Handbook panel - School of Physics and Astronomy

1000-level (first year) modules

Co-ordinators

		room	email
PH1011 Physics 1A	Dr Bruce Sinclair	221	bds2
PH1012 Physics 1B	Dr Lucy Hadfield	304	ljh11
Physics labs	Dr Cameron Rae	214	cfr
PH1013 The Physics of Sustainable Energy	Lethy Krishnan Jagadamma	285	lkj2

AS1001 Astronomy & Astrophysics 1	Prof Ian Bonnell	315	iab1
AS1101 Astrophysics 1 (direct entry)	Dr Anne-Marie Weijmans	334	amw23

Physics

The two core first-year modules PH1011 and PH1012 introduce university physics, assuming a prior knowledge and understanding of mathematics and physics at SQA Higher grade BB (or equivalent, or higher) in these subjects. They are not a first course in physics. The modules include appropriate coverage of the traditional disciplines of classical physics, but also exposure to the ideas of modern physics including quantum concepts, and to applications including laser physics. The labs give experience in experimental investigations and techniques. It is intended that the two modules should be similar in standard to that of the SQA Advanced Higher in Physics although the syllabi will not match in detail. Students may find a much greater emphasis here on how mathematical and physical relations are determined.

PH1013 The Physics of Sustainable Energy may be taken independently of PH1011 and PH1012, and assumes prior knowledge also at grade B or above at SQA Higher (or equivalent) in maths, and in physics or chemistry.

Physics 1A PH1011 (20 Credits)

This module covers the core subjects of mechanics, waves and optics, and the properties of matter. It includes lectures on Newton's laws, simple harmonic motion, the different types of wave motion, geometrical and wave optics, the nature and composition of nuclei, atoms, molecules, solids, and gases.

Physics 1B PH1012 (20 credits)

This module covers the mechanics of gravitation and rotational motion, quantum phenomena, and an introduction to lasers. The module is suitable for those who have already taken Physics 1A. It includes lectures on the origins of quantum theory, and its application to atoms and other small scale systems, dynamics and conservation laws, and the principles of lasers. The module also includes a set of group-based activities associated with the use of physics ideas to solve an interesting problem.

Students who take Physics 1A and/or Physics 1B should acquire

an understanding of the topics covered in the module.
an ability to solve problems based on the lecture material.
an ability to build mathematical models of physical systems.
an increased interest in exploring and understanding the physical world.
a competence in using some of the standard equipment in physics laboratories.
an appreciation of uncertainty analysis in experimental work.
an ability to model a real-world problem using physical concepts.
experience of working in small groups to solve technical problems.

The Physics of Sustainable Energy PH1013 (20 credits)

This module introduces some of the fundamental physics of energy sustainability, covering energy-related calculations (efficiency, losses, thermodynamic factors), fundamental understanding of low carbon energy technologies (such as solar electricity generation, thermal, wind and nuclear), their economic and environmental impact (life cycle assessment), energy storage and anticipated future developments such as sustainable buildings and sustainable transport. The course will also briefly cover energy economics (energy demand, supply, cost/benefit analysis of low carbon technologies).

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

Apply principles of physics to evaluate the efficiency limits of several low-carbon technologies and identify what kinds of renewable energy and storage is good for homes in developed vs developing countries.
Explain the fundamental physics behind several low-carbon technologies.
Compare and contrast the merits and drawbacks of renewables over fossil fuels.
Demonstrate transferrable research and presentation skills in the context of the physics of sustainability.

Physics Skills 1B PH1503 (20 credits)

This module aims to develop problem solving and communication skills that are essential for progression to more complex challenges. The module is aimed to directly support students enrolled in PH1012 and access to this module requires Head of School or Director of Teaching approval.

PH1503 will be delivered via a combination of taught material, workshop-style tutorials, practical activities and self-study assignments. Students who successfully complete the module, should

be able to manage their own learning and understand the requirements of academic integrity.
be able to critically reflect and evaluate personal progress.
develop a portfolio of work to highlight the adoption and integration of good study habits.
approach problem solving in a structured way and become confident in applying knowledge to familiar and unfamiliar problems.
foster an appreciation of the interplay between different areas of physics and independently pursue topics that are of particular interest.
be developing skills in learning from and critically evaluating textual material.
be developing skills in science communication including presenting work using written and oral media.

Astronomy & Astrophysics 1 – AS1001 (20 credits)

This module provides an elementary understanding of the structure of the observable universe and our position within it. The physical content of the universe, its structures and their mutual interactions, are explored. It is shown how the properties of planets, stars, galaxies, etc may be determined from observations coupled with theoretical models based on physical principles. The module comprises four 10-lecture courses on The Solar System, Stars and Elementary Astrophysics, The Milky Way Galaxy, and Cosmology.

By the end of this module, students will have gained

an understanding of the structure and evolution of the physical universe from the solar system, through the galaxy, to the large-scale distribution of galaxies and the origin of the universe,
an ability to calculate astrophysical properties of planets, stars and galaxies from basic physical and mathematical models and simplified data.

Astrophysics (Direct Entry) – AS1101 (5 credits)

This is a condensed version of AS1001 that is available for accelerated-entry astrophysics students before taking level two astrophysics in the following semester.

Recommended books for 1000-level Physics and Astronomy

Some books are available as e-books to registered students.

All students may wish to read Learn How to Study (3rd edition), by D Rowntree (Macdonald 1998) which provides training in study techniques.

Physics 1A and 1B PH1011 and PH1012

The recommended textbook is: Halliday and Resnick's Fundamentals of Physics, 12th Edition, Extended Edition, by J Walker.
This is available as an e-book and hard copies of various editions of the core text-book are available in the library.

Other texts that students may also wish to consult are:

Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics, R D Knight, Pearson, 2014, available as a library ebook.
Understanding Physics, 1st Edition by K Cummings, PW Laws, E F Redish, P J Cooney, Wiley, 2004.
Sears and Zemansky's University Physics by H D Young and R A Freedman (12th edition, Addison-Wesley 2008 or other edition).
Physics for Scientists and Engineers by P A Tipler and G P Mosca (6th edition, Freeman 2008).
Measurements and their Uncertainties: A Practical Guide to Modern Error Analysis by I G Hughes and T P A Hase, Oxford, 2010. This is available through the library as an ebook.
Understanding Lasers by J Hecht, (3rd Edition, IEEE Press 2008). This is additional possible reading for the lasers course, though we do not recommend purchase; there are multiple copies in the library.

The Physics of Sustainable Energy PH1013

Useful reading for PH1013 is

Energy For Sustainability, J Randolph and G M Masters, 2nd edition, Island Press, 2018 (available as a library ebook).
Energy Systems and Sustainability: Power for a Sustainable Future, B Everett, S Peake, J Warren eds, 3rd edition, Oxford 2021 (print copies available in the library).
Fundamentals of materials for energy and environmental sustainability, D S Ginley and D Cahen eds, Cambridge, 2012 (available as a library ebook).
Sustainable Energy – without the hot air, D J C MacKay, Bloomsbury/UIT Cambridge, 2008 (print copies available in the library, freely available electronic version at https://www.withouthotair.com).
Advances in Sustainable Energy, A Vasel and D S-K Ting eds, Springer, 2019 (available as a library ebook).
Renewable Energy and Sustainability, I Khan ed, Elsevier, 2022 (available as a library ebook).
Global Sustainability, Md F Hossain, Springer 2023 (available as a library ebook).

