DepartmentofPhysics

PhysicsCourseHandbook

20142015

CavendishLaboratory

UniversityofCambridge
JJThomsonAvenue
Cambridge,CB30HE

www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching

Frontcoverimage:

Dilutionrefrigeratorusedforcoolingsamplestoatemperaturebelow0.1

K, where the quantum behaviour of electrical devices can be measured.

This newly installed system has sophisticated microwave circuitry and,

TableofContents
unlikeoldersystems,doesnotconsumeliquidheliumduringoperation.

AndrewFerguson



Table of Contents

Undergraduate Courses in Physics..........................................................................................1

1.1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................1
1.2 PHYSICSCOURSESINTHEACADEMICYEAR201415......................................................................2
1.2.1 TheFirstYear(PartIA)....................................................................................................................2
1.2.2 TheSecondYear(PartIB)...............................................................................................................2
1.2.3 TheThirdYear(PartII)Physics.....................................................................................................3
1.2.4 TheFourthYear(PartIII)Physics.................................................................................................3
1.2.5 MasterofAdvancedStudies(MASt)inPhysics..............................................................................3
1.3 MATHEMATICSPHYSICSCOURSES.................................................................................................4
Aims and Objectives of the Physics Teaching.........................................................................5
Programme.................................................................................................................................5
2.1 THEUNIVERSITYSAIMSANDOBJECTIVES.....................................................................................5
2.2 COURSEAIMS................................................................................................................................5
2.3 COURSEOBJECTIVES......................................................................................................................5
Part IA Physics............................................................................................................................7
3.1 AIMSOFTHECOURSE....................................................................................................................7
3.2 THELECTURECOURSES..................................................................................................................7
3.3 PRACTICALS...................................................................................................................................7
3.4 THEEXAMINATION.......................................................................................................................7
3.5 BOOKS..........................................................................................................................................7
3.6 SOMEIMPORTANTDATES.............................................................................................................8
3.7 LECTURELIST.................................................................................................................................9
Part IB Physics A......................................................................................................................11
4.1 IntroductionandCOURSEAIMS...................................................................................................11
4.2 THECONTENTOFTHECOURSE...................................................................................................11
4.3 THEEXAMINATION.....................................................................................................................11
4.4 SOMEIMPORTANTDATES...........................................................................................................12
4.5 LECTURELIST...............................................................................................................................13
Part IB Physics B......................................................................................................................15
5.1 IntroductionandCOURSEAIMS...................................................................................................15
5.2 courseCONTENT.........................................................................................................................15
5.3 THEEXAMINATION.....................................................................................................................15
5.4 SOMEIMPORTANTDATES...........................................................................................................16
5.5LECTURELIST............................................................................................................................17
Part II Physics...........................................................................................................................19
6.1 THETHREEANDFOURYEARCOURSESinphysics.......................................................................19
6.2 OUTLINEOFTHECOURSES..........................................................................................................19
6.3 FURTHERWORK..........................................................................................................................20
 6.3.1 Computing....................................................................................................................................20
6.3.2 ExperimentalInvestigations........................................................................................................20
6.3.3 CoursesinTheoreticalPhysics.....................................................................................................20
6.3.4 ResearchReview..........................................................................................................................22
6.3.5 LongVacationWork....................................................................................................................22
6.3.6 PhysicsEducation.........................................................................................................................22
6.4 SUPERVISIONSANDEXAMPLESCLASSES....................................................................................22
6.5 NONEXAMINEDWORK..............................................................................................................23
6.6 THEEXAMINATION.....................................................................................................................23
6.6.1 TheWrittenPapersforPartII......................................................................................................23
6.6.2 Requirements...............................................................................................................................23
6.6.3 ExaminationEntries.....................................................................................................................23
6.6.4 SubmissionofFurtherWork........................................................................................................23
6.7 HALFSUBJECTPHYSICS...............................................................................................................24
6.8 SOMEIMPORTANTDATES..........................................................................................................25
6.9 LectureList.................................................................................................................................26
Part III Physics..........................................................................................................................27
7.1 INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................27
7.2 Masterofadvancedstudies(MASt)INpHYSICS..........................................................................27
7.3 OUTLINEOFTHECOURSE...........................................................................................................27
7.4 DETAILSOFTHECOURSES...........................................................................................................27
7.4.1 Projectwork.................................................................................................................................28
7.4.2 MajorTopics................................................................................................................................28
7.4.3 MinorTopics................................................................................................................................28
7.4.4 OtherLentTermcourses.............................................................................................................28
7.4.5 FurtherWork...............................................................................................................................29
7.4.6 LongVacationProjects................................................................................................................29
7.4.7 Entrepreneurship.........................................................................................................................29
7.4.8 ExamplesClassinGeneralPhysics...............................................................................................29
7.5 RESTRICTIONSONCOMBINATIONOFCOURSES..........................................................................29
7.6SUPERVISIONS.........................................................................................................................29
7.7 NONEXAMINEDWORK..............................................................................................................30
7.8 THEEXAMINATION.....................................................................................................................30
7.8.1 ExaminationEntries.....................................................................................................................30
7.8.2 TheWrittenPapersforPartIII.....................................................................................................30
7.9 SOMEIMPORTANTDATES..........................................................................................................32
7.10 LECTURELIST..........................................................................................................................34
Guide for Students....................................................................................................................35
AcademicStaff....................................................................................................................................................37
Administration..................................................................................................................................................38
Aims and Objectives.........................................................................................................................................38
Appeals..............................................................................................................................................................38
Astronomical Society (CUAS)...........................................................................................................................38
Bicycles..............................................................................................................................................................38
Books.................................................................................................................................................................38
Bookshops.........................................................................................................................................................39
Buildings............................................................................................................................................................39
Calculators.........................................................................................................................................................39
CamCORS...........................................................................................................................................................39
CamSIS................................................................................................................................................................39
CamTools............................................................................................................................................................39
Canteen...............................................................................................................................................................39
Careers...............................................................................................................................................................39
Cavendish Laboratory.......................................................................................................................................39
Cavendish Stores...............................................................................................................................................39
Cheating..............................................................................................................................................................40
Classing Criteria.................................................................................................................................................40
College................................................................................................................................................................40
Common Room..................................................................................................................................................40
Complaints.........................................................................................................................................................40
Computing..........................................................................................................................................................40
Counselling..........................................................................................................................................................41
Courses................................................................................................................................................................41
Databases............................................................................................................................................................41
DepartmentofPhysics........................................................................................................................................41
DirectorofStudies..............................................................................................................................................42
Disability..............................................................................................................................................................42
ElectronicMail....................................................................................................................................................42
Examinations.......................................................................................................................................................42
ExamplesClasses.................................................................................................................................................43
ExamplesSheets..................................................................................................................................................43
FacultyofPhysicsandChemistry........................................................................................................................43
Feedback.............................................................................................................................................................43
FireAlarms..........................................................................................................................................................43
Formulae.............................................................................................................................................................44
Handbook............................................................................................................................................................44
Harassment.........................................................................................................................................................44
InstituteofPhysics..............................................................................................................................................44
LaboratoryClosure..............................................................................................................................................44
LateSubmissionofWork.....................................................................................................................................44
Lecturehandouts................................................................................................................................................45
Lectures...............................................................................................................................................................45
Libraries...............................................................................................................................................................45
MASt....................................................................................................................................................................45
ManagedClusterService(MCSformallyPWF).................................................................................................45
MooreLibrary......................................................................................................................................................45
NaturalSciencesTripos.......................................................................................................................................46
PartIIandPartIIILibrary....................................................................................................................................46
PastTripospapers...............................................................................................................................................46
PersonalComputers............................................................................................................................................46
PhilosophicalSociety...........................................................................................................................................46
PhysicsCourseHandbook...................................................................................................................................46
Photocopying......................................................................................................................................................46
PhysicsSociety(CUPS).........................................................................................................................................47
Plagiarism............................................................................................................................................................47
PracticalClasses..................................................................................................................................................47
RayleighLibrary...................................................................................................................................................47
Raven...................................................................................................................................................................47
RecordingofLectures..........................................................................................................................................47
Refreshments......................................................................................................................................................47
Registration.........................................................................................................................................................47
Reporter..............................................................................................................................................................47
Research..............................................................................................................................................................47
 Safety..................................................................................................................................................................48
ScientificPeriodicalsLibrary...............................................................................................................................48
Smoking..............................................................................................................................................................48
StaffStudentConsultativeCommittee..............................................................................................................48
Supervisions.......................................................................................................................................................49
Synopses.............................................................................................................................................................49
TeachingCommittee..........................................................................................................................................49
TeachingInformationSystem.............................................................................................................................49
TeachingOffice...................................................................................................................................................49
Telephones.........................................................................................................................................................49
TransferableSkills...............................................................................................................................................50
UniversityLibrary...............................................................................................................................................50
Website..............................................................................................................................................................50

WebSite

ThisPhysicsCourseHandbookandsomeofthereferencesthereincanbefoundontheCavendishLaboratoryteaching
pagesathttp://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/

TeachingOffice

The Cavendish Laboratorys Teaching Office is situated in the Bragg Building, Room 212B. Opening times during full
termwillbepostedoutsidetheoffice.Enquiriescanalsobemadebyemailtoteachingoffice@phy.cam.ac.uk.

