Handbook for Postgraduate Students in Physics and Astronomy 1998-99 The Schuster Laboratory Brunswick Street, Manchester M13 9PL DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS POSTGRADUATE HANDBOOK 1998-99 CONTENTS I Introduction to the Department .......................................... 1 II University and Departmental Facilities ................................... 3 III Postgraduate Degrees and Sources of Funds .............................. 5 IV M.Sc. and M.Phil. Courses ..............................................8 V PhD Courses ......................................................... 21 VI Lecture Courses ...................................................... 23 VII Code of Conduct for Students and Supervisors ........................... 71 VIII Reports, Theses, Posters and Talks ......................................72 IX Key Dates in the University Year ....................................... 80 X University Policy on Quality and Standards .............................. 81 I. INTRODUCTION TO THE DEPARTMENT The Manchester Physics Department is one of the largest and most active in Britain. Its research interests range widely through modern physics and encompass topics such as particle and nu- clear physics, theoretical physics and astrophysics, atomic, molecular and polymer physics, lasers and photomedicine, liquid crystals, condensed matter physics, high temperature super- conductivity and optical and radio astronomy. The department includes the Nuffield Radio Astronomy Laboratory, situated 35 km south of Manchester at Jodrell Bank. In addition to the departmental facilities, the research groups make extensive use of national and international research facilities including Daresbury Synchrotron Radiation Source, ISIS at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, CERN in Switzerland, DESY in Germany, ILL in France, Argonne in the USA, the William Herschel telescope on La Palma and the James Clerk Maxwell telescope in Hawaii. The department is home to some 550 undergraduate and 150 postgraduate students, together with 60 research fellows and 55 members of staff. Postgraduate matters are monitored by the Postgraduate Committee, which includes a repre- sentative from each of the research groups in the department, together with two elected student representatives (listed below). You are free to approach any member of the committee with matters you wish to be discussed in this forum, or for advice generally. GROUP MEMBER ROOM NO. Phone Joint Chairman (Physics) Prof Robin Marshall 5.12 4170 Joint Chairman (Astronomy) Prof John Meaburn 7.4 4224 Joint Chairman (Radioastronomy) Dr Patrick Leahy – 802-207 Student Representatives One per Research Activity § Laser Physics Dr Mark Dickinson 2-11 4215 Atomic and Molecular Dr Peter Hammond 3.12 4133 Condensed Matter Physics Dr Peter Lucas G9 4067 Particle Physics Dr Fred Loebinger 5.5 4180 Nuclear Structure Dr Jon Billowes 4.8 4104 Theory Dr Pat Buttle 6.25 4191 Admissions Officer Dr Graham Shaw 6.12 4203 Administrative matters are dealt with by the Postgraduate Secretary: Mrs J M Merrill (Room G-4, Phone 4070). 1 PASTORAL CARE OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS Theperson you with work most closely as apostgraduate student during yourtime atManchester is your supervisor, who is responsible for your research project. This relationship is described by guidelines on the code of conduct, laid out in Section VII. You will also be assigned an adviser. This is usually someone with particular expertise and experience in postgraduate matters, administration, and the like. They also have an active responsibility for your progress. In addition, there is a Postgraduate pastoral panel comprising Robin Marshall, John Meaburn, Patrick Leahy, Graham Shaw and Helen Gleeson. You are invited to approach any of these if there is a problem which cannot be resolved by discussion with your supervisor, your adviser, or the head of your research group. For the most profound difficulties, you have the right to go to the Head of Department, who will deal with your problem sympathetically and with expedition. RESEARCH TRAINING A TransferrableSkills course is operated by the Graduate School. Subjects covered in thecourse include making visual presentations, writing reports, giving talks, library searches, writing papers, and other topics relevant to postgraduate students from all groups. Attendance at this course is a Faculty and Department requirement in order to gain the requisite number of credits for the postgraduate course. POSTGRADUATE ACTIVITIES The interaction between the postgraduates within the department is very strong. Various social activities are organised, both within research groups and by the postgraduate representatives. In particular, there is a very successful series of seminars, the Ellis Seminars, initiated by a past postgraduate student. These seminars are given by postgrads, for postgrads only,and are usually preceded by refreshments. They provide an ideal opportunity to develop your communication skills in a friendly atmosphere of like-minded people. There are about 6 seminars per year and you are strongly encouraged to participate. In addition, if you feel that there are other activities for postgraduates which you would like to see take place, then do not hesitate to say so! You will find the postgraduate chairmen and the Head of Department strongly supportive of activities that bring together all members of the department. 