Astronomy & Astrophysics AS1001 and AS1101

The recommended books for this module are

Astronomy – a Physical Perspective by M L Kutner (CUP 2003).
Cosmic Perspective, by J O Bennett.

Both are available as an e-book via hard copy on loan in the library.

Tutorials and Workshops

Workshops and tutorials allow you to develop your problem-solving skills working with the lecture content. Some workshops and tutorials are run with a primary focus of developing specified relevant academic skills.

For Physics 1A/1B and AS1001 each student will typically attend one small-group tutorial per week. These sessions are hosted by a designated tutor and allow students to work through assigned problems and ask specific questions about the lecture material. AS1101 runs a total of four tutorials throughout the semester.

PH1011 and PH1012 workshops are whole-class sessions led by one of the module lecturers.

Practical Work

Physics

The aims of first level practical work in physics are

to allow an exploration of relevant physics,
to illustrate the subject matter covered in the lectures,
to introduce students to some of the modern equipment that is used in physics laboratories,
to teach the principles of precision and accuracy and methods of uncertainty propagation,
to teach the principles of experimental techniques and methods of analysis underlying experimental procedures.

PH1011 has nine required lab sessions during the semester (one 2½ hours session per week starting in week 2). Students will also complete a self-study Maths exercise at the start of the semester. It is anticipated that lab work covered should require less than 4-5 hours per week in total.

To make best use of lab sessions, you should use time beforehand to familiarise yourself with each activity?s material, including attempting pre-lab assignments. Time afterwards should be used for post-lab assignments, data analysis, and completing experiment records.

PH1012 students will attend ten lab sessions (one 2½ hours session per week starting in week 2), that will focus on developing experimental skills. Toward the end of semester, experimental work will focus on problem solving and group-work skills. As with PH1011, timetabled lab time is used for experimental work, and time before and after will be used for pre- and post-lab assignments.

See the course Moodle pages for a detailed description of the arrangements for laboratory related work.

Astronomy & Astrophysics

The aim of practical work is to teach the acquisition and analysis of astronomical data through simple observations, exercises, and computer simulations. Students will gain an appreciation of the physical properties of objects in the universe, e.g., planetary motions, masses and temperatures of stars, distances to stars and galaxies, and the age of the universe.

AS1001 has six lab afternoons in the semester, AS1101 has two. These laboratory sessions are 2½ hours long. AS1001 students work individually, in pairs, or in small groups at their own pace on experiments selected from a range which may cover planetary motions, radiation laws, properties of the Sun and of the stars, the distribution of stars and galaxies in space, and the expansion of the Universe. AS1101 lab sessions focus on galaxies and cosmology, and the development of programming skills.

Monitoring and Assessment

The progress of students taking each module will be monitored in different ways.

Physics 1A and Physics 1B: workshops and tutorials entail some written work, some of which is submitted for feedback, as well as a class test in the middle of the semester. Lab work be will also be submitted for assessment throughout semester. Physics 1B also includes a group project.
Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 has two class tests during the semester, intended to focus attention on material covered in recent lectures. Students will also routinely complete online-quizzes, some of which will form part of the assessment. Those taking AS1101 have a class test, a take-home exam, and online quizzes. Lab work be will also be submitted for assessment.
AS1001, PH1011, PH1012 and PH1013 all have examinations consisting of one written paper of two hours at the end of the semester. Students are required to answer all questions given in the exam papers.
Students will receive a final module grade based on a 20 point grading scale. Details of the percentage to 20-point conversion may be found later in this handbook in section "The 0?20 grading scale – pre-honours".
Note that there are additional conditions on the performance in individual elements: not meeting these requirements will normally result in a grade of 0X for the module, which means failing with no right to re-assessment.
Also for modules which have an exam, at least grade 7.0 in the exam itself is required to pass the module. Attaining less than a grade 2.0 in the final exam will normally result in a grade of 0X for the module, which means no right to re-assessment.

Overall grades for the modules are determined according to the formulae below.

PH1011	60% examination, 10% class test, 5% lecture engagement, 25% labs
	(Reassessment 100% Exam)
	Must achieve at least grade 7.0 in the laboratory work.
PH1012	50% exam, 25% labs, 15% Group Discovery Project, 10% class test
	(Reassessment 100% Exam)
	Must achieve at least grade 7.0 in the laboratory work.
PH1013	60% examination, 40% coursework
	(Re-assessment 100% Exam)
PH1503	100% continuous assessment
	Problem-solving and study skills exercises (60%), practical work (20%), poster development and presentation (20%),
	(Reassessment 60% new assignments, 40% carried through from semester)
	Must complete and submit to an adequate standard a minimum of 75% (measured by credit contribution) of the continuously assessed components of the module.
AS1001	60% examination, 15% tests, 25% practical
	(Re-assessment 100% Exam)
	Must achieve at least grade 7.0 in the laboratory work.
AS1101	50% class test, 25% practical, 15% take-home exam, 10% online quizzes
	(Reassessment 100% new class test)
	Must achieve at least grade 7.0 in the laboratory work.
	Must achieve at least grade 7.0 in the class test.

In modules that include an examination component, a student who achieves less than grade 7.0 in the exam but meets the other requirements detailed above will receive a maximum grade of 6.9.

Medals and Prizes

In AS1001, PH1011, PH1012, a medal is awarded to the student with the best performance overall in the assessment. The J F Allen Prize in Physics is awarded to the most outstanding student in PH1011 and PH1012 taken together. The Margaret Stewart Prize is awarded to the student in the module AS1001 who gains the highest grade.

Academic Alerts

The University operates a system of academic alerts, as described in the University handbook, Academic alerts.

The system is designed to help and support students to remedy any problems or issues before these lead to failing a module. Alerts will never appear on a student's permanent transcript. For more information on Academic Alerts and details on how the categories work, see the University's policy on Academic Alerts and the accompanying guidance for students.

Academic Alerts will be issued by email from the School and will tell students what is wrong, what they are required to do and what support the University can offer. Note that a "FINAL" alert will result in a student receiving grade 0X for the module with no right to a resit examination.

In all pre-honours modules in physics and astronomy, attendance at all classes (lectures, tutorials, workshops, and any specified practical work) is strongly recommended and in some cases is a requirement.

In 1000-level modules in this School, to avoid a FINAL alert, a student must:

For tutorials in PH1011, PH1012 and AS1001 attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials.
For tutorials in PH1011 and PH1012 hand in, on time, a serious attempt at the specified hand-in questions for a minimum of 75% of the tutorials.
For tutorials in AS1001 attempt the Moodle tutorial quizzes for at least 75% of tutorials.
For PH1011, PH1012 and AS1001 attend a minimum of 75% of the required laboratory sessions, and achieve a grade of at least 7.0 overall for the laboratory work.
For all Physics (PH) modules, attend a minimum of 75% of the workshops, and in the case of Physics 1B, 50% of the scheduled group-project sessions.
For all modules with examinations, achieve a grade of at least 2.0 in the final examination. This includes the case of students who fail to attend the examination without a satisfactory reason.
For AS1101 attain at least grade 7.0 in the lab work.
For AS1101 attain at least grade 2.0 in the class test.
For PH1503 submit, on time, a serious attempt at 75% of the continuous assessment.
For PH1013 attain at least a grade 7.0 in the project work.