 Undergraduate Courses in Physics
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This document describes the structure of the courses
inPhysicsofferedintheUniversityofCambridge.Itisa
referenceforbothstudentsandacademicstaff.Errors
orsuggestionsforimprovementshouldbesenttothe
Director for Undergraduate Teaching: (director
teaching@phy.cam.ac.uk).
The Department of Physics in Cambridge offers both
threeandfouryearcoursesinphysics,whichformthe
twobasicroutestoafirstdegreewithspecialisationin
physics. The fouryear course is designed for students
whowishtopursueaprofessionalcareerinphysics,for
example,inacademicorindustrialresearch:itleadsto
an honours degree of Master of Natural Sciences,
M.Sci., together with an honours degree Bachelor of
Arts, B.A. The three year course is designed for stu
dentswithadeepinterestinthesubjectbutwhomay
not intend to become professional physicists: it leads
toanhonoursdegreeofB.A.
Physics graduates from Cambridgego in a wide range
of directions. Nearly half embark on research leading
toahigherdegree,andaboutaquartergostraightinto
fulltime employment in a wide variety of fields, such
asteaching,businessandfinance,andcomputing.The
remainderarespreadoverothertypesofpostgraduate
activities. Our graduates have an excellent record of
findingemploymentpromptlyaftergraduation.
As regards research towards a Ph.D., at present the
policy announced by the UK Research Councils is that
an Upper Second or First Class in either the third or
fourth years formally qualifies a student for a Ph.D.
award. However, the policy of this Department and
manyothersisthatPartIIIisanessentialpreparation
foraPh.D.
Inboththethreeandfouryearcoursesouraimsareto
provideasolidfoundationinallaspectsofphysicsand
to show something of the very broad spectrum of
modern physics. Vital basic areas such as Electromag
netism, Quantum Mechanics, Dynamics and Thermo
dynamics are covered in the first three years, where
we also aim to develop experimental, computational
and mathematical skills. Advanced work in the fourth
year can include fundamental subjects such as Ad
vanced Quantum Theory, Particle Physics, Condensed
MatterPhysicsandCosmologyaswellasappliedtopics
such as Biological Physics and Geophysics. A substan
tial piece of independent project work is required in
thefourthyear,andtherearealsopossibilitiesforex
perience of industrial research during the long vaca
tions.
Inthefollowingsections,briefdescriptionsaregivenof
the undergraduate courses currently offered by the
department. The flow chart inside the front cover
shows routes through the three and fouryear
courses.Thedetailedsynopsesforallthecoursestobe
deliveredintheacademicyear201415,aswellastheir
aimsandoutcomes,arenolongerprintedinthishand
book, but can be found and printed from the course
websitewww.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching.
Studentsareremindedthattheyshouldusetheircol
lege Director of Studies as the first point of contact
for advice on academic aspects of their studies, in
particularregardingtheirchoiceofcourses.
ThePhysicsTeachingOfficeissituatedonthefirstfloor
of the Bragg building, Room 212B, tel. 65798. The of
fice is run by Helen Marshall and is open for general
enquiriesandsubmissionofwrittenreportsatregular
timesduringfullterm.
Routine administrative matters regarding the course
shouldbeaddressedtotheTeachingOfficeinperson,
orviateachingoffice@phy.cam.ac.uk,butpleasecheck
first that your question is not answered in this hand
bookortheonthecoursewebsites.
The Director of Undergraduate Teaching in Physics is
Dr John Richer, and he is in overall charge of the un
dergraduatecourses;hecanbecontactedatdirector
teaching@phy.cam.ac.uk.
Ifyourstillhaveunresolvedissues,youcancontactthe
DeputyHead(Education)attheCavendish,Prof.Chris
Haniff,ortheHeadofDepartment,Prof.AndyParker.
SeveralwebsitessupportourPhysicscourses:
1. The main public teaching webpages are at
www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching, where this
guide, course summaries, examination time
tables,lecturelists,andlinkstousefulmateri
alsareadvertised.
2. The Firstyear (Part IA) course will use the
Universitys new Moodle Virtual Learning En
vironment (VLE) to provide course materials
such as lecture handouts: it is available at
https://www.vle.cam.ac.ukandyoucanlogin
usingyourCRSidandRavenauthentication.
3. The Teaching Information System (TIS or TiS)
is a Cavendishrun system that is used to ad
 minister all of our courses. In particular it
serves handouts and examples sheets for all
the courses and beyond, plus past examina
tion papers in Physics. Its web address is
http://wwwteach.phy.cam.ac.uk/ and access
requiresyourCRSidandRavenauthentication.
4. The Universitys timetable tool
(https://timetable.cam.ac.uk) allows you to
create your own timetable of lectures and
practicals,andaddtoyourownelectroniccal
endar.
1.2 PHYSICS COURSES IN THE ACADEMIC
YEAR201415
Inthissectionwegiveabriefoverviewofthecourses
offered; fuller details are given in the introduction to
eachyearbelow.
1.2.1 TheFirstYear(PartIA)
StudentsinthefirstyearoftheNaturalSciencesTripos
(NST) choose three experimental subjects with a free
choice from Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science,
EarthSciences,BiologyofCells,Evolution&Behaviour,
and Physiology of Organisms. In addition, all NST stu
dents reading Physics will take the NST Mathematics
course.Paper1ofPartIAoftheComputerScienceTri
posmaybesubstitutedforBiologyofCells.
ThePhysicscourseassumeseitherA2levelPhysics(or
equivalent), or A2 level Further Maths (including the
Mechanicsmodules).Ideallystudentswouldhavedone
both Physics and Further Maths, but this is definitely
notessential.
The firstyear course, Part IA Physics, covers funda
mental principles in physics. The aim is to bridge the
gap between school and university physics by provid
ingamorecompleteandlogicalframeworkinkeyar
eas of classical physics, as well as introducing new
areassuchasrelativityandquantumphysics.ThePart
IA Physics course is given in three lectures per week
plus a fourhour experiment once every two weeks.
SubjectsstudiedincludeMechanics,Relativity,Oscilla
tionsandWaves,QuantumWaves,andFields.
ThefirstyearphysicscourseisalsoavailableinPartIA
oftheComputerSciencesTripos,whereitiscombined
with courses in Mathematics for Natural Sciences and
Computer Science Courses. It is also possible to read
Part IA Physics as part of the Mathematical Tripos in
the firstyear course Mathematics with Physics. Both
of these routes provide for possible specialisation in
physicsinlateryears.
Undergraduate Courses in Physics 2014/15
There is no limit on numbers. In 2013/14, there were
448studentsreadingPartIAPhysics.
1.2.2 TheSecondYear(PartIB)
TherearetwophysicscoursesinPartIB:PhysicsAand
PhysicsB.PhysicsAprovidesagroundinginquantum
mechanicsandsolidstatephysics,whilePhysicsBcov
ersthecoreofclassicalphysics,includingelectromag
netism,dynamicsandthermodynamics.
ThecombinationofIBPhysicsAandPhysicsBoffersa
firmgroundinginkeyareasofphysicstheoreticaland
experimental and covers specialised topics that lead
naturally to Part II/III Physics and other quantitative
subjects.Studentstakingbothcoursescombinethem
with one other IB subject. This third subject is often
NST IB Mathematics, and this is useful for students
wishingtopursuetheoreticaloptionsinPartII.How
ever, choosing a different subject provides additional
breadthandgivesgreaterchoiceofPartIIandPartIII
courses. Common choices for the third subject are
Materials Science, Chemistry A, Geology A or History
and Philosophy of Science. For students taking either
Physics A or Physics B without NST IB Mathematics,
additional lectures in Mathematical Methods are pro
videdwithinthecourse.
There is no limit on the number of students taking IB
Physics A and Physics B: in 2013/14, about 190 stu
dentstookboth.MostproceedintoPartIIPhysics,but
somegointootherthirdyearsciencesubjectsorinto
othertriposes.
Students come into the combination of IB Physics A
and B mostly having taken both Physics and Mathe
matics in PartIA of the Natural Sciences or Computer
Sciences Triposes. Of those who have taken the first
year Mathematics with Physics course in the Mathe
matics Tripos, a significant proportion subsequently
takeIBPhysicsAandB.
A smaller number of students, usually ten to twenty,
takeIBPhysicsAastheironlyphysicscourse.IBPhys
ics A provides a selfcontained package of quantum,
condensed matter and experimental physics. It builds
onIAPhysicsandoffersafirmgroundinginimportant
areasofphysicsthatisveryusefulforscientistswitha
wide range of career destinations. The students will
normallytaketwootherPartIBsubjects,andthengo
intoawiderangeofthirdyearcourses.NotethatPart
IB Physics A alone is not an adequate preparation for
PartIIPhysics.
Itisalsopossible,thoughunusual,forstudentstotake
IBPhysicsBastheironlyphysicscourse,andthismay
suit students with a particular interest in the topics
covered in that course. Note that Part IB Physics B
2
aloneisnotanadequatepreparationforPartIIPhysics.
Further, the practical work draws heavily on material
presented in Physics A in the Michaelmas Term: stu
dents taking just Physics B are advised to attend the
ExperimentalMethodslecturesforPhysicsAforneces
sarybackground.Weexpectthatalmosteverystudent
wishing to pursue a single physics course will find IB
PhysicsAthemoreattractiveoption.
1.2.3 TheThirdYear(PartII)Physics
The aim of the thirdyear Part II Physics course is to
completeinstructionincorephysicsandtobegintoin
troduce more advanced topics required for a profes
sionalcareerinresearch.Theavailablecoursescovera
broadrangeofexperimental,theoreticalandcomputa
tional subjects, with an element of choice that allows
students to explore topics they find particularly inter
esting and, if they wish, to concentrate on more ex
perimental or theoretical work. Professional skills are
developedthroughlectures,exampleclasses,comput
ingexercisesandextendedexperiments,dependingon
thecoursestaken.
IntheMichaelmasterm,therearecorecoursesinAd
vanced Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Optics and
ElectrodynamicsandThermalandStatisticalPhysics.
In the Lent and Easter term, students have some
choiceamongstlecturecoursesincludingAstrophysical
FluidDynamics,ParticleandNuclearPhysics,Quantum
CondensedMatter,andSoftCondensedMatter.Addi
tionallythereisashortcourseonComputationalPhys
ics, with associated (compulsory) exercises, and a
short,moregeneralcourseonConceptsinPhysics.
Students are also required to submit three or more
itemsofFurtherWork.Youmaychooseanexperimen
tallybiasedcourseoronewithastrongeremphasison
theory, or some intermediate combination of experi
ment and theory. For example, there is the option of
carrying out up to two experimental investigations,
each lasting two weeks. For theorists, there are two
courses in Theoretical Physics, consisting of lectures
plus examples classes, which run through the
Michaelmas and Lent terms. Other possible units of
Further Work include: the Computational Physics pro
ject, assessed Long Vacation work, the Physics Educa
tioncourseandaResearchReview.
ThereisnolimitonthenumberofstudentstakingPart
IIPhysics,providedtheymeettheentryrequirements
(i.e.successfulcompletionofPhysicsAandPhysicsBin
Part IB). In recent years we have had about 150 stu
dents, the largest class in any Part II Natural Science
subject.
Undergraduate Courses in Physics 2014/15
AnalternativeforthethirdyearisHalfSubjectPhysics
inPartIIPhysicalSciencesoftheNaturalSciencesTri
pos. This is offered to students who wishto retain an
interest in physics but to keep other options open at
the same time. They select about half the workload
from the thirdyear physics course, combined with a
Part IB subject which they have not previously taken,
such as History and Philosophy of Science, plus a Dis
sertation. We expect that students offering Half Sub
jectPhysicswillhavereadIBPhysicsAorPhysicsBin
the second year. Advice on suitable combinations of
Part II Physics courses can be obtained from your Di
rectorofStudies.
1.2.4 TheFourthYear(PartIII)Physics
The fourthyear course, Part III Physics, is designed to
providethenecessaryfoundationforaprofessionalca
reer in academic or industrial research. The course
spans the spectrum from strongly experimental to
highly theoretical physics and offers the flexibility for
students to select a wide range of different combina
tionsofsubjects,accordingtotheircareeraspirations.
Manyofthecoursesreflectmajorresearchinterestsof
staffoftheCavendish.Thereisasubstantialamountof
independentprojectwork,whichmaybeproposedby
the students themselves, together with opportunities
to include work in external laboratories and industry
throughassessedvacationprojects.
There is an application process that runs in the Lent
termforthosewishingtoreadPartIIIPhysics.Thereis
currentlynolimitonplaces.Thedetailedentrancere
quirements are published in the Reporter: currently a
2:1resultorbetterinPartIIPhysicsisrequired.
Our aim in the fourth year is to present physics as a
connectedsubjectofenormousflexibilityandapplica
bility. Revision classes in general physics are given in
theEasterTermandallstudentsundertakeasubstan
tial project which is worth one third of the years
marks. Lecture courses in the first and second terms
provide more advanced treatments of major areas of
physicsandareselectedtoreflectbroadareasofcur
rent interest.Many ofthem have an interdisciplinary
character.Theoverallcourseprovidesexcellentprepa
rationforaresearchcareerinsideoroutsidephysicsin
eithertheacademicorindustrialsectors.
1.2.5 MasterofAdvancedStudies(MASt)in
Physics
This is a taught oneyear postgraduate course, which
consistsofexactlythesamecontentandassessmentas
Part III Physics. This course is designed for students
whoholda3yearundergraduatedegreewhowishto
pursue a research degree. The entry requirement for
3
the MASt is a qualification comparable to an upper
secondclassorbetterUKBachelorsdegreeinPhysics.
Students from all over the world join us to take this
course and the goal is that they integrate effectively
withthePartIIIclass.In2013/14,therewere19stu
dentstakingtheMASt.
1.3 MATHEMATICSPHYSICSCOURSES
Themathematicalskillsneededbystudentswhofollow
thethreeorfouryearphysicscoursearequitevaried.
Students taking entirely experimental options may
needmuchlesssophisticatedmathematicsthanthose
taking the more advanced theoretical options. The
levelofmathematicspreparationatschoolisalsovari
able.SomestudentsenteringPartIAPhysicshavestud
ied two A2levels in Mathematics and others have
studiedonlyoneA2level.
TheaimofthePhysicsDepartmentistochallengethe
mostgiftedandbestpreparedstudents,whileprovid
ing access to theoretical courses for those less well
Undergraduate Courses in Physics 2014/15
prepared. The Mathematics course for Natural Scien
tists in Part IA assumes only single Mathematics A2
level.
In the second year, both IB Physics courses assume
onlymathematicalmaterialfromNSTIAmathematics.
Other necessary mathematical techniques are taught
alongside the physics or in NST Part IB Mathematics:
for those not taking this course, there is a non
examined (but supervised) course in Mathematical
MethodsgivenintheMichaelmasTerm.Thiscoversall
themathematicalmaterialneededforthePartIIcore
andoptionscourses.
The optional theoretical courses in Part II (TP1 and
TP2) prepare students for the theoretical options in
PartIII.StudentsintendingtotakeTP1and/orTP2,and
whohavenottakenPartIBNSTMathematics,willfind
ithelpfultodosomeextrapreparationinthelongva
cationattheendofPartIB.
4
 Aims and Objectives of the Physics Teaching
Programme
2.1 THE UNIVERSITYS AIMS AND OBJEC
TIVES
TheQualityAssuranceAgency,throughitsinstitutional
audit of the University, is concerned with the assur
anceofthequalityofteachingandlearningwithinthe
University. The University in turn requires every De
partment to have clear aims and objectives and to
monitortheirteachingandlearningactivitiesandcon
sider changes where necessary. Students should be
awareoftheseAimsandObjectives,whichhavebeen
the subject of considerable discussion within the De
partment, with the University and with the Physics
StaffStudentConsultativeCommittee.Ifyouhaveany
comments on the Aims and Objectives of the Physics
TeachingProgramme,whichareprintedbelow,please
contact Dr John Richer, Director of Undergraduate
Teaching,CavendishLaboratory.
TheUniversitysstatedaimsaretofosteranddevelop
academic excellence across a wide range of subjects
andatalllevelsofstudy.Furthermore,theUniversity
aimstoprovideaneducationofthehighestcalibreat
boththeundergraduateandpostgraduatelevel,andso
produce graduates of the calibre sought by industry,
theprofessions,andthepublicservice,aswellaspro
viding academic teachers and researchers for the fu
ture.ThebroadaimsoftheDepartmentofPhysicsare
identicalwiththese.
In the context of the Departmental teaching pro
grammes, the specific aims and objectives are given
below.
2.2 COURSEAIMS
Toprovideeducationinphysicsofthehighestqual
ity at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
andsoproducegraduatesofthecalibresoughtby
industry,theprofessions,andthepublicservice,as
well as providing the academic teachers and re
searchersofthefuture;
To encourage and pursue research of the highest
quality in physics, and maintain Cambridges posi
tionasoneoftheworldsleadingcentresinthese
fields;
Tocontinuetoattractoutstandingstudentsfromall
backgrounds;
Aims and Objectives
To provide an intellectually stimulating environ
ment in which students have the opportunity to
developtheirskillsandenthusiasmstothebestof
theirpotential;
Tomaintainthehighestacademicstandardsinun
dergraduateandgraduateteachingandtodevelop
newareasofteachingandresearchinresponseto
the advance of scholarship and the needs of the
community.
2.3 COURSEOBJECTIVES
Bytheendofthefirstyear(PartIAPhysics),students,
whethercontinuingwithphysicsornot,shouldhave:
attained a common level in basic mathematically
based physics, and so laid a secure foundation in
physics for their future courses within the Natural
SciencesorotherTriposes;
acquired a broad introduction to a range of sci
ences at University level, generally through having
studiedtwootherexperimentalsubjectsaswellas
mathematics;
developed their experimental and data analysis
skills through a wide range of experiments in the
practicallaboratories.
Bytheendofthesecondyear,studentstakingPartIB
PhysicsAandPhysicsBshouldhave:
been introduced to powerful tools for tackling a
wide range of topics, including formal methods in
classicalandquantumphysics;
become familiar with additional relevant mathe
maticaltechniques;
furtherdevelopedtheirexperimentalskillsthrough
a series of wholeday experiments, some of which
alsoillustratemajorthemesofthelecturecourses,
and developed their communication skills through
groupactivities.
Bytheendofthesecondyear,studentstakingPartIB
PhysicsAshouldhave:
covered a wide range of topics in quantum and
condensed matter physics with emphasis upon
theirpracticalapplicationsandutility;
furtherdevelopedtheirpracticalskillsthroughase
riesofwholedayexperiments,someofwhichillus
tratemajorthemesofthelecturecourses.
5
Bytheendofthesecondyear,studentstakingPartIB hadexperienceofindependentwork.
PhysicsBshouldhave:
Bytheendofthethirdyear,studentstakingHalfSub
covered a range of topics in classical physics, in jectPhysicsinPartIIPhysicalSciencesshouldhave:
cluding electromagnetism, dynamics and thermo
enhanced their understanding of core physics, in
dynamics;
the context of a broader exposure to science with
furtherdevelopedtheirpracticalskillsthroughase theNaturalSciencesTripos;
riesofwholedayexperiments,someofwhichillus
hadsomeexperienceofindependentwork.
tratemajorthemesofthelecturecourses.

havebeenintroducedtoscientificcomputingusing
theCsubsetoftheC++language. By the end of the fourth year (Part III Physics), stu
dentscompletingthefouryearoptionshouldhave:
Bytheendofthethirdyear(PartIIPhysics),students
takingPartIIPhysicsshouldhave: hadexperienceofanumberofbroadareasofphys
icsfromachoiceofoptions,takentoanadvanced
completedtheirstudyofcorephysics;
level,atwhichcurrentresearchcanbeappreciated
substantially developed professional skills in ex insomedepth;
perimental and/or theoretical and/or computa
carriedoutasubstantialindependentresearchpro
tionalphysics,orinPhysicsEducation;
jectamountingtotheequivalentofaboutsixweeks
had experience of independent work, including an offulltimework;
introductiontoaspectsofresearch;
maintainedtheirskillsincorephysics;
had experience of the application of computers to
enhancedtheircommunicationsskills;
physicalproblems;
become well prepared for a career in academic or
developedtheircommunicationskills
industrialresearch.

6 Aims and Objectives

 Part IA Physics
3.1 AIMSOFTHECOURSE
An importantobjective of the course is todevelop an
understandingofcorephysicsatsuccessivelydeeper
levels, each stage revealing new phenomena and
greaterinsightintothebehaviourofmatterandradia
tion.
The first year of the course has several distinct aims.
First, it aims to bridge the gap between school and
universitylevelphysics,andtobringstudentsfromdif
ferentbackgroundstoacommonpoint.Second,itaims
to consolidate school physics by providing a much
more logical and analytical framework for classical
physics, which will be essential for all years of the
course. Third, it includes new themes such as special
relativityandquantumphysics,whichforeshadowkey
topicstobedevelopedinthesubsequentyearsofthe
course. Fourth, the individual lecture courses aim to
broadenyourperspective,sothatyoucanbegintoap
preciatethegreatflexibilityandgeneralityofthelaws
of physics and their application. And fifth, the experi
mental work is designed to developed your practical
skills and prepare you for more advanced laboratory
workinfutureyears.
There is an introductory talk at 11.00am on the first
Wednesday of Michaelmas full term (8th October
2014), at the Cavendish Laboratory, in the Pippard
LectureTheatre.
3.2 THELECTURECOURSES
The lecture courses are listed in the table below, and
detailedsynopsesareavailableonline.Allstudentsat
tendthesamelectures.
3.3 PRACTICALS
Students attend a physics practical for one afternoon
onceeverytwoweeks.Theprimaryaimoftheclassis
thedevelopmentofexperimentalskills,whichareim
portanttoallphysicists.Asecondaimofthepractical
session is to illustrate ideas and concepts in physics.
Someoftheexperimentsareconcernedwithillustrat
ingtopicscoveredinthePartIAPhysicslecturecourse,
butthisisnottheirmainpurpose.
Registration and assignment of days for practicals are
dealtwithcentrally,viayourCollege.Youareexpected
to do your practical on the same day of the week in
eachterm.Thepracticalsarecontinuouslyassessed.In
addition,toprepareforeachpracticalyouareaskedto
carry out a brief exercise beforehand, which you will
handintoyourdemonstratoratthestartofthepracti
calclass.Togiveyoupracticeintechnicalwritingyou
are required to do two formal reports. The first,par
tial,report,tobewrittenovertheChristmasvacation,
will be based on one of the experiments carried out
overtheMichaelmasterm.Thesecond,tobewritten
overtheEastervacation,willbeafullreportononeof
the Lentterm experiments. Full details are given in
yourpracticalclassmanual,andtipsandfurtheradvice
is given in the booklet entitled Keeping Laboratory
NotesandWritingFormalReports,whichishandedout
tostudentsatthestartoftheyear.Theoverallpracti
cal mark counts 25% towards the Part IA Physics ex
amination.Aroundathirdofthepracticalmarkcomes
fromtheFormalreports.
3.4 THEEXAMINATION
ThePartIAPhysicswrittenexaminationconsistsofone
threehour paper. The exact content of the paper is a
matter for the relevant examiners, but the expected
patternwillconsistofquestionsongeneralphysicsand
thematerialcoveredinthelecturecourses.Notethat
the Part IA syllabus was changed at the start of the
academic year 20092010 and earlier examination pa
pers will occasionally refer to topics which are no
longertaught.
3.5 BOOKS
TherearetwobooksrecommendedfortheIAPhysics
course these will be available in College libraries.
Some lecturers will give references both to relevant
sections of these books, and to worked examples in
them, which help explain or expand on the material
they present in their lectures. Similarly, the question
sheets may sometimes refer to the examples in these
books for students who wish to try additional prob
lems.Thisistoencourageyoutodevelopyourskillsin
utilisingthemoreextensiveresourcematerialprovided
intextbookstodeepenyourunderstandingofphysics.
[1] Understanding Physics (Second Edition), Mansfield
M&OSullivanC(Wiley2011)
[2]PhysicsforScientistsandEngineers(ExtendedVer
sion), Tipler P A & Mosca G (6th Edition, Freeman
2008)
Part IA Physics 7
3.6 SOMEIMPORTANTDATES

Note:Thislistisnotexhaustive,andmaybesupersededbyannouncementsontheTIS
Tuesday 7thOctober2014 StartofMichaelmasfullterm
th
Wednesday 8 October2014 11.00 Introductory talk at the Cavendish Laboratory
(PippardLectureTheatre)
Thursday or 4th&5thDecember2014 10.0016.00 Pick up notebook and instructions for formal
Friday reportfromIAPracticalClass
Friday 5thDecember 2014 EndofMichaelmasfullterm
Tuesday 13thJanuary2015 StartofLentfullterm
Tuesday or 13th&14thJanuary2015 10.0016.00 FormalreportmustbehandedintotheIAPrac
Wednesday ticalClass
Thursday or 12th&13thMarch2015 10.0016.00 Pick up notebook and instructions for formal
Friday reportfromIAPracticalClass
Friday 13thMarch2015 EndofLentfullterm
st
Tuesday 21 April2015 StartofEasterfullterm
Tuesday or 21st&22ndApril2015 10.0016.00 FormalreportmustbehandedintotheIAPrac
Wednesday ticalClass
Friday 12thJune2015 EndofEasterfullterm

LateSubmissionofWork
In accordance with the Universitys regulations, work submitted after the advertised deadline will not count towards
yourfinalexaminationmark,unlesstheDepartmentgrantsanextensionoftimeonthegroundsthattherearemitigat
ingcircumstances.AnyapplicationforsuchanextensionshouldbemadebyyourcollegeTutororDirectorofStudiesto
theDirectorofUndergraduateTeaching,c/oTeachingOffice,CavendishLaboratory,(teachingoffice@phy.cam.ac.uk).
Insuchcircumstances,youshouldsubmittheworkassoonaspossibleafterthedeadline.

8 Part IA Physics
3.7 LECTURELIST

PARTIAPHYSICS

Pleasecheckthecoursewebsiteforlatestdevelopmentsandcontacts:www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/

AlllecturesareonM.W.F.at9
AlllecturestakeplaceintheBristolMyersSquibbLectureTheatre,ChemicalLaboratory,LensfieldRoad.

LaboratoryWorktakesplaceattheCavendishLaboratory(WestCambridge).Theexperimentallaboratoriesareopen
M.25.45,Tu.25.45,Th.25.45andF.25.45.Studentswillbeallocatedasessionwithinthesetimes.Allstudents
mustattendanintroductorytalkat11.00a.m.onW.8Oct.attheCavendishLaboratory.TheLaboratorymaybeap
proachedbytheMadingleyRoad,orviatheCotoncycleandfootpath.Forcyclistsandpedestriansthelatterisstrongly
recommended.Laboratoryworkiscontinuouslyassessed.

