The Department of Physics

Welcome to the Department of Physics at the University of Strathclyde in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland, UK. There are 270 students registered for the department's undergraduate degrees with its teaching rated as excellent, while 90% of our research is of international standing.

Undergraduate study

The department offers a unified degree course leading to a BSc or MPhys in Physics, with a specialisation possible in a subject of your choice. Throughout your degree, we will help you develop the skills sought after by employers in industry, business, or academia. In 2011, the satisfaction rating for Physics students in the National Student Survey was 97%, joint top in the University.

Postgraduate study

The department offers postgraduate taught masters and research-based PhD degrees. For more information see:

See how we stack up

The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise
showed 90% of the Department's research output to be of international standing. The research power of the Department ranked 28th across UK Universities. Collectively, the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA) has more research deemed internationally excellent than Cambridge Physics.

Research

Major investment in research excellence, targeted developments of recognised strengths and successful leadership of external collaborations have fostered an innovating and dynamic physics research community. Our research is concentrated in three research divisions:

News

Prospective students - confirm your attendance at the department UCAS lunch days.
Online application for the SUPA Prize Studentships 2012 has been extended - the new deadline is 10th Feb 2012.
Professor David Birch has been appointed Editor in Chief of Measurement Science and Technology from January 2012. You can see his incoming editorial in January's open issue.
The October 2011 research newsletter is out now.
Watch the video (Windows Media) of the Faculty of Science Annual Lecture 2011, given by Professor Stefan Kuhr, entitled "The Future of Computers - Quantum Particles under the Microscope".
The brightest gamma ray beam on earth, more than a thousand billion times more brilliant than the sun, has been produced in research led at Strathclyde and could open up new possibilities for medicine.
Two Professor/Reader level posts have been created at the University of Strathclyde as part of the Scottish Centre for the Application of Plasma-based Accelerators (SCAPA) - application deadline is 31st October 2011.
Professor Gian-Luca Oppo was presented with the Occhialini Medal and Prize 2011 in recognition of his innovations in the theory and simulations of lasers and quantum optical systems
Nano Meets Spectroscopy (NMS) 2011 to be held at the National Physical Laboratory, London on September 15th and 16th 2011.
New masters courses for 2011/12 available in Nanoscience, Optical Technologies, Quantum Information and Coherence and Photonics and Device Microfabrication (Institute of Photonics) as well as the established course in High Power RF Science and Engineering.
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wolfgang Ketterle, will be giving a Public Lecture on Thursday 30th June at the University of Strathclyde, entitled When freezing cold is not cold enough – new forms of matter close to absolute zero temperature. Watch the video (Windows Media) of the lecture.
The June 2011 research newsletter is out.
Up to 10 PhD studentships are available for a prestigious 4-year postgraduate training programme with the newly established Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Accelerators, funded by the EPSRC. Application deadline is the 18th June 2011. Watch a video of Prof. Dino Jaroszynski talking about his research.
Stefan Kuhr, Professor of Quantum Information, will be giving the Faculty of Science Annual Lecture on Thurs 19 May. Entitled "The Future of Computers - Quantum Particles under the Microscope".
The February 2011 research newsletter is out.
Watch talks from the 2nd November Laserfest event held at the Glasgow Science Centre.
The October 2010 research newsletter is out.
Celebrating 50 Years of Lasers in Scotland, showcasing Scotland's laser industry.
Register to attend A National Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Laser, 2nd November 2010 at Glasgow Science Centre.
The March 2010 research newsletter is out.
SUPA strength- Strathclyde shares in £48 million physics funding. Physics research at Strathclyde is to gain a cash injection of £12 million as part of a major investment by a Scotland-wide partnership.
Marine science nets multi-million pound investment. Strathclyde is joining up with university and research institute partners in a new marine science research pool, which will be carrying out world-class research, training and knowledge exchange.
The September research newsletter is out.
Professor James Gimzewski was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. Jim is a visiting professor in the Biomolecular & Chemical Physics group at Strathclyde and a professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California in Los Angeles. Jim has pioneered the use of the scanning tunnelling microscope to image, characterise and manipulate molecules on surfaces. His insights into the fundamental properties of single molecules and his visionary experimental methods have made fundamental changes in the way chemistry at the single molecules level is perceived. His enthusiastic and innovative way in which he communicates his science has been universally recognised.
The May 2009 research newsletter is out.
The David Elder Lecture: 18 May 2009 at 6.00pm, lecture theatre K3.25, John Anderson Building, University of Strathclyde.
