The School of Physical Sciences offers degree programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Access to our Undergraduate degrees is by application to the Central Applications Office (CAO) or the International Office Directly for non EU applicants. The school also offers taught and research postgraduate degrees. Please see the online prospectus at the links on the left and check out our research profile and opportunities.

2. School of Physical Sciences
Open Day 2014-2015

3. Physics answers the big questions
 Energy generation and distribution
 Global warming
 Environmental monitoring/protection
 Health (Diagnostics and Therapeutics)
 Quantum/optical computing
 Nanoscience/nanotechnology
Why Study Physics?

4. Physicists provide leadership in:
 Basic research
 Commercial R&D
 Education and training
 Finance/market prediction and modelling
 Industry, business, public service
 Engineering, design, innovation
Why Study Physics?

5. A physics degree provides a broad education
Applicable to a wide variety of jobs
 IT literate
 Problem solving
 Mathematical modelling
 Ability to think ‘outside the box’
Why Study Physics?

6. It offers a challenging and rewarding career
focused on the creation of new knowledge
A scientific research career is an
international passport
Why Study Physics?

7.  Purpose-built physics building with excellent labs and
computer facilities
 International staff profile
 Excellent track record in Research & Development
 Staff involved in Research Centres (BDI, NCPST, NCSR
…) and in International Collaborations CERN, ITER,
MAXLAB…
 Undergrad involvement in research labs years 3 & 4
Why Study Physics at DCU?

8.  Physics Orientation as well as general University
Orientation
 Social events in lab , meet and greet etc.
 Small classes and dedicated Year Tutors
 Industry & research Intra opportunities
 School is actively involved in Physics Education
Research ensuring an excellent standard of
teaching/tutoring
 Physics staff have won President’s Teaching and
Research Awards
Why Study Physics at DCU?

9.  Physics with Biomedical Sciences (DC173)
 Physics with Astronomy (DC167)
 Applied Physics (DC171)
Undergraduate Programmes

10. Year 1
Mechanics, Optics, Thermal Physics, Electricity
and Magnetism, Chemistry, Computing, Labs and
Projects
Year 2
Quantum Mechanics, Electronics, Mathematics,
Electromagnetism, Relativity and nuclear
Physics, Labs and Projects
Year 3
Wave Optics,, Quantum Physics, Statistical
Mechanics, Mathematics
Year 4
Choice of Optional Topics, Professional
Development, Final Year Project
Year 1
Mechanics, Optics, Thermal Physics, Electricity
and Magnetism, Chemistry, Computing, Labs and
Projects
Year 2
Quantum Mechanics, Electronics, Mathematics,
Electromagnetism, Relativity and nuclear
Physics, Labs and Projects
Year 3
Wave Optics,, Quantum Physics, Statistical
Mechanics, Mathematics
Year 4
Choice of Optional Topics, Professional
Development, Final Year Project
Common Physics Elements

11. Physics is of vital importance to the
Biomedical fields
 NMR / PET / CAT Scanners
 Imaging Technology
 Radiation Therapy / Nuclear Medicine
 Diagnostic Devices
 Laser Treatment
Physics with Biomedical Sciences

12. Year 1
Mechanics, Optics, Thermal Physics, Electricity
and Magnetism, Chemistry, Computing, Labs and
Projects
Year 2
Quantum Mechanics, Electronics, Mathematics,
Electromagnetism, Relativity and nuclear
Physics, Labs and Projects
Year 3
Wave Optics,, Quantum Physics, Statistical
Mechanics, Mathematics
Year 4
Choice of Optional Topics, Professional
Development, Final Year Project
Year 1 Chemistry, Anatomy
Year 2 Biomechanics
Year 3 Immunology, Intra Placement in Biomedical Field
Year 4
Advanced Biomaterials and Processing,
Microfluidics, Biophotonics, Project work in
Biomedical Field
Physics with Biomedical Sciences

13. Physics is at the core of modern astronomy, both in terms of
experimental apparatus, theory, and analysis of data
Imaging Technology
Data Acquisition
Computational Physics
Cosmology and Relativity
Physics with Astronomy

14. Year 1
Mechanics, Optics, Thermal Physics, Electricity
and Magnetism, Chemistry, Computing, Labs and
Projects
Year 2
Quantum Mechanics, Electronics, Mathematics,
Electromagnetism, Relativity and nuclear
Physics, Labs and Projects
Year 3
Wave Optics,, Quantum Physics, Statistical
Mechanics, Mathematics
Year 4
Choice of Optional Topics, Professional
Development, Final Year Project
Year 1 The Universe, Programming
Year 2
Advanced Programming, Relativity, Nuclear and
Particle Physics, Space Science and Technology
Year 3
Astronomical Techniques, Stellar Physics
Field Trip to Foreign Observatory
Year 4
Applied Spectroscopy, Image Processing, Topics
in Astrophysics, Extragalactic Astrophysics and
Cosmology, Astronomy project
Physics with Astronomy

15. General physics degree aimed at
industrial R&D and fundamental and
applied research
 Semiconductor Physics
 Digital Signal Processing
 Optics and Photonics
 Computer Modelling
 Instrumentation / Measurement
Applied Physics