Lectures Course Lecturer

MichaelmasTerm
12 Dynamics DrJuliaRiley
12 OscillatingSystems DrJohnBiggins
LentTerm
12 WavesandQuantumWaves Prof.DameAtheneDonald
12 RotationalMechanicsandSpecialRelativity Prof.SteveGull
EasterTerm
12 GravitationalandElectromagneticFields Prof.MikePayne

Part IA Physics 9
10 Part IA Physics
 Part IB Physics A
4.1 INTRODUCTIONANDCOURSEAIMS
TheobjectiveoftheIBPhysicsAcourseistoprovidea
selfcontained package of quantum and condensed
matterphysics.ThecoursebuildsonIAPhysicsandof
fersafirmgroundinginimportantareasofphysicsthat
are very useful for scientists with a wide range of ca
reerdestinations.Itcanbetakenbythosenottaking
PhysicsB;inthiscaseIBPhysicsAmight,forablestu
dents, lead to Half Subject Physics in Part II Physical
SciencesbutdoesnotbyitselfleadtoPartIIPhysics.
WhileitisalsopossibletotakeIBPhysicsBwithoutIB
PhysicsA,forthemajorityofstudentswishingtotakea
singlephysicsoptioninPartIB,PhysicsAislikelytobe
themoreattractiveoption.
Studentswillbecontactedbyemailandaskedtoreg
ister online at www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching before
the start of Michaelmas Term. Those taking only one
of Physics A or Physics B must register for practical
classesbetween2.00pmand4.00pmonTuesday7th
October 2014 at the Cavendish Laboratory. Students
taking both Physics A and Physics B must attend an
introductorytalkat2.00pmonWednesday8thOcto
ber2014attheCavendishLaboratory.
4.2 THECONTENTOFTHE COURSE
ThelecturecourseOscillations,WavesandOpticscov
erscentralaspectsofphysicalphenomenathatunder
pin much of physics. The Quantum Physics course
builds on this and treats quantum phenomena both
from the wave equation and by means of operator
methods.CondensedMatterPhysicsshowshowideas
fromwavesandquantummechanicscanbeappliedto
understandthepropertiesofsolids.
ThePracticalClassesfortheIBPhysicsoptionsareor
ganized around a set of fourteen experiments, six in
theMichaelmas term and eight in the Lent term. Stu
dents taking the A, B or both A+B courses undertake
different numbers and combinations of these experi
ments during the year. Candidates taking only the
PhysicsAcoursewillusuallyundertakeatotalof7ex
periments during the year (3 in the Michaelmas term
and4intheLentterm)attendingtwo3hourlongaf
ternoon sessions (over a fortnight) per experiment.
Candidates taking both the Physics A and Physics B
courses are expected to undertake 6 experiments in
the Michaelmas term and 5 experiments in the Lent
term,butwillcompleteeachoftheseoverthecourse
of a week (usually in one day). They also undertake a
longer experimental investigation in groups of four,
spread over weeks 6 and 7 of the Lent term, and as
sessedbymeansofagrouppresentationgivenoneach
groupsusualpracticaldayinweek8.
PhysicsAandPhysicsBbothrequiremathematicsbe
yondthatinthesyllabusforIAMathematicsforNatu
ral Sciences; students not taking the NST Part IB
subject Mathematics should attend the lectures on
Mathematical Methods given at the same time on
weekdays during Michaelmas Term. This course is su
pervised,andcoversalltheadditionalmathematicsre
quiredforbothPartIBPhysicscourses,andforthePart
IIPhysicscoreandoptionscourses.Itdoesnotprovide
fullcoverageofthemathematicsassumedforthePart
IITheoreticalPhysics(TP)courses,butmathematically
ablestudentswouldneedtodosomeextraworkdur
ingthelongvacationafterPartIBinordertocatchup.
4.3 THEEXAMINATION
The IB Physics A examination consists of two three
hour papers. Details of the material covered in each
paperwillbepublishedinaFormandConductNotice
during the course of the year. Note that the NST IB
courses were changed considerably in 200708, with
thepreviousPhysicsandAdvancedPhysicsmaterial
rearrangedintoPhysicsAandPhysicsB.Thepracti
cals are continuously assessed and overall count ap
proximately25%towardstheIBPhysicsAexamination,
withabout40%ofthiscomingfromaformalreporton
oneoftheexperiments(forthosenotdoingPhysicsB)
orfromagrouppresentationofanextendedinvestiga
tion(forthosedoingbothPhysicsAandPhysicsB);full
details are given in the class manual and additional
help is given in the booklet Keeping Laboratory Notes
andWritingFormalReports.
Part IB Physics A 11
4.4 SOMEIMPORTANTDATES
Note:Thislistisnotexhaustive,andmaybesupersededbyannouncementsontheTIS

Tuesday 7thOctober2014 StartofMichaelmasfullterm.

Tuesday 7thOctober2014 14.0016.00 Practical Registration for Students taking IB Physics A
orBattheCavendishLaboratory
Wednesday 8thOctober2014 14.00 Introductorytalk forStudentstakingIBPhysicsAand B
attheCavendishLaboratory
th
Friday 5 December2014 EndofMichaelmasfullterm
Monday 8thDecember2014 16.00 HeadofClass report must have been handed in to
the IB Practical Class if chosen for submission (see
synopsisofPhysicsApracticalclassfordetails)
Tuesday 13thJanuary2015 StartofLentfullterm
th th
Week8 5 10 March2015 Presentation of results of the Extended Investigation
duringnormalLaboratoryhours(studentstakingPhys
icsAandB)
Friday 13thMarch2015 EndofLentfullterm
Monday 16thMarch2015 16.00 HeadofClass report must have been handed in to
the IB Practical Class if chosen for submission (see
synopsisofPhysicsApracticalclassfordetails)
Tuesday 21stApril2015 StartofEasterfullterm
Friday 12hJune2015 EndofEasterfullterm

LateSubmissionofWork
In accordancewith the Universitys regulations, work submitted after the advertiseddeadline will not count towards
yourfinalexaminationmark,unlesstheDepartmentgrantsanextensionoftimeonthegroundsthattherearemitigat
ingcircumstances.AnyapplicationforsuchanextensionshouldbemadebyyourcollegeTutororDirectorofStudiesto
theDirectorofUndergraduateTeaching,c/oTeachingOffice,CavendishLaboratory,(teachingoffice@phy.cam.ac.uk).
Insuchcircumstances,youshouldsubmittheworkassoonaspossibleafterthedeadline.

12 Part IB Physics A
4.5 LECTURELIST
NATURALSCIENCESTRIPOS

PARTIBPHYSICSA

Pleasecheckthecoursewebsiteforlatestdevelopments,lecturetimetableandlocation:
www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/

Thecourseslabelledwithanasterisk*aregivenintheCockcroftLectureTheatre,NewMuseumsSite,M.W.F.12
unlessotherwisedetailedintheonlinelecturetimetable.

Lectures Course Lecturer

MichaelmasTerm
8 ExperimentalMethods* Prof.ChrisHaniff PhysicsA
16 Oscillations,WavesandOptics* DrJohnRicher PhysicsA
16 MathematicalMethods Prof.ChrisHaniff PhysicsA&B
(ForthoseNOTtakingNSTIBMathematics)
LentTerm
24 QuantumPhysics* Prof.StaffordWithington PhysicsA
8 GreatExperiments(nonexaminable)* StaffoftheCavendish PhysicsA&B
EasterTerm
10 CondensedMatterPhysics* Prof.SirRichardFriend PhysicsA

LaboratoryWorktakesplaceattheCavendishLaboratory(WestCambridge).Theexperimentallaboratoriesareopen
M.25.45,Tu.105.45,Th.105.45andF.25.45.Studentswillbeallocatedperiodswithinthesetimes.Studentstak
ingbothPartIBPhysicsAandPartIBPhysicsBmustattendanintroductorytalkandregisterforpracticalsat2.00p.m.
onW.8Oct.attheCavendishLaboratory.StudentstakingPartIBPhysicsAorIBPhysicsB,mustregisterbetween2.00
p.m.and4.00p.m.onTu.7Oct.,whentheywillbeallocatedpracticalsessionsthatfitwiththeirotherIBsubjects.
Laboratoryworkiscontinuouslyassessed.

Part IB Physics A 13


14 Part IB Physics A
 Part IB Physics B
5.1 INTRODUCTIONANDCOURSEAIMS
TheIBPhysicsBcoversarangeoftopicsthatarecom
plementarytotheIBPhysicsAcourse.Studentswish
ing to proceed to part II Physics must take both
PhysicsAandPhysicsB.
Students taking bothcourses combine them with one
other IB subject. While NST IB Mathematics is fre
quently taken, and is useful for those wishing to pur
sue Theoretical Physics options within the Part II
Physicscourse,studentsshouldbeadvisedthatthisis
both a demanding and constraining choice. (For stu
dentstakingsubjectsotherthanMathematics,appro
priate support is provided through the Michaelmas
TermcourseinMathematicalMethods.)Theselection
of a different subject in place of NST IB Mathematics
provides greater breadth and gives greater choice of
Part II/III subjects within the Natural Sciences Tripos,
shouldPartIBphysicsnotprovetoberewarding.
ItispossibletotakeIBPhysicsBwithoutIBPhysicsA,
butthisisnotadequatepreparationforPartIIPhysics.
The practical work draws heavily on material from
PhysicsAintheMichaelmasTerm,andstudentstak
ing just Physics B are advised to attend at least the
Experimental Methods lectures from Physics A for
necessary background. For the majority of students
wishingtotakeasinglephysicsoptioninPartIB,Phys
icsAislikelytobethemoreattractiveoption.
Students will be emailed and asked to register via
http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/beforethestart
ofMichaelmasTerm.
Students not taking both Physics A and Physics B
mustregisterbetween2.00pmand4.00pmonTues
day7thOctober2014.
Students taking both Part IB Physics A and Part IB
PhysicsBmustattendanintroductorytalkat2.00pm
on Wednesday 8th October 2014 at the Cavendish
Laboratory.
5.2 COURSECONTENT
The lectures on Electromagnetism cover key concepts
inthisimportantsubject.ClassicalDynamicsprovides
moreadvancedapproachestoclassicalproblemsthan
were given in Part IA, and introduces key concepts in
fluid mechanics. Thermodynamics provides an intro
duction to classical thermodynamics and kinetic the
ory. A nonexaminable course Great Experiments
provides valuable insight into the importance of ex
perimentsintheprogressofphysics,andtheirhistori
calcontext.TheComputingcourseprovidesanintro
duction to C++ programming techniques and their
applicationinphysicsbasedproblems.
ThePracticalClassesfortheIBPhysicsoptionsareor
ganized around a set of fourteen experiments, six in
theMichaelmastermandeightintheLentterm.Stu
dents taking the A, B or both A+B courses undertake
different numbers and combinations of these experi
ments during the year. Candidates taking only the
PhysicsBcoursewillusuallyundertakeatotalof6ex
periments during the year (3 in the Michaelmas term
and3intheLentterm)attendingtwo3hourlongaf
ternoon sessions (over a fortnight) per experiment.
Candidates taking both the Physics A and Physics B
courses are expected to undertake 6 experiments in
the Michaelmas term and 5 experiments in the Lent
term,butwillcompleteeachoftheseoverthecourse
of a week (usually in one day). They alsoundertakea
longer experimental investigation in groups of four,
spread over weeks 6 and 7 of the Lent term, and as
sessed by means of a group presentation given on
eachgroupsusualpracticaldayinweek8.
PhysicsAandPhysicsBbothrequiremathematicsbe
yondthatinthesyllabusforIAMathematicsforNatu
ral Sciences; students not taking the NST Part IB
subject Mathematics should attend the lectures on
Mathematical Methods given at the same time on
weekdays during Michaelmas Term. This course is su
pervised, and covers all the additional mathematics
required for both Part IB Physics courses, and for the
Part II Physics core and options courses. It does not
providefullcoverageofthemathematicsassumedfor
the Part II Theoretical Physics (TP) courses, but
mathematicallyablestudentswouldneedtodosome
extraworkduringthelongvacationafterPartIBinor
dertocatchup.
5.3 THEEXAMINATION
The IB Physics B examination consists of two three
hourpapers.Thepracticalelementsofthiscourse(i.e.
the practicals and computing) are continuously as
sessed and overall count approximately 25% towards
the IB Physics B marks (out of this, 18% is from the
computing mark, so overall computing counts for
4.5%). Students should note that roughly 40% of the
marksforthepracticalswillcomefromaHeadofClass
Report/GroupPresentation.Fulldetailsareintheclass
manual and additional help is given in the booklet
KeepingLaboratoryNotesandWritingFormalReports.
Part IB Physics B 15
5.4 SOMEIMPORTANTDATES
Note:Thislistisnotexhaustive,andmaybesupersededbyannouncementsontheTIS

Tuesday 7thOctober2014 StartofMichaelmasfullterm

th
Tuesday 7 October2014 14.0016.00 PracticalregistrationforStudentstakingIBPhysicsA or B
attheCavendishLaboratory
Wednesday 8thOctober2014 14.00 PracticalregistrationforStudentstakingIBPhysicsAand
PhysicsBattheCavendishLaboratory
Friday 5thDecember2014 EndofMichaelmasfullterm
th
Monday 8 December2014 16.00 HeadofClassreportmusthavebeenhandedintothe
IBPracticalClassifchosenforsubmission(seesynopsis
ofPhysicsBpracticalclassfordetails)
th
Tuesday 13 January2015 StartofLentfullterm
Week8 5th10thMarch2015 Presentation of results of the Extended Investigation
duringnormalLaboratoryhours(studentstakingPhysics
AandB)
Friday 13thMarch2015 EndofLentfullterm
Monday 16thMarch2015 16.00 HeadofClassreportmusthavebeenhandedintothe
IBPracticalClassifchosenforsubmission(seesynopsis
ofPhysicsBpracticalclassfordetails)
st
Tuesday 21 April2015 StartofEasterfullterm
Friday 12thJune2015 EndofEasterfullterm

LateSubmissionofWork
In accordancewith the Universitys regulations, work submitted after the advertiseddeadline will not count towards
yourfinalexaminationmark,unlesstheDepartmentgrantsanextensionoftimeonthegroundsthattherearemitigat
ingcircumstances.AnyapplicationforsuchanextensionshouldbemadebyyourcollegeTutororDirectorofStudiesto
theDirectorofUndergraduateTeaching,c/oTeachingOffice,CavendishLaboratory,(teachingoffice@phy.cam.ac.uk).
Insuchcircumstances,youshouldsubmittheworkassoonaspossibleafterthedeadline.

16 Part IB Physics B


5.5LECTURELIST
NATURALSCIENCESTRIPOS

PARTIBPHYSICSB

Pleasecheckthecoursewebsiteforlatestdevelopments,lecturetimetableandlocation:
www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/

Thecourseslabelledwithanasterisk*aregivenintheCockcroftLectureTheatre,NewMuseumsSite,M.W.F.9
unlessotherwisedetailedintheonlinelecturetimetable.

Lectures Course Lecturer

MichaelmasTerm
2 IntroductiontoComputing DrChrisLester PhysicsB
20 Electromagnetism* Prof.ChrisFord PhysicsB
4 ClassicalDynamics* DrDaveGreen PhysicsB
16 MathematicalMethods Prof.ChrisHaniff PhysicsA&B
(ForthoseNOTtakingNSTIBMathematics)
LentTerm
16 ClassicalDynamics* DrDaveGreen PhysicsB
8 Thermodynamics* DrJohnEllis PhysicsB
8 GreatExperiments(nonexaminable) StaffoftheCavendish PhysicsA&B
EasterTerm
8 Thermodynamics* DrJohnEllis PhysicsB

LaboratoryWorktakesplaceattheCavendishLaboratory(WestCambridge).Theexperimentallaboratoriesareopen
M.25.45,Tu.105.45,Th.105.45andF.25.45.Studentswillbeallocatedperiodswithinthesetimes.Studentstak
ingbothPartIBPhysicsAandPartIBPhysicsBmustattendanintroductorytalkandregisterforpracticalsat2.00p.m.
onW.8Oct.attheCavendishLaboratory.StudentstakingPartIBPhysicsAorIBPhysicsB,mustregisterbetween2.00
p.m.and4.00p.m.onTu.7Oct.,whentheywillbeallocatedpracticalsessionsthatfitwiththeirotherIBsubjects.
Laboratoryworkiscontinuouslyassessed.