Cosmology could never be accused of being a modest subject, after all its primary aim is nothing less than to understand the entire universe! With the development of modern telescopes (and the occasional “good idea” along the way), progress in our understanding of the universe over the last century has been nothing short of remarkable. However, many important questions still remain unanswered. In his lecture, Chris Collins will explore the landmark discoveries of the subject and discuss such intriguing questions as what is the ultimate fate of the universe, what is it made of exactly and how did galaxies and stars form? Along the way we will learn about the big bang, dark energy and the cosmic background radiation; we will also find out why cosmology is more exciting today than it has ever been and why both the sport of boxing and winged beetles are of no help to cosmologists whatsoever!
Free tickets available From: Jean lindores or louise carbry, Tel: 0141 548 3364/3366
The March 2009 research newsletter is out.
The department will hold two physics career events. On 30 April 2009,'‘Strathclyde to Westminster and Back Again' – A talk given by Andrew Love MP, Strathclyde physics graduate, discussing his career path and current job as a Westminster MP. On 17 June 2009 Careers in Physics Event – A series of short talks by Strathclyde physics graduates about their respective career paths.
The December research newsletter is out.
RAE 2008. Results of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise showed 90% of the Department's research output to be of international standing. The research power of the Department ranked 28th across UK Universities. Collectively, the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA) has more research deemed internationally excellent than
Cambridge Physics.
The November research newsletter is out.
A Lecturer or Senior Lecturer position in Quantum Information and Quantum Optics is available.
The August Research Newsletter is out
Dr Neil Hunt's ERC grant featured in two University press releases: Physicists in million-euro molecular movie and Three million euros boost for engineering and science research.
The May research newsletter is out.
Strathclyde University Research Day: A Celebration of Strathclyde University Research takes place on 10th June in the Barony hall.
Visiting professor Robin Hochstrasser of the University of Pennsylvania has been elected Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a prestigious fellowship for scientists of great international renown and we are delighted that Robin has been honoured in this way. See also Fellow professors join Royal Society of Edinburgh
Strathclyde hosts the UK Nitrides Consortium Conference 9th-10th January 2008.
Prof Steve Barnett is giving the James Scott Prize Lecture at the Royal Society of Edinburgh on 4 February 2008. The title of his talk is: Security, Insecurity, Paranoia and Quantum Mechanics. Order ticket in advance from the RSE.
The December Research Newsletter is out (html)
Press release: "Surfing a wave to compact laser technology". 13/12/2007
PhD position (plasma division): Novel methods for leak detection in JET and ITER . (4/12/2007)
The November Research Newsletter is out (html)
SUPA networking event for all new physics students starting their PhD this term held at Strathclyde on Wednesday 3 October at 1 pm
The August Research Newsletter is out (html)
The May Research Newsletter is out (html)
New £4.6M funding for "Advances towards laser-driven ion sources" (pdf)
The April Research Newsletter is out (html)
One day meeting: Emerging trends in Nano structures & Nano Photonics
April 30th 2007, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde.
Careers for Physicists Programme: Careers Mentoring Launch. As part of the Department’s drive to further improve your career prospects we are having a Careers Mentoring launch event. It will be held on the afternoon of Wednesday 25th April, starting 1:30pm in JA 3.17. This event is for students and is by invitation only. Tickets may be obtained from Louise Carbry in JA 8.31 on production of your matriculation card. Student attendance is required and will be considered to form part of your PDP. We have a great line up of guest speakers that will help us to put you on the right track to that dream job!
Members of the International Editorial Board of Measurement Science and Technology enjoying the pre-meeting dinner at Babbity Bowsters last week.
The February Research Newsletter is out (html)
Some pictures of Prof Geoff Duxbury's retiral on 14 February
Prospective physics students and their parents are invited to our UCAS lunches & teas. The remaining dates for 2007 are: March 7th, 12-2pm / March 29th, 12-2.
One day meeting: Laser Driven Proton Oncology –
A Unique New Cancer Therapy for Scotland
March 30th 2007, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyd
The 2007 David Elder lecture on "The Origin and Future of the Universe" will be held on 7 March 2007 at 5.45pm in lecture theatre K3.25 in the John Anderson building by Prof Gerry Gilmore of the University of Cambridge. Free tickets are available from: Jean Lindores or Louise Carbry, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Telephone 0141-548-3364/3366
On 14 February 2007, the Head of the Department Prof David Birch will review the state of the department across its range of activities and give all staff and PG students the chance to ask questions.This is to be followed by a glass of wine or beer in the Common Room, and the opportunity to wish Geoff Duxbury in retirement all the very best.
The December Research Newsletter is out (html)
SUPA Prize Studentships: Applications are invited for the prestigious SUPA Prize Studentships. Closing date: 31 January 2007. Check out PhD studentship opportunities in the postgrad section of our website. More information on applying can be found on the SUPA prize studentships web page.

2012 SUPA Prize studentships

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA) is offering up to fifteen fully funded PhD studentships for outstanding students from anywhere in the world. Applicants will be registered for a PhD in physics at one of the participating Universities - including Strathclyde. An excellent training environment will be provided by the SUPA Graduate School, giving candidates access to a wide range of courses across Scotland. The deadline for applications is 10th February 2012.