Any justifiable reasons for absence from tutorials, workshops, labs, tests and exams should be presented by a self-certificate of absence (see University student handbook: Self-certification). In such cases students should also immediately contact the member of staff concerned to arrange how and when the missed work should be undertaken. Late justifications of missing work will be accepted only where an extension request has been granted.

Progression

Students are normally expected to gain at least grade 7.0 in all level-one modules for progression to 2000-level.

Grade 7.0 does not indicate mastery of the material, and we expect our students to be aiming for a much higher grade than this. Knowledge and skills developed and practised in first year are the foundations for second year in this School.

2000-level (second year) modules

Coordinators

		room	email
PH2011 Physics 2A	Prof Graham Turnbull	219 ?	gat
PH2012 Physics 2B	Dr Juan Varela	342	jv32
Physics labs	Dr Cameron Rae	214	cfr

AS2001 Astronomy & Astrophysics 1	Dr Martin Dominik	316A	md35
AS2101 Astrophysics 1 (direct entry)	Dr Martin Dominik	316A	md35

Physics

The two second year physics modules are intended to be suitable for those who have taken appropriate first-year physics and maths modules, and those who have taken direct entry into second year.

Physics 2A PH2011 (30 Credits) and PH2012 Physics 2B (30 credits)

PH2011 Physics 2A and PH2012 Physics 2B run semesters 1 and 2 respectively and both are required for any of the degrees taught within the School. Students taking them should acquire:

The ability to reason through scientific concepts, to relate different concepts to one another and to solve qualitative and quantitative problems in the areas covered in the courses with a toolkit of problem-solving techniques.
Laboratory skills, including the planning of experimental investigations, the use of modern test equipment, and the construction of electronic circuits.
An appreciation of the value of learning of physics as a transformative experience in terms of motivated use (using physics beyond the course e.g. in everyday situations) and expansion of perception (seeing the world through the lens of physics).

In addition, students who have taken Physics 2A should be able to:

Identify a hierarchy of physical concepts and mathematical equations pertinent to mechanics, understanding which are the most fundamental and which follow from the fundamental laws.
Embed previously acquired knowledge correctly within the more general framework of mechanics presented in the course and to be aware of the limits of applicability and connectivity of that previous knowledge and its relation to newly acquired knowledge.
Solve elementary problems in mechanics, being confident in correctly identifying concepts that are applicable to each problem and to correctly visualise and analyse the problem to allow a solution to be formulated.
Be confident in the use of vectors, their manipulation, their transformation to different coordinate systems, and to be clear about why vectors are necessary to properly understand some problems. This includes being able to visualise a problem in mechanics and then to correctly formulate the problem in vector notation to allow a solution to be arrived at. To be clear about when the reduction of a vector problem to a scalar one is possible or advantageous.
Be confident in the use of Cartesian, polar and cylindrical coordinates, transformations between them, and to recognise which might be the most appropriate system to work in or which system might facilitate better insight into a problem or provide greater ease of solution.
Apply concepts of classical mechanics to derive equations of motion for oscillatory systems.
For undamped and simple cases of damped, forced and coupled oscillations, solve the resulting equations of motion and distinguish between general and specific solutions.
Represent oscillatory motion physically, mathematical and graphically and explain the connections between these representations.
Give numerous real-world examples of oscillatory systems and be able to model these systems using different representations.
State the postulates of special relativity and use them to derive the formulas for length contraction and time dilation.
Use the Lorentz transformations to find the spacetime coordinates of events in different reference frames.
Draw and interpret spacetime diagrams.
Derive and apply the relativistic velocity addition formula.
Be familiar with the twin paradox and explain how it is resolved.
Understand the distinction between the transverse and the longitudinal relativistic Doppler effects, and use them to find the frequency shifts caused by special relativity.
State the zeroth, first and second laws of thermodynamics, explain their physical meaning and relate them to the thermodynamic identity.
Solve problems involving thermal expansion, heat capacity and the transport of energy by heating in terms of the thermal properties of materials.
Appreciate the differences between reversible and irreversible processes.
State the ideal gas law and equipartition theorem and apply them to a variety of different thermodynamic problems.
Distinguish between the concepts of heat and work and perform and explain basic calculations for these quantities for ideal gases under various conditions.
Describe the essential assumptions and conclusions of the kinetic theory of ideal gases and apply these to problems involving ideal gases, including the Maxwell-Boltzmann speed distribution and its behaviour.
Describe the difference between a macrostate and a microstate of a system and explain the links between multiplicity and the likelihood of a macrostate.
State the thermodynamic and statistical definitions of entropy and explain the link between them, and relate changes in entropy to the reversibility of a process.
Explain selected thermodynamic cycles, including the Carnot cycle and state an expression for the Carnot efficiency and the link between entropy and heat engines and refrigerators.
Write and use computer programs to run simple experiments using microcontrollers.

In addition, students who have taken Physics 2B should be able to:

Represent transverse and longitudinal waves and waves in one, two and three dimensions physically, mathematically and graphically and explain the connections between these representations.
Explain similarities and differences between different types of mechanical waves, and between mechanical and electromagnetic waves.
Use the concepts of wave interference, energy transport and the behaviour at boundaries to calculate wave properties.
Compare and contrast classical and quantum descriptions of light and matter, give examples where one description or the other is valid, and summarise experimental evidence that support the use of either description.
Solve the Schrödinger equation for simple 1-D systems, and use these wave functions to calculate expectation values and measurement probabilities for observables such as energy, position and momentum.
State Coulomb's Law and the Biot-Savart Law, Faraday's Law and Lenz's Law, the definitions of electric field, electric potential, capacitance, and inductance.
Be able to use the above laws and definitions along with other physics and maths concepts to be able to model and solve a range of examples in electrostatics, magnetostatics, and electromagnetic induction.
Be able to use the above ideas to justify aspects of DC circuit theory and apply this to solving simple electrical circuit problems.
Be able to use the above definitions and laws to justify Gauss' Law and Ampere's Law, and use these two laws on a range of electrostatic and magnetostatic examples.
Qualitatively describe how relativity and electrostatics can be brought together to explain electromagnetism.
State descriptions of paramagnetism, diamagnetism, and ferromagnetism.
Appreciate how the concepts in the electricity and magnetism course may be applied to particle accelerators, fusion tokamaks, atom traps, optical tweezers, modern electronics, and electrical engineering.
State concepts of pn-junctions, design circuits using AC circuit theory, build and investigate electronic circuits.

Astronomy & Astrophysics 2 AS2001 (30 credits)

This module is designed to complement and extend the knowledge gained in the first level module in Astronomy and Astrophysics, and to prepare the way for the more advanced topics encountered in a study of the subject at honours level. Lectures are based on the principles of physics together with mathematical techniques acquired earlier. It is intended that students should gain:

a strengthening of the skills learned in AS1001/1101 and level 1000 physics and mathematics modules,
a deeper understanding of the structure and evolution of stars, the design of telescopes and instruments for astronomical observations over the entire electromagnetic spectrum, the dynamical interactions of stars in the Galaxy, and exoplanetary science.
a greater ability to analyse astronomical data, using the Python language and other computer packages.