Part IB Physics B 17


18 Part IB Physics B
 Part II Physics
6.1 THE THREE AND FOURYEAR COURSES
INPHYSICS
It is assumed that all students taking Part II Physics
will have attended both Physics A and Physics B in
PartIB(orequivalentcoursesintheMathematicsTri
pos).
There are two paths to graduating in Physics, both
leadingtoawiderangeofcareeroptions.Bothgroups
ofstudentstakethesamecourseinthethirdyear.The
pathsare:
3year course leading to B.A. honours de
gree:thispathisdesignedforstudentswitha
deep interest in the subject but who do not
intendtobecomeprofessionalphysicists.Itis
achallengingcourseandexposesstudentsto
core areas of physics at an advanced level.
Studentsonthispathwillgraduateattheend
ofthePartIIcoursewithaB.A.Hons.
4year course leading to an M.Sci. honours
degree(masterofNaturalSciences),together
with a B.A. honours degree: students who
wishtopursueaprofessionalcareerinphysics
(for example in academic or industrial re
search)taketheusualthirdyearPartIIbutdo
not graduate at the end of the third year.
TheymustapplyintheLenttermtoreadPart
III Physics. Subject to requisite funding, col
legeapprovalandachievementofa2:1result
orbetterinPartIIPhysics,studentsareadmit
tedtotakePartIIIPhysicsintheirfourthyear.
BothB.A.andM.Sci.degreesareconferredat
theendofthisfourthyear.
ThePartIIPhysicscourseisveryflexible,andcanrange
fromstronglyexperimentaltohighlytheoreticalphys
ics,witharangeofspecialistoptions.Therearepossi
bilities for substantial independent work and for
experienceofindustrialresearch.
ThereisnolimitonthenumberofstudentstakingPart
IIPhysicsandweusuallyhaveabout150students,the
largestclassinanyPartIINaturalSciencesubject.
6.2 OUTLINEOFTHECOURSES
Thedetailedtimetableisavailableonline:
http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/
ThecoursebeginswithameetingonthefirstWednes
dayofFullTerm(8thOctober2014)at9.30aminthe
PippardLectureTheatreattheCavendishLaboratory.
Part II Physics
Part II Physics contains work of two types: Core lec
tures in the Michaelmas term and Options lectures in
theLent/Easterterms,whichareexaminedattheend
of the year in the usual way, and units of Further
Work, which are assessed during the year. Students
take three or more of the Lent/Easter lecture courses
togetherwithatleastthreeunitsofFurtherWork.
We do not expect any student to take more than the
minimumnumberofunitsofworkinanycategory.The
great majority of students will find the workload de
manding even at this level. We recognise, however,
thatsomestudentsmayhavegoodreasonsforwishing
to take additional courses for credit. Marks for all ex
aminationpaperssatwillappearonthestudentsUni
versitytranscripts.Withinanypartoftheexamination
(optionscourses,FurtherWork)thebestresultsmeet
ing the minimum requirement will count towards the
classfortheyear.
TheaimoftheMichaelmasTermlecturecoursesisto
complete basic instruction in physics. In this term,
therearefourcorecourses:
AdvancedQuantumPhysics;
Relativity;
OpticsandElectrodynamics;
ThermalandStatisticalPhysics.
In the Lent and Easter terms, four option courses are
offered,introducingbroadareasofphysics:
AstrophysicalFluids;
ParticleandNuclearPhysics;
QuantumCondensedMatter;
SoftCondensedMatter.
All students are also expected to take the course on
ComputationalPhysics,whichisassessedbyaseriesof
short exercises. In addition, an extended Computa
tionalPhysicsprojectisavailableasoneoftheoptional
unitsofFurtherWork.
The remainder of the Further Work offers a free
choice. Students may select an experimentallybiased
coursebycarryingoutuptotwoexperimentalinvesti
gations (E1 and E2), each lasting two weeks. Alterna
tively, there are two possible courses in Theoretical
Physics (TP1 and TP2), consisting of lectures plus ex
amplesclasses,whichrunrespectivelyintheMichael
mas and Lent terms. We expect that almost all
studentswillofferatleastoneofE1andTP1.Offering
19
both TP1 and E1 is possible, but students should be
aware that it does make for a difficult timetable in
Michaelmas term. Further optional elements of Fur
ther Work are a ComputingProject,ResearchReview,
PhysicsEducationoraLongVacationProject.Allunits
of further work are outlined in Section 6.3 and in the
accompanyingtable.
There are also two unexamined courses, on Topics in
AstrophysicsandConceptsinPhysics.
ThefullPartIIcourseinvolves10.2unitsofcredit:7of
these are from examined courses, 3 from the main
unitsofFurtherWork(FW),and0.2fromtheComput
ing Exercises. See the table for details. So to a good
approximation, each unit counts for one tenth of the
totalmarkforthecourse(strictly9.80%).
6.3 FURTHERWORK
OftheoptionalFurtherWork,notethatnotmorethan
two Experiments may be offered. Other rules for
choosing Further Work are set out in Section 6.6 on
ExaminationsandintheTableonpage21.
Studentswillbecontactedbyemailandshouldregis
ter online via the teaching web pages
http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/ before the start
ofMichaelmasTermandtogiveanindicationofwhich
unitsofFurtherWorktheyintendtocomplete.Inpar
ticular,theywillbeaskedtomakeaprovisionalchoice
of experiments for E1 and E2 if they intend to take
those options. These arrangements may be modified
at the registration meeting at the beginning of term.
Students wishing to change their choice during the
courseoftheyear(forexamplethosewishingtotake
E2 instead of TP2 in light of their TP1 results) should
contacttheTeachingOffice.
ThearrangementsforsubmittingandassessingFurther
Work are described in 6.6.4 below and in the online
CourseSynopses.
6.3.1 Computing
AllstudentsareexpectedtoattendtheComputational
Physics lectures in Lent term, which build on the Part
IB C++ course. Associated with the lectures are Com
puting exercises which are equivalent to 0.2 units of
work, and are compulsory for all Part II Physics stu
dents. In addition, students may elect to offer an ex
tendedComputingProject,whichwillinvolveanalysing
a physics problem, and writing a program to solve it.
Thisprojectisoptional,andcountsasoneunitofFur
therWork.
20
6.3.2 ExperimentalInvestigations
Eachexperimentwillinvolve30to40hoursworkand
willbeequivalenttooneunitofFurtherWork.TheE1
and E2 sessions are run in the Michaelmas and Lent
terms respectively, with individual experiments start
ing on the first, third and fifth Mondays in Term. The
detailsofthesesessionswillbeannouncedduringreg
istrationatthestartofterm.E1isassessedduringthe
Michaelmas Term so that any appropriate advice and
constructive criticism can be given before a decision
hastobetakenonwhetherornottoofferE2.Students
opting for E2 only after taking the TP1 examination
(seeSection6.3.3)arelikelytobeallocatedtoE2bor
E2c.Nostudentisallowedtooffermorethantwounits
ofexperimentalinvestigation.
TheexperimentsavailableinPartIIareofferedbythe
experimental research groups from within the De
partment.Theexperimentsgiveyouthechancetode
velop professional ability, both in performing a
substantial experiment and in relating experiment to
theory. Most students find these experiments more
demandingandmoresatisfyingthantheshortexperi
ments of the Part I classes. They are assessed by a
Head of Class write up followed by an oral examina
tion.
6.3.3 CoursesinTheoreticalPhysics
The Theoretical Physics Courses are challenging
coursesaimedatstudentswhofindmathematicsrela
tively easy and who have a strong interest in the
mathematicaldescriptionofphysicalsystems.Thema
jorityofstudentstakingthesecourseswillhavetaken
Part IB Mathematics for NST, but the Mathematical
Methods course offered as part of Physics A and B in
PartIBprovidesnearlyallofthenecessarybackground.
Usuallythemarkdistributionsforthesecourseshavea
tail of low marks obtained by students who would
probably have scored higher marks if they had done
experimentalwork.
Theoretical Physics Course TP1 is taken in the
MichaelmasTermandstudentstakeawrittentestpa
per at the start of the Lent Term. The results will be
madeavailabletoguideyourchoiceoffurtherworkfor
the Lent term. A second Theoretical Course, TP2, is
taken in the Lent Term and tested at the start of the
Easter Term. TP1 and TP2 each count for one unit of
Further Work. As well as lectures, four examples
classes are given in each of TP1 and TP2.
Part II Physics
PartIIPhysicsCoreandOptionsSchemes

Lectures Course Lecturer/HeadofClass HalfSubject Physics

MichaelmasTermCorecourses
18 ThermalandStatisticalPhysics DrBillAllison
24 Relativity Prof.MikeHobson choose
24 AdvancedQuantumPhysics DrRichardBatley 2
16 OpticsandElectrodynamics Prof.HenningSirringhaus
Lent/EasterTermsOptionCourses
8 ComputationalPhysics DrDavidBuscher FW(0.2units)
24 AstrophysicalFluidDynamics DrDeboraSijacki
22 ParticleandNuclearPhysics Prof.DavidWard choose choose
22 QuantumCondensedMatter Prof.RichardNeeds 1 3or4
22 SoftCondensedMatter Prof.EugeneTerentjev
FurtherWork (FW),(1unit1.5hrsexamination) FWunits
ResearchReview DrRachaelPadman 1
PhysicsEducation(limitednumbers) DrLisaJardineWright 1
Computationalproject DrDavidBuscher 1 choose choose
ExperimentE1&E2 DrPietroCicuta 1each 2 3ormore
TheoryTP1&TP2 DrClaudioCastelnovo 1each
DrAustenLamacraft
LongVacationproject(approvalrequired) DrRachaelPadman 1
FWunits 2 3+
ExamUnits 3 7+
Notes: Approx.%FW 40% 30%

Half Subject Physics students choose a Research Review as the topic

fortheirdissertationinPartIIPhysicalSciences.

Part II Physics 21
6.3.4 ResearchReview
AResearchReviewisequivalenttooneunitofFurther
Work, and consists of a review (of 3000 words max.)
onsomeareaofphysics,approvedinadvance.Sucha
reviewmusthaveaSupervisor.Inaboutthesixthweek
oftheLentTermsupervisorswillorganiseameetingat
which students will have the chance to present their
interim work to other students working on reviews in
similarareasandtheirsupervisors.Aswellasproviding
a chance to obtain feedback this should ultimately
raisethestandardofthesubmittedwork.Youreceive
5%oftheavailablemarksfortheResearchReviewfor
givingthepresentation(irrespectiveofitsquality).Re
search Reviews are assessed by two staff members
withashortoralexaminationearlyintheEasterTerm.
This examination will usually begin with a short oral
presentation.
6.3.5 LongVacationWork
ScientificworkduringtheLongVacationpriortoyour
thirdyearcancountasprojectworkworthoneunitof
FurtherWork.ThefulldetailscanbeobtainedfromDr
Padman (rp11@cam.ac.uk, Astrophysics Group), but
youmustgetyourproposalapprovedinadvance,be
foretheendoftheprecedingEasterTerm.Formsare
availablefromtheTIS.Youwillberequiredtonamein
advance a suitably qualified onsite supervisor who is
willing to write retrospectively to Dr Padman describ
ingtheworkyouhavedoneandgivinganassessment
of your effectiveness. Normally the programme must
beofatleasttwomonthsdurationandmustincludea
substantialelementofindependentororiginalwork.It
is important that the project includes a significant
amountofphysicsandisnot,forexample,simplyase
ries of routine measurements or entirely devoted to
computerprogramming.
VacationprojectswithintheUniversitymaybeoffered
through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Programme (UROP). Some of these projects may be
suitable as assessed LongVacation Work. Check the
teachingwebpagesformoreinformation.
6.3.6 PhysicsEducation
ThePhysicsEducationcoursecountsasoneunitoffur
ther work. It offers the possibility of developing and
presentingteachingmaterialinasecondaryschool.It
develops a wide range of transferable skills and pro
videsarealopportunitytoexplorethepossibilityofa
careerinteaching.Detailsofthenatureandscopeof
thiscoursearegivenatlengthinthecoursesynopsis.
Numbers are restricted and students wishing to take
22
partmustattendtheintroductorysessionbetween2
5pmonFriday10thOctober2014.
6.4 SUPERVISIONSANDEXAMPLESCLASSES
SupervisionforPartIIisorganisedbytheDepartment
onbehalfoftheColleges.DuringtheMichaelmasterm
Physicsstudentsaresupervisedinallfourcorelecture
courses,andHalfSubjectPhysicsstudentsintwo.Su
pervisions for these courses will be allocated auto
matically according to the option for which you are
registered.
IntheLenttermstudentschoosetheirsupervisionsac
cording to their choice of subjects for examination.
The signup procedure is webbased, and you will be
notifiedbyemailinplentyoftime.Weaskyoutosign
up by 2.00 pm on the last Friday of Michaelmas Full
Term, so that arrangements can be made during the
Christmasvacation.Obviouslythisdoesnotallowyou
tosamplethecourses:ifyousubsequentlydecidethat
youwishtochangeoptions,thenpleasevisitoremail
theTeachingOfficetorequestachangeofsupervisor.
Thenumberofsupervisionsforeachcourseissumma
risedinthetableoverleaf.
Supervision will normally be in groups of three, al
thoughyoumayoccasionallyfindyourselfinatwoora
four, to allow supervisors to accommodate odd num
bers or students who are wildly mismatched in their
ability in a particular subject. You must be prepared
toworkmuchmoreindependentlythanatPartI.Dif
ficulties that arise in lectures are often more conven
iently discussed with the lecturers themselves at the
endoflectures,orbyarrangementatothertimes
You must take responsibility for ensuring that the su
pervisionsgoasfaraspossibleinmeetingyourneeds.
Supervisorsareusuallywillingwithinreasonablelimits
to be flexible about the detailed arrangements. You
shouldexpecttobeaskedtohandinworkforeachsu
pervision, in time for your supervisor to look through
the work and identify any potential problems. How
ever, the quantity and complexity of the work at this
levelmeansthatsupervisorsmaybeunabletoprovide
thedetailedpersonalmarkingthatyouexperiencedin
PartsIAandIB
Supervisorsmayrangefromestablishedlecturerswith
long teaching experience to relatively inexperienced
graduate students. New supervisors are expected to
seekadviceonsupervising,toattendthecoursespro
vided by the University, and to commit to the neces
sary preparation for each supervision. However,
experience is the only real teacher, and inevitably
some supervisors will be more confident than others,
Part II Physics
particularlyatansweringsubtleandunexpectedques Undergraduates are encouraged to attend the Caven
tions. dish Physical Society lectures, at 4.00 pm on some
Wednesdays.PartIIstudentsarealsowelcomeatthe

manyResearchSeminarsandotherlecturesintheDe
SUPERVISIONSINPARTII(201415)
partment, particularly those organised by the Cam

bridge Physics Centre. These are advertised on notice

Half PHYSICS
Subject boards,andontheCavendishgroupswebpages.
MICHAELMAS
ThermalandStatistical 4
6.6 THEEXAMINATION
Electrodynamics&Light Choose 4 6.6.1 TheWrittenPapersforPartII
2
Relativity 4 The exact content of each Paper is a matter for the
Adv.QuantumPhysics 4 relevantExaminers.Eachofthecoreandoptionallec
SUBTOTAL 8 16 turecoursesisexaminedinaseparatetwohourpaper.

LENT 6.6.2 Requirements
Astrophysics
Particle&NuclearPhysics choose 4ineachof The written examinations consist of the core lecture
1 3chosen coursepapers,plusthreeorfouroftheoptionlecture
QuantumCondensedMatter subject subjects coursepapers.Inadditiontothecomputingexercises,
SoftCondensedMatter threeormoreotherunitsofFurtherWorkmustbeof
feredandmaybedrawnfromthevariouschoicesde
SUBTOTAL 4 12 scribedinSection6.3(seetheTableonp.21).
TOTAL 12 28
6.6.3 ExaminationEntries

You are required to make a preliminary indication of

Without an influx of new supervisors the system will
rapidly decay, so please be understanding. If you do
have problems with your supervisor that cannot be
solved by direct twoway discussion, please contact
your Director of Studies in the first instance. If your
DoS feels that intervention is warranted, they should
contact the Supervisions coordinator (currently Dr
RachaelPadman).
whichpapersyouintendtoofferwhenyoufillinyour
exam entry on CamSIS at the start of Michaelmas
term. You will then be required to specify which final
combination of papers you intend tooffer by modify
ing the exam entry during Lent term, in liaison with
your College Tutorial Office. Any questions on com
pleting the exam entry should bediscussed withyour
DirectorofStudies.

6.5 NONEXAMINEDWORK 6.6.4 SubmissionofFurtherWork

Thereisanonexaminablecourseof24lecturesinthe
Lent term on the Physics of Astrophysics. These lec
turesshouldbeinterestingforallstudentsandarein
tendedtoprovidevaluablebackgroundforthosewho
areinterestedinpursuingAstrophysicalcoursesinPart
III
Thereisalsoanonexaminablecourseof8lecturesin
the Lent term on Concepts in Physics, intended to
placeinperspectivesomemajorthemesofphysics,to
sketch connections between them and to investigate
unresolved questions. Attendance is strongly encour
agedforallstudents.
OpenDays(opentoPartIIandPartIIIstudents)willbe
heldduringtheyearandareintendedtogiveanidea
of the range of current research in the laboratory.
Dates are given online and posted on the Part II and
PartIIInoticeboards.
WhenanypieceofFurtherWorkissubmitteditshould
beinacompleteandfinalform.
Students are permitted to submit more than the
minimum number of units of Further Work. Once a
piece of Further Work has been submitted, it will be
marked: the best marks for the required minimum
number of units will count towards the class, but all
marks will appear in the markbook, and on the tran
script.
TP1 and TP2 are assessed by written tests during the
year.OnceyouhaveenteredtheroomfortheTP1or
TP2 test the unit of Further Work will count towards
thefinaltotal.
In accordance with the Universitys regulations, work
submittedaftertheadvertiseddeadlinewillnotcount
towards your final examination mark, unless the De
partment grants an extension of time on the grounds
Part II Physics 23
that there are mitigating circumstances. Any applica
tionforsuchanextensionshouldbemadebyyourcol
lege Tutor or Director of Studies to the Director of
Undergraduate Teaching, c/o Teaching Office, Caven
dishLaboratory, (teachingoffice@phy.cam.ac.uk). In
such circumstances, you should submit the work as
soonaspossibleafterthedeadline.
TheRegulationsrequirethatassessedRecordsofFur
therWorkbesubmittedtotheExaminersthroughthe
Head of the Department; this happens automatically
afterassessment.
There is a list of important dates at the end of this
section.
6.7 HALFSUBJECTPHYSICS
Half Subject Physics is part of Natural Sciences Part II
Physical Sciences. It comprises abouthalf of the work
load of Part II Physics, and may be combined with a
subjectfromPartIBnotpreviouslytaken.
24
Candidatesoffer
i) Twoofthecorelecturecoursepapers.
ii) Oneoftheoptionlecturecoursepapers.
iii)ComputingexercisesandtwounitsofFurtherWork
(notincludingaResearchReview).
In addition, Physical Sciences students must offer a
dissertation on a topic consistent with their Half Sub
ject. For Half Subject Physics this dissertation will be
chosenonatopicfromthoseofferedforResearchRe
views,butwithawordlimitof5000(ratherthan3000
foraResearchReview.
You will be required to specify which combination of
papers you intend to offer by the third week of the
LentTerm.
VacationworkmaybearrangedasdescribedinSection
6.3.6, and, if approved as there detailed, may be
countedasoneunitofFurtherWork.
ThearrangementsforsubmittingFurtherWorkarethe
sameasthoseforPartIIPhysicscandidates.
Part II Physics
6.8 SOMEIMPORTANTDATES
Note:Thislistisnotexhaustive,andmaybesupersededbyannouncementsontheTIS.Furtherdetailswillbean
nouncedontheTIS.

Tuesday 7thOctober2014 StartofMichaelmasfullterm

th
Wednesday 8 October2014 9.30 Introductorytalk (PippardLectureTheatre,Cavendish
Laboratory)
Monday 13thOctober2014 14.00 BriefingforE1a,in relevantlaboratory
Monday 13thOctober 2014 16.00 Vacationworkreportdeadline
Monday 13thOctober2014 14.00 FirstTP1lecture
Tue 21stOctober2014 14.00 FirstTP1examplesclass
Friday 24thOctober2014 17.00 E1alaboratoriesclose
Monday 27thOctober2014 14.00 BriefingforE1b,intherelevantlaboratory
st
Friday 31 October2014 Researchreviewtopicspreliminaryselectiondeadline
Monday 3rdNovember 2014 16.00 E1areportdeadline
Friday 7thNovember2014 17.00 E1blaboratoriesclose
th
Monday 10 November2014 14.00 BriefingforE1c,intherelevantlaboratory
Monday 17thNovember2014 16.00 E1breportdeadline
Friday 21stNovember2014 17.00 E1claboratoriesclose
st
Monday 1 December2014 16.00 E1creportdeadline
Friday 5thDecember2014 EndofMichaelmasfullterm
Tuesday 13thJanuary2015 StartofLentfullterm
th
Wed 14 January2015 10:30 TP1examination(PippardLectureTheatre)
12:30
Thursday 15thJanuary2015 12.00 FirstTP2lecture
Monday 19thJanuary2015 12.00 BriefingforE2a,inrelevantlaboratory
Tuesday 27thJanuary2015 14.00 FirstTP2examplesclass
Friday 30thJanuary2015 17.00 E2alaboratoriesclose
nd
Monday 2 February2015 12.00 BriefingforE2b,intherelevantlaboratory
Monday 9thFebruary2015 16.00 E2areportdeadline
Friday 13thFebruary2015 17.00 E2blaboratoriesclose
th
Monday 16 February2015 12.00 BriefingforE2c,intherelevantlaboratory
Monday 23rdFebruary2015 16.00 E2breportdeadline
Thursday 19th25thFebruary2015 PresentationsofResearchReviews(willbeorganisedby
Wed yoursupervisor)
Friday 27thFebruary2015 17.00 E2claboratoriesclose
Monday 9thMarch2015 16.00 E2creportdeadline
Friday 13thMarch2015 EndofLentfullterm
Tuesday 21stApril2015 StartofEasterfullterm
Wed 22ndApril2015 TP2examination(PippardLectureTheatre)
Monday 27thApril2015 16.00 ComputingReportdeadline
Monday 27thApril2015 16.00 ResearchReviewdeadline
Monday 27thApril2015 16.00 PhysicsEducationdeadline
Tuesday 28thApril OralexaminationsonResearchReviews
Monday 11thMay2015 (willbeorganisedbyyoursupervisor)
Friday 12thJune2015 EndofEasterfullterm

Part II Physics 25


6.9 LECTURELIST


PARTIIPHYSICS

PHYSICALSCIENCES:
HALFSUBJECTPHYSICS

Pleasecheckthecoursewebsiteforlatestdevelopments,lecturetimetableandlocation:
www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/

StudentstakingPartIIPhysicsmusttakeallfourCorecoursesintheMichaelmasTerm,threeormoreoftheOptions
coursesintheLentandEasterTerms,andComputationalPhysics.Theymustinadditiontakethreeormorecourses
fromPhysicsEducation,TheoreticalOptionsandOtherFurtherWork.Thereisatest(underexamconditions)ofthe
materialoftheTheoreticalOptionsatthestartofthetermfollowingthatinwhicheachblock,TP1andTP2,isgiven.
AllstudentsarerecommendedtoattendtheNonexaminablecoursesConceptsinPhysicsandCurrentResearchWork
intheCavendishLaboratory.

