PH5024 Modern Topics in Condensed Matter Physics

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to those in the final year of an MPhys or MSci programme

Module description

This module links with ongoing research in this area in the School, and includes the rich structural and electronic phases that can be stabilised at surfaces of materials and the physics of strongly correlated electron materials. It also covers some experimental techniques commonly used to characterise these, such as quantum oscillations, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy. There is an emphasis on developing skills in critical reading of the scientific literature, presenting relevant works in class discussions, and performing computations. Tutorial sessions will be used to provide constructive feedback on problem sheets. Full-class discussions in a journal club style will aid in developing understanding of complex topics and critical reading of research papers.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS 4 MODULES FROM {PH3061, PH3062, PH4039, PH4044} AND ( PASS 1 MODULE FROM {PH3081, PH3082} OR PASS 2 MODULES FROM {MT2506, MT2507} ) AND PASS 1 MODULE FROM {PH4037, PH4041} AND PASS 1 MODULE FROM {PH3080, PH3082}

Assessment pattern

Coursework=100% (Take-home tutorial sheets/problem sets with analytic and computational problems (40%), Journal Club presentation 30% on presentation and contributing to the discussion (answering and asking questions), Oral Examination (30%))

Re-assessment

No Re-assessment available - assignment based

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 x 1hr lectures x 7 weeks, 1hr tutorial x 4 weeks, 3-hr presentation sessions x 2 weeks

Scheduled learning hours

31

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

119

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.