Astrophysics 2 AS2101 (15 credits)

This is as AS2001, but without the observational techniques lectures and the labs. This is normally taken only by accelerated entry students who are aiming for an astronomy degree. It can also be taken by a continuing student who is more interested in theoretical aspects of astronomy and who, having already taken AS1001, is keen to take an additional level-two 15-credit maths module in S2.

Entry Requirements

For entry to either of the second-level modules in Physics, it is normally necessary to have one of the following sets of qualifications:

Passes in the first level modules: PH1011, PH1012 and MT1002.
Passes in Advanced Higher/A-Level (or equivalent) Physics and Mathematics, both normally at grade A.

Note: these grade requirements are naturally consistent with those required for accelerated (direct) entry to second level. However, they may also be satisfied by a student who is not entering directly into second level, but wishes to take one or both of the level two physics modules in their first year of study. This possibility may be of interest to students taking certain joint-honours degrees for which the possibility of direct entry to second level does not arise.

For entry to the second level modules in Astrophysics, the entry requirements are as for second-level physics, plus the requirement to have passed one of the first-level astrophysics modules AS1001 or AS1101.

Recommended Books for 2000-level Physics and Astronomy

Online Book Lists & Access to e-books
The booklists for AS and PH modules are available at: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/, https://readinglists.st-andrews.ac.uk/leganto/nui/lists

The core Physics text is: Halliday and Resnick's Fundamentals of Physics, 12th Edition, Extended Edition, by J Walker.
Hard copies and e-book access is available through the University library.

There are additional books that are recommended for consultation.

Additional texts (available in the library) are:

Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics by R D Knight, Pearson, 2014 e-book.
Understanding Physics, 1st Edition by K Cummings, PW Laws, E F Redish, P J Cooney, Wiley, 2004.
Sears and Zemansky's University Physics by H D Young and R A Freedman (12th edition, Addison-Wesley 2008 or other edition).
Physics for Scientists and Engineers by P A Tipler and G P Mosca (6th edition, Freeman 2008).

These all provide wide coverage of the lecture courses, examples of how physics is applied in realistic situations, and many problems together with hints for solving them. However, neither these nor Halliday, Resnick and Walker go as deep into the topics as do some of the courses within our modules. We recommend the following additional books, but do not expect students to purchase them. There are multiple copies in the library.

Physics 2A
Mechanics – An Introduction to Mechanics, D Kleppner and R Kolenkow, CUP.
Special Relativity – Basic Concepts in Relativity and Early Quantum Theory, R Resnick and D Halliday, (Macmillan, 1992); Nonclassical Physics: Beyond Newton's View, Randy Harris (Addison Wesley Longman, CA, 1999); Relativity Visualised, Lewis Carroll Epstein (Insight Press, CA, 1985).
Thermal Physics – An Introduction to Thermal Physics, D V Schroeder (Pearson, 2004)

Physics 2B
Quantum Mechanics – Basic Concepts in Relativity and Early Quantum Theory, R Resnick and D Halliday, (Macmillan, 1992); Quantum Mechanics: A Paradigms Approach, D H McIntyre et al (Oregon State University, 2012); Quantum Mechanics, A.I.M. Rae (fifth edition, 2007, Chapman and Hall) - also available as an e-book; The meaning of quantum theory: a guide for students of chemistry and physics, J E Baggott (2004).

Physics 2A and 2B
Useful reading for the labs is Measurements and their Uncertainties: A Practical Guide to Modern Error Analysis by I G Hughes and T P A Hase, Oxford (2010); available as an e-book via the library.

Astronomy and Astrophysics 2
Recommended books for Astronomy & Astrophysics 2 include Astronomy, a Physical Perspective by M L Kutner (available as an e-book) and An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics (second edition) by B W Carroll and D A Ostlie.

Additional reading accessible from e-books includes:
For the exoplanets course: Methods of Detecting Exoplanets by V Bozza, L Mancini, and A Sozzetti (eds), Springer (2016)
For the observational techniques course: To Measure the Sky: An introduction to Observational Astronomy, by F R Chromey, CUP.

Tutorials and Workshops

For Physics 2A/2B and AS2001 each student will typically attend one small group tutorial per week. These sessions are hosted by a designated tutor and allow students to work through tutorial problems and ask specific questions about the lecture material.

Students enrolled on Physics 2A and 2B will attend one workshop (problem solving class) each week.

Practical Work

For the Physics 2A and 2B modules students attend one afternoon session of 2½ hours (15:00 – 17:30) per week of practical work.

The aims of the second level practical work in physics are to build on previously acquired experimental skills while at the same time provide the opportunity for students to:

work toward desired experimental outcomes but with greater freedom to explore the relevant topic;
broaden competences in the use of various forms of experimental and diagnostic instrumentation;
explore subject matter covered in lectures and, particularly in electronics, new material;
develop skills in scientific writing.

Prior to the start of a practical you should familiarise yourself with the upcoming work and complete any pre-lab questions. Between lab afternoons you should complete any assignments, keep your data analysis and interpretation up-to-date, and prepare for upcoming work. We expect students to typically spend 7.5 hours per week on laboratory work.

At the start of 1st Semester (Physics 2A), the programme is slightly different for returning students and direct entry students, as direct entry students cover some of the lab skills development that has already been explored by our returning students, to gain a similar skill set and understanding of our expectations. In 2nd Semester (Physics 2B) all students will attempt the same programme of work. There is a choice of a physics experiments, followed by work in electronics and lab-related Python programming, and a scientific writing exercise. The module also includes an opportunity to see some of our research laboratories and relate the skills being developed in the teaching laboratory to those practiced by the experimental physics researcher.

For Astronomy & Astrophysics AS2001 students also attend one astronomy laboratory sessions (15:00 – 17:.30) per week.

The aims of practical work in Astronomy & Astrophysics 2 are:

to develop confidence in working with and interpreting astronomical data,
to build programming skills and apply them to the analysis of astronomical data.

In all second level modules where practical assignments are to be handed in for marking according to a specified timetable, penalties will be applied for lateness up to and including the loss of all marks in particularly serious cases. Please see later in this handbook under coursework penalties.

Mathematics revision

A good grasp of mathematics and its application to physics is essential for all students of physics and astrophysics.
During both the Physics 2A and Physics 2B modules, students will have complete online maths revision quizzes to encourage revision and practice of mathematical techniques which they have learned previously. These quizzes are supported by pre-recorded revision lectures, and will contribute 5% of the module mark.

There is additional maths support material particularly aimed at preparing students for second year maths modules available on a self-enrolment Moodle course: https://moody.st-andrews.ac.uk/moodle/course/view.php?id=18645 .

Monitoring and Assessment

Student progress is monitored in different ways. For PH2011 and PH2012 the weekly tutorials will entail submission of written work for marking and feedback, and there will be a class test at about halfway through the semester. Both AS2001 and AS2101 have two tests during the semester, intended to focus attention on material covered in recent lectures. Laboratory work will be submitted for assessment for Physics 2 and Astronomy 2.

The examination for each module consists of one written paper at the end of the semester, of 2 hours for PH2011, PH2012, AS2001 and 1.5 hours for AS2101. The Physics 2A and Astronomy examination papers will include material and techniques that should be familiar to students from the module's work as well as some new problems (but nothing that you do not have the tools to address!). The exam structure follows the information in the document at Student exam guidance. There will be no choice of questions within these papers.