2 II. UNIVERSITY AND DEPARTMENTALFACILITIES Both the University and the Physics Department are large institutions, and provide many facil- ities. Some of these are listed below. UNIVERSITY FACILITIES The AccommodationOffice isinthePrecinctCentre. Itprovideslistsofaccommodation available (both privately and university owned). Further information and advice is also available from the students’ union. The John Rylands Library is the main library for the whole university. Library cards are issued at registration, at the start of the course. The John Rylands holds many text books and journals and theses, will carry out literature searches, inter-library loans, has a photocopying facility, and is a pleasant, quiet place to work. The Students’ Union includes housing and welfare offices, an optician, a hairdresser, travel office, shop, bars, coffee bar, night-club, showers, various clubs and societies, and more. The Postgrad Society is in the Burlington Rooms near the John Rylands Library. It contains a coffee bar, bar etc. The Student Health Centre in the Precinct Centre will give free, confidential, prompt treatment. They do not provide home visits, though, so it is advisable to register with a local NHS doctor. For treatment or advice related to health at work, Occupational Health is situated in William Kay House opposite the Students’ Union. There are two sports centres: the McDougall Centre is behind the JR Library. Squash, swim- ming, badminton and other facilities are available for a small entry fee. It also runs clubs and lessons in various sports. The Armitage Centre is at the Firs sports ground near Owens Park hall of residence. The International Society is a society specifically for overseas students and staff. The society organises a wide variety of social activities and can give much useful advice. 3 DEPARTMENTALFACILITIES The Departmental Library is on the first floor and holds some text books and journals, and copies of theses and reports. The Stores are on the ground floor near the goods lift. They provide small items of consumables and stationery. You will need a signed yellow requisition slip (usually from your supervisor) to obtain items from stores. Any items which you have ordered externally will eventually arrive in stores. The Main Workshop is on the ground floor, next to the Stores. This is where large or complex pieces of apparatus can be fabricated. Toget a device built by it you submit a design through the Drawing Office, who will be able to give much useful advice regarding your ideas and the design of your apparatus. They can also produce high quality drawings for publications. There is also a Student Workshop situated on the 5th floor, and manned by a technician. You are entitled to use these facilities under supervision, and can take a workshop course if you have no previous experience. The Electronics Workshop is on the 2nd floor. This provides design advice and will construct electronic and computer control systems for a great variety of research applications. You will find it useful to discuss your requirements with the Head of this workshop first, rather than asking them to work to a design copied from other workers or from your general reading, and you are actively encouraged to do so. The Departmental Office is also on the ground floor. This administers much of the teaching related work of the department, including postgraduate demonstrating or tutoring. Next to the departmental office is the Finance Office which deals with the external orders placed by the department. Youcan obtain a card that opens the front door from the Laboratory Superintendent in this office for a deposit of £5 and a signature from your supervisor. Photocopying can be done on the ground floor; you will need a key from your group secretary, though many groups have their own facilities for photocopying. Most research groups have a Fax Machine and there is a Transparency Making Machine on the 5th floor which can be used with the permission of the particle physics group. The Niels Bohr Common Room is on the 6th floor of the teaching wing and is for your use. Tea is served for a minimal cost at 3.45 pm every day. 4 III. POSTGRADUATE