StudentstakingHalfSubjectPhysicsaspartofPartIIPhysicalScienceswilltakeanytwooftheCorecoursesinthe
MichaelmastermandanyoneoftheOptionscoursesintheLentandEasterterms.Candidatesalsotaketwounitsof
furtherworkselectedfromTheoreticalOptions,PhysicsEducationandExperimentsorLongVacationProject.Aprior
knowledgeofPhysicsequivalenttothematerialcoveredinPartIBPhysicsAandPartIBPhysicsBwillbeassumed.

ThecoursewillbeginwithameetingonthefirstWednesdayofFullTerm(8Oct.)at9.30a.m.inthePippardLecture
Theatre.

26 Part II Physics
 Part III Physics
7.1 INTRODUCTION
Thefouryearcourse,ofwhichPartIIIisthefinalcom
ponent,isdesignedforstudentswhowishtopursuea
professionalcareerinphysics,inacademicorindustrial
research. It leads to an honours degree of Master of
Natural Sciences, M.Sci., together with a B.A., though
the latter cannot be conferred until the end of the
fourthyear.
PartIIIPhysicsisademandingcourse,andcoursesas
sumeanuppersecondclasslevelofunderstandingof
thecoreandrelevantoptionalmaterialinPartIIPhys
ics.Candidatesforthefouryearcoursemustachieve
atleasta2:1inPartIIPhysics,(orhavereceivedfrom
the Faculty Board a dispensation from this condition).
Admission to Part III Physics is also available to those
whohaveobtainedaFirstClassinHalfSubjectPhysics
inPartIIPhysicalSciences.
The qualification requirement for students who have
studied other Part II tripos e.g. Part II Astrophysics or
PartIIMathematicswillbepublishedintheReporter.
You must have made financial provision by securing a
fouryear grant from your LEA or equivalent funding
body during your second year. If you have any doubt
aboutthis,youshouldseeyourcollegeTutororDirec
torofStudieswithoutdelay.
7.2 MASTEROFADVANCEDSTUDIES(MASt)
INPHYSICS
Thisisataughtpostgraduatecourse,whichconsistsof
thesamecontentasPartIIIPhysics.Thecourseisde
signed for students who hold a 3year undergraduate
degreewhowishtopursuearesearchdegree.Theen
tryrequirementfortheMAStisaqualificationcompa
rable to an upper second class or better Bachelors
degreeinPhysics.
7.3 OUTLINEOFTHECOURSE
The course aims to bring you close to the boundaries
ofcurrentresearch,andisthereforesomewhatlinked
to the expertise from within the specific research
groups. You make a series of choices as the year pro
ceeds which allow you, for instance, to select a bias
towardsparticularbroadareasofphysicssuchascon
densed matter physics, particle physics, astrophysics,
orsemiconductorphysics.Youcanalsorangeoverthe
spectrum from strongly experimental to highly theo
retical physics, and choose from a range of specialist
options.
All students undertake a substantial research project,
which counts for one third of the total marks for the
course.
The Michaelmas Term lectures are the Major Topics,
whichcoversubstantialareasofphysics.Youareexam
inedinthreeormoreofthematthestartoftheLent
Term.
The Lent Term lectures are the Minor Topics, which
covermorespecialisedareas,mostlyofactiveresearch
interest in Cambridge. You are examined in three or
moreofthematthestartoftheEasterTerm.
We do not expect any student to take more than the
minimumnumberofunitsofworkinanycategory.The
great majority of students will find the workload de
manding even at this level. We recognise, however,
that students may have good reasons for wishing to
takeadditionalcoursesforcredit.Marksforallexami
nation papers entered will appear on the students
University transcripts. Within any part of the exami
nation (Major Topics, Minor Topics) the best results
meeting the minimum requirement will count to
wardstheclassfortheyear.Youareofcoursefreeto
attend as many lecture courses as you wish, without
necessarilyofferingthemforexamination.
SomeoftheMajorandMinorTopicsaregivenbystaff
from other Departments such as the Institute of As
tronomy and the Department of Earth Sciences. You
canalsotakeasMajororMinorTopicscertaincourses
given in Part III of the Mathematical Tripos but you
shouldnotethatthestyleofthePartIIIMathematical
Tripos Options and Examination is different from that
experienced in the Part III Physics Options, reflecting
thedifferenceinapproachesofthetwoDepartments.
Thepossibilityexistsofundertakingavacationproject
during the previous Long Vacation or the optional
course on Entrepreneurshipduring the Lent Term, for
creditintheTriposbyreplacingaMinorTopicineach
case.
Ability in general physics is fostered by examples
classesintheEasterTermandexaminedbyageneral
paperattheendoftheEasterTerm.
7.4 DETAILSOFTHECOURSES
Studentswillbeemailedtoregistervia
http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/ before the start
of Michaelmas Term. The course will begin with a
Part III Physics 27
meetingonthefirstWednesdayofFullTerm(8thOcto QuantumCondensedMatterFieldTheory
ber2014)at12.30pmintheSmallLectureTheatreat AtomicandOpticalPhysics
theCavendishLaboratory.
All of the courses above are examined at the start of
7.4.1 Projectwork
theLentTerm.
Allstudentsmustundertakeaprojectwhichiswortha Students who are especially strong in Mathematics
thirdoftheyearsmarks.Alistofprojectswillbepro may wish to replace one of the Topics above with an
videdbythebeginningoftheMichaelmasTerm.Many approved course, also of 24 lectures, taken from Part
ofthesewillbesupervisedbymembersofthePhysics III of the Mathematics Tripos. The course available in
Department, but members of other Departments will PartIIIMathematicsinthecomingyearis:
also be involved. The projects can be experimental,
QuantumFieldTheory
theoretical, computational, observational, or some

suitablecombinationofthese.Therewillbescopefor
Studentstakingthiscoursesitthesameexamination
initiativeandoriginalityincarryingoutaproject,andit
as the Part III Mathematics students, in June. Stu
should form a valuable preparation for a research ca
dents wishing to take this course should discuss this
reer.
carefully with their Director of Studies to ensure it
ProjectworkshouldbegininMichaelmastermassoon willsuittheirskillsandinterests.
asprojectsareallocated.Theworkcontinuesthrough

outtheLentandfirstpartofEasterterms.Projectsare
submittedandassessedintheEasterterm. 7.4.3 MinorTopics
Communicationskillsareessentialifyouaretohavea
YouchooseforexaminationthreeormoreoftheLent
successful career in science. Toward the end of Lent
Term Minor Option courses from about twelve (al
termameetingwillbearrangedinwhichyouwillhave
thoughyoumaysubstituteothercoursesforthese:see
the chance to give a fifteen minute oral presentation
below).TheyaremorespecialisedthantheMajorTop
onyourprojecttootherstudentsworkinginsimilarar
icsandmostbuilduponthematerialpresentedinthe
easandtheirsupervisors.Thispresentationcountsfor
Michaelmas Term. Some of them assume specific
5%oftheavailablemarksfortheproject(irrespective
knowledge of particular Major Topics the syllabuses
of the quality of your presentation). You should note
makeclearwhich.TheMinorTopicsare:
thataboutonethirdofthetotalmarksfortheproject
will be basedon an assessment of the quality ofyour (i)Theoreticallybiased:
written report and your ability to explain and defend GaugeFieldTheory
yourworkintheviva. QuantumInformation
Bench work on experimental projects should be sub
stantially complete by the end of the Lent Term. You (ii)CondensedMatterPhysics:
must submit your project report by the third Monday SuperconductivityandQuantumCoherence
oftheEasterTerm,anditwillbeassessedbytwostaff ThePhysicsofNanoelectronicSystems
membersafteranoralexamination.
7.4.2 MajorTopics (iii)AstrophysicsandParticlePhysics

The seven options given during the Michaelmas Term ExoplanetsandPlanetarySystems

covermajorareas,andineach,physicsispresentedas TheFrontiersofObservationalAstrophysics
a connected discipline drawing upon the material of ParticleAstrophysics
thefirstthreeyearstotakethetopicclosetothefron TheFormationofStructureintheUniverse
tiers of current research. Candidates choose three or
moreMajorTopicsforexamination.Thecourses(of24 (iv)Other:
lectures)are:
MedicalPhysics
AdvancedQuantumCondensedMatter BiologicalPhysics
Physics NonlinearOpticsandQuantumStatesofLight
SoftMatterandBiologicalPhysics
7.4.4 OtherLentTermcourses
RelativisticAstrophysicsandCosmology
ParticlePhysics Youmayalsotakeanyofthecoursesbelow:eachmay
PhysicsoftheEarthasaPlanet besubstitutedforoneMinorTopic.
28 Part III Physics
(i)InterdisciplinaryCourses:
Materials, Electronics and Renewable Energy
(taughtbyPhysics)
ClimateChange
(DepartmentofEarthSciences)
Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Change (De
partmentofChemistry)
(ii)SharedCoursewithEngineering
NuclearPowerEngineering
All of these courses except for "Materials, Electronics
and Renewable Energy" are taught by departments
otherthenPhysics.Theyareexaminedinseparatepa
pers the Interdisciplinary Courses at the end of the
Easter Term and Nuclear Power Engineering with the
PartIIBEngineersatthestartofEasterTerm.
(iii)The24lecturePartIIIMathematicscourse
AdvancedQuantumFieldTheory
ThismaybesubstitutedforoneoftheMinorTopics.
This course is only suitable for students whose
mathematics is particularly strong and will also be
examinedtowardstheendoftheEasterTerm.Stu
dents interested in this course should take advice
fromtheirDirectorofStudies.
7.4.5 FurtherWork
OneortwounitsofFurtherWorkmaybesubstituted
forMinorTopics.ThetwotypesofFurtherWorkavail
ablein201415are:
(i)ALongVacationProject
(ii)AcourseinEntrepreneurship
Thesearedescribedinthefollowingsections.
7.4.6 LongVacationProjects
Scientific work during the Long Vacation prior to your
fourth year can count as project work which may re
placeaMinorOption.Thefulldetailscanbeobtained
from Dr Padman (rp11@cam.ac.uk, Astrophysics
Group), but you must get your proposal approved in
advance,beforetheendoftheprecedingEasterTerm.
FormsareavailablefromtheTeachingOffice.Youwill
berequiredtonameinadvanceasuitablyqualifiedon
sitesupervisorwhoiswillingtowriteretrospectivelyto
DrPadmandescribingtheworkyouhavedoneandgiv
inganassessmentofyoureffectiveness.Normallythe
programme must be of at least two months duration
andmustincludeasubstantialelementofindependent
or original work. It is important that the project in
cludes a significant amount of physics and is not, for
Part III Physics
example, simply a series of routine measurements or
entirelydevotedtocomputerprogramming.
VacationprojectswithintheUniversitymaybeoffered
throughtheUndergraduateResearchOpportunities
Programme(UROP).Someoftheseprojectsmaybe
suitableasassessedLongVacationWork.Theteaching
webpagesmightoffersomeusefulsuggestions.
7.4.7 Entrepreneurship
The synopsis for the Entrepreneurship course is given
later. The course will be lectured together with the
MinorTopics,butwillbeassessedbythecompletionof
assignmentsasdescribedinthesynopsis.
7.4.8 ExamplesClassinGeneralPhysics
ThePartIIIcourseisdesignedtobuilduponthephysics
coveredinthefirstthreeyearsandwilltakemanysub
jects to the frontiers of current understanding. How
ever, it is important that core physics is reinforced at
the same time, and the examples classes, which run
duringtheEasterTermaredesignedtohelpwiththis.
They will focus on the key topics covered in the core
Physicscoursesandmayincludeintroductorysummary
talks and examples sheets modelled upon short ques
tions and more general problems. The June 2003
2014 General Papers indicate the type of question
which will beset. They willbe designedto emphasise
thestraightforwardapplicationofcorephysicstorea
sonable problems, and be an appropriate preparation
for the threehour examination in general physics
whichformspartofthefinalassessment.
7.5 RESTRICTIONS ON COMBINATION OF
COURSES
Whileeveryeffortismadetoarrangethetimetable,it
isinevitablethatsomecombinationsofcourseswillbe
ruledoutbytheirschedule.
7.6SUPERVISIONS
WedonotofferformalsupervisionsinPartIII.Lectur
ers are expected to provide some form of learning
support, but the form it takes is up to the individual
lecturer.Itislikelytotaketheformeitherofexamples
classes,withorwithoutdemonstrators(dependingon
thenumberofstudents)oroflargegroupsupervisions
orseminars.
Aconsequenceofthisisthat,neitherstudentsnorlec
turers need wait before arranging sessions. The lec
turer may choose to announce arrangements during
the first lecture, or may announce them through the
classemaillist.
29
Theclassemaillistdependsoneachstudentsigningup
for the particular course. You will be reminded about
thesignupbeforethestartofeachofMichaelmasand
LentTerms.Ifyoudecidetochangeoptionsduringthe
Term, you should make the necessary change on the
teachingwebsite,andalsonotifytherelevantlecturers
directly.
7.7 NONEXAMINEDWORK
In the Lent Term there are two nonexaminable
courses,oneonPhilosophyofPhysicsandoneonEth
icsofPhysics.
To advertise research opportunities at the Cavendish
various opendays will be held whichcover the activi
ties of the major groups in the laboratory. Dates are
willbepostedonthePartIIandPartIIInoticeboards.
PartIIIstudentsarealsowelcomeatthelargenumber
of Research Seminars and other lectures in the De
partment, particularly those organised by the Caven
dish Physical Society lectures at 4.00pm on some
Wednesdays. These are advertised on notice boards,
andsummarisedontheCavendishwebpage.
7.8 THEEXAMINATION
The Major Topics and the Project each contribute ap
proximately onethird of the total marks. The Minor
Topics and General Physics Paper each contribute ap
proximatelyonesixthofthetotalmarks.
The marks all courses will appear on the University
transcript, with the best marks for the minimum re
quirement being used to establish the final class for
theExamination.
MinorTopicPapers:
These are taken at the beginning of the Easter
Term(1.5hourseach).
GeneralPhysicsPaper:
This is taken towards the end of the Easter Term
(3hours).
QFT/AQFT:
ThosestudentswhohavesubstitutedthesePartIII
Mathematics courses for Major or Minor Topics
willtakethesameexaminationastheMathemat
icsstudents,towardstheendoftheEasterTerm.
Interdisciplinarycourses:
Eachoftheinterdisciplinarycoursesistreatedasa
Minor Topic. The three interdisciplinary courses
willallbeexaminedinseparatepapersduringthe
main Examinations Period at the end of Easter
Term.
NuclearPowerEngineering:
Students taking these Topics will be examined
withthePartIIBEngineersinoneandahalfhour
paperatthestartoftheEasterTerm.
Asummaryofthechoicesavailableisgiveninthe
tableonthenextpage.

7.8.1 ExaminationEntries

ExaminationentriesaremadethroughtheCamSISon
line system, and should be completed in consultation
with your Director of Studies. The deadline is usually
aboutthemiddleofNovember.Youwillhaveafurther
chanceduringLentTermtomodifyyourentryforthe
MinorTopicspapers.Theseproceduresarelargelyout
side of the Departments control, and are continually
evolving. We will provide further information about
procedures for examination entries as it becomes
available.

7.8.2 TheWrittenPapersforPartIII

MajorTopicPapers:
ThesearetakenatthebeginningoftheLentTerm
(2hourseach).