Re-assessment (resit) exams are possible only for those who gain less than grade 7.0 but more than 4.0 in the module, have met any minimum requirements on individual components of the assessment and who have not been given a FINAL Academic Alert. Reassesment grades will be capped at a grade 7.0.

Details of the 20-point grading scale used in 1000- and 2000-level Physics and Astronomy modules may be found later in this handbook on page.
Overall grades for the modules are determined according to the formulae below.

Note that there are additional conditions on the performance in individual elements: not meeting these requirements will normally result in a grade of 0X for the module, which means failing with no right to re-assessment.

Note also that in modules which have an exam, at least grade 7.0 in the exam itself is required to pass the module. Attaining less than a grade 2.0 in the final exam will normally result in a grade of 0X for the module, which means no right to re-assessment.

PH2011 & PH2012	60% examination, 10% class test, 25% labs, 5% online quizzes
	(Reassessment 100% Exam)
	Must achieve at least grade 7.0 in the laboratory work.
AS2001	60% examination, 15% class tests, 25% labs
	(Re-assessment 100% Exam)
	Must achieve at least grade 7.0 in the laboratory work.
AS2101	80% exam, 20% continuous assessment (class tests)
	(Reassessment 100% exam)
	Must achieve at least grade 2.0 in examination.

In modules that have both examination and continuously assessed components, a student who achieves less than grade 7.0 in the exam but meets the other requirements detailed above will receive an overall grade for the module which is determined by the formulae above but subject to a maximum grade 6.9.

Medals and Prizes

A medal is awarded in PH2011, PH2012, and AS2001/2101 to the student who gains the highest grade. The J F Allen Prize is awarded to the most outstanding student (the highest mean module grade) in PH2011 and PH2012 taken together.

Academic Alerts

The University operates a system of academic alerts, as described in the University handbook, Academic alerts.

The aim of the Alert system is to help students by flagging up problems before they seriously affect students' grades. Academic Alerts will be issued by email and will tell students what is wrong, what they are required to do and what support the University can offer. If students do not take the action required they will get another Alert, and eventually may automatically get a grade of zero and fail that module.
The system is designed to help and support students to remedy any problems or issues before these lead to failing a module. Alerts will never appear on a student’s permanent transcript. For more information on Academic Alerts and details on how the categories work, see the University's policy on Academic Alerts and the accompanying guidance for students.

Note that a "FINAL" alert will result in a student receiving grade 0X for the module with no right to a resit examination. This can have serious consequences for their university study.

In 2000-level modules in this School, to avoid receiving a FINAL alert, a student must:

For AS2001 and AS2101 attend a minimum of 75% of the tutorials.
For PH2011 and PH2012 attend, at least 7 of the weekly tutorials in the module.
For PH2011 and PH2012 tutorials submit on time the self-reporting form, and a serious attempt at the specified questions, for at least 7 of the weekly tutorials.
For PH2011 and PH2012, attend a minimum of 75% of the workshops.
For PH2011, PH2012 and AS2001 attend a minimum of 75% of scheduled laboratory classes associated with the module.
For PH2011, PH2012 and AS2001, achieve a grade of at least 7.0 overall for the laboratory work.
For all modules, achieve a grade of at least 2.0 in the final examination. (This includes the case of students who fail to attend the examination without a satisfactory reason.)

Academic Session

The dates for the session, including examination periods, are published on the University's webpages on semester dates.

Orientation Week is an integral part of the University semester, and students are expected to devote some time in this period to their studies. Many classes will run on the Thursday and Friday of Orientation Week.

Independent Learning Week (week 6 of semester 1 and week 10 of semester 2) has no scheduled classes, and is an opportunity to consolidate your studies and prepare for the remaining teaching period. Work may also be set to be completed over that week.

Students are expected to be available for the entire examination period.

Student Work

Physics and astronomy, in common with most other worthwhile learning, needs study, practice, reflection, and further work for a student to come to terms with the material and gain the ability to use it (and to pass exams). There is a good deal of support available for learning here in terms of staff time, fellow students, online and paper-based resources, libraries and IT suites, teaching labs and lecture rooms, but it is up to every student to organise themselves to do what is necessary for their own learning.

Keeping Up

Most courses build concepts on top prior learning and so it is essential to keep up with the work covered. Lectures should be about listening, understanding, asking questions if necessary, and making notes on what is happening. They should not deteriorate into a mere copying exercise! For that to be the case, you will need to be comfortable with the topics in one lecture before the next one occurs. At the end of each day of lectures, it is important to read over notes, add additional comments while ideas are still fresh in your mind, and sort out any difficulties you may have. Reading a textbook, discussing with a friend, or asking your tutor or lecturer can all help. As well as preparing you for the next lecture, this is likely to have the added benefit of aiding your memory of the topic for the end-of-module exams.

Please bear in mind that just covering material in previous study does not mean you may be as familiar with the ins and outs of the material as what is required here. Here we are as much interested in where physical and mathematical relationships come from as in being able to use them. By understanding the ideas (and limitations) on which a relationship is built, we are better placed to know how and when to use it.

Practice

In a subject such as ours, memorising facts is not enough (though it is still important). We aim to develop an understanding of the subject, and how it can be applied. To help in this, we encourage you to try appropriate questions and problems. Questions in the tutorial sheets and labs should help you practise your physics in the same way that any other skill has to be practised to improve it. Where you find difficulties, look again at the lectures and your notes, textbooks, or discuss with friends and tutors. Bring questions and queries to tutorials for discussion that is what tutorials are provided for! If there are not enough questions on the tutorial sheets, then there are many more relevant questions in your course textbook.

We aim to teach our students to understand physics and astronomy, not just to pass exams. However, we realise that examination results are important, and it is useful to practice past exam questions. Students may access past papers through MySaint. Example past exam solutions are available via the School's webpage.

Responsibility

We hope you are here because you have an interest in physics and astronomy. There are many attractions to life as a student, but a sensible balance between study and recreation must be found. To be a successful physicist or astronomer (even for those doing only one module) you will need to think about the science and practice in applying it to different situations.

Time Allocation

In addition to attending scheduled classes, students are expected to consolidate their knowledge through independent study. The QAA specifies that each unit of credit should correspond to 10 hours of study time for the average student at that level. This corresponds to a time commitment of around 40 hours per week for students taking the normal 120 credits per year. This means that the average student in the 20-credit 1000-level modules in the School should be allocating about 13 hours a week to each module, and in the 30-credit 2000-level modules about 20 hours a week.

Forty hours a week of study should allow time for students to undertake other activities. While we realise that some students may wish to take paid employment, we suggest that during semester time where possible this should not be so many hours that it impacts significantly on your abilities to study.

Self-directed Study

One of the aims of our teaching programme is "To develop the ability to be a self-directed learner, including fostering a healthy intellectual curiosity in this and other disciplines, and the ability to determine one’s own learning needs and to organise one’s own learning". Students are expected to use information in the library and online to help their studies, as well as discussing physics with other students and with staff.

The School encourages students to form groups that can meet on a regular basis to discuss the material being covered. The School also strongly encourages students to approach lecturers and tutors to help with problems that cannot be solved through independent study.

Advisers of Studies

Your Adviser of Studies can provide guidance on academic matters which may arise during the year. They provide guidance at the start of the session on selection of modules etc. Any subsequent change in module registration can only be done in consultation with your adviser and needs be completed within the first week from the start of term. Changes thereafter require approval of the Associate Dean. Should you wish to see your adviser and they are not available, the School's Director of Teaching may be able to assist with some queries.

