Module manager: Dr Thomas Moore
Email: T.A.Moore@Leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Level 1 Physics
| PHAS1000 | First Year Physics Assessment |
| PHAS2000 | 2nd year Physics Assessment |
| PHAS2010 | Quantum Mechanics |
| PHAS2020 | Statistical Mechanics and Computation |
| PHAS2040 | Electromagnetism |
PHYS2311
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module covers fundamental physical theories and associated mathematical concepts that underpin the topic of Condensed Matter, and forms a core topic of an accredited physics degree programme. It also introduces key concepts of the fundamental interactions between particles and the Standard Model of particle physics. In addition, this module develops skills in communicating physics (written and verbal) in preparation for projects/dissertations. This module will allow students to research a topic of physics and communicate it in various formats: written paper, oral presentation, viva.
The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of how physical principles and mathematical modelling may be applied to condensed matter systems, in order to explain the behaviour of metals, semiconductors and insulators, as well as the magentic properties of paramagnets and ferromagnets.
In addition, students will learn how to model fundamental interactions in order to predict and explain various forms of radioactive decay, nuclear reactions and the scattering of elementary particles.
Students will also develops skills in communicating physics in preparation for projects/dissertations and research a topic of physics and communicate it in various formats. Students will also consider the importance of professional ethics and scientific conduct.
1- Ability to predict behaviour of condensed matter systems including metals, semiconductors and insulators.
2- Ability to model properties of solids using free-electron theory
3- Ability to explain and apply the transport properties of semiconductors.
4- Understanding of the key concepts of the Standard Model of particle physics, including nuclear reactions, scattering processes and fundamental interactions
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1- Deliver presentations including scientific concepts, results and methodologies and answer related questions.
2- Present scientific concepts, results and methodology in extended formal scientific English with illustrations and figures and references to literature sources as necessary.
3- Communicate complex concepts succinctly and coherently, defend results and methodology and answer related questions in one-to-one situations.
4- Perform an internet search for a bibliography and insert it in LaTeX-formatted report.
5- Manage time and plan work to meet deadlines
(1) the Fermi level concept and density of states to explain some of the differences between metals, semiconductors and insulators;
(2) the properties of solids using free-electron theory;
(3) the effect of periodic potential on the free-electron dispersion relation;
(4) Transport properties of semiconductors;
(5) Magnetic properties of paramagnets and ferromagnets.
(6) the structure of the atomic nucleus
(7) radioactive decay and nuclear reactions
(8) scattering processes between elementary particles
(9) key components of the Standard Model of particle physics.
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Lecture | 50 | 1 | 50 |
| Independent online learning hours | 24 | ||
| Private study hours | 123 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 53 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 23/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team