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Welcome toWelcome toThe Blackett LaboratoryThe Blackett Laboratory

Today's Business

• A Few Introductions.

• Safety Information.

• Overview of the Blackett Laboratory.

• Assorted administrative details.

• Course Structure, Options and Assessment.

• Projects – how to find out what is available.

• What to do next.

The MSc Physics Team• Course Director, Dr Julia Sedgbeer (HEP)

Room 526, j.sedgbeer@imperial.ac.uk

• Co-Director, Prof. Richard Thompson (QOLS) Room H6M02A, r.thompson@imperial.ac.uk

• Co-Director – Shock Physics, Dr Bill Proud (ISP) Room H758, w.proud@imperial.ac.uk

• Co-Director – Nanophotonics, Prof. Stefan Maier (EXSS) Room H903, s.maier@imperial.ac.uk

• Course Administrator, Dr Andrew Williamson Level 3 PG Office, Room 316 andrew.williamson@imperial.ac.uk

• Director of PG Studies, Prof. Stefan Maier

• PG Tutor, Dr Arnaud Czaja (SPAT) Room H726, a.czaja@imperial.ac.uk

Important Safety Points• In the event of an emergency, phone 4444 (internal) or

020-7589-1000 (from a mobile or land line).

• For a medical emergency, dial 4444 (internal) or

020-7589-1000 or go to the Health Centre.

• If an alarm sounds, make your way to a fire exit -

• Do not use the lifts !

• Exit building and move to an assembly point.

• Many laboratories contain Laser / Radiation / Magnetic Field / Chemical / High Voltage / Compressed Gas / Cryogenic / Vacuum etc. etc. Hazards !

Read and obey the warning signs on Lab Doors !

Safety

• Introduction – this afternoon (8/10/14)• Lab safety training – next week (15/10/14)• RAFT - risk assessment foundation training

- online course

Compulsory

LT1

Stairs to LT2 & 3

Goods inBuilding Admin

Andrew Williamson

316

About the Physics Department The Blackett Laboratory is one of Europe's largest Physics

Departments. It contains 9 major research groups.

• Research Groups Astrophysics, Condensed Matter Theory, High Energy Physics, Photonics,

Plasma Physics (including Shock Physics), Quantum Optics & Laser Science (including the Centre for Cold Matter and the Laser Consortium), Solid State Experimental, Space & Atmospheric Physics and Theoretical Physics.

• Teaching and Research Staff 130 Academics, ~130 Research Associates, 100 other staff (The vast majority of Academic staff are research active).

• Students (~ 10% of the UK Physicists) ~ 800 Undergraduates, ~120 Masters, ~200 PhD students.

Taught Courses in PhysicsBSc Physics (3 yrs)BSc Theoretical Physics (3 yrs)BSc Physics with Music Performance (4 yrs)BSc Physics with Science Education (3 yrs)Occasional students (Erasmus/Exchange) – for one year. MSci Physics (4 yrs)MSci Theoretical Physics (4 yrs)MSci Physics with a Year in Europe (4 yrs)

MSc Physics (1 yr)MSc Physics with Shock Physics (1 Yr)MSc Physics with Nanophotonics (1 Yr)MSc Physics with Extended Research (2x9 months)

MSc Optics & Photonics (1 yr) MSc Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces (1 Yr)CDT Plastic Electronics (1 + 3yr, MRes & PhD)CDT Controlled Quantum Dynamics (1 + 3yr, MRes & PhD)CDT Theory & Simulations of Materials (1 + 3yr, MSc & PhD)

Non-EU Countries

» Algeria, America» Canada, China» India, Japan» Malaysia» New Zealand» Nigeria, Oman» Russia» Singapore, South Africa» South Korea» Sierra Leone, Taiwan» Thailand, Turkey» Ukraine» Vietnam» Zambia» …………

Our Students Come From A Broad Range of Backgrounds

EU

» Austria, Bulgaria» Cyprus, Czech Republic» Finland, France» Germany, Greece» Ireland, Italy» Netherlands » Norway, Poland» Portugal, Romania» Slovenia, Spain» Sweden» UK » …………..

Where do teaching activities take place ?

Main teaching areas are on levels 0-4 Blackett:

Level 0: Lockers.Level 1: LT2, LT3, study area, pigeonholes.Level 2: Social and study areas, vending machines. Level 3: LT1, computer suite, UG and PG admin offices, notices, Andrew Williamson’s office.Level 4: Undergraduate teaching labs.Level 0-11 Research groups, staff offices, seminar rooms mechanical workshops etc.Part of Physics dept. is in Huxley - rooms denoted by ‘H’, e.g. H506Main entrances on levels 2 (to street) and 3 (to walkway).