External References

The School's degree programmes are designed with reference to the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement and the UK Institute of Physics specification of "The Physics Degree".

The School's teaching and assessment is monitored by external examiners. These are experienced academics from other physics departments. They are consulted on significant changes to the teaching programme, and they attend module boards to monitor fairness in the assessment process and to ensure that academic standards at St Andrews are at an appropriate level compared with other UK physics and astronomy departments.

Student-Staff Council and School President

The Student-Staff Council (SSC) has representatives for students in each level of study and members of staff. Its primary purpose is to serve as a forum for the discussion of academic issues, but it also oversees some of the social facilities available in the building and some student activities. The SSC normally meets twice per semester. Meeting minutes may be accessed from the School's Student Staff Council webpage.

The SSC is chaired by the elected School Student President. For 2025-26 the School President is Ellie Shaw and may be contacted by email at physicspresident@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Student representatives are elected by the student cohort and normally hold office for the whole academic year. Representatives discuss teaching matters with the Module/Year Co-ordinator, and report to SSC. Students are encouraged to discuss any issues directly with the relevant module coordinators or other members of teaching staff, but may also raise concerns or comments directly with their class reps or the School President.

The Vacation Awards Committee awards grants to students studying in the School who wish to pursue worthwhile projects during the Summer vacation. The Social Committee is responsible for the organisation of some social events which may take place during the year.

Examinations

Most modules involve an exam at the end of the semester. All exams for 1000- and 2000-level AS and PH modules will be in-person invigilated exams. The School's exam papers normally have no choice of questions.

Exams may be scheduled close together, and so work to be on top of the entire semester's material well before the exam weeks start.

Before sitting examinations, all students must ensure that they have read and fully understand the University's Examinations policy.

Exam papers are checked by School staff, and by our external examiners. An exam question that aims to assess student competence in parts of the relevant module will also likely require familiarity and competence with material from previous study. Questions in an exam may require competence with material from different parts of the module. There is no suggestion that in one module exam the questions should be uniformly distributed from across the module. Please see additional information on exams on the School's webpage.

Via the School's Current students webpage you can find for most current modules one past examination paper and one sample solution. The University's MySaint portal gives access to the last few years of exam papers.

Deferred examinations

Deferral of an assessment refers to taking it after the end of the corresponding semester. This is not a right and permission will be granted only when the School judges that genuine and compelling grounds for deferral exist.

Requests for deferred exams in Physics and Astronomy should be directed to the School's Director of Teaching at physdot@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Please also copy in the School's Examinations Officer at panda-exams@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Deferred exams will have the same format as the original exam.

For semester 1 exams, deferrals will take place in the semester 2 exam diet, or immediately after the semester 2 exam diet in the "extended exam diet".

For semester 2 exams, deferrals will take place in the "extended exam diet".

Dates for the exam diets may be found in the University's Key Dates for Students. These exams are organised by the University's Exams Office.

If you are permitted to defer an exam, then you will be expected to be available in St Andrews at the time the deferred exam is scheduled, and to make suitable travel arrangements where necessary. You are advised to check your email regularly to ensure that you do not miss the deferred exam.

Deferrals beyond the academic year will only be granted in truly exceptional circumstances and requires approval from the Deans. The School will refer the student to Student Services, the Registry Officer (Student Support), or the appropriate Associate Dean Students (UG students) or Associate Provost Students (PGT students). Please note that deferral beyond the academic year can have significant implications for progression and may require a leave of absence.

Re-assessment exams

If you receive a Grade between 4.0 and 6.9 (inclusive) on a module, then you have failed but are eligible for reassessment.

Re-assessment exams for semester 1 modules will take place in the extended exam diet (after the semester 2 exam diet) and will be in-person invigilated exams.

Re-assessment exams for semester 2 modules will be online exams, held in the University's online August exam diet.

All reassessment grades will be capped at grade 7.0.

Absence, special circumstances and extensions

If you find that special circumstances are affecting your studies, you should alert the School's Director of Teaching as soon as possible. You can do this directly, or through Student Services (theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk) or the School's Wellbeing Officers (panda_wellbeing@st-andrews.ac.uk). Please get in touch at the first sign of difficulties.

If, for any reason, you are unable to engage with part of a module, you should complete as soon as possible a Self-Certificate online. (See the University Student Handbook: Self-certification.)

Any illness or special circumstance that affects assessed work or compulsory activity (for example tutorial, lab work, class test) must be noted. If you are absent from a small-group teaching session please also inform the tutor or lab head in advance if possible. If you miss assessed work or a compulsory activity you should contact the module coordinator to determine what you should do to try to fill the learning or assessment objectives. You should be aware of and act upon the University's Academic alerts policy.

If you wish to request an extension for a piece of assessed (for credit) coursework, you should use the School's online extension request form. Note that this form is specific to Physics and Astronomy: if you wish to request an extension for a module in another school, then please use the form for that school. Extensions should always be requested in advance of the deadline, save in truly exceptional circumstances. Please see the University's policy on Extenuating circumstances for guidance on what does (and does not!) constitute an extenuating circumstance.

Absence from exams, which is a serious matter, due to illness or any other unavoidable reason should be reported by contacting the School and submitting a self-certificate as soon as possible. Ideally this should be completed before the exam time, and no later than three days after the exam. See the section on deferred exams in this handbook.

In some cases, for example of longer-term illness, the appropriate mechanism to assist the student is a leave of absence. See the University's student handbook: Leave of absence. This should be discussed with an adviser at Student Services, though the School's Director of Teaching can give some advice on the process and implications. See also the University’s policy on Leave of Absence, Re-engagement and Withdrawal.

The 0-20 grading scale – Pre-honours Physics and Astronomy

The University uses a 20-point Common Reporting Scale for module grades. The minimum grade for which credits for the modules are awarded is 7.0.

Please note that a grade of 7.0 is not regarded as a "good" grade, and a set of grade sevens at honours level may not result in a student being awarded an honours degree.

In the School of Physics and Astronomy, normal practice is to assess submitted work (e.g., exam scripts) in terms of percentage marks. The module percentage mark is then calculated and converted to a grade by a mapping procedure.

The School uses mark-to-grade conversion scales that are piecewise linear and (obviously) monotonic increasing for all 1000 and 2000 level modules (there is a different conversion scale for honours level modules) offered by the School of Physics and Astronomy.

The table below indicates key points on the scale.

Mark (%)	Grade
0	0
50	7
60	13
70	17
97	20
100	20

This percentage to grade mapping for 1000- and 2000-level physics and astronomy is shown in a different (and approximate) format as follows:

%	Grade	Comment	%	Grade	Comment
10	1.4		60	13.0
15	2.1		61	13.4
16	2.2		62	13.8
17	2.4		63	14.2
18	2.5		64	14.6
19	2.7		65	15.0	2000-level mean grades required
20	2.8		66	15.4	for MPhys Honours entry
21	2.9		67	15.8
22	3.1		68	16.2
23	3.2		69	16.6	Deans' List threshold
24	3.4		70	17.0
25	3.5		71	17.1
26	3.6		72	17.2
27	3.8		73	17.3
28	3.9		74	17.4
29	4.1	Minimum for resit	75	17.6
30	4.2		76	17.7
31	4.3		77	17.8
32	4.5		78	17.9
33	4.6		79	18.0
34	4.8		80	18.1
35	4.9		81	18.2
36	5.0		82	18.3
37	5.2		83	18.4
38	5.3		84	18.6
39	5.5		85	18.7
40	5.6		86	18.8
41	5.7		87	18.9
42	5.9		88	19.0
43	6.0		89	19.1
44	6.2		90	19.2
45	6.3		91	19.3
46	6.4		92	19.4
47	6.6		93	19.6
48	6.7		94	19.7
49	6.9		95	19.8
50	7.0	Minimum for credit	96	19.9
51	7.6		97	20.0
52	8.2		98	20.0
53	8.8		99	20.0
54	9.4		100	20.0
55	10.0
56	10.6
57	11.2
58	11.8
59	12.4

Deans' List

The University has an annual award for academic excellence, promoted by the Deans of the University.