16. Year 1
Mechanics, Optics, Thermal Physics, Electricity
and Magnetism, Chemistry, Computing, Labs and
Projects
Year 2
Quantum Mechanics, Electronics, Mathematics,
Electromagnetism, Relativity and nuclear
Physics, Labs and Projects
Year 3
Wave Optics,, Quantum Physics, Statistical
Mechanics, Mathematics
Year 4
Choice of Optional Topics, Professional
Development, Final Year Project
Year 1 The Universe, Programming
Year 2
Advanced Programming, Solid State Physics,
Electronics
Year 3 Semiconductor Physics, Wave Optics
Year 4
Quantum Electronics, Electrodynamics, Materials
Growth and Characterisation, Solid State
Physics, Quantum Electronics, Nanotechnology
Applied Physics

17. Applied Physics
Six month INTRA placement
Physics with Biomedical Sciences
Six month INTRA placement (in hospital / biomedical
industry)
Physics with Astronomy
Field trip to foreign observatory
Six month INTRA placement
Lab Placements in School or Research Centre
Opportunities for research placements through
scholarships and networking in EU and US
INTRA Opportunities

18. Physics with Biomedical Sciences
HD3 or OB3 in Mathematics
HC3 in a Science subject
Points cut-off 2014 - 435
Physics with Astronomy
HD3 or OC3 in Mathematics
HD3 or OC3 in a Laboratory Science
Points cut-off 2014 – 450
Applied Physics
HD3 or OC3 in Mathematics
HD3 or OC3 in a Laboratory Science
Points cut-off 2014 - 430
Entry Requirements

19. Employers:
Intel, Applied Materials,
Meteor, O2, Eircom, AIB
Group, Hibernian Group,
FORFÁS, SFI, HP, RCSI, DIT,
St. James’s/Mater/Tallaght
Hospitals, Google, First
Derivative
Employment Prospects
Employed
Looking for
employment
Further
education

20. Employment Prospects
Computing? Computer Hardware?
Internet? Mobile Communications?
Finance? Science Teaching?
Medical Physics? Astronomy/Space Science?
Research Scientist? Semiconductor industry?
Renewable Energy? Nanotechnologies?
Physics graduates from DCU have followed all
these career paths.

21. Of 22 students:
 10 in further education in DCU, Tyndall, TCD, NUIM,
QUB, Surrey, London, San Jose!
 2 taking a gap year and travelling
 4 seeking employment/PG course
 6 in employment:
-Intel (Engineer)
-Applied Materials (3 x Engineers)
-Dublin software company CRÈME
-London Software company FEM
Graduating Class of 2012

22. Staff:
Dr. Paul Van Kampen was awarded the National Awards for
Excellence in Teaching and Learning (NAIRTL) 2012
Postgraduate students:
Conor Coyle & Colm Fallon won the Accenture Award for Best
Technology/Leaders of the Future for a company start-up
Daragh Byrne Ph.D. was awarded the Outstanding Graduate
Reseacher of the Faculty of Science & Health
Jennifer Gaughran won SFI “Tell it Straight” competition 2014
Undergraduate students:
3 physics students worked with DCU media office to develop a DCU
smartphone Web APP for campus use.
Barry Cannon awarded scholarship to study for a Masters in University
of San Jose.
Fergal Stapleton Applied Physics, winner of Undergraduate Award for
final year project in Computing Category, 2012
Claire O’Connell awarded prestigeous Naughton Scholarship for
research internship in Univ. Notre Dame 2013
Graduate Dr. David Grimes awarded the John Maddox Award 2014
Recent Physical Sciences Highlights

23. DCU has responded to the need for a
new generation of science teachers
by preparing a new integrated
curriculum including:
Science
Mathematics
Education
Information Technology
BSc in Science Education

24. You have the option of entering the Physics programmes after a
common first year on Common Entry into Science
(DC201)
Points 2014
You can study Physics as part of the BSc in Environmental
Science
(DC166 )
Points 2014
Other Routes into Physics

25. Why come to
DCU?
We know going to
University isn’t all about
lectures and books. It’s
also about getting out
there, getting involved
and having some of the
best experiences of your
life

26. Life at DCU
 Student Advice Centre
 Uaneen Module
 Students Union / Office of Student Life – www.dcusu.ie
 Elite Athlete Entry Scheme
 Clubs and Societies
 Learning Support Service
 Disability Service
 Student Accommodation
 Class Representation

27. Getting Here
Getting here, either by public transport or
under your own steam, is easy; we’re close
to the M50 and M1 motorways and
serviced by bus routes from all parts of the
city.

28. Getting Here
 44 & 104 now stop on campus, with numerous other
busses from Ballymun Road and Collins Avenue
 Private busses from Dundalk, Drogheda, Bettystown,
Skerries, Lusk, Laytown and Rush
 Bus Eireann 101 and 109A
 Go Car on campus
 M50 links
 Walking and Cycling routes
 Drumcondra Train Station

29. And Finally…
At DCU we have the
• People
• Facilities
• Opportunities

30. Physics Graduates 2012

31. Any questions?
?