrals, Jordan’s lemma and Noether’s theorem and conservation laws.
other types of integral, branch points, branch cuts and Riemann Hamiltonian mechanics: Legendre transform; Hamilton’s equa-
surfaces, integration with cuts or with removable singularities, tions; examples; Liouville’s theorem; principle of least action
other selected applications of complex calculus. (again); Poisson brackets; symmetries and conservation laws;
canonical transformations; Hamilton-Jacobi equation.
* also for the Physics and Philosophy paper BT:VII. Classical Mechanics
S02: Astrophysics: from planets to the cosmos
The Solar system and Kepler’s Laws. Extra-solar planets. The S09: Financial Physics
Sun and the basics of stellar structure. A qualitative view of star
formation, stellar evolution and the synthesis of heavy elements. An introduction to the physics-based approach to finance theory
Non-interacting binary systems and the masses of stars. Interact- (so-called ‘Econophysics’). This interdisciplinary field aims to
ing binary systems. Black holes. Galaxies. Clusters of galaxies. apply ideas and mathematical techniques developed in physics
The evidence for dark matter, including gravitational lensing. The (particularly those related to statistical mechanics) to improve our
expansion and origin of the Universe. understanding of the empirically observed fluctuations in global
financial markets. Emphasis is placed on the extent to which asset
[Note that knowledge of the prelims mechanics and special rela- prices deviate from random walk behaviour, the development of
tivity courses will be assumed.] microscopic models which may help to explain these deviations,
and the minimization or hedging of financial risk.
S03: Quantum Ideas
S10: Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy
The success of classical physics, measurements in classical phys-
ics. The nature of light, the ultraviolet catastrophe, the photo- The physics that is applied in imaging, diagnostics, therapy and
electric effect and the quantisation of radiation. Atomic spectral analysis in medicine: Interaction of X-rays with matter (Photoelec-
lines and the discrete energy levels of electrons in atoms, the tric, Compton, Pair Production); X-ray imaging (scintillation and
Frank-Hertz experiment and the Bohr model of an atom. diode detection) and Computed Tomography; Magnetic resonance
Magnetic dipoles in homogeneous and inhomogeneous magnetic fundamentals, basic imaging & slice selection, functional imaging
fields and the Stern-Gerlach experiment showing the quantisation (diffusion-weighted imaging, dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging,
of the magnetic moment. The Uncertainty principle by considering spectroscopy); Ultrasound and its application to imaging, including
a microscope and the momentum of photons, zero point energy, Doppler imaging; Use of radioisotopes: Gamma cameras, SPECT,
stability and size of atoms. PET & radionuclide therapy; Radiotherapy: microwave linacs,
bremsstrahlung, beam collimation, portal imaging; Introduction
Measurements in quantum physics, the impossibility of measur- to radiotherapy planning: CT simulation, conformal therapy,
ing two orthogonal components of magnetic moments. The EPR IMRT, charged particle therapy; Radiation Dosimetry (ionisa-
paradox, entanglement, hidden variables, non-locality and As- tion chambers, film, diodes, TLDs); Safety considerations;
pect’s experiment, quantum cryptography and the BB84 protocol. Comparisons between imaging methods.
Schrödinger’s cat and the many-world interpretation of quantum
mechanics. Interferometry with atoms and large molecules. Am-
plitudes, phases and wavefunctions.
Interference of atomic beams, discussion of two-slit interfer-
ence, Bragg diffraction of atoms, quantum eraser experiments.
A glimpse of quantum engineering and quantum computing.
Schrödinger’s equation and boundary conditions. Solution for
a particle in an infinite potential well, to obtain discrete energy
levels and wavefunctions.

45
S16: Plasma Physics S25: Physics of Climate Change
Debye Length. Plasma frequency. The plasma parameter. Single This course outlines the basic physics underlying our understand-
particle motion: Larmor orbits, guiding centre drift. First adiabatic ing of the climate system’s response to external drivers such as
invariant. Analysis of subset of electrostatic and electromagnetic increasing greenhouse gas levels on timescales of decades to
waves in unmagnetized and magnetized cold plasmas. Bohm centuries. We cover: the distinction between weather and climate
Gross frequency, ion acoustic waves. The Coulomb logarithm. The in a chaotic system; planetary energy balance; atmospheric tem-
Vlasov equation and Landau damping (integration in the complex perature structure; the greenhouse effect; forcing, feedbacks and
plane not required). The equations of ideal Magnetohydrodynam- climate sensitivity; the role of the oceans in the transient climate
ics. The Lawson criterion. Simple concepts of magnetic confine- response; the global carbon cycle; simple box-diffusion models of
ment fusion. Simple concepts of inertial confinement fusion. global climate change; evidence for human influence on climate;
Inverse bremsstrahlung absorption. Qualitative understanding impacts on the hydrological cycle; and prospects and risks of
of stimulated Raman and Brillouin scattering. Applications to geo-engineering.
astrophysics: Faraday rotation and conversion; evidence for large
scale B-fields. Qualitative discussion of Parker instability and star
formation. Simple description of Fermi acceleration. S26: Stars and Galaxies
S18: Advanced Quantum Mechanics Measurement of physical properties of stars and galaxies. Parallax
and the distance ladder. Magnitude systems and their relationship to
Introduction to scattering theory. Classical and quantum scat- quantitative measurements of luminosity and effective temperature.
tering.Differential cross-section and the scattering amplitude. Observational properties of stars and galaxies: the H-R diagram,
One-dimensional scattering. The S-matrix and bound states. Ele- stellar clusters, basic description of the structure of the Milky Way;
ments of the inverse scattering problem. Analytic properties of the Hubble classification of galaxies; galaxy luminosity functions.
the S-matrix. Dispersion relations. Green’s functions methods in
scattering theory. Perturbation theory. The Lippmann-Schwinger The equations of stellar structure: hydrostatic equilibrium, virial
equation. Born series. Variational methods. Scattering by a central theorem, convection and energy transport. Structure of main
potential. Method of partial waves, the phase shift. Jost functions. sequence stars; use of scaling relations to derive relationships
Unitarity and the optical theorem. Quasi-stationary states and their between stellar masses, luminosities, radii and lifetimes. The
decay. Relativistic wave equations: the Klein-Gordon equation, Chandrasekar limit and degenerate stellar cores; introduction to
the Dirac equation, their properties and solutions. Relativistic post-main sequence evolution.
scattering. Galaxies treated as systems of stars in spherically symmetric gravi-
tational potentials. The Collisionless Boltzmann Equation; Jeans’
equations; moments of distributions. Stellar velocity dispersions
S19: Particle Accelerator Science and their use to infer the potential. Influence of a point mass at the
History of particle accelerators. Maxwell’s equation, move- centre of the potential; observational evidence for supermassive
ments of charged particles in an electromagnetic field. Particle black holes in normal galaxies.
sources (Guns). Particle acceleration (Linacs and RF). Beam optics
(Overview, Lattices, ...) Liouville’s theorem and the concept of
emittance. Beam dynamics, imperfections, resonnances. Space
charges and instabilities. Instrumentation, beam diagnostics and
feedbacks. Applications of particle accelerators in High Energy
Physics and outside HEP.