Details can be found in the University Student Handbook: Deans' List award.

Progression to Honours Physics and Astronomy

More details are given in Appendix D of this handbook, but in general terms, those wishing to join the physics or astronomy honours programmes normally need to pass specified 2000-level modules for entry to BSc Honours, or achieve 15 or better in specified 2000-level modules for entry to MPhys Honours. Astrophysicists need to do likewise in second year astrophysics.

Full details on programme requirements are available on the University website.

Good academic practice, and academic misconduct

Academic integrity is fundamental to the values promoted by the University. Details of this can be found in the Student Handbook on good academic practice. All students must exhibit good academic practice and should familiarise themselves with the University's policy on good academic practice and its guidance on the policy.

"Not knowing" the regulations is not an acceptable excuse for academic misconduct. The University takes academic misconduct offences extremely seriously, and penalties even for first offences can be severe.

Penalties for late submission and word/space limits

In those cases where work requires to be handed in for marking, a deadline will be defined in advance and one of a defined range of penalties will be applied for late submission, as per the University policy on coursework penalties.

If no specific penalty is noted, the School will default to penalty scheme A in the University policy. Please contact the member of staff concerned if you are unclear about the penalties associated with the late submission of any piece of assessed work.

Where word or page limits apply to a piece of work to be submitted, any penalties for not satisfying the criteria will be published to students in advance. If no specific penalty is noted, then the "default" penalty for this School is penalty scheme A in the University policy.

For laboratory work in PH1011/2, PH2011/2 and Astrophysics AS2001 marks will be deducted under a modified version of Scheme B in the University policy. Scheme B will apply as written except in the cases of a paper submission being due, or already overdue, for submission at 17:00 on a Friday.
Where such a piece of work is submitted on the subsequent Monday before 10:00 (Physics 2 and Astro 2) or 12:00 (Physics 1) a 10% penalty (in addition to any penalties accrued before 17:00 on Friday) will be applied; this being largely consistent with a missed deadline on any other weekday.
Submission after those times on the Monday will result in the application of the full penalty applicable under Scheme B, inclusive of Saturday and Sunday, i.e. 45% in addition to any penalties incurred before 17:00 on the Friday and subsequent to 17:00 on the Monday.

For the case of laboratory work in AS1001 and AS1101, lab work must be submitted by the advertised date. Marks will be deducted under a modified version of Scheme B of the University's policy on late submission of work, where a valid explanation for failing to submit on time is not forthcoming. Scheme B will apply except in the cases of a paper submission being due, or already overdue, for submission at 17:30 on a Friday. Where such a piece of work is submitted on the subsequent Monday before 09:30 there will be a 10% penalty, a 15% penalty for work submitted up until 17:30, and so on, on top of any penalty already gained by the Friday afternoon.

Proof reading

The University has a policy on proof reading for language correction.

Unless forbidden in the assignment instructions, our School permits the use of proof reading for language correction under the conditions of this policy. Please note that there is a major difference between proof reading for language correction at sentence-level and wholesale restructuring of written work or "ghost writing". The latter two may lead to hearings under the University's Good Academic Practice policy.

Feedback, and access to examination scripts

See University Student Handbook: Feedback on assessed work. You should be able to receive feedback on any piece of work that you are asked to submit. Part of the learning process is reflecting on this feedback and making note of what aspects of your work process you wish to repeat in future assignments, and what improvements you should strive for in the future. If you are not clear from any written or oral comments what are the issues involved, please discuss this with the person who marked the work, or with the relevant module coordinator. Work submitted for tutorials may be discussed in the relevant tutorial. Generic feedback to students after an exam is usually posted on Moodle.

Students may see their examination scripts after the assessment process has been completed. Students wishing to do this should contact their module coordinator in the first instance.

Appeals and complaints

The University is committed to ensuring as high a quality student experience as possible while studying at St Andrews. Occasionally things may go wrong and if you are experiencing a difficulty, or are dissatisfied with your academic experience, you should raise concerns as soon as possible. See the University Student Handbook: Academic appeals and complaints.

For possible academic appeals involving this School you are invited to discuss the matter informally with relevant staff in the School first.

If there are extenuating personal circumstances that may affect your academic performance or impact on your progression you must bring these to the attention of an appropriate member of staff (for example your Adviser of Studies, module coordinator or the appropriate Associate Dean) as soon as possible and normally prior to completing any assessment. If you base a subsequent academic appeal on such extenuating personal circumstances, you will be required to provide valid reasons to explain why you failed to notify the examiners or other relevant persons of these circumstances prior to completing the assessment.

Within the School of Physics and Astronomy, any complaint or appeal should be addressed (after any informal approach has been tried) to the Director of Teaching or, if the Director of Teaching has already been involved, to the Head of School. Academic issues which could be the subject of an appeal or complaint include the effects of extenuating personal circumstances materially affecting academic performance of which the University was not aware when the academic decision was taken, and which could not reasonably have been disclosed by the student, and the improper conduct of an assessment that has material impacted on the results awarded.

The Students' Association employs Iain Cupples, the Student Advocate (Education), whose job it is to ensure that you receive help with writing and submitting a submission. Iain can also accompany you to any hearing. He should be your first point of contact as soon as you feel you need help.
https://www.yourunion.net/support/student-advocacy-and-advice/

www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/rules/appeals/policy/

Teaching sessions

Lectures

Please make sure that you keep up to date with your studies, and aim to digest all the material from your lectures before each tutorial.

To get the most out of a lecture you should make your participation active. Take notes, consider how the material relates to previous study, note remaining questions you have, and prepare a summary in your own words of the main things you have learned from the lectures.

Active participation will be hugely beneficial to you. Our subject is so much more than a pile of facts to be memorised. Look for the underlying ideas. See how particular techniques can be used in different situations. Ask yourself what approximations have been made, and why these are (or are not) justified in different situations. Aim not just to be able to reproduce what you saw in this derivation or problem, but to be able to work out related but different derivations or problems on your own.

Think carefully about how best to structure your studies: it's a good idea to set time aside for serious study with each lecture. Ensure that each week you're up to date with reviewing notes, making summaries, tackling tutorial questions, and asking questions. In many lecture-based modules you will also do significant reading around the subject.

If you are having any issues (be they work or personal) which are affecting your studies on a module, please contact the module coordinator, the School's Student Wellbeing Officers, or Student Services to let them know so that they can assist.

Tutorials

Tutorials feature in many modules. For tutorials you should

Consider beforehand the material covered up to that time in the module and work out what queries you may wish to bring to the discussions.
Attempt all tutorial work that is scheduled to have been done by that session and consider what aspects of that you would like to discuss.