You should receive an information pack that will include :-• Timetables for this term.• Safety booklet.• Options Selection Form.

Things to do:• Lecture course options form

- return to level 3 PG office by Friday 17th October

Assorted Administrative Jobs

Collecting Your College ID Cards

You need to attend the safety lecture at

2pm today in LT2 – a register will be kept !

Collect ID cards from Loli Sanchez

in the PG office, room 316 on level 3 Blackett

Acquiring a College login If you have not already activated your College login :

» Go to - https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ict/activateaccount/» - and follow instructions

This will give to access to :-

• College email• Library resources including many research journals and

publications - www3.imperial.ac.uk/library• Departmental website UG and PG information www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics• “Blackboard” for lecture course materials etc bb.imperial.ac.uk/

MSc Physics Course Structure(incl. with Shock, with Nanophotonics & Extended)

Component Term ECTS

Six lecture courses 1+2ACP is compulsory unless taken previouslyAt least four courses must be at level 4MSc with Shock – must take some Shock physics coursesMSc with Nanophotonics – must take some Nanophotonics courses

36

Mathematical techniques (MTM) 1 6

Self-study project (literature review) 1 6

Research Skills Training 2 6

Major research project - literature review & plan 3

6

Professional skills training N.B. Compulsory 1+2Graduate School courses, safety training, RAFT.

0

Sub total (first 9 months of MSc and Extended MSc)

60

Major research project (Extended) 3+summer (3+Year 2)

30 (60)

TOTAL (Extended)

90 (120)

MSc Physics Course StructureSix lecture courses - 26 lectures each

assessed by exams in May (except Computational Physics – exam in January)

Mathematical techniques ~24 lectures with TSM CDT students assessed problem sheets (no exam)

Self-study literature review project written report + presentation (Powerpoint) There will be a meeting about this in the next 1-2 weeks TBA. For MSc with Shock / Nanophotonics – self-study must be in a Shock / Nanophtonics topic

Research Skills Training – lab based + introductory lectures and short project

Professional skills - transferable or soft-skills courses run by College rather than the Physics Department. Choose four from Graduate School list. Must also complete the online plagiarism awareness course. Non-examinable, but attendance required

MSc Physics Course Structure cont.

Major project Assessed - research plan and literature review (June) - poster (September) - viva (including presentation) (September) - dissertation (September) MSc with Shock – project in the Institute for Shock PhysicsMSc with Nanophotonics – project in Nanophotonics group

MSc Extended – progress review (presentation + plan) in January of 2nd year replaces poster Viva & dissertation in May/June of 2nd year

Choosing Options Courses

• A broad range of options can be selected from the Physics MSci or Photonics, QFFF, Shock Physics, Plastic Electronics, CQD or TSM MSc courses (timetable allowing).

• Chose two-four options from level 4 list (including Photonics, QFFF etc MSc lecture courses) or level 3 list per term. A total of 6 are required including ACP if appropriate, with at least four at level 4. For MSc with Shock / Nanophotonics some courses are compulsory.

• We would like you to fill in an options choice form for term 1 by Friday 17th October (hand form to Andrew Williamson). Changes can still be made after that point however.

• You may want to talk to individual lecturers to get a feeling for the level of a course. Contact first by email to explain your situation and arrange a meeting / attend office hours. Also, look at syllabus, recommended text books, past exam papers.

• You can “try out” and drop a lecture course without penalty provided you fulfil the overall MSc course requirements.

• See form for list of options

Options - info Course details at

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics/courses/ug/course_lists/all_courses/

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics/students/ug

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics/students/ug/past_exam_papers

MSc and DTC courses

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics/admissions/pg/dtc

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/theoreticalphysics/postgraduatestudy/mastersdegree/courses

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/pgprospectus/facultiesanddepartments/physics/postgraduatecourses/opap

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/photonics/pg_opportunities/mres_course

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/shockphysics/trainingopportunities

Choice of Term 1 Options

• Courses start tomorrow ( Thursday 9th October)

• Try to make decisions on course selection as soon as possible

• Return options forms to Dr Williamson by the 17th October

• If in doubt, try out different courses before making decisions or arrange to talk to course lecturers.