46
Appendix G FOR FOURTH YEAR MPHYS STUDENTS

Syllabuses for Major Options - Part C

Note that for most options only short versions of the syllabus are given here.
General familiarity with the compulsory topics in the syllabuses for Parts A and B will be assumed.
More specific prerequisites may be indicated in the sections for the individual options
and more details are given on the Major Options website pages
http://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/Teach/Major_Options/default.htm.

Each of the physics C papers is a 3-hour paper,

answer 4 questions from 8 with each question worth 25 marks.
C1: Astrophysics Quantum optics: Elementary introduction to quantum fields and
The Big Bang and relativistic cosmology; current cosmological photons. Light-matter interactions and the Jaynes-Cummings
models; large scale structure; anisotropies in the Cosmic Micro- model. Generation and detection of nonclassical states of light:
wave Background. parametric down conversion and photon entanglement, photon
action at a beam splitter, bosonic statistics. Berry and Pancharat-
The Milky Way and other galaxies: properties, formation and nam phases.
evolution; dark matter; gravitational lensing
Quantum mechanics and Quantum Bits: Two level systems as
Physics of interactions between high energy particles and radia- quantum bits. Superposition states, the Bloch sphere, mixed states,
tion (synchrotron, inverse-Compton, thermal bremsstrahlung); density matrices, Pauli matrices. Single qubit dynamics (gates):
the Eddington limit; accretion onto compact objects; black holes, NOT, square root of NOT-gate, Hadamard, phase shift, networks
active galaxies and relativistic jets. of gates, the measurement gate.
Late stages of stellar evolution; massive stars; supernovae, milli- Implementations: atom/ion in a laser field, photon polarisation,
second pulsars, hypernovae, gamma-ray bursts; compact binaries; spin in a magnetic field. Mechanisms: Raman transitions, Rabi
the origin of elements, chemical evolution of the Universe. flopping, Ramsey fringes, spin echoes.
Decoherence (simple treatment). Separable and inseparable (en-
The interstellar and intergalactic medium; star and planet forma-
tangled) states of two spin systems. Two qubit gates: controlled-
tion; continuous and absorption line spectra; emission line forma-
NOT, controlled-phase. Universality of gates (result only). Char-
tion and analysis; cosmic dust and extinction; stellar photospheres.
acterising an unknown state, state and gate fidelity (very basic), the
no-cloning theorem. EPR, the four Bell states, the Bell inequalities.
Quantum Computation: Reversible computation with unitary
gates. Quantum parallelism and readout. The Deutsch and Grover
algorithms. Other quantum algorithms: Shor (result only), quan-
C2: Laser Science and Quantum Information tum simulation. Error correction (3 qubit code for phase or flip
Processing only) and decoherence free subspaces. DiVincenzo criteria. Ex-
perimental methods with trapped atoms and ions. The controlled
Knowledge of the laser physics covered in paper B2.III will be phase gate by “collisions”. Optical lattices and massive entangle-
assumed. ment. Experimental methods with NMR. Qualitative treatment of
Lasers: Line broadening mechanisms, linewidths and gain satura- other quantum computing technologies.
tion. Q-switched operation. Modelocking. Frequency control and Quantum Communication: Elementary ideas about informa-
frequency locking. Solid state lasers. Semiconductor lasers. Fibre tion content. Quantum dense coding. Testing Bell inequalities.
lasers. Ultrafast lasers: chirped pulse amplification, terawatt and Quantum key distribution, the BB84 protocol and detecting
petawatt laser systems. eavesdropping (only intercept/resend strategy). EPR based cryp-
Examples of laser systems: Nd:Glass, Nd:YAG. Ti:sapphire; tography. Fibre and free space cryptography, polarisation and
Er:Glass fibre lasers and the Er-doped fibre amplifier (EDFA); phase encoding. Phase encoding methods. Quantum teleportation
AlGaAs and GaN semiconductor lasers. and entanglement swapping.
Optics: Diffraction. Ray matrices and Gaussian beams. Cavity
eigenfunctions: the concept of cavity mode, the stability criterion,
cavity design. Beamsplitters. Transverse coherence and Michelson
stellar interferometer. Longitudinal coherence: optical coherence
tomography and Fourier transform spectroscopy. (Not correlation
functions, Wiener-Khintchine theorem). Optics in Structured Ma-
terials: optical fields in planar waveguides and fibres.
Non-linear Optics: Crystal symmetries and the linear electrooptic
tensor. Amplitude and phase modulation of light using the linear
electro-optic effect. Second harmonic generation. Critical,non-
critical and quasi-phase matching. Sum and difference frequency
generation and optical parametric down conversion.