Laboratories

Prepare for the activity as requested, engage actively, be willing to ask questions where you have them, and aim to understand the broader learning goals not "just" how to do this particular thing that you are doing at that time.

Physics Base

Physics Base is a drop-in help session providing peer-assisted learning support for students that was initiated by the 2023/24 Physics School President. Support is provided by fellow undergraduates at levels 3 and above, with staff members available also.

Sub-honours students taking 1000-level or 2000-level physics modules (PH1011, PH1012, PH2011, PH2012) can come to Physics Base to get help on any non-assessed work. No booking is required and everyone is welcome.

Sessions take place in all teaching weeks of the semester, and are planned to run Fridays at 1–2 pm in room 230 in Physics.

J F Allen library

The J F Allen library is located in the Physics and Astronomy building and contains hard copies of relevant books. Some books are also available as e-books.

If you have suggestions for additional physics and astronomy books that you think should be in the Library, please email morebooks@st-andrews.ac.uk.

The Library's online reading list service enables you to find and access books, journal articles, and other resources you are expected to use for your module. By clicking links in online reading lists you can find the location and availability of books in the Library and get access to online resources. By logging in you can use the features which allow you to record what resources you've used, plan ahead, and create personal study notes. You can also export citations to Endnote from reading lists.

The Library subscribes to a large number of journals, most of which are available electronically. There are printer/photocopier/scanners in the Library, operated by your matriculation card. You can make payments to your account online.

To find out if your module has a reading list check the module in MMS or Moodle, or check on the Library website via the link to Reading Lists on their main page.

Online resources and information about books available can be searched from the Library's Physics and Astronomy webpage.

Main Library staff can offer assistance by email, phone or chat (contact details).

Vicki Cormie (vhc1@st-andrews.ac.uk) is the Academic Liaison Librarian for Physics and Astronomy and is happy to be contacted for any help in using the Library resources.

Work spaces

The J F Allen library is one space in the building in which students may study; this it is intended to be a quiet area. Please check its availability.

The main concourse of the Physics and Astronomy building has group-study tables behind the cafeteria. These are equipped with large screen computer monitors. The main part of the concourse may be used as a study and/or social area.

The University Library is another study space.

If seminar/tutorial rooms in the building are not booked out for teaching or meetings, it is normally possible to use these for work. In all cases, please adhere to any rules on room capacity. The School office staff can provide information on availability.

Computing facilities

The Physics and Astronomy PC classroom, which is next to the main entrance of the building, contains 32 PCs, a data projector, and Uniprint facilities. IT Services operate other clusters of computers and provide training in the use of hardware and software as well as the username and password required to log on the computers and for email. Many computers in the honours laboratory will be used by students during their lab/computational sessions, and may often be used outside laboratory time by students in the School for more general work-related activity.

Lockers

The School has a limited number of lockers available for rent (£10 annual fee plus £10 deposit). Initial priority is given to those in their honours years. Contact the Building Manager, Dr Andrew Bunting, asb8@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Diversity, respect, community

The University of St Andrews is fully committed to respect and fair treatment for everyone, eliminating discrimination and actively promoting equality of opportunity and delivering fairness to all. Please see the University's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.

We are keen that this School continues to be a place where we all value and respect each other, and that we continue to have here a community of scholars that includes students and staff. We are keen that members of our community continue to assist and support each other.

The School's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, which includes the School President, actively promotes this endeavour.

We are pleased to have "Juno Champion" status from the Institute of Physics and an Athena SWAN Silver award following submission of details of our activities aiming to provide a workplace that is good for all. Students with concerns or suggestions about equality or diversity are asked to speak to one of the committee.

Disabilities, learning differences, mental health, wellbeing

See University Student Handbook: Disability support and also the University's advice for students with disabilities.

If for disability or related reasons you require support, please contact the Disability Team in Student Services via the links above. Student Services provides support for a wide range of situations.

The School's disabilities and specific learning difficulties coordinator is available to liaise with any of the School's students. The School will work in conjunction with Student Services to ensure that appropriate reasonable adjustments are in place for students who have registered that they have a disability. Our aim is to try to make the same or equivalent facilities and experiences and learning outcomes available to all. However, notifications and adjustments cannot always be immediate, and students are welcome to contact our disability officer directly to advise them of their situation.

Most of the JF Allen building is accessible to those with disabilities affecting mobility. This is via the main entrance and the lift located at the opposite corner of the building from the main entrance. In the event of an emergency the lift must not be used. Where students may have a problem evacuating the building in an emergency, particularly from the top floor, they should contact Environmental, Health and Safety Services who will, with the help of the School Disability Officer and Student Services, produce a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). This plan will ensure that the person knows what actions to take in an emergency and also what actions the School needs to put in place to support evacuation in an emergency. An evacuation chair is in the stairwell outside room 301, roughly above the main entrance to the building. They may be able to make their presence known to the janitor or the emergency services using the telephone there.

We recognise that not all students are comfortable with disclosing difficulties with health, disability, etc, but the team members at Student Services are an excellent resource to give advice to students and schools on allowances and support, with due regard to confidentiality. We strongly advise relevant students to contact Student Services sooner rather than later. Most students have a one-to-one consultation with a member of staff from Student Services during their time in St Andrews.

Student Services provides individual consultations for those with concern about wellbeing and about mental health. They also run events during the year, some for students who are concerned about their own wellbeing, and some for students who would like to learn more about how to help support a friend who may have anxiety, low mood, an eating disorder, etc. There is more information available at Student support.

We recognise that there are times when things can get tough for students. There are few people who sail through university without any problems. Please be aware that there are people here to assist you, both within the School (Wellbeing Officers, amongst others) and at Student Services. Please do communicate with them. You may also wish to speak with someone anonymously after hours, and this can be done by a call to a trained student volunteer at Nightline between 8pm and 7am in term time on 01334 462266.

IELLI (International Educational and Lifelong Learning Institute)

The University's International and lifelong Learning Institute (formally known as CEED) can provide additional input to help students develop the skills they need for their academic studies and beyond. More information is available via the University Student Handbook and via the IELLI webpage.

English Language Support

The Academic English Service (AES) offers free language development to matriculated students. The language development is offered in several forms, ranging from one-to-one tutorials to workshop programmes and online resources. Further information is available on the AES website and self-enrol Moodle page.
If you would like further information, please contact academicenglish@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Health and Safety

The Head of the School of Physics and Astronomy is responsible for health and safety within the School and its buildings and requires all persons who enter the buildings for any purpose to take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and of others. The School's Health and Safety Officer is listed in the key contacts section in Appendix A of this handbook. The School's safety policy is available from the School's Health and Safety webpage.

Lists of first aiders, their locations, and their contact numbers, are displayed on notices in the building. If you require first aid, please contact a first aider, or ask any member of staff to do this for you. Mrs Linda Cousins in the School Office is one of the first aiders.

First aid boxes are located at the main entrance, in the School Office, outside room 301, outside the honours teaching labs, and at the lift entrances. The nearest first aid box is noted on the first aid notices around the building. An emergency evacuation chair for those with mobility difficulties is in the corridor outside room 301.

Anyone who is in the J F Allen building outside the time during which there is janitor cover should sign in and out in the late working book at the janitors' desk.