• Note that in general each Level 3 course will clash with a Level 4 course (see options form).

• Some courses are more theoretical or mathematically demanding than others (“O” and “T” on the form).

• Take note of prerequisites and timetable clashes when choosing options.

Compulsory in term1: Maths techniques, Self study, Professional skills

Course PrerequisitesSee link under: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics/students/ug/info to ‘Prerequisites Diagram 2014-15

Registering for “Blackboard” and “RAFT”.

Blackboard. An online system which provides access to course materials, problem sheets and solutions etc.

bb.imperial.ac.uk

You may require some help from Andrew Williamson registering for access to specific courses.

RAFT. Risk Assessment Foundation Training. Online training in assessing risk, particularly in laboratory based activities. Compulsory - successful completion of this task is monitored.

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/staffdevelopment/safety/index/raft

Term 2 CoursesCompulsory courses Research Skills Training in the form of mini-projects ~10 hrs per week plus reading etc – including :-

» Numerical techniques» Computer algebra » Computer interfacing (LabVIEW, system control) » Short project

Start work on selecting a summer project and supervisor. Selected workshops from Grad.Sch. list (professional skills)

www.imperial.ac.uk/graduateschool

Optional courses Two-four options from level 4 list (including Optics and Photonics

or Quantum Fields MSc lecture courses etc) or level 3 list.

Term 3 and Summer or 2nd year Revision & Examinations on 6 lecture courses (May)

MSc Physics / Shock /Nanophotonics: 3.5 - month individual project in research group (mid-June to Mid-Sept).

MSc with Extended Research: 9 – month individual project in 2nd year

Assessment of project will be as follows

• Continuous assessment mark from the project supervisor

• Short literature review and project plan.

• Project presentation and viva early in September, or in June of 2nd year for Extended project.

• Project report submitted late September, or May/June of 2nd Year for Extended project, marked independently by two members of staff.

• MSc Physics / shock/nano: Poster session for all projects at in September

• MSc with Extended research: progress review in January of 2nd year, presentation and written project plan. Viva & dissertation in may/June of 2nd year.

MSc Physics Projects

• Three month or nine month full time research project in association with a research group.

• May be hosted at Imperial or off site (e.g. at the NPL, RAL, Culham etc.) with an additional Imperial co-supervisor.

• Spend plenty of time thinking about areas you might want to work in and visit research groups and potential supervisors in advance.

For MSc with Shock – project must be with Institute for Shock PhysicsFor MSc with Nanophotonics – project must be with Nanophotonics

Off site projects are possible

• Quantum Information Processing• Quantum Current Standard• Superconducting Devices• Nanomagnetism• Characterisation and mapping of the surface properties of

nanoparticles.• Measuring nanoparticle – nanoparticle interactions

NPL

• Development of a 10 PW OPCPA laser system.

Joint European Torus - JET

• Spectroscopic measurements of the MAST Tokamak temperature profile.

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory - RAL

Examples of previous projects ...... but you must find supervisor at the lab and at Imperial

Sources of Additional Information

Physics Student Handbook & timetable. Tutors, lecturers and Project Supervisors. Notice boards and Email (at least once a day!).

Physics Website: www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics » The Department & Info on the degree programmes» Including copies of all presentations like today’s.

Blackboard : bb.imperial.ac.uk » for all lecture course materials, e.g. problem sheets and

solutions.»

If in doubt – ask in the Student Admin Office (room 317) or contact Andrew Williamson ( room 316) or Julia Sedgbeer (room 526)

Changing MSc ?Changing between: MSc Physics / Shock / Nanophotonics / Extended

is normally allowed.

See me if you think you want to change .

You can only change to MSc with Shock if you have taken the necessary shock physics options etc. and with the agreement of Dr Bill Proud. You can only change to MSc with Nanophotonics if you have taken the necessary nanophotonics options etc. and with the agreement of Prof. Stefan Maier.

You can change at any time up to March 2015

And finally…

• The physics course here is demanding but should set you up well for your future career in research, industry, finance etc etc.

• Make the best of the opportunities provided to help you learn.

• Don’t panic if options courses or projects don’t immediately fall into place – we can fix (almost) all administrative complexities and misunderstanding .

• Imperial is a great place in a great city - enjoy yourself !

• Safety lecture today, 2:00 LT2.

• There is a welcome reception for new PG students in the level 8 common room at 3:00 today.

Any Questions ?