30 Part III Physics

Lectures Course Lecturer Exams

MichaelmasTerm
MajorTopics

24 AdvancedQuantumCondensedMatterPhysics Prof.CrispinBarnes
24 AtomicandOpticalPhysics Prof.ZoranHadzibabic
24 ParticlePhysics DrChrisLester
24 PhysicsoftheEarthasaPlanet Prof. KeithPriestleyetal 2hpaperfor
24 QuantumCondensedMatterFieldTheory Prof.BDSimons eachoption, Choose
24 RelativisticAstrophysicsandCosmology Prof.AnthonyLasenby/ StartofLent 3
Prof.AndyFabian
24 SoftMatterandBiologicalPhysics DrUlrichKeyser/
Prof.RayGoldstein
fromPartIIIMathematics
24 QuantumFieldTheory Prof.MPerry 3hpaper,June
LentTerm

MinorTopics

12 BiologicalPhysics DrEileenNugent
12 ExoplanetsandPlanetarySystems Prof.DidierQueloz
16 FormationofStructureintheUniverse Prof.RobertoMaiolino
12 FrontiersofObservationalAstrophysics DrRichardSaunders
12 GaugeFieldTheory DrBenGripaios
12 MedicalPhysics DrSarahBohndiek
12 NonlinearOpticsandQuantumStatesofLight DrMeteAtature
16 ParticleAstrophysics Prof.AndyParker
12 ThePhysicsofNanoelectronicSystems Prof.ChrisFord
12 QuantumInformation Prof.CrispinBarnes
12 SuperconductivityandQuantumCoherence Prof.GilLonzarich
InterdisciplinaryPapers Choose
3
12 AtmosphericChemistryandGlobalChange DrNHarris
1.5hpaperfor
12 ClimateChange Prof.DHodell
each,June
12 Materials,Electronics&RenewableEnergy Prof.NeilGreenham
fromPartIIIMathematics
24 AdvancedQuantumFieldTheory DrDSkinner 3hpaperfor
each,June
fromPartIIBEngineering

12 NuclearPowerEngineering DrGeoffParks 1.5hpaper,

StartofEaster
FurtherWork
Entrepreneurship DrShimaBarakat
Coursework
ReportofVacationProject DrRachaelPadman
Otherrequirements
ResearchProject Prof.MarkThomson Coursework
GeneralPaper 3hpaper,June

Part III Physics 31

7.9 SOMEIMPORTANTDATES
Note:Thislistisnotexhaustive,andmaybesupersededbyannouncementsontheTIS

Tuesday 7thOctober2014 StartofMichaelmasfullterm

th
Wednesday 8 October2014 12.30 GeneralRegistration(SmallLectureTheatre,CavendishLabora
tory)followedbyabuffetlunch.
Wednesday 8thOctober2014 Startchoosingaproject
th
Monday 13 October2014 16.00 Vacationworkreportdeadline
Wed 15thOctober2014 14.00 Deadlineforsigningupforsupervisionson
MajorTopics
th
Friday 17 October2014 Supervisorscannowmakedecisionsonstudentsfor
projects
Friday 24thOctober2014 Deadlineforchoosingaproject(butdontleaveitthislate!)
Friday 7thNovember2014 DeadlineforRiskAssessmentsforprojecttobesubmitted
Friday 5thDecember2014 16.00 DeadlineforProject Plan (summarisingthegoalsofthepro
ject);handintotheTeachingOffice
Friday 5thDecember2014 Endof Michaelmasfullterm
Monday 12th14thJanuary2015 ExaminationsonMajorTopics (checktheTISfordetails)
Wed
Tuesday 13thJanuary2015 StartofLentfullterm
Monday 2ndFebruary2015 14.00 DeadlineforcommitmenttoexaminationintheEntrepre
neurshipCourse
Wed 4thFebruary2015 16.00 DeadlineforbriefProjectprogresscard(outliningprogressand
confirmingthatyouhaveadequatematerialtocompletethe
project);handintotheTeachingOffice.
Monday 2nd13thMarch2015 Presentationsofprojects(willbeorganisedbyyoursupervisor
Friday somesupervisorsprefertodotheseearlyinEasterTerm).
Friday 13thMarch2015 EndofLentfullterm
Tuesday 21stApril2015 StartofEasterfullterm
Tuesday 21st24thApril2015 ExaminationsonMinorTopics(checktheTISfordetails)
Friday
Friday 24thApril2015 14.00 ExamplesClassesonGeneralPhysicsbegin(eightclasseson
TuesdaysandFridays,14:0016:00)inthePippardLecture
Theatre.
Monday 11thMay2015 16.00 DeadlineforhandinginProjectWork(twocopies)
th nd
12 22 May2015 OralexaminationsonProjects(willbeorganisedbyyoursuper
visor)
Monday 1stJune2015 ExaminationonGeneralPhysics(checktheTISfordetails)
th
Friday 12 June2015 EndofEasterfullterm

32 Part III Physics

LateSubmissionofWork

InaccordancewiththeUniversitysregulations,aPartIIIProject(whichamountstomorethan10%ofthetotalyears
mark)submittedaftertheadvertiseddeadlinewillnotcounttowardsyourfinalexaminationmark,unlesstheUniver
sitysApplicationsCommitteegrantsanextensionoftimeonthegroundsthattherearemitigatingcircumstances.Any
applicationforsuchanextensionshouldbemadebyyourcollegeTutortotheApplicationsCommittee.

ForunitsofFurtherWorkamountingtolessthan10%ofthetotalyearsmark,theDepartmentmaygrantanextension
oftimeonthegroundsthattherearemitigatingcircumstances.Anyapplicationforsuchanextensionshouldbemade
byyourcollegeTutororDirectorofStudiestotheDirectorofUndergraduateTeaching,c/oTeachingOffice,Cavendish
Laboratory,(teachingoffice@phy.cam.ac.uk).

Ineithercase,youshouldsubmittheworkassoonaspossibleafterthedeadline.

Part III Physics 33

7.10 LECTURELIST

PARTIIIPHYSICS

Pleasecheckthecoursewebsiteforlatestdevelopments,lecturetimetableandlocation:
www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/

StudentsmustofferthreeormorecoursesfromMajorTopics,togetherwiththreeormorecoursesfromMinorTopics.
QuantumFieldTheorymaybesubstitutedforoneMajorTopic.AVacationprojectandcoursesfromInterdisciplinary
Topics,AdvancedQuantumFieldTheory,NuclearPowerEngineeringandFurtherWorkmayeachbesubstitutedfor
oneMinorTopic.

ThecoursesfromtheMajorTopicsandMinorTopicsandNuclearPowerEngineering,areexaminedatthestartofthe
termfollowingthatinwhichtheyaregiven.QuantumFieldTheory,andAdvancedQuantumFieldTheoryandcourses
fromtheInterdisciplinaryTopicswillbeexaminedinJune.TheEntrepreneurshipcoursefromFurtherWorkiscon
tinuallyassessed.

AllstudentsarerecommendedtoattendtheNonexaminablecourses.

ThecoursewillbeginwithameetingonthefirstWednesdayofFullTerm(8Oct.2014)at12.30p.m.intheSmallLec
tureTheatre.

34 Part III Physics



Guide for Students

Guide for Students 35

 AcademicStaff
Staffmember Telephone Room Group Email
(secy)
Alexander,Prof.P 37477(37294) G24 AP pa@mrao.cam.ac.uk
Allison,DrW 37416(37336) 413B SMF wa14@cam.ac.uk
Atatre,DrM 66465(66298) 982 AMOP ma424@cam.ac.uk
Barnes,Prof.CHW 37487 361 TFM chwb101@cus.cam.ac.uk
Batley,DrJR 37434(37227) 953 HEP batley@hep.phy.cam.ac.uk
Baumberg,Prof.JJ 37313 24IRC OE jjb12@cam.ac.uk
Biggins,DrJS 37005 519 TCM jsb56@cam.ac.uk
Bohndiek,DrS 37267 238 BSS seb53@cam.ac.uk
BuscherDrDF 37302 G26 AP dfb@mrao.cam.ac.uk
Castelnovo,DrC 37433 528 TCM cc726@cam.ac.uk
Cicuta,DrP 37462 237 BSS pc245@cam.ac.uk
Cole,DrJ 37470(37336) 429 SMF jmc61@cam.ac.uk
Cooper,Prof.NR 65127 528 TCM nrc25@phy.cam.ac.uk
Donald,Prof.DameAthene M 37382(37423) 243 BSS amd3@phy.cam.ac.uk
Eiser,DrE 37267 238 OE ee247@cam.ac.uk
Ellis,DrJ 37410 427C SMF je102@cus.cam.ac.uk
Ford,Prof.CJB 37486(37482) 330 SP cjbf@cam.ac.uk
Friend,Prof.SirRichardH 37218(37313) 32IRC OE rhf10@cus.cam.ac.uk
Gibson,Prof.V 37373(37227) 958 HEP gibson@hep.phy.cam.ac.uk
Green,DrDA 37305(37294) F30 AP dag@mrao.cam.ac.uk
Greenham,Prof.NC 66301(37313) 33IRC OE ncg11@cam.ac.uk
Gripaios,DrBM 61014 961 HEP gripaios@hep.phy.cam.ac.uk
Grosche,DrFM 37352 409 QM fmg12@cam.ac.uk
Gull,Prof.SF 37367(37294) F22 AP steve@mrao.cam.ac.uk
Hadzibabic,Prof.Z 37004 835 AMOP zh10001@cam.ac.uk
Haniff,Prof.CA 37307 F29 AP cah@mrao.cam.ac.uk
Hobson,Prof.MP 39992 F08 AP mph@mrao.cam.ac.uk
Hughes,DrHP 37327(37313) M210 OE hph10@phy.cam.ac.uk
Irvine,DrAC 37555 M232 ME aci20@cam.ac.uk
JardineWrightDrL 33318 212A Outreach ljw21@cam.ac.uk
Jardine,DrAP 37207 427b SMF apj24@cam.ac.uk
Kellerer,DrANC tba AP
Keyser,DrU 37272 239 BSS ufk20@cam.ac.uk
Khmelnitskii,Prof.DC 37289(37254) 521 TCM dek12@cam.ac.uk
Lamacraft,DrA 37378 529 TCM al200@cam.ac.uk
Lasenby,Prof.AN 37293(37294) K28 AP a.n.lasenby@mrao.cam.ac.uk
Lester,DrCG 37232 952 HEP lester@hep.phy.cam.ac.uk
Longair,Prof.MS 65953 G25 AP msl@mrao.cam.ac.uk
Maiolino,Prof.R 61661 K35 AP rm665@cam.ac.uk
Needs,Prof.RJ 37384(37254) 535 TCM rn11@phy.cam.ac.uk
Nugent,DrE 48915 1.04 BSS en270@cam.ac.uk
OBrien,DrLA 37277 TFM lao24@cam.ac.uk
Padman,DrR 37310(37294) F21 AP rp11@cam.ac.uk
Parker,Prof.MA 37429 210 Headof parker@hep.phy.cam.ac.uk
Department hod@phy.cam.ac.uk
Payne,Prof.MC 37381(37254) 541 TCM mcp1@phy.cam.ac.uk
Phillips,Prof.RT 37342(37313) 874 AMOP rtp1@phy.cam.ac.uk
Queloz,Prof.DP 37083 F24 dq212@mrao.cam.ac.uk
Guide for Students 37
 Richer,DrJS 37246 F28 AP jsr@mrao.cam.ac.uk
Riley,DrJM 37308 F23 AP julia@mrao.cam.ac.uk
Ritchie,Prof.DA 37331/37255 361 SP dar11@cam.ac.uk
Saunders,DrRDE 37301(37294) F08 AP rdes@mrao.cam.ac.uk
Simons,Prof.BD 37253(37254) 539 TCM bds10@phy.cam.ac.uk
Scott,Prof.JF 37391 502 QM jfs32@cam.ac.uk
Sirringhaus,Prof.H 37557 M208 ME hs220@phy.cam.ac.uk
Smith,Prof.CG 37483(37482) 358 SP cgs4@cam.ac.uk
Terentjev,Prof.EM 37003 245 BSS emt1000@cus.cam.ac.uk
Thomson,Prof.MA 65122/(37227) 951 HEP thomson@hep.phy.cam.ac.uk
Ward,Prof.DR 37242(37227) 939 HEP drw1@hep.phy.cam.ac.uk
Warner,Prof.M 37380(37254) 505 TCM mw141@cam.ac.uk
Withington,Prof.S 37393(37294) 816B DP stafford@mrao.cam.ac.uk

MindicatesMicroelectronicsBuilding,IRCindicatesInterdisciplinaryResearchCentre,F&GindicatesBattcock
CentreandKindicatestheKavliBuilding.

Administration
The Departments central administration is located in the Bragg Building. Enquiries are usually dealt with via Room
206,between9:00and12:30,and14:00and17:00.

Aims and Objectives

TheQualityAssuranceAgency,throughitsinstitutionalauditoftheUniversity,isconcernedwiththeassuranceofthe
qualityofteachingandlearningwithintheUniversity.TheUniversityinturnrequireseveryDepartmenttohaveclear
aimsandobjectivesandtomonitortheirteachingandlearningactivitiesandconsiderchangeswherenecessary,and
meetvariouscriteriaconcerningmanagementofthequalityofitsteachingprovision.Studentsplayavitalroleinassist
ingwiththisqualityassurance,andtheDepartmentwelcomesconstructivecommentviatheStaffstudentConsultative
Committee.

Appeals
Information about the procedure for examination warnings, allowances and appeals is available at
http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/studentregistry/exams/undergraduate/exams.html.

Astronomical Society (CUAS)

Astronomy is a popular branch of physics and the Astronomical Society provides an interesting series of lectures on
WednesdayeveningsduringtheMichaelmasandLentTerms,detailsofwhichcanbefoundonthesocietyswebpage
http://www.cam.ac.uk/societies/cuas/.MembersoftheresearchgroupsoftheCavendishLaboratoryconcernedwith
astronomyareoftenlecturersinthisseries.

Bicycles
TheCavendishLaboratoryprovidesseveralcycleshedsandracksinwhichyoumayleaveyourbike,butitshouldbe
lockedwithasturdysecuritydevicewhennotinuse.Severalseriousaccidentsoccureveryyearinvolvingstudentscy
clinginCambridge:pleasecyclewithcare,useproperlightswhenrequiredandwearasafetyhelmet.

Books
ThePhysicsCourseHandbookliststhemostimportantbookstobeusedinconjunctionwiththelectureandpractical
courses.Readingandworkingthroughpartsofthesebooksareindispensableexerciseswhichareusuallyconsidered
partofthecourse.Manyofthebooksareexpensive,buttheymaybeobtainedatsubstantialreductionsbyattending
booksalesandlookingoutforbargainslistedonCollegenoticeboardsandthoseintheCavendish.Allbooksrecom
mendedforPartIshouldbeavailableinCollegelibrariesortheRayleighLibrary.Ifyounoticeanyomissions,pleasefill
inarequestsliptoensurethatthebookisordered.

38 Guide for Students

 Bookshops
The main bookshops from which you should be able to obtain the recommended books are Heffers, CUP and Wa
terstones.AndthenthereisalwaysAmazon.Note:a20%discountisavailableattheCUPbookshopwithaUniversity
Card.

Buildings
The present Cavendish Laboratory comprises the extensive buildings south of Madingley Road, the first of which
openedin1973.AmapoftheCavendishLaboratorysiteisshownontheinsidebackcover.Theoriginalbuildingson
thissiteweretheRutherford,BraggandMottBuildings,namedafterformerCavendishProfessors,andtheworkshop
buildingbetweentheRutherfordandBraggbuildings.Thesehaveinthepastfewyearsbeensupplementedbyabuild
ingfortheInterdisciplinaryResearchCentre(IRC)inSuperconductivity(nowtheKapitzaBuilding),andafurtherbuild
ingfortheMicroelectronicsResearchGroupandHitachiCambridgeLaboratory.Furtherrecentadditionstothesiteare
the Magnetic Resonance Research Centre of the Chemical Engineering Department, the first phase of the Physics of
Medicine (POM) building, which houses the laboratories for the Biological and Soft Systems sector (BSS), the
NanoscienceCentreandtheTerrapinBuilding.ThemostrecentadditionistheBattcockCentreforAstrophysics,which
housestheAstrophysicsGroupandislocatedonthenorthsideofMadingleyRoadclosetotheInstituteofPhysics.

Calculators
Whenconsideringwhichcalculatortobuy,youmaywishtobearinmindthatonlycertaintypesarepermittedforuse
inTriposexaminations.AmongthesearetheCasiomodelsavailablefromtheCavendishStores.Calculatorswillalso
needtheofficialBoardofExaminationyellowstickerwhichcanbeobtainedfromtheBoardofExaminationofficesin
MillLane.

CamCORS
Thesupervisionreportingsystem.SeeDatabases(below)

CamSIS
Thestudentinformationsystem.SeeDatabases(below)

CamTools
CARETsVirtualLearningEnvironment.SeeDatabases(below)

Canteen
SeeCommonRoom(below).

Careers
TheUniversityCareersServiceislocatedinStuartHouse,MillLane(telephonenumber338288),andisfinancedbythe
Universitytoprovidestudentswithinformationaboutcareersandassistancewithapplicationprocesses.TheService
maintainsaninformationroomwhichcanbeusedduringnormalofficehours,andadditionallyprovidesexpertstaffto
advisestudentsaboutcareerrelatedissues.Askatthereceptiondesk.

Cavendish Laboratory
TheCavendishLaboratoryisthenameofthebuildingwhichhouses(mostof)theUniversitysDepartmentofPhysics;
thenamehasbecomesynonymouswiththedepartmentitself.Thelaboratorywasestablishedthroughthegenerosity
ofWilliamCavendish,SeventhDukeofDevonshire,whoendowedthelaboratoryinthenineteenthcentury,together
withtheCavendishChairofExperimentalPhysics.TheoriginalCavendishLaboratorywaslocatedinFreeSchoolLane,
andopenedin1874;theDepartmentmovedtothepresentmainsitein197374.ThehistoryoftheCavendishiswell
illustratedintheCavendishMuseum,locatedintheBraggBuilding.

Cavendish Stores
NexttotheCommonRoomintheBraggBuildingisthecentralstoresofthewholelaboratory,theopeninghoursof
whichare8:0016:45.
Thestoressellpastexaminationpapers,thebookletofmathematicalformulae,andcalculatorsforexaminations.

Guide for Students 39

 Cheating
TheDepartmentconsiderstheactofcheatingasaseriousmatterandanyincidentwillbereportedtotheHeadofDe
partment,whowillnormallyreferthecasetotheUniversityProctors.
Itisunacceptableto:
cheatduringoralorwrittentests
copytheworkofothersandsubmitasyourown
falsifyand/orinventexperimentaldata
Inthepracticalclasses,someexperimentsaredesignedtobecarriedoutindividuallyandsomeincollaborationwith
otherstudents.DiscussionamongstudentsandwithdemonstratorsandHeadsofClassisencouragedandyoumayuse
any help or insights gained in these discussions to improve your experiment, your understanding of the physics and
yourwrittenreport.However,yourreportshouldbewrittenbyyou,followingtheguidelinesonwritingreports,and
onlydatacollectedinyourexperimentshouldbepresentedasyourown.
TheDepartmenthasaccesstothelatestantiplagiarismsoftwaretoolsandwillusethemfromtimetotimetomonitor
courseworksubmissionsforplagiarism,andsoensurefairnessforallstudents.

Classing Criteria
TheDepartmentofPhysicshasapolicythatexaminerswillmarktoagreedcriteriaforwrittenexaminations.Duetothe
wayinwhichmarksfromdifferentsubjectsarecombinedtocreatethefinallistinPartsIAandIB,thecriteriausedin
Physicsarenotreflecteddirectlyintheclasslist.ForPartsIIandIII,theexaminationsareunderthedirectcontrolofthe
Department, in conjunction with scrutiny by External Examiners. The criteria for classing in Physics are available at
http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/classing.php.

College
YourCollegeordinarilyadmitsyoutotheUniversity,providesyouwithaccommodationandarrangesforyoursupervi
sions in Parts IA and IB. Usually, butnotalways,yourDirector of Studies in Physicswill be a member of staff of the
Cavendish, and will be directly in touch with the Department. Most Colleges aim to provide supervision at a rate of
aboutonehourperweekforeachofPartIAPhysics,PartIBPhysicsAandPartIBPhysicsB.PartIIandPartIIIsupervi
sionisprovidedonbehalfoftheCollegesthroughaschemeadministeredintheDepartment.