47
C3: Condensed Matter Physics C5: Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans
Symmetry. Crystal structure, reciprocal lattice, Brillouin zones Composition, Thermodynamics, Clouds and Chemistry
— general treatment for non-orthogonal axes. X-ray, neutron and Atmospheric composition and structure. Atmospheric chem-
electron diffraction. Disordered materials. istry: kinetics, radiation and photochemistry, catalytic cycles,
Lattice dynamics. Measurement of phonon dispersion. Thermal heterogeneous processes, the Ozone Hole. Dry thermodynamics:
properties of crystals. Phase transitions. Soft modes. hydrostatic equation, lapse rate, potential temperature, entropy.
Moist thermodynamics: Clausius-Clapeyron equation, phase
Electronic structure of solids. Semiconductors. Transport of heat diagrams, cloud formation. Convection: buoyancy, parcel theory,
and electrical current. Quasiparticles, Fermi surfaces and interac- atmospheric stability, thermodynamic diagrams, potential energy,
tions between electrons and magnetic fields. Low-dimensional radiative convective equilibrium, quasi-equilibrium hypothesis.
structures. Cloud microphysics: Kelvin equation, Raoult’s law, Köhler theory,
Lorentz oscillator model. Optical response of free electrons and spherical and non-spherical hydrometeor growth, freezing modes,
lattice. Optical transitions in semiconductors. Excitons. ice nucleation, ice crystal habit. Cloud morphology and occur-
rence. Planetary clouds.
Isolated magnetic ions. Crystal field effects. Magnetic resonance.
Geophysical fluid dynamics
Exchange interactions. Localized and itinerant magnets. Magnetic
ordering and phase transitions, critical phenomena, spin waves. Rotating frames of reference. Geostrophic and hydrostatic balance.
Domains. Pressure coordinates. Shallow water and reduced gravity models,
f and –planes, potential vorticity. Inertia-gravity waves, disper-
Conventional and unconventional superconductors. Thermody- sion relation, phase and group velocity. Rossby number, equations
namic treatment. London, BCS and Ginzburg–Landau theories. for nearly geostrophic motion, Rossby waves, Kelvin waves.
Flux quantization, Josephson effects, quantum interference. Linearised equations for a stratified, incompressible fluid, internal
gravity waves, vertical modes. Quasigeostrophic approximation:
potential vorticity equation, Rossby waves, vertical propagation
C4: Particle Physics and trapping. Eady model of baroclinic instability, qualitative
The content of the sub-atomic physics (B2:IV) and the symmetry & discussion of frontogenesis. Overview of large-scale structure and
relativity (B1:II) syllabus will be assumed, as will familiarity with circulation of atmospheres and oceans, poleward heat transport.
the Fermi Golden Rule and the Breit-Wigner resonance formula Wind-driven ocean circulation: Ekman transport and upwelling,
Sverdrup balance and ocean gyres, Stommel’s model of western
Quark structure of hadrons. Deep inelastic scattering, the quark-
boundary currents. Meridional overturning circulation: water
parton model and quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Heavy
mass formation, role of mechanical forcing, Stommel-Arons
quark states.
model and deep western boundary currents, multiple equilibria.
Elementary introduction to radio-frequency acceleration and beam Angular momentum and Held-Hou model of Hadley circulations.
optics. Colliders and fixed targets. Event rates and luminosity. Applications to Mars and slowly-rotating planets. Giant planets:
Triggering and event selection. Physics of particle detectors, Multiple jets, stable eddies and free modes.
wire chambers, silicon detectors, calorimeters, muon chambers,
Cerenkov radiation detectors. Particle identification. Applications Radiative transfer and radiative forcing
to real experiments. Radiative transfer in the atmosphere: Black body radiation, Earth’s
Introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics. Matrix elements. emission spectrum, the solar spectrum, the total solar irradiance,
Discrete and continuous symmetries. Gauge symmetries and the photochemistry, molecular spectra, line shape, radiative properties
Standard Model. of clouds and aerosols. Rayleigh & Mie scattering, the equation
Electroweak interactions, charged and neutral currents. Elec- of radiative transfer, band models. Weighting functions.
troweak symmetry breaking. W and Z bosons. Fundamental Observations and inverse methods
particles of the Standard Model. Discovery of the top quark and
searches for the Higgs boson. Introduction to remote sounding and inverse problems. Simple
0 0 random processes as models of measurement and atmosphere/
Oscillations in the K and B systems, CP violation. Neutrino
ocean behaviour, exactly-determined, over-determined and under-
oscillations. Ideas beyond the Standard Model and future projects.
determined systems, least-squares estimation, matrix formulation,
likelihood, expectation, variance and covariance. Gauss-Markov
theorem, Bayes’ theorem, Kalman gain matrix. Examples from
atmospheric remote sounding and ocean altimetry, time-dependent
inverse problems, the Kalman filter, error growth, implications for
weather analysis, forecasting and predictability. Infrared instru-
ments and techniques for remote sensing of climate variables.
Satellite and ground-based instrumentation.

48
C6: Theoretical Physics C7: Biological Physics
The mathematical description of systems with an infinite number Biological materials and structures: cells, DNA and RNA, pro-
of degrees of freedom: functionals, functional differentiation, teins, lipid bilayers. Protein structure and folding. Mechanical
and functional integrals. Multi-dimensional Gaussian integrals. properties of biopolymers.
Random fields: properties of a Gaussian field. Perturbation theory Brownian motion, chemical reactions, biological processes and
for non-Gaussian functional integrals. Path integrals and quantum bio-energetics, molecular machines.
mechanics. Treatment of free particle and of harmonic oscillator.
Chromosomes, DNA compaction and packaging. Transcription
Classical field theory: fields, Lagrangians and Hamiltonians. The and transcriptional regulation. Biological networks.
least action principle and field equations. Space-time and inter-
Membranes and membrane proteins: electrostatic interactions,
nal symmetries: U(1) example, Noether current. The idea of an
dispersion and hydration forces. Ions and counterions; ion chan-
irreducible representation of a group. Irreducible representations
nels, photo-receptors and neuroreceptors. Neurons and neuronal
of SU(2) and application to global internal symmetry. Simple
signalling.
representations of the Lorentz group via SU(2)xSU(2) without
proof.U(1) gauge symmetry, action of scalar QED and derivation Single-molecule techniques, patch-clamp, fluorescence microsco-
of Maxwell’s eqns in covariant form. py, optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers, atomic force microscopy.
Landau theory and phase transitions: phase diagrams, first-order
and continuous phase transitions. Landau-Ginsburg-Wilson free
energy functionals. Examples including liquid crystals. Critical
phenomena and scaling theory.
The link between quantum mechanics and the statistical mechanics
of one-dimensional systems via Wick rotation. Transfer matrices
for one-dimensional systems in statistical mechanics.
Stochastic processes and path integrals: the Langevin and Fokker-
Planck equation. Brownian motion of single particle. Rouse model
of polymer dynamics.
Canonical quantisation and connection to many body theory:
quantised elastic waves; quantisation of free scalar field theory;
many-particle quantum systems.
Path integrals and quantum field theory: generating functional
and free particle propagator for scalar and U(1) gauge fields (in
Lorentz gauge).
Perturbation theory at tree level for decay and scattering processes.
Examples from pure scalar theories and scalar QED. Goldstone
theorem.
Canonical transformations in quantum field theory: Bogoliubov
transformations applied to bose condensates, magnons in antifer-
romagnets, and to BCS theory.

