what is york like for physics?
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Re: what is york like for physics?I'm going into final year of MPhys, and I've really enjoyed it. I'm working on some research in the department over the summer, and hoping to get onto a PhD here in 2011.
Some of the lecturers are hit and miss - but you'll learn to put up with the dull ones, it's bound to happen in physics.
I really wouldn't worry about what the league tables say. If you aren't going into oxbridge, most universities are pretty decent - I don't know any "bad" universities that offer a physics course.
I haven't studied anywhere else, but I've found that in this university - as most of my friends are non-physicists - that the physics department is actually one of the best on campus, problems are solved quickly, they don't seem to do any daft mistakes that you hear about others doing. They have a great personal supervision system too - that other departments lack. If you want to, your supervisor can become a good friend who'll help you out with anything to do with your course, or future career. My supervisor has helped me write my CV, given personal tutoring sessions, and is happy to have me drop by to explain anythign I don't understand properly. And, as much as you'll hate them to begin with, the physics department runs a lot of tutorials - groups of 5/6 undergrads and a lecturer/postgrad going through questions, in a much less formal style than seminars.
But then, I really think you should choose your university based on the university not the league tables. There are city universities, that'll have great club scenes, and campus universities out in the middle of nowhere. York is a good inbetween, all the benefits of campus lifestyle, but only a 30 minute walk from the centre of the city.
People are going to tell you that york is terrible for clubs/bars etc. But it really isn't. Unless your some scene/emo kid (and if you are, you'll soon realise you're being a bit of a douche, and grow up) then the bars are fine, the clubs are okay. It's the people that matter really.
If you want to know any details about the department, just ask me
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Re: what is york like for physics?I have a number of questions.(Original post by stickydink)
I'm going into final year of MPhys, and I've really enjoyed it. I'm working on some research in the department over the summer, and hoping to get onto a PhD here in 2011.
Some of the lecturers are hit and miss - but you'll learn to put up with the dull ones, it's bound to happen in physics.
I really wouldn't worry about what the league tables say. If you aren't going into oxbridge, most universities are pretty decent - I don't know any "bad" universities that offer a physics course.
I haven't studied anywhere else, but I've found that in this university - as most of my friends are non-physicists - that the physics department is actually one of the best on campus, problems are solved quickly, they don't seem to do any daft mistakes that you hear about others doing. They have a great personal supervision system too - that other departments lack. If you want to, your supervisor can become a good friend who'll help you out with anything to do with your course, or future career. My supervisor has helped me write my CV, given personal tutoring sessions, and is happy to have me drop by to explain anythign I don't understand properly. And, as much as you'll hate them to begin with, the physics department runs a lot of tutorials - groups of 5/6 undergrads and a lecturer/postgrad going through questions, in a much less formal style than seminars.
But then, I really think you should choose your university based on the university not the league tables. There are city universities, that'll have great club scenes, and campus universities out in the middle of nowhere. York is a good inbetween, all the benefits of campus lifestyle, but only a 30 minute walk from the centre of the city.
People are going to tell you that york is terrible for clubs/bars etc. But it really isn't. Unless your some scene/emo kid (and if you are, you'll soon realise you're being a bit of a douche, and grow up) then the bars are fine, the clubs are okay. It's the people that matter really.
If you want to know any details about the department, just ask me
1. How many contact hours per week are there, and does the number diminish as you progress from 1st to 4th year of the degree programme?
2. Have you experienced poor quality lectures, and what do you think is the main reason?
3. What is your experience of feedback from lecturers on handed in course work and how would you describe the quality of this feedback?
4. How knowledgeable do you think your lecturers are in their subject field?
5. How would you describe the quality of the laboratory facilities?
6. Which College is the most convenient to the Physics department and how would you rate it?
7. How many students take up the option of studying abroad, and have they found it difficult to adjust to a different university system?
8. To what level of mathematics beyond A level standard is achieved at the end of the degree programme?
9. Finally do you think York University's reputation is well deserved?
I hope you don't mind answering my many questions!
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Re: what is york like for physics?Oh no, I was hoping to Physics at York too. I hope its ok. It looks ok from the results and was pretty impressed when I went to an open day. Have you seen the views from the top of the tower block?? They are worth it!(Original post by Jamjar)
I know its the end of the academic year but still I expected answers to my questions. So as there are no answers then physics must be bad at York!
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Re: what is york like for physics?OK, so I know you were a bit disappointed that someone didn't reply... I know I don't quite qualify (see signature), but three of my five housemates next year take Physics so I'll do my best to answer the ones I know about...(Original post by Jamjar)
I have a number of questions.
1. How many contact hours per week are there, and does the number diminish as you progress from 1st to 4th year of the degree programme?
It's around 15 hours per week in first year, with a variety of lectures and lab time. I'm not sure whether it decreases across the years, but obviously if you're doing your own research you will spending less time in groups/lectures and more time either by yourself or with one supervisor/tutor.
2. Have you experienced poor quality lectures, and what do you think is the main reason?
I think most Physicists would say the only drawback is some lectures, as a previous respondent has said, being 'boring', but that you inevitably get that in any subject (agreed, from a History perspective).
The only thing I would say is the general frustration with labs... being paired with lab partners that are not of the same work ethic as you, and having to stay for an hour longer than needed because you have to wait for them to finish... but really there is little complaint more than that. And seriously, you change lab partners within the year, so don't be too worried about stuck with people you don't like.
3. What is your experience of feedback from lecturers on handed in course work and how would you describe the quality of this feedback?
There are problem questions and stuff every week so obviously you'll be pretty sure whether or not you understand things. I also thing the other respondent explained it better than I can: Physics apparently have tutorials which most other departments are very jealous of.
4. How knowledgeable do you think your lecturers are in their subject field?
All lecturers in a university of York's standard, in a department that outclasses its rivals at the same university, will be of national, if not world-class standard. The department will make sure you get experts in the field they are teaching.
5. How would you describe the quality of the laboratory facilities?
I don't know much, having never *had* a Physics lesson, but the department has one of the newest buildings on campus for its labs.
6. Which College is the most convenient to the Physics department and how would you rate it?
Any of the central colleges would be fine. So James is a bit more 'posh' in the new parts (i.e. ensuite), Vanbrugh as well (has newer parts). Both of them also has older parts which aren't as nice. Langwith is close, has ensuite but all the blocks are older. All the accommodation on the centre of campus is good, and really it's better to be closer than to prioritise being in a new building.
7. How many students take up the option of studying abroad, and have they found it difficult to adjust to a different university system?
Not many students study abroad as far as I'm aware, in terms of proportion of overall... and being a first year, I hope someone else might answer the second half more effectively.
8. To what level of mathematics beyond A level standard is achieved at the end of the degree programme?
Well I did A-Level Further Maths and my friend has borrowed all my notes for the end of first year... so I should imagine in 2nd, 3rd and 4th years (if you do the full MPhys) would be well beyond it. Also you can choose whether to do more 'Maths' type modules later on.
9. Finally do you think York University's reputation is well deserved?
From what I have seen, yes. If you come to York you will have to work hard (one housemate has to retake all exams for this year, which have a pass rate of 35%, and he isn't stupid). My friend works a lot harder than I do at the moment, and has a lot of contact hours. But the department is a good one, will support you if you need it and it is definitely a great department at the university.
It'd be good if someone else would give you a bit of a closer examination, but I hope I can do something. -
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