1. Warwick Teachers & Advisors Conference: Physics Gary Barker Physics Undergraduate Admissions Tutor 23-05-14

2. Warwick Physics Department The Physics Department has 65 Academic Staff ~170 undergraduate intake: (~120 Physics, ~50 Maths & Physics) Physics Department Research: Condensed Matter Physics Theoretical physics Particle physics Astronomy and Astrophysics Plasma physics

3. PhysicsMaths and Physics Physics with Business Studies Physics Degrees at Warwick For those with a particular interest in Business – the third year is spent entirely in the Business School

4. Physics Course Structure Importantly, the first two years are common Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 A 2(i) standard required to proceed BScMPhys

5. University Physics V 1 =0.5cV 2 =0.5c V 12 =c Galilean: Coulomb: Special Relativity Quantum Theory: V 12 = V 1 + V 2

6. Physics Core Themes Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Physics, Mathematics, Physics Laboratory. Physics Options Hamiltonian Mechanics, Stars, Galaxies, The Physics of Electrical Power Generation, programming... Outside Options Modern Foreign Language, Introduction to Teaching, Business Studies … Core & Optional Modules

7. Warwick Physics Research

8. The Payoff for Undergraduates Research-driven teaching/internationally leading staff: Crystal Physics, Electrons in Solids Standard Model of Particle Physics, Neutrino Physics Exo-planets, Cosmology Solar Physics, Plasma Physics Complexity/Chaos Theory Medical Physics, High Performance Computing Project work /Summer placements

9. Typical 1 st Year Timetable

10. 1 st Year: Easing the Transition `Key Skills for Physics’: brings physics and maths together i.e. “problem solving” : weekly exercises in Physics and Mathematics assessed for credit and discussed in exercise classes. `Physics Foundations’: Revision of A-level ideas but shows how calculus and complex numbers make their description more elegant and powerful e.g. SHM 1 st and 2 nd year tutorials: Groups of 5 or less Physics Labs.: Close supervision ( for some, first `hands-on’ experience). Single text book: Young and Freedman – University Physics.

11. And at the end of it all… ~ 75% achieve a First or Upper Second Physics degree Numbers in graduate-level employment or research degree within 6 months of graduating : MPhys degree: 90%-95% (average starting salary £26k) BSc degree: 80%-85% (average starting salary £23.5k) Physics graduates are very much in demand! Alongside physics/maths knowledge employers value the physicist skillset: critical thinking, problem solving, scientific data analysis, scientific methodology, presentation etc etc What do our graduates do? 35% Research degree in Physics/Maths/Computing 20% Financial/accounting sector 20% IT 10% Engineering 15% Others: management, journalism, health service,etc

12. Thank you