PHY3215 Nuclear and High-Energy Particle Physics 2023-24
Staff of Foreign Host Institution
 
Delivery Weeks: As agreed
Level: 6 (NQF)
Credits: 15 NICATS / 7.5 ECTS
Enrolment: 7 students (approx)

Description

This module is an introduction to nuclear and particle physics.

This is a Physics Core module taken at a study-abroad host institutions. The module(s) at the host institution that contribute to this module must be approved by the Stage 3 Study Abroad Co-ordinator.

Module Aims

Investigations of the atomic nucleus and, of the fundamental forces that determine nuclear structure, offer fascinating insights into the nature of the physical world. The tools for probing these systems are high-energy particle accelerators and, more recently, colliding-beam systems. This module, aims to give students a broad overview of the subject matter, and encouragement to seek further information.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

A student who has passed this module should be able to:

Syllabus Plan

The syllabus should match, as far as reasonably practical, the contents of PHY3052 (Nuclear and High-Energy Particle Physics) and must satisfy Institute of Physics Accreditation requirements and must not duplicate modules that have already been taken, or will be taken in the future, as part of the degree.

  1. Nuclear Physics
    1. Nuclear models and nuclear properties; detection methods.
    2. Radioactive decay (α, β, γ).
    3. Nuclear reactions, fission and fusion.
    4. Leptons, nucleons, hadrons, quarks and baryons; symmetries and groups.
  2. High-Energy Physics
    1. QED
      Relativistic quantum theory of electromagnetic interactions; antiparticles, electrodynamics of spinless particles, Dirac equation, electrodynamics of spin-1/2 particles.
    2. Partons
      Structure of hadrons, gluons.
    3. QCD
      Relativistic quantum theory of the strong interactions of quarks and gluons.
    4. Weak-interactions
      General structure, non-conservation of parity, massive neutrinos, neutrino experiments. Inverse β-decay. Two-neutrino experiment. CP violation in β-decay.
    5. Gauge symmetries
      Gauge bosons.

Learning and Teaching

Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Description Study time KIS type
Study in accordance with the conventions of the host institution 150 hours PLS

Assessment

Weight Form Size When ILOS assessed Feedback
33% Homework (see note) Weekly 4-hour sets Week T1:10 1-10 Written
67% Final exam (see note) 2 hours Week T1:10 1-10 Written

Notes: Assessment assignment patterns follow the conventions of the host institution. The above entries are only indicative of typical arrangements. Grades awarded by overseas institutions are converted to Exeter grades using the conversion procedures described in the Physics Handbook

Resources

The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that students are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Instructor(s).

Core text:

Supplementary texts:

ELE:

Further Information

Prior Knowledge Requirements

Pre-requisite Modules N/A
Co-requisite Modules N/A

Re-assessment

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

Original form of assessment Form of re-assessment ILOs re-assessed Time scale for re-assessment
N/A N/A N/A N/A

Notes: Re-assessment arrangements follow the conventions of the host institution

KIS Data Summary

Learning activities and teaching methods
SLT - scheduled learning & teaching activities 0 hrs
GIS - guided independent study 0 hrs
PLS - placement/study abroad 150 hrs
Total 150 hrs
Summative assessment
Coursework 33%
Written exams 67%
Practical exams 0%
Total 100%

Miscellaneous

IoP Accreditation Checklist
  • QM-10 Nuclear masses and binding energies
  • QM-11 Radioactive decay, fission and fusion
  • QM-12 Pauli exclusion principle, fermions and bosons and elementary particles
  • QM-13 Fundamental forces and the Standard Model
Availability Physics programmes with study abroad only
Distance learning NO
Keywords Physics; Core; Host institution; Study Abroad.
Created 01-Oct-10
Revised 07-Nov-16