About the school
Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics
The School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics prides itself on creating exceptional opportunities for students. Students have access to some of the best teaching facilities in the UK, learn in small classes taught by practising scientists and mathematicians, and have exceptional opportunities for research in UH laboratories or on outside placements. The Head of the School is Professor Sean Ryan
- We have one of the largest astronomy research groups in the UK
- Class sizes are small enough that you know your lecturers by name
- Our teaching observatory at Bayfordbury is widely regarded as the best in the country Students conduct research projects supervised by scientists and mathematicians in the School
- Students have exceptional one-year placement opportunities in the UK and abroad
- The observatory site hosts the new Science Learning Centre East of England.
- We are renowned for Mathematics Masterclasses for school pupils and other outreach activities
- Our degrees are highly rated in both the Guardian University Rankings and the National Student Satisfaction Survey
Learning Environment
The School has been running career-relevant degree programmes for over 30 years. Our students learn in a stimulating and friendly environment supported by professional academic staff - many of whom are internationally respected scientists.
We have over 260 undergraduate and research students. Our degree courses in physics, astrophysics, mathematics and financial mathematics provide the opportunity of working on real-life projects in industry or research before they graduate. We also teach students who are taking our mathematics modules as part of a joint honours degree programme.
The School is actively involved in promoting public understanding of mathematics and science. The Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclasses is the most high profile of these activities, but we also hold open nights and short courses at the observatory, and have a busy programme of visiting lectures.
21st Century Resources
High-specification facilities support teaching, learning and research both on and off campus. Our Bayfordbury observatory has eight optical telescopes and a five-metre radio telescope, all dedicated to undergraduate teaching. The School also hosts the Science Learning Centre East of England at this site. Equipped with laboratories, a TV studio, lecture theatre and a planetarium, the centre is regularly used by students, as well as for educational visits and to run courses for teachers and technicians.
On the College Lane campus world-class facilities help students to progress their learning and present coursework professionally. These include the University’s technology-rich, 24/7 Learning Resources Centres and groundbreaking e-learning environment StudyNet, plus private study areas and 10 well-equipped computer suites.
Enterprise Partnerships
The School works in partnership with industry and public sector and technical organisations on a range of initiatives, including contract research and consultancy. We have a record of success in applying our skills and expertise to specific practical problems. Our academic staff consults on a variety of mathematics and physics projects, but offers particular strength in computational modelling, global optimisation and digital imaging. Organisations can get in touch online with relevant specialists via our Xpertise database, which stores information on over 2,000 areas of knowledge and skills within the University.
Research Focus
Staff of the School are also active members of the Science and Technology Research Institute, one of the fastest growing in the UK. Research activity - which continually feeds into teaching - is very diverse, covering some of the most exciting topics in modern science including the astrophysics of stars, galaxies and black holes, the new area of physics called quantum computing, and mathematical areas including financial modelling, amongst others.
Professional Accreditation
Upon graduation from our Mathematics programmes you will be eligible for graduate membership in the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) or the Institute of Analysts and Programmers (AIP), depending on your study route.
Our Physics and Astrophysics degrees are accredited by the Institute of Physics (IoP) and upon graduation you will be eligible to join the Institute of Physics as a Graduate Member.
School staff
Academic staff in the School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics
Research staff in the Centre for Astrophysics Research (CAR)