49
Appendix H EXAMINATION REGULATIONS

SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR THE

+
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION IN PHYSICS
The subjects of the Preliminary Examination in Physics shall be physics, including basic practical and mathematical techniques. The
number of papers and other general requirements of the Preliminary Examination in Physics shall be prescribed by regulation from time
to time by the Board of the Division of Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences.

A
1. The subjects of the Preliminary Examination in Physics shall be 4. In the case of candidates who offer all four papers of cl. 1,
physics, including basic practical and mathematical techniques. the Moderators shall publish the names only of those who have
satisfied them in two or more papers. Candidates whose names do
2. The number of papers and other general requirements of the Pre-
not appear on the pass list must offer four papers at a subsequent
liminary Examination in Physics shall be prescribed by regulation
examination. In the case of candidates who, in accordance with
from time to time by the Board of the Division of Mathematical
the proviso to cl. 1, offer one or two papers, the Moderators shall
and Physical Sciences.
publish the names only of those who have satisfied them in each
B of the papers offered.

1. Candidates in Physics must offer four Compulsory Papers at 5. The Moderators may award a distinction to candidates of special
one examination, provided that a candidate who has failed in one merit who have satisfied them in all four papers of cl. 1 at a single
or two papers may offer that number of papers at a subsequent examination and in the requirements of cl. 2.
examination. The titles of the papers shall be: 6. Failure to complete practical work under cl. 2(i), without
CP1: Physics 1 good reason, will be deemed by the Moderators as failure in the
Preliminary examination and the candidate will be required to
CP2: Physics2 complete the outstanding practicals either by examination or by
CP3: Mathematical Methods 1 completing them alongside second year study, before entry to
the Part A examination will be permitted. In these circumstances,
CP4: Mathematical Methods 2 distinction at the Preliminary examination will not be possible.
Their syllabuses shall be approved by the Faculty of Physics and 7. The list of Short Option subjects in cl. 2(ii) and their syllabuses
shall be published in the Physics Course Handbook by the Faculty shall be approved by the Faculty of Physics and shall be published
of Physics not later than the beginning of Michaelmas Full Term in the Physics Course Handbook by the Faculty of Physics not
for examination three terms thence. later than the beginning of Michaelmas Full Term for examination
2. In addition to the four papers of cl. 1, a candidate in physics three terms thence.
shall be required 8. With respect to subjects under cl. 2(ii) a candidate may propose
(i) to submit to the Moderators such evidence as they to the Chairman of the Faculty of Physics or deputy, not later than
require of the successful completion of practical work the last week of Michaelmas Full Term preceding the examination,
normally pursued during the three terms preceding the another subject paper. Candidates shall be advised of the decision
examination, and by the end of the first week of the subsequent Hilary Full Term.

(ii) to offer a written paper on one Short Option. 9. Except for papers for which their use is forbidden, the Mod-
erators will permit the use of any hand-held calculator subject to
3. Candidates shall be deemed to have passed the examination if the conditions set out under the heading ‘Use of calculators in
they have satisfied the Moderators in the four Compulsory Papers examinations’ in the Special Regulations concerning Examinations
either at a single examination or at two examinations in accord- and further elaborated in the Course Handbook.
ance with the proviso to cl. 1, and provided further that the same
number of papers as were failed at the first sitting have been passed
at the same attempt at a subsequent examination.

+
Note: The examination regulations for Physics Prelims and Finals Honour
School are included for convenience, however the definitive versions are those
published by the University (Examination Regulations - ‘The Grey Book’)
each academic year.

