The Department Of Physics And Astronomy.
Newsletter Autumn 2014.
Thanks for coming along to one of our open days. We hope it helps you with making your decision. Over the next few pages you can find out what’s new in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and see what some of our staff and students have been up to. There’s also information, below, about our UCAS days. We hope to see you again soon. Best wishes, Nigel Clarke Head of Department
DEPARTMENTAL OPEN DAYS If you apply for a place in this department, and you’re expected to meet our entry requirements, you’re invited to a Departmental Open Day and interview. On these visits, you get to spend more time with staff and students, who will tell you more about their courses and the research they do. There are also opportunities to explore the University campus and to visit our student accommodation. Physics open days are held between November and March – we get in touch with a choice of dates as quickly as we can once we receive your application. They’re a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have. There is also another University Open Day on Saturday 18 October. For more details and to book a visit, go to: WWW.SHEFFIELD.AC.UK/UNDERGRADUATE/OPENDAYS
Physics and Astronomy Newsletter
Imagine PHYSICISTS APPLY THEIR TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE TO HELP FIGHT DISEASE Two of our lecturers have been working with biologists to meet some of the biggest challenges in medical science. Professor Jamie Hobbs and Dr Ashley Cadby are applying their technical expertise to help fight off the global threat of infectious disease. Their research is part of a major University of Sheffield project called Imagine: Imaging Life. The aim is to gain new insights into how cells work by applying the skills of physicists to advanced cell imaging technology for biology and medicine. By using super-resolution microscopy techniques, we can get a better understanding of how cells are structured and interact. This could revolutionise the fight against disease. imagine.group.shef.ac.uk 3
Physics and Astronomy Newsletter
Sounds Of The Cosmos PROFESSOR TEAMS UP WITH ORCHESTRA FOR INCREDIBLE SPACE SHOWCASE Music fans were sent on a journey through space when we helped create a planetarium on campus for a unique intergalactic event at the University’s Festival Of The Mind. Sounds Of The Cosmos featured astrophysics lecturer Professor Paul Crowther, who wowed audiences with his knowledge of the universe while Sheffield Rep Orchestra performed Gustav Holst’s astronomical masterpiece ‘The Planets’. Specatular visuals created by local design studio Human were projected around the Octagon Centre for an incredible immersive experience. Earlier in the day, schoolchildren were treated to a preview performance and got to see physics in action with hightech demonstrations run by some of our staff and students. festivalofthemind.group.shef.ac.uk
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Physics and Astronomy Newsletter
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Physics and Astronomy Newsletter
Your career NEW INITIATIVES TO MAKE YOU MORE EMPLOYABLE Earlier this year, we launched the £2m White Rose Industrial Physics Academy to help our students put their scientific knowledge into practice by working on projects with industry. For example, you could help develop imaging technologies with Nikon, drive innovation with the University and Boeing’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, or improve engineering processes with Tata. Working with these companies can give you lots of valuable skills and contacts to help you find your first job after graduation. This semester, the University of Sheffield is also launching Achieve More, where new physics and astronomy students will work with other science undergraduates on addressing real-world scientific problems. The module provides lots of skills employers are after, such as team working, problem solving and project management. WWW.SHEFFIELD.AC.UK/ACHIEVEMORE
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Physics and Astronomy Newsletter
We’re number one BUILDING ON OUR STUDENT EXPERIENCE SURVEY SUCCESS Our students make Sheffield an extraordinary place for you to do your degree. This year they voted us number one in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey. But they haven’t stopped there. They also helped us consolidate our place as one of the world’s top 100 universities, when the annual QS World University Rankings came out in September. As well as being one of the best in the UK, we were named as the number one university in Yorkshire. Our Students’ Union has been winning more awards too. Our students voted it the best in the UK for the third year running when the National Student Survey 2014 results were announced in the summer. WWW.SHEFFIELD.AC.UK/ABOUT
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Contact us The Department of Physics and Astronomy Hicks Building Hounsfield Road Sheffield S3 7RH United Kingdom T: 0114 222 4362 E: physics.ucas@sheffield.ac.uk W: www.sheffield.ac.uk/physics @UoSPHY