Common Room
TheCavendishcontainsalargeCommonRoomwhichisopentoallstudentsofPhysics.Itisopenforlightrefreshments
from10:3016:30,andforlunchfrom12:3013:45,onMondaystoFridays.Inadditionthereisanareaforrelaxation
outsidethelecturetheatres,wheretherearevendingmachinesforfoodanddrink.Room700onthebridgebetween
theRutherfordandBraggbuildings,abovethemetalstoresisavailableforprivatestudyforPtIIandIIIstudents.

Complaints
IfyouhaveacomplaintabouttheteachingoradministrationintheDepartment,takeitupfirst,ifpossible,withthe
persondirectlyconcernedinaconstructivemanner.Ifthisisnoteffective,orifthematterseemstobeofgeneralin
terest,youmaywishtodiscussitwithyourcourserepresentativeontheStaffStudentConsultativeCommittee.Itmay
alsobeusefultodiscussthematterwithyourDirectorofStudiesorTutor.Ifyourcomplaintissubstantial,byallmeans
takeittotheDirectorofUndergraduateteachingortheHeadofDepartment.ThereisalsoaformalUniversityCom
plaintsProcedure,ofwhichyoushouldhavereceiveddetails.Ifyouneedadviceonwhetherorhowtoproceedwitha
formalcomplaint,youcouldaskyourCollegeTutororDirectorofStudies,oryourCUSUrepresentative,oranyphysics
memberofstaff.(SeealsoHarassment,below.)

Computing
The Department relies on the University Computing Service for the provision of computing facilities for undergradu
ates.TheManagedClusterService(MCSformallyPWF)islocatedclosetothePracticallaboratories,whereyoucan

40 Guide for Students

usenetworkedPCswitharangeofsoftwareforwordprocessing,spreadsheetcalculationanddataplotting.Mostcol
legesalsoprovidesomefacilities.
TheDepartmentmakesincreasinguseofcomputersinpracticalwork,andaimstodevelopspecificskillsintheuseof
computersforsolvingproblemsinphysics.

Counselling
TheUniversityCounsellingServiceisat14TrumpingtonStreet(telephone32865),andisopen9:0017:30,Mondayto
Friday.ItexiststohelpmembersoftheUniversitywhohaveproblemsofapersonaloremotionalnaturewhichthey
wishtodiscussinconfidence.TheServiceiswidelyused,soitcanbeverybusy,anditisbesttomakeanappointment
eitherbytelephoneorinperson.Intimesofparticularstressaspecialeffortwillbemadetoseeyouquickly.
AdviceonpersonalmattersisalwaysavailableinyourcollegethroughyourTutor.
Special assistance is provided by Linkline (internal telephone 44444, external line 367575) and the Samaritans (tele
phone364455).

Courses
TheDepartmentofPhysicsoffersawiderangeofcoursesinPhysics,atundergraduateandpostgraduatelevel,manyof
which are detailed in the Lecture List which is available online http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/lecture.php from
midSeptember.Somespecialisedcoursesforpostgraduatestudentsarenotadvertisedinthisway.Thedetailedsyn
opsesofthecoursesforTriposaregiveninthisHandbook,whichisdistributedatthebeginningoftheacademicyearto
allstudentstakingphysicscourses.

Databases
StudentstakingcoursesinPhysicswillcomeacrossanumberofdifferentonlinedatabases.Becausetheseallusethe
same login method (Raven authentication: see below), it is not always obvious that these are different systems,
whichforthemostpartdonot(yet)talktoeachother.Thefourmaindatabasesare:
CamCORStheCambridgeCollegesOnlineReportingSystem.SupervisorsusethistoreporttoDirectors
ofStudiesandTutorsontheprogressoftheirsupervisees,andtoclaimfromthecollegesforthesupervi
sionsprovided.Ifcollegeschoosetoreleasetheinformation,studentscanviewtheirsupervisionreports
heredirectly.Seehttp://www.camcors.cam.ac.uk/
CamSISthestudentinformationsystem.Studentsusethistoenterforexams,and(whentheresultsare
uploaded)tochecktheirTriposresults.PartIBNSTstudentsalsoindicatetheirPartIIsubjectchoice
throughthissystem.Seehttp://www.camsis.cam.ac.uk/
CamToolsaVirtualLearningEnvironment(VLE)runbyCARET,theCentreforAppliedResearchinEduca
tional Technologies. Most Part IA NST courses have their own pages on CamTools. The Department of
Physics uses instead the Teaching information System (TiS; see below) which permits better integration
withotherDepartmentalsystems.Seehttp://camtools.cam.ac.uk/
TheTeachingInformationSystem(TIS)awebdatabasesystemrunbytheDepartmentofPhysics.All
course resources are provided here. It is important that all students register directly with the TIS each
year, in addition to entering for examinations on CamSIS. (see Registration: below). See http://www
teach.phy.cam.ac.uk

DepartmentofPhysics
TheDepartmentofPhysicsistheadministrativeunitintheFacultyofPhysicsandChemistrywhichprovidesteachingin
physicsleadingtothePartIIandPartIIIexaminationsinPhysics.TheHeadofDepartmentisProfessorAndyParker.
YourdirectcontactwiththeDepartmentcanbethroughyourCollege(yourDirectorofStudiesinthefirstinstance)or
throughthestaffyouencounterinlecturesandpracticals.TheneedsofstudentsinPartIareusuallymetfullythrough
Collegecontacts;inlateryearsdirectcontactwiththeDepartmentincreases.TheDepartmentprovidesvariousfacili
tiesspecificallytohelpyouinyourstudyofphysics,manyofwhicharedescribedinthisdocument.

Guide for Students 41

 DirectorofStudies
YouwillhavebeenassignedaDirectorofStudiesinyourCollegepossiblyoneforPhysicsandanotherforNaturalSci
encesoverall.Thispersonwillassignyoutosupervisorsduringyourfirsttwoyears,willmonitoryourprogressandtry
toassistyouifyouhaveproblems.IfyougetintodifficultieswiththecourseyoushoulddiscussthiswithyourDirector
ofStudies,orwithyourTutor.IfforanyreasonyoufeelunabletodothisanymemberofstaffoftheDepartmentwill
willinglytrytoassistyou.

Disability
TheDepartmentishappytocaterfortheneedsofstudentswithdisabilities.Studentswithdisabilitieswhichrequire
specialarrangementstobemadeshouldcontacttheTeachingOfficeingoodtime.

ElectronicMail
Electronicmailiswidelyusedasagoodwaytocommunicatewithyoursupervisors,andalsoprovidesthemechanism
for offering comments on the courses offered by the Physics Department (see Year Groups). It is also used by the
TeachingOfficetocontactstudentswithinformationregardingexaminations,handinsandallotheradministrativein
structions.

Examinations
The marks upon which your degree classification is based are derived from a combination of continuouslyassessed
work,setpieces(suchasprojects)andexaminationpapers.ThereisonethreehourpaperinPhysicsforPartIA,twofor
PartIBPhysicsA,twoforPartIBPhysicsB,andsevenoreighttwohourpapersforPartII.InPartIIImostexaminations
aretakenatthebeginningofthetermfollowingthatinwhichthecourseistaken;thereisa3hourpaperinGeneral
PhysicsattheendofEasterterm.
SeeNaturalSciencesTriposhttp://www.cam.ac.uk/about/natscitripos/exams/
andClassingCriteriahttp://ww.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/classing.phpfordetailsofthegradesthatmaybeobtained.
Preparationforexaminationsisimportant,andthebestmethodtousevarieswidelybetweenindividuals.ThePhysics
Departmenthasproducedsomeguidancewhichyoumightfindhelpfulandisavailableontheteachingpagesonthe
web at http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/exam_skills.php. If you have problems it is worth discussing them with
yoursupervisor,DirectorofStudiesoryourTutor,whomaybeabletoassistbysuggestingalternativeapproaches.In
formationonthevariousstylesofquestionsisavailableathttp://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/exam_questions.php,
andyouwillfindabriefdescriptionofhowexaminersworkat
http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/exam_workings.php.
InternalexaminersareappointedeachyearforeachTriposexamination;twoexternalexaminersarealsoappointedfor
PartsIIandIII.TheReporterpublishesthenamesoftheexaminers.ForeachsubjectlistedbelowthereisaSeniorEx
aminerdrawnfromthestaffoftheDepartment,andtheytaketheresponsibilityforthesettingandmarkingoftheex
aminationpapers,assistedbytheotherexaminers.Fortheacademicyear201415theSeniorExaminersare:
PartIAPhysics:DrJEllis
PartIBPhysicsA:Prof.EMTerentjev
PartIBPhysicsB:DrALamacraft
PartIIPhysics:DrHPHughes
PartIIHalfSubjectPhysics:DrHPHughes
PartIIIPhysics:Prof.DRWard
MASt:Prof.DRWard
Youshouldnotethat,bytraditioninordertoensurethattheexaminationprocessisbeyondreproachdirectcontact
withtheexaminersisnotencouraged.Ifyouhaveaproblemthatyoubelieveshouldbebroughtbeforeaparticular
bodyofexaminers,theproperchannelisthroughyourTutororDirectorofStudies.

42 Guide for Students

SelectivePreparationforExaminations
Therehasbeensomediscussionwithpaststudentsabouttheadvisabilityofditchingacourseinpreparationforthe
examinations.TheDepartmentgavethefollowingadvice:
(1)Departmentalpolicyisthattheexaminationsshouldtestthewholecoursetakenbystudents.Theexaminationsare
designedtotestthewiderangeofskillsandknowledgethathasbeenacquired.
(2)Inanysectionofanexaminationpaper,thereislikelytobearangeofquestionswhichyouwillfindtohavediffering
degreesofdifficultyandalsotestingdifferentaspectsofeachcourse.
(3)Itisverydangerousindeedtoditchcourses.Itresultsinaverylimitedrangeofquestionswhichcanbeanswered
howdoyouknowtheyarenotallgoingtobeverydemanding?Itrequiresenormousefforttobesurethatyoucanan
swerwellanyquestionwhichcanbesetonanygivencourse.Itismuchsafer,andeducationallymuchsounder,topre
pareforallthecoursesforwhichyouareenteredintheTriposexaminations.Youaremuchmorelikelytofindtwo
questionsoutoffourinwhichyoucanperformwell.

ExamplesClasses
From the third year onwards Examples Classes are provided as an important aid to your learning. They explore in
greater depthsome particular issues related toparts ofthe lecture course, and witha number ofdemonstratorson
handtheyshouldbeusedtostrengthenyourgraspofthecoursematerial.

ExamplesSheets
Examplessheetsareprovidedtoaccompanyeverylecturecourse,andareusuallydistributedoutsidethelecturethea
tre.ItisthepolicyoftheDepartmenttoprovideexampleswhichcoverawiderangeofdifficulty,sodontexpecttobe
abletodoallofthemwithoutsomeassistancefromyoursupervisor.Youshouldtrytoproducesatisfactorysolutionsto
allofthedesignatedcoreexamplesforyoursubsequentuseinrevision,afterdiscussionofthematerialinasupervi
sion.ManyofthequestionsaretakenfrompastTripospapers,sotheyprovidegoodpracticeinhandlingmaterialinthe
lecturecourses,chosentoreflectthepresentcontentofthecourse.

FacultyofPhysicsandChemistry
TheDepartmentofPhysicsispartoftheFacultyofPhysicsandChemistry.

Feedback
TheDepartmentmakesagreatefforttoprovideexcellentcoursesandfacilities.Wegreatlyappreciatefeedbackfrom
studentswhichhelpsusimproveourcourses.Yourinputismosthelpfullydirectedthroughyourrepresentativeonthe
StaffStudent Consultative Committee (see below). You will be emailed links to feedback questionnaires. Please fill
theseinwithconstructivecommentstheseresponsesarethekeyinputtotheConsultativeCommittee,andthein
formationisthenpassedontothelecturers,HeadsofClassandsupervisors.
You can also send suggestions or comments to the Director of Undergraduate Teaching (director
teaching@phy.cam.ac.uk)ortheteachingoffice(teachingoffice@phy.cam.ac.uk).
Studentsoftenbelievetheircommentsarenottakenseriouslyoractedupon.Thisisabsolutelynotthecase!Lecturers
andotherstaffreadfeedbackcarefullyandattempt,wherepossibleandsensible,torespond.Almosteverycoursewe
givehasbeenpositivelyimprovedbyconstructivestudentfeedback.Itreallymakesadifference.

FireAlarms
Allbuildingsareequippedwithfirealarms,andyoushouldtakenoteoftheinstructions,whicharepostedaroundthe
buildings,fortheproceduretofollowincaseoffire.Thereisafiredrillatsometimeeachyear.Ifyouhearafirealarm
leavethebuildingquicklyandquietlybythenearestfireexit.Donotstoptocollectyourpossessions.Donotuselifts.
Firedoorsincorridorscloseautomaticallywhenthealarmsystemisactivated;theymustneverbeobstructed.Thesys
temistestedbetween7.30amand8.30ameachMonday.
Ifyoudiscoverafire,raisethealarmbybreakingtheglassatthenearestFireAlarmPoint,andevacuatethebuildingby
thenearestsaferoute.IfitispossibletodosowithouttakingpersonalriskscalltheFireBrigade(telephone1999from
aUniversitynetworktelephone).

Guide for Students 43

 Formulae
A booklet of standard mathematical formulae, identical to the one that is made available in certain examinations, is
available for purchase from Cavendish Stores and Classes Technicians or for downloading from the web at
http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/students.php.Youareurgedtouseandbecomefamiliarwiththecontentsofthis
booklet,becauseithasbecomeclearinrecentTriposexaminationsthatmanystudentsarenotawareofthetimeitcan
savetheminanexamination.

Handbook
ThePhysicsCourseHandbookisupdatedeachyear,anddistributedtostudentsofallyears.Itaimstobethedefinitive
source of information about the courses, the individual course synopses are available on the TIS at
http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/students.php. Studentsmaybeinformedofcorrections,andupdates,duringthe
year,e.g.incoursehandoutsorbyemail.Itisalsoavailableontheweb.Pleasesendanycomments,onerrorsor
omissions,byemailtoteachingoffice@phy.cam.ac.uk.

Harassment
TheUniversityiscommittedtocreatingandmaintaininganenvironmentforworkandlearningwhichisfreefromall
formsofdiscrimination.ThecentralauthoritiesoftheUniversityregardracial,sexualanddisabilityharassmentandbul
lying as wholly unacceptable behaviour. The information about harassment is available at
www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/personnel/policy/dignity/.
Anystudentwhofeelstheyarebeingharassedorbulliedracially,sexuallyorbecauseofadisabilityisencouragedto
seek advice. The Department of Physics has appointed two advisors who are available to students for guidance and
support:
DrBillAllison,Room413B&Tel:37416,Email:mailto:wa14@cam.ac.uk
DrJuliaRiley,Room916&Tel:37308,Email:julia@mrao.cam.ac.uk
AdvicemayalsobeobtainedfromCollegeTutors.
Contactwiththeadvisorswillbetreatedasconfidential.Noinformationaboutacomplaintwillbereleasedortaken
anyfurtherwithoutthestudentsconsent.

InstituteofPhysics
TheInstituteofPhysicsisanationalbodythatexiststopromotephysics.TheStudentLiaisonOfficerfortheInstituteof
PhysicsisEstherBennett(Esther.Bennett@iop.org).Prof.MikePayne(mcp1@phy.cam.ac.uk)istheCambridgeRepre
sentative,fromwhomapplicationformscanalsobeobtained.Followinggraduationyoumayobtain(accordingtoex
perience)variousgradesofprofessionalmembership,CharteredPhysiciststatus,andseveralotherbenefitswhichmay
havesomebearingonobtainingajob.

LaboratoryClosure
TheCavendishLaboratoryopensat8:00andclosesat18:00MondaytoFriday.OverChristmasandNewYeartheLabo
ratoryiscompletelyclosed.

LateSubmissionofWork
InaccordancewiththeUniversitysregulations,worksubmittedaftertheadvertiseddeadlinewillnotcounttowards
yourfinalexaminationmark,unlessanextensionoftimeisgrantedonthegroundsthattherearemitigatingcircum
stances.Foranyitemofworkamountingtomorethan10%ofthetotalfortheyear(forexampleaPartIIIProject),any
applicationforsuchanextensionshouldbemadebyyourcollegeTutortotheUniversitysApplicationsCommittee.For
itemsofworkamountingtolessthan10%ofthetotalyearsmark,anyapplicationforanextensionshouldbemadeby
your college Tutor or Director of Studies to the Director of Undergraduate Teaching, c/o Teaching Office, Cavendish
Laboratory,(teachingoffice@phy.cam.ac.uk).
Ineithercase,youshouldsubmittheworkassoonaspossibleafterthedeadline.

44 Guide for Students

 Lecturehandouts
Handouts,containingmaterialtosupplementlectures,areusuallydistributedatthetimeoftherelevantlectureout
side the lecture theatre. The amount of material prepared is at thediscretion of the lecturer. Diverse opinions have
been(vociferously)expressedbystudentseachyearabouthandoutssomewantverylittlematerial,otherswishto
havecopiesoflectureoverheads,otherswantasubstituteforabook.Whenlectureoverheadsaresuppliedthereare
oftencriticismsthatthelecturerisreadingfromthehandout!ItisimpossiblefortheDepartmenttoprovidecourses
andhandoutswhichsatisfyeverydifferentpreference.Lecturehandoutsshouldberegardedasassistancebeyondthe
lecturematerial,optionallyprovidedbythelecturer,buttheycannotsubstituteforyourownreadingthroughthewide
rangeoftextbooksavailablethroughouttheUniversity,andyoucannotreasonablyexpectthemto.Lecturehandouts
areavailableonthewebathttp://wwwteach.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/handouts.php.

Lectures
Details of lectures will be found in the Lecture List published at the start of each academic year on the web at
http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/lectures.php.
PartIAlecturesareusuallyheldintheBristolMyersSquibbLectureTheatre,TheChemicalLaboratory.
PartIBPhysicsAandPhysicsBlecturesareusuallyheldintheCockcroftLectureTheatreontheNewMuseumsSite.
PartIIandPartIIIlecturesareusuallyheldinthelecturetheatresattheCavendishLaboratoryorintheSacklerLecture
TheatreattheInstituteofAstronomy.

Libraries
LibraryprovisioninCambridgeisoutstanding.YourCollegewillprobablyprovideacoreofphysicsbookstosupplement
thoseyoubuy.UsuallytheCollegeLibrarianwillwelcomesuggestionsforadditionalpurchasesifyoufindomissionsof
importantbooksfromtheCollegeLibrary.
TheDepartmentprovidestheRayleighLibrary,locatedintheBraggbuilding,andaspecialsectionhasbeensetaside
forusebyPartIIandPartIIIstudents(seePartIIandPartIIILibrary,below).
TheUniversityLibraryhasanextensivephysicscollection.
PhysicsjournalsareheldintheRayleighLibraryandintheMooreLibraryinWilberforceRoad(seebelow).Onlineac
cesstomanyphysicsjournalsisavailablewithinthecamdomain.