50
Appendix I EXAMINATION REGULATIONS
+
SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR THE HONOUR SCHOOL OF PHYSICS
A Candidates will be expected to show knowledge based on practi-
cal work.
1. (1) The subject of the Honour School in Physics shall be the
study of Physics as an experimental science. The Examiners will permit the use of any hand-held calculator
subject to the conditions set out under the heading ‘Use of cal-
(2) The examination in physics shall consist of respectively three
culators in examinations’ in the Special Regulations concerning
parts for the four-year course (A, B, C) and two parts for the
Examinations and further elaborated in the Course Handbook.
three-year course (A, B) as prescribed in the regulation by the
Mathematical, Physical and Life Science Board. The various parts of the examinations for the three and four year
courses shall take place in Trinity Term of the year in question
2. (1) The name of a candidate in either the three-year course or
and, unless otherwise stated, deadlines shall apply to the year in
the four-year course shall not be published in a Class List until
which that part is taken.
he or she has completed all parts of the respective examinations.
(2) The Examiners in Physics for the three-year course or the PHYSICS (four year course)
four-year course shall be entitled to award a pass or classified 1. The examination shall be in three parts, A, B, C, taken at times
honours to candidates in the Second Public Examination who not less than three, six and nine terms, respectively after passing
have reached a standard considered adequate. The Examiners the First Public Examination.
shall give due consideration to the performance in all parts of the 2. In order to proceed to Parts B and C of the four-year course
respective examinations. in physics a minimum standard of achievement in Part A may
(3) A candidate who obtains only a pass or fails to satisfy the Ex- be required, as determined by the Faculty of Physics from time
aminers may enter again for Part B (three-year course) or Part C to time. Any such requirement shall be published in the Course
(four-year course) of the Examination on one, but not more than Handbook not later than the beginning of Michaelmas Full Term
one, subsequent occasion. Part A (three-year and four-year courses) of the academic year preceding the year of the Part A examination.
and Part B (four-year course) shall be entered on one occasion only. Names of those satisfying the requirement shall be published by
(4) A candidate adjudged worthy of honours in the Second Public the Examiners.
Examination for the four-year course in Physics may supplicate 3. In Part A
for the Degree of Master of Physics provided that the candidate (a) the candidate shall be required
has fulfilled all the conditions for admission to a degree of the (i) to offer three written papers on the Fundamental Principles
University. of Physics, and
(5) A candidate who has satisfied the requirements for Part A and (ii) to submit to the Examiners such evidence as they require of
Part B of the four-year course, but who does not start or enter the successful completion of practical work normally pursued
Part C or who fails to obtain Honours in Part C is permitted to during the three terms preceding the examination, and
supplicate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Physics with the (iii) to offer a written paper on one Short Option.
classification obtained in Parts A and B together (pass or classified
b) A candidate may also offer a written paper on a second Short
as appropriate); provided that no such candidate may later enter or
Option, in which case the candidate need only submit evidence of
re-enter the Part C year, or supplicate for the degree of Master of
the successful completion of practical work normally pursued dur-
Physics; and provided in each case that the candidate has fulfilled
ing one and a half terms of the three terms specified in cl. 3(a)(ii).
all the conditions for admission to a degree of the University.’
4. In Part B
3. The examination shall be partly practical. This requirement
(a) the candidate shall be required
shall normally be satisfied by the Examiners’ assessment of the
practical work done by candidates during their course of study. (i) to offer three written papers on Physics, and,
Exceptionally, the Examiners may require a candidate to take a (ii) to submit to the Examiners such evidence as they require of
practical examination. the successful completion of practical work normally pursued
during the three terms preceding the examination, and
4. No candidate shall be admitted to examination in this school
unless he or she has passed or been exempted from the First Public (iii) to offer a written paper on one Short Option.
Examination. (b) A candidate may also offer a written paper on a second Short
Option, in which case the candidate need only submit evidence of
5. The Examination in Physics shall be under the supervision of
the successful completion of practical work normally pursued dur-
the Board of the Division of Mathematical Physical and Life Sci-
ing one and a half terms of the three terms specified in cl. 4(a)(ii).
ences. The board shall have power, subject to these decrees, from
time to time to frame and to vary regulations for the different parts 5. The titles of the written papers of cl. 3(a)(i) & cl. 4(a)(i) are
and subjects of the examination. given in the Schedule below. Their syllabuses shall be approved
by the Faculty of Physics and shall be published in the Course
B Handbook not later than the beginning of Michaelmas Full Term
In the following ‘the Course Handbook’ refers to the Physics for the examination three terms thence.
Undergraduate Course Handbook, published annually at the start 6. The list of Short Option subjects in cls 3(a)(iii), 3(b), 4(a)(iii),
of Michaelmas Term by the Faculty of Physics. 4(b) and their syllabuses shall be approved by the Faculty of
Physics and shall be published in the Course Handbook not later
than the beginning of Michaelmas Full Term for the examination
three terms thence.

51
7. In cl. 4(a)(ii), practical work may be replaced by project work, C4: Particle Physics
if an appropriate supervisor is available. The subject, duration C5: Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans
and replacement value shall be approved by the Chairman of the C6: Theoretical Physics
Faculty of Physics or deputy, by the end of Michaelmas Full Term.
C7: Biological Physics
8. With respect to cl. 3(a)(iii) or cl. 4(a)(iii) a candidate may take,
PHYSICS (three year course)
as alternative to the written examination, an assessed course of
instruction in a foreign language. A candidate proposing to take 1. The examination shall be in two parts, A and B, taken at times
this alternative must have the proposal approved by the Chairman not less than three and six terms, respectively, after passing the
of the Faculty of Physics or deputy and by the Director of the First Public Examination.
Language Teaching Centre or deputy, by the end of the first week 2. Part A of the examination shall be the same as the Part A of
of Hilary Full Term preceding the examination. ‘Approval shall the examination of the four-year course in Physics and the same
not be given to candidates who have, at the start of the course, conditions, arrangements and examination timings shall apply.
already acquired demonstrable skills exceeding the target learning 3. In Part B
outcomes in the chosen language.
(a) the candidate shall be required
9. With respect to subjects under cl. 3(a)(iii) or cl. 4(a)(iii) a
candidate may propose to the Chairman of the Faculty of Phys- (i) to offer four** of the subjects I-VI specified for papers B1 to
ics or deputy, not later than the fourth week of Michaelmas Full B3 in the Schedule of the four-year course (Part B), each subject
Term preceding the examination, either to offer another subject having the weight of half a paper, and
paper, or to offer instead a written account of extended practical (ii) to submit to the Examiners such evidence as they require of the
work, in addition to that specified in cl. 3(a)(ii) or cl. 4(a)(ii). successful completion of practical work normally pursued during
Candidates will be advised of the decision by the end of eighth one and a half terms in the academic year of the examination, and
week of that term. (iii) to offer a written paper on one Short Option.
10. In Part C the candidate shall be required to offer (b) to offer a project report in the form of either an extended essay
on a subject approved by the Chairman of the Faculty of Physics
(a) written papers on each of two Major Options, and
or deputy (by the end of sixth week of Hilary Full Term), or an
(b) a project report on either advanced practical work, or other
account of extended practical work undertaken in the academic
advanced work.
year in which the examination takes place.
(c) candidates may be examined by viva voce’
4. With respect to cl. 3(a)(ii) a candidate may offer instead a writ-
11. In cl. 10(a), the Major Options and their syllabuses shall be ten paper on a second Short Option.
approved by the Faculty of Physics and the Physics Academic
5. The Short Options of cl. 3(a)(iii) and cl. 5 are those specified
Committee. The titles of the Major Options are given in the
in cl. 6 of the four-year course.
Schedule below and the syllabuses shall be published in the Course
Handbook not later than the beginning of Michaelmas Full Term 6. In cl. 3(a)(ii), practical work may be replaced by project work,
for the examination three terms thence. if an appropriate supervisor is available. The subject, duration,
and replacement value shall be approved by the Chairman of the
12. With respect to subjects under cl. 10(a) a candidate may
Faculty of Physics or deputy, by the end of Michaelmas Full Term.
propose to the Chairman of the Faculty of Physics or deputy, not
later than the fourth week of Trinity Full Term in the academic 7. With respect to cl. 3(a)(iii) a candidate may take, as alternative
year preceding the examination, another subject paper or papers. to the written examination, an assessed course of instruction in a
Candidates will be advised of the decision by the end of eighth foreign language. A candidate proposing to take this alternative
week of that term. must have the proposal approved by the Chairman of the Faculty
of Physics or deputy and by the Director of the Language Centre
13. In cl. 10(b), the proposed nature of the practical or other ad-
or deputy, by the end of the first week of Hilary Full Term. Ap-
vanced work and its duration shall be submitted for approval to the
proval shall not be given to candidates who have, at the start of
Chairman of the Faculty of Physics or deputy with the agreement
the course, already acquired demonstrable skills exceeding the
of the Physics Academic Committee.
target learning outcomes in the chosen language.
Schedule 8. With respect to subjects under cl. 3(a)(iii) a candidate may
Fundamental Principles (Part A) propose to the Chairman of the Faculty of Physics or deputy, not
A1: Thermal Physics later than the fourth week of Michaelmas Full Term preceding the
A2: Electromagnetism and Optics examination, another subject paper. Candidates shall be advised
A3: Quantum Physics of the decision by the end of eighth week of that term.

Physics (Part B)
B1: I. Flows, Fluctuations and Complexity, and II. Symmetry
and Relativity
B2: III. Quantum, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and IV. Sub-
Atomic Physics
B3: V. General Relativity and Cosmology, and VI. Condensed-
Matter Physics
Major Options (Part C) +
Note: The examination regulations for Physics Prelims and Finals Honour School are
C1: Astrophysics included for convenience, however the definitive versions are those published by the
C2: Laser Science and Quantum Information Processing University (Examination Regulations - ‘The Grey Book’) and the Universiy Gazette
each academic year.
C3: Condensed Matter Physics
**these must include sections III, IV and VI

52
Appendix J

University Policy on Intellectual Property Rights

The University in its Statutes claims ownership of certain forms of intellectual property which students create in the
course of, or incidentally to, their studies. There are other arrangements in the University’s regulations for protecting and
exploiting this property, and sharing the commercial exploitation revenues with the student originators. By accepting a
place at Oxford as a student, you agree to be legally bound by these provisions.

Here is the extract of the text of the Statute relating to intellectual property. The procedures for the administration of the
University’s policy, as set out in the relevant regulations, are available at http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/rso/integrity/ip.shtml
these explain the approved arrangements for revenue-sharing. Further information may be obtained from Research
Services, University Offices (tel. (2)70143).

Statute XVI: Property, Contracts, and Trusts

PART B: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

5. (1) The University claims ownership of all intellectual property specified in section 6 of this statute which is devised,
made, or created:
(a) by persons employed by the University in the course of their employment;
(b) by student members in the course of or incidentally to their studies;
(c) by other persons engaged in study or research in the University who, as a condition of their being granted access to the
University's premises or facilities, have agreed in writing that this Part shall apply to them; and
(d) by persons engaged by the University under contracts for services during the course of or incidentally to that
engagement.
(2) The University's rights under sub-section (1) above in relation to any particular piece of intellectual property may be
waived or modified by agreement in writing with the person concerned.
6. The intellectual property of which ownership is claimed under section 5 (1) of this statute comprises:
(1) works generated by computer hardware or software owned or operated by the University;
(2) works created with the aid of university facilities including (by way of example only) films, videos, photographs,
multimedia works, typographic arrangements, and field and laboratory notebooks;
(3) patentable and non-patentable inventions;
(4) registered and unregistered designs, plant varieties, and topographies;
(5) university-commissioned works not within (1), (2), (3), or (4);
(6) databases, computer software, firmware, courseware, and related material not within (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5), but only
if they may reasonably be considered to possess commercial potential; and
(7) know-how and information associated with the above.
7. The University will not assert any claim to the ownership of copyright in:
(1) artistic works not listed in sub-section (2) of section 6 of this statute, books, articles, plays, lyrics, scores, or lectures,
apart from those specifically commissioned by the University;
(2) audio or visual aids to the giving of lectures;
(3) student theses, exercises and answers to tests and examinations save to the extent that they contain intellectual
property claimed by the University under subsection (6) of section 6 of this statute; or
(4) computer-related works other than those specified in section 6 of this statute.
8. For the purpose of sections 6 and 7 of this statute, 'commissioned works' are works which the University has
specifically employed or requested the person concerned to produce, whether in return for special payment or not, but,
save as may be separately agreed between the University Press and the person concerned, works commissioned by the
University Press in the course of its publishing business shall not be regarded as 'works commissioned by the University'.
9. Council may make regulations:
(1) defining the classes of persons or naming individuals to whom section 5 (1) (c) of this statute shall apply;
(2) requiring student members and such other persons as may be specified in regulations to sign any documents necessary
in order to give effect to the claim made by the University in this Part and to waive any rights in respect of the subject-
matter of the claim which may be conferred on them by Chapter IV of Part 1 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
1988; and
(3) generally for the purposes of this Part.
10. This Part shall apply to all intellectual property devised, made, or created on or after 1 October 2000 and is subject to
the provisions of the Patents Act 1977.

53
Appendix K

Photocopying and scanning under the CLA Higher Education Licence

Photocopying and scanning under the CLA Higher Education Licence
The university has signed an agreement with the Copyright Licencing Agency (CLA) which
indemnifies the University against certain publishers suing us for using their material. This
generally covers the multiple copying (paper to paper) from most copyright-protected books,
journals, law reports, conference proceedings and magazines for use by students and the course
tutor on registered taught courses and non-credit-bearing short courses. In addition Oxford has also
signed up to the trial scanning licence. There are certain obligations which come with this
agreement which are detailed below.

General provisos
Copying is limited to:
Up to 5% or one chapter (whichever is the greater) of a book;
Up to 5% or one article (whichever is the greater) from a single issue of a journal;

The licence covers material published in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada (including
Quebec), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Jamaica, the
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden
and Switzerland. It also includes some US publishers. See the ‘List of Participating US Publishers’
for further details. www.cla.co.uk/support/uspublishers.html

Please note that the licence does not cover material already in digital form e.g. electronic journals
and material available on the internet. Check the licence conditions of digital material and where
necessary obtain publishers' consent for such material before using them. It also does not cover
newspapers, maps, printed music or works listed on the CLA’s Excluded Works list, available at
www.cla.co.uk/support/excluded.html Material from these sources must obtain individual
publisher’s consent prior to being used.

Scanning for teaching purposes

The licence also permits some copyright material published in the UK to be made available in
digital format to students through WebLearn. The University must keep detailed records of all items
scanned under this licence and such scanning may only be carried out by the person(s) designated to
do so in your department or college; for details as to who these are, please contact: Charles Shaw,
Academic Services and University Collections, University Offices; tel: (2)80563;
[email protected]. If in doubt, Paul Davis at OUCS is a designated person and may be able to
help you. Tel 83414 email:[email protected]

Scanned material must be held in a password-protected environment accessible only to students on

the relevant course. WebLearn meets this requirement provided relevant access controls are set. If
you wish to make digital copies available to students on a course of study, you should contact the
relevant departmental person for further details of the service. Please note that if you prepare or
distribute scanned extracts of copyright-protected material, both you and the University are exposed
to the risk of infringing copyright law. Note that there is a more restricted set of material which can
be scanned – in general American work is not included. Check at
www.cla.co.uk/support/excluded.html if in doubt.

Practicalities
Material needs to be presented in a form as close as possible to the way it was published. It is
suggested that scanning material as a PDF is probably best to meet this requirement. Each pdf file
54
needs to have attached a specific disclaimer detailing the original work, and emphasising this copy
is only for use on a specific course of study. A suitable set of words is below (Appendix A)

Where a PDF is used, licensees may wish to define document settings in such a way that will allow
the Copyright Notice to be subsequently amended, e.g. if the same item is to be re-used for another
course. It is recommended that the Designated Person uses the option to define a secure password,
with a view to preventing:

• unauthorised members of staff / students editing the text of the notice or

• ‘cutting + pasting’ (or otherwise altering) licensed content

How do they measure that we comply?

Audits are periodically undertaken. The priority of an audit will be to determine that Digital Copies
are being created in accordance with the defined extent limits (i.e. only works eligible are copied),
that the procedures for ensuring securely authenticated access are demonstrably robust (WebLearn
access controls are properly applied)and to monitor that the moral rights of authors are being
observed.(nothing is being used out of context or adapted outside reasonable use)

The Compliance Officer will verify that all Digital Copies created under licence have been correctly
recorded on the Digital Copy Record Sheet, that a Copyright Notice has been appended to each, that
each Digital Copy represents a direct unaltered representation of the original printed page(s) and
that it has been sourced from an original published edition owned by the HEI.

Further information
For further details about copyright, please see Guidance for library staff at
http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/ulsd/oxonly/copyright/copyhome.htmand FAQ for readers at
http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/ulsd/oxonly/copyright/copyrightfaq.htm

For more information about the CLA Licence, see www.cla.co.uk/support/he/index.html

The University’s Licence Co-ordinator is Charles Shaw, Academic Services and University Collections,
University Offices; tel: (2)80563; [email protected]

55
Appendix L (Lecture and Practical Feedback Forms - SPECIMEN)

f PJCC LECTURE FEEDBACK FORM

Lecture Attendance
none only the first few some to all
I have attended… …of the lectures.

Lectures

Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following statements…

1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree 1 2 3 4 5

The lectures helped my understanding of the subject

The lecturer made this lecture course engaging and interesting.

The lectures were easy to follow and well structured.

too slow ... too fast

I would describe the pace of the lectures as...

If you have any other comments on the lectures, or this lecture course in general, please write them below…

Lecture Materials: Printed Notes and Problem Sets

Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following statements…

1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree 1 2 3 4 5 N/A

The lecturer’s notes were useful and well structured.

The lecturer’s problem sets were interesting and

improved my understanding of the subject.

If you would like to report errata in the lecture notes and problems sets or suggest any other improvements,
please use the space below…

56Proposed: PJCC Committee 16/Nov/07 (version 3)

 PJCC PRACTICAL COURSE FEEDBACK FORM

_2nName of Lab ...

Please rate these practicals on a scale of 1 out 5 through to 5 out of 5 when answering the following…

1 2 3 4 5

How much did these labs help with your understanding

of the physics course?

How useful were these labs in developing your

experimental skills?

How interesting and enjoyable did you find these labs?

1 = too little, 5 = too much 1 2 3 4 5

How much theory was there in these labs?

How much time did these labs take to complete?

Use the space below for any comments on the helpfulness of the demonstrators or any particular
experiments…

57

Proposed: PJCC Committee 16/Nov/07 (version 3)

Appendix M

Academic Staff Telephone Numbers, College Affiliations and e-mail

(College telephone numbers are for the College Lodge, and numbers for the sub-Department are for the Departmental receptionist)
All staff in the Department can be contacted by e-mail. The general form of address is:
[email protected]
(If there are two or more people in the Department with the same name, they would be distinguished by a number eg. [email protected])

NAME COLLEGE TEL SUB-DEPT TEL NO E-MAIL

Aigrain S Dr All Souls 73979 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Allen M R Dr Wolfson 74100 Atmospheric 72901 m.allen@ physics.ox.ac.uk
Andrews D G Prof LMH 74300 Atmospheric Physics 72901 [email protected]
Antoranz Contera S Dr Jesus 79700 Condensed Matter 82276 [email protected]
Ardavan A Dr Magdalen 76000 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Baird P E G Dr University 76602 Atomic & Laser 72200 [email protected]
Balbus S Prof New 79555 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Barr A Dr Merton 76310 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Barr G Dr Magdalen 76000 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Bartolini R Dr St. Catherine’s 71700 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Berry RM Dr St. Catherine’s 71700 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Biller S Prof Mansfield 70999 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Binney J J Prof Merton 76310 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Blundell K M Prof St John’s 77300 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Blundell S J Prof Mansfield 82900 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Boothroyd A T Prof Oriel 70999 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Bowles N E Dr St Cross 78490 Atmospheric Physics 72901 [email protected]
Bunker A Dr St Catherine’s 71700 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Bureau M Dr Wadham 77900 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Burrows PN Prof Jesus 79700 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Cardy J Prof All Souls 73979 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Cavalleri A Prof Merton 76310 Atomic and Laser 72200 [email protected]
Chalker J T Prof St. Hugh’s 74900 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Coldea R Dr Lincoln 79800 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Conlon J Dr New 79555 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Cooper S Prof St. Catherine’s 71700 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Cooper-Sarkar A Prof St. Hilda’s 76884 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Dalton G B Prof St Cross 78490 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Davies R Prof Christ Church 76150 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Dunkley J Dr Exeter 79600 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Essler F Prof Worcester 78300 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Ewart P Prof Worcester 78300 Atomic & Laser 72200 [email protected]
Ferreira P Prof Oriel 70999 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Foot C J Prof St. Peter’s 78900 Atomic & Laser 72200 [email protected]
Foster B Prof Balliol 77777 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Glazer A M Prof Jesus 79700 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Golestanian R Prof St Cross 78490 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Grainger R G Dr St. Hugh’s 74900 Atmospheric Physics 72901 [email protected]
Gregg, J Prof Magdalen 76000 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Gregori, G, Dr LMH 74300 Atomic and Laser 72200 [email protected]
Haisch U Dr Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Harnew N Prof St. Anne’s 74800 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Henry S Dr Hertford 79400 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Herz L Prof Brasenose 77830 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Hesjedal T Dr Christ Church 76150 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Hook, Prof I Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Hooker S M Prof Merton 76310 Atomic and Laser 72200 [email protected]
Huffman B T Dr LMH 74300 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Irwin P G J Prof St. Anne’s 74800 Atmospheric Physics 72901 [email protected]
Jaksch D Prof Keble 72727 Atomic & Laser 72200 [email protected]
Jarvis M Dr St Cross 78490 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Jelley N A Prof Lincoln 79800 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Johnston M B Dr Corpus Christi 76700 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Jones H Prof Wolfson 74100 Condensed Matter 72326 [email protected]
Jones J A Prof Brasenose 77830 Atomic and Laser 72200 [email protected]
Jones M Prof Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Kapanidis A N Dr St Cross 78490 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Konoplev I Dr Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Kuhn A Dr Christ Church 76150 Atomic & Laser 72200 [email protected]
Kraus H Prof Corpus Christi 76700 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Lucas D Dr Balliol 77777 Atomic & Laser 72200 [email protected]

58
Lukas A Prof Balliol 77777 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Louis A Dr Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Magorrian J Dr Jesus 79700 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
March-Russell J Prof Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Marshall D P Prof St Hugh’s 74900 Atmospheric Physics 72901 [email protected]
Mekhov, I, Dr University 76602 Atomic and Laser 72200 [email protected]
Miller L Prof Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Nicholas R J Prof University 76602 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Nickerson R B Dr Queen’s 79120 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Nomerotski A Dr Jesus 79700 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Peach K Prof Wolfson 74100 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Podsiadlowski P Prof St. Edmund Hall 79000 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Radaelli P G Prof Wadham 77900 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Rawlings S G Prof St. Peter’s 78900 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Read P L Prof Trinity 79900 Atmospheric Physics 72901 [email protected]
Reichold A Dr Balliol 77777 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Roche P F Prof Hertford 79400 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Ryan J F Prof Christ Church 76150 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Sarkar S Prof Linacre 71650 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Schekochihin A Dr Merton 76310 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Seryi A Prof Wolfson 74100 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Simon, S Prof Somerville 70600 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Slyz A Dr New 79555 Astrophysics 73333 [email protected]
Smith, Dr B Keble 72727 Atomic & Laser 72200 [email protected]
Snaith H J Dr Jesus 72380 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Starinets A Dr St John’s 77300 Theoretical Physics 73999 a. [email protected]
Stier P Dr Oriel 76555 Atmospheric Physics 72901 [email protected]
Steane A M Prof Exeter 79600 Atomic & Laser 72200 [email protected]
Taylor R A Prof Queen’s 79120 Condensed Matter 72230 [email protected]
Teper M Dr All Souls 73979 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Thatte N Prof Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Tseng J Dr St. Edmund Hall 79000 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Tucker S J Dr Green 74770 Condensed Matter 72200 [email protected]
Turberfield A J Prof Magdalen 76000 Condensed Matter 72288 [email protected]
Vedral V Prof Wolfson 74100 Atomic and Laser 72200 [email protected]
Viehhauser G Dr St John’s 77300 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Walczak R Dr Somerville 70600 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Walmsley I A Prof St. Hugh’s 74900 Atomic & Laser 72200 [email protected]
Wark J S Prof Trinity 79900 Atomic & Laser 72200 [email protected]
Weidberg A R Dr St. John’s 77300 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Wells A Dr Wolfson 74100 Atmospheric Physics 72901 [email protected]
Wheater J F Dr University 76602 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Wilkinson G Prof Christ Church 76150 Particle Physics 73333 [email protected]
Yassin G Prof Queen’s 79120 Astrophysics 73303 [email protected]
Yeomans J M Prof St. Hilda’s 76884 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]
Zanderighi G Prof Wadham 77900 Theoretical Physics 73999 [email protected]

Appendix N
Useful Numbers and E-mail Addresses
Head of the Physics Teaching Faculty Prof. N A Jelley 73380 [email protected]
Assistant Head of Teaching (Academic) Mrs C Leonard-McIntyre 72407 [email protected]
Assistant Head of Teaching (Experimental) Dr K Aplin 73491 [email protected]
Physics and Philosophy contact Dr C W P Palmer 72276 [email protected]
Physics Teaching Faculty Secretary Miss H Glanville 72369 [email protected]
st
1 Year Physics Co-ordinator to be announced
nd
2 Year Physics Co-ordinator to be announced
rd
3 Year Physics Co-ordinator to be announced
th
4 Year Major Options Coordinators http://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/students
Liaison with Careers Service Physics Teaching Faculty 72200 [email protected]
Teaching Faculty e-mail address [email protected]
PJCC Website http://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/students

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