MASt
Thisisataughtpostgraduatecourse,whichconsistsofthesamecontentandassessmentasPartIIIPhysics.Thecourse
isdesignedforstudentswhoholda3yearundergraduatedegreewhowishtopursuearesearchdegree.Theentryre
quirementfortheMAStisaqualificationcomparabletoanuppersecondclassorbetterUKBachelorsdegreeinPhys
ics.InrecentyearswehavehadaMAStclassof1020studentswhojoinusfromdegreeprogrammesintheUKand
worldwide.TheintentionisthattheybecomefullyintegratedwiththePartIIIclass.

ManagedClusterService(MCSformallyPWF)
TheMCSisanetworkofPCssupportedbytheComputingServiceandlocatedclosetothePracticalclasses.Itisusedto
assistwithdataanalysis,documentpreparationandspecificcomputingexercises.Youwillneedtoregisterasauser.
SeealsoComputing(above).Printingfacilitiesareavailable.

MooreLibrary
TheUniversitysmaincollectionofphysicalsciences,technologyandmathematicsjournalsiskeptintheMooreLibrary
intheCentreforMathematicalSciencesinWilberforceRoad(closetotheCavendish,justturnleftattheendofthe
footpathleadingfromtheCavendishintotown,insteadofcontinuingdownAdamsRoad;thelargebuildingontheright
nearthefarendoftheroadistheCMS).TousethecollectionyouneedtohaveaUniversityCard.Itisunlikelytobe
usefultoyouuntiltheThirdandFourthyears.

Guide for Students 45

 NaturalSciencesTripos
TheNaturalSciencesTripos(NST)istheofficialtitleofthedegreeexaminationscoveringtheNaturalSciences,including
Physics.TheparticipatingDepartmentsoftheUniversityworktogethertoprovideawidechoiceofsubjectswhichcan
becombinedinagreatvarietyofwaystocaterfortheinterestsofeachstudent.
ManystudentsseemunclearabouthowthePartIIandPartIIIexaminationsareClassed.Thefollowingisanextract
fromnotespreparedinordertoclarifytheDepartmentspositiononthis:
PartIIIoftheTriposisclassedintheusualway1st,2.1,2.2,3rd.PartsIIandIIIoftheTriposareindependentand
marksarenotcarriedforwardfromonetotheother.
Degreesassucharenotclassed.StudentsgraduatefromtheUniversityasaB.A.withHonoursand,iftheyareclassed
inPartIII,asanM.Sci.TheclassesareattachedtoaparticularTripos.Thusif,forexample,astudentobtainsaFirstin
PartII,theywillbeentitledtosaythattheyobtainedFirstClassHonoursinPartIIoftheNSTwhatevertheirresultsin
PartIII.IftheyalsoobtainagoodresultinPartIIIthentheycanaddthattotheircurriculumvitae.Iffutureemployers,
postgraduategrantfundingagencies,etc.requiremoredetailedinformationthanjustthedegreecertificate,theywill
normallyreceivefromaCollegeortheUniversitythefullprofileofthestudentsachievementsduringtheiryearshere,
notjusttheirresultinthefinalyear.ThisshouldenablethemtogiveproperweighttothePartIIresults.
Itisworthnotingthatmanyofthekeydecisionsaboutjoboffersandplacesinresearchgroupswillbemadebeforethe
PartIIIresultsareknown,sothePartIIclassesarelikelytobeanimportantfactorinthosechoices.TheResearchCoun
cilsnormallyrequireaspecificstandardtobemetifstudentsaretobeeligibleforpostgraduatesupport.Atpresenta
studentiseligibleforaResearchCouncilgrantifatleastanUpperSecondhasbeenattainedineitherPartIIorPartIII.
ItisunlikelythatapoorresultinPartIIIwouldleadtoanofferofaplacefromanyuniversity,eveniftheformalre
quirementhadbeenattainedatPartII.
SeealsoClassingCriteria,above.

PartIIandPartIIILibrary
AnareaissetasideintheRayleighLibraryforusebyPartIIandPartIIIstudents,andthereisanextensivecollectionof
textbooksonallaspectsofphysics.These,andbooksfromthemainsectionoftheLibrary,maybeborrowedovernight
aftercompletingtheborrowingprocedureatthedesknexttothemaindoortotheLibrary.Aquietareaforstudyis
alsoavailableinthePartII/IIIstudyareaaccessiblefromthelinkbridgebetweentheBraggandRutherfordbuildings.

PastTripospapers
Recentpapersarealsoavailableonthewebatwwwteach.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/examPapers.php.Rememberthat
thecoursecontentchanges,sopastpapersmaycontainquestionsonmaterialwithwhichyouarenotnowexpectedto
befamiliar!

PersonalComputers
Many Colleges provide PCs, and you may also use those provided in the Cavendish by the Managed Cluster Service
(MCSformallyPWF).SeeComputing(above).

PhilosophicalSociety
The Philosophical Society is a longestablished society in the University which, among its various functions, puts on
eveninglecturesintheBristolMyersSquibbLectureTheatre,DepartmentofChemistry.Someofthesearebyeminent
physicists and all are intended for a broad audience you are therefore most welcome to attend. More details are
availableathttp://www.cam.ac.uk/societies/cps/.

PhysicsCourseHandbook
SeeHandbook(above).

Photocopying
PhotocopyingmaybecarriedoutinthecopyroomoftheRayleighLibrary.

46 Guide for Students

 PhysicsSociety(CUPS)
ThePhysicsSocietyorganisesarangeoffunctions,includingeveninglectures.Joiningiseasyatthefirsteveninglecture
orattheSocietiesFair.Moredetailsareavailableat
www.srcf.ucam.org/physics/wiki/index.php?title=Cambridge_University_Physics_Society.

Plagiarism
SeeCheating(above).

PracticalClasses
ThePracticalClassesareanimportantandexaminablepartofyourcourse,andareconductedintheCavendishLabora
tory.RegistrationproceduresareoutlinedintherelevantsectionofthisHandbook.

RayleighLibrary
TheRayleighLibraryisprimarilyaresourceforresearch,butitincludesagreatmanyusefulreferenceworksaswellas
originalresearchjournals.HereyoucanalsofindNewScientist,ScientificAmerican,PhysicsWorld(forthosewhodont
have their own copy!) and Physics Today. All of these are excellent sources of information about the fastadvancing
frontiersofphysics.NexttothesectionwiththeseandothercurrentjournalsisthePartII&IIILibrary.Thereislimited
spaceforprivateworking.

Raven
RavenistheUniversityofCambridgewebauthenticationserver.YouwillneedyourRavenpasswordtologintothe
TeachingInformationSystem(q.v.),andtoaccess"camonly"material(suchaspastexaminationpapers)ontheteach
ingwebsitefromoutsidethecam.ac.ukdomain.IfyouusetheHermesmailstore,thenyoucangetyourRavenpass
word at https://jackdaw.cam.ac.uk/getravenpassword. If you don't use Hermes, then you can request a Raven
passwordfromhttp://ww.cam.ac.uk/cs/request/raven.html.IfyouhaveaRavenpasswordandyourloginisrejected
bytheteachingsystem,pleaselettheTeachingOfficeknowyourCRSIDsothatwecanenableyouraccount.Ifyouhave
lostyourRavenpassword,oritdoesn'twork,thenseehttp://www.cam.ac.uk/cs/docs/faq/n3.html.

RecordingofLectures
Audioorvideorecordingoflecturesisnotgenerallyallowed.Ifthereisaspecificreasonforneedingtorecordalecture
thenarequestshouldbemadetotheTeachingOffice,whowillconsulttherelevantlecturer.TheDepartmentmayre
quirethattherecordingismadebythelecturetheatretechnician.

Refreshments
SeeCommonRoom.

Registration
TheDepartmentrunsanextensivesetofteachingdatabases,andusesthese,forexample,tocontactallstudentsinany
particularcategory.Inorderforustoreachyou,wefirstneedtoknowthatyouarehere.Youshouldreceive,fromthe
Departmentand/oryourDoS,aninvitationtoregistershortlybeforethestartoftheacademicyear.ThisdoesNOTen
teryouforexaminations,orhaveanyofficialfunctionoutsidethePhysicsDepartment,butitdoesgetyouintothesys
temsothatweknowyouarehere,andwhatyouaredoing.Wearethenabletoallocatedepartmentalsupervisions
whereappropriate,andtogiveyouaccesstoallrelevantinformation.

Reporter
TheUniversityReporteristheofficialpublicationoftheUniversityinwhichannouncementsaremade.Thepaperver
sion of the Reporter is no longer be produced. For all official notices concerning examination procedures see
http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/.

Research
TheCavendishisalargeandthrivingresearchlaboratory,withawiderangeofpresentdayinterestsinphysics,anda
fascinatingandillustrioushistory.Moreinformationabouttheresearchcanbefounddistributedaroundthelaboratory

Guide for Students 47

intheformofposterdisplays,butanincreasingamountofinformationwillbefoundviaourHomePageontheWorld
WideWeb:http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk
Researchisorganisedintothefollowinggroups:

Abbreviation NameofResearchGroup ContactPhone

AMOP Atomic,Mesoscopic&OpticalPhysics 66298
AP Astrophysics 37294
BSS BiologicalandSoftSystems 37423/37007
DP DetectorandOpticalPhysics 37294
HEP HighEnergyPhysics 37227
ME Microelectronics 37556
OE Optoelectronics 37313
NP NanoPhotonics 60945
QM QuantumMatter 37351
SMF Surfaces,Microstructure&Fracture 37336
SP SemiconductorPhysics 37482
TCM TheoryofCondensedMatter 37254
TFMM ThinFilms,Magnetism&Materials 37336

Safety
Safe conduct is legally the individual responsibility of everyone in the workplace, whether they be student or staff
member.AdditionallytheDepartmenthasspecificlegalobligationsregardinghealthandsafety,whicharemonitored
bytheDepartmentSafetyandEnvironmentCommittee.Youwillbegiveninformationabouthealthandsafetyinthe
PracticalClassesinparticular;pleasetakeinthisinformation,andaccordittheimportanceitdeserves.Particularrules
apply to Part III Project work; they aredetailed in the sectiondescribing the arrangements for projects. TheDepart
mentalSafetyOfficerisDr.JaneBlunt(Room220,Ext.37397,fjb27@phy.cam.ac.uk).

CentralScienceLibrary
TheUniversitysmaincollectionofscientificjournalshasbeensplitintotwo.Journalsrelatedtothephysicalsciences,
technologyandmathematicsarekeptinthenewMooreLibraryintheCentreforMathematicalSciencesinWilberforce
Road(closetotheCavendish,justturnleftattheendofthefootpathleadingfromtheCavendishintotown,insteadof
continuingdownAdamsRoad;thelargebuildingontherightnearthefarendoftheroadistheCMS).Theotherjour
nalsarekeptintheSPLinBenetStreet,whichwasoriginallythePhilosophicalSocietysLibraryandstillhousestheof
ficesoftheSociety.TousethecollectionyouneedtohaveaUniversityLibrarycard.Itisunlikelytobeusefultoyou
untilthethirdandfourthyears.

Smoking
TheentireDepartmentofPhysicshasbeendesignatedaNOSMOKINGAREA.

StaffStudentConsultativeCommittee
TheSSCCistheofficialchannelforthecommunicationofstudentsconcernstotheDepartment.Thereareoneortwo
studentrepresentativesforeachofthecoursesprovidedbytheDepartment.ElectionstotheSSCCtakeplaceearlyin
theMichaelmastermduringlectures.TheConsultativeCommitteeischairedbyDrJuliaRiley,andtheothermembers
are the Headof Department, theDirectorof Undergraduate teaching and the Secretary of the Teaching Committee.
TheCommitteemeetsattheendofeachterm,justafterlecturesfinish,andamajorpartofitsbusinessistodiscussin
detailthefeedbackoneachcourse,particularlyasreflectedbyquestionnaires.TheCommitteealsoprovidesfeedback
totheTeachingCommitteeongeneralteachingissues.

48 Guide for Students

TheCommitteesminutesareconsideredindetailbytheTeachingCommitteeandbytheHeadofDepartment,andare
madeavailableonthewebforaccesswithinCambridge(see www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/committees.php, where
thecurrentmembershipmayalsobefound).

Supervisions
SupervisionsareorganisedthroughyourcollegeforPartsIAandIB,andbytheDepartmentforPartII.Supervisionin
largergroupsisorganisedbytheDepartmentforPartIII.Youarenormallyexpectedtoattendeverysupervisionwhich
youhavearranged,asacourtesytoyoursupervisoraswellasinordertobenefityourownstudies.Youshouldexpect
tobeaskedtohandinworkforeachsupervision,insufficienttimeforyoursupervisortolookthroughtheworkand
identifyanypotentialproblems.
Ifforsomereasonyouhaveproblems,pleasecontactyourDirectorofStudiesinthefirstinstance,evenforsupervi
sionsarrangedbytheDepartment.

Synopses
ModeratelydetailedsynopsesarepublishedforeverycourseofferedbytheDepartment;thesynopseshavebeenar
rivedatafterlongdeliberation,consultation,anddebatewithintheDepartment.Therelationshipbetweencoursesis
handledbytheTeachingCommittee,andeveryeffortismadetorefinethesequenceinwhichmaterialispresented.
Someproblemsremain;theseshouldjustbetheonesforwhichnoclearcutsolutionwasavailable,butincasethere
are difficulties for you which have not been identified in advance, the StaffStudent Consultative Committee always
welcomesdirectfeedbackviayourrepresentative.

TeachingCommittee
TheTeachingCommitteeconcernsitselfwithallaspectsofteachingintheDepartmentofPhysics.Itoverseesthestruc
tureoflecturecoursesandpracticals,andweighsupinformationaboutthesuccessofthecoursesregularlyduringthe
academicyear.Thebestrouteforcommunicatinginformationtothecommitteeisthroughyourrepresentativeonthe
StaffStudentConsultativeCommittee,whichitselfreportstotheTeachingCommittee.TheChairoftheCommitteeis
DrJohnRicher(DirectorofUndergraduateteaching)andtheSecretaryDrRichardBatley.

TeachingInformationSystem
TheTiSisawebinterfacetothevariousteachingdatabasesmaintainedbytheDepartment.PartIAstudentscanview
theirpracticalmarksontheweb;PartIIandIIIstudentscanselectResearchReviewsandProjectshere,andcanview
theirfurtherworkmarksinthesamewayiftheyhavebeenreleased.Allsupervisionsarrangedbythedepartmentare
listed,andyoucanusethesystemasaneasywaytoemailyoursupervisorsandsupervisionpartners(forPartsIIand
III).
Allhandouts,forallyears,arenowavailableviatheTiS,http://wwwteach.phy.cam.ac.uk
Notethatyoumustfirstberegistered(see"Registration")forthecurrentyearinordertogainaccesstothesefacilities,
andthatmanyofthemrequireyoufirsttologin,usingyourRavenpassword(seeunder"Raven").

TeachingOffice
The Physics Department has a Teaching Office which is situated in the Bragg building, Room 212B, tel. 65798. The
TeachingOfficeisrunbyHelenMarshallandisopenforgeneralenquiriesandsubmissionofwrittenreportsatregular
timesduringfullterm.Enquiriescanalsobemadetoitsemailaddress:teachingoffice@phy.cam.ac.uk.

Telephones
Theinternaltelephonenetworkoftheuniversityprovidesfreecallsbetweenextensions,mostofwhichhaveafive
digitnumber.
Toreachanextensionfromanotherexchangelineoutsidethenetwork,thenumberisprefixedwitha3.(Somerecent
lineshave5digitnumberbeginningwitha6,forwhichtheprefixwhendiallingfromoutsideisa7).
Fordetails,seetheinternaltelephonedirectory.

Guide for Students 49

 TransferableSkills
WehaveidentifiedasetoftransferableskillsthatphysicsundergraduatescanexpecttoacquireinCambridge.Aswell
asbeingneededforacademicperformance,theseskillsaresoughtafterbyemployers,andstudentsareencouragedto
developthem.Thedetailscanbefoundonthewebathttp://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/students.php

UniversityLibrary
TheUniversityLibraryisanamazingresourcefortheUniversity(andinmanydisciplines,fortheinternationalacademic
community).Youmaybesurprisedathowusefulitcanbeforyou.However,sinceitissolargeitcanbealittlecompli
cated.
YourUniversityCardisrequiredtogainaccesstotheUniversityLibrary.
Youcannottakebagsetc.intothelibraryforsecurityreasons,butyoucanleavetheminthemetallockerstobefound
downafewstepsontherighthandsideoftheentrancehallway.Thekeysarereleasedbytheinsertionofa1coin,
whichisreturnedtoyouwhenyouopenthelocker.
MostoftherelevantphysicsbooksaretobefoundontheshelvesinSouthFront,Floor4easilylocatedonthemaps
displayedthroughoutthebuilding.Youneedtoknowthatinordertomaximisestorage,booksareshelvedincatalogue
sequence,butsplitintodifferentsizecategories.Thismeansthatyoumightfindfourdifferentsetsofbookson,say,
atomicphysicsthesizeisindicatedbyalettera,b,cinthecataloguenumber.Theyareeasytofindonceyouknow
this!Periodicals(serials)havenumbersprefixedwithP.
An increasingproportion ofthe 7,500,000items in the inventory of the library are appearing on the computercata
logue,whichcanbeaccessedfromanycomputerterminalwhichcanconnecttothenetwork.Thecataloguewilltell
youwherethebookshouldbefound(egSF4i.e.SouthFrontFloor4)andwhetherornotitisoutonloan(andifso,
whenitisdueback).ThesamecataloguesystemallowsyoutocheckyourCollegelibrarycatalogue(formostofthecol
leges)andthatoftheRayleighLibrary.TheULcatalogueisavailableathttp://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/.

Website
TheCavendishLaboratoryshomepagehttp://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/hasnoticesabouteventsintheCavendish,listsof
staffanddetailsoftheactivitiesofthevariousresearchgroups,aswellasteachingmaterialandinformation.ThisPhys
icsCourseHandbookandteachingmaterialforvariouscoursescanbefoundathttp://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/teaching/.
TheTeachingwebpagesalsoprovidelinkstotheTeachingInformationsystem(q.v.),andtocertainmaterialthatisnot
generallyavailabletoaddressesoutsidethecam.ac.ukdomain.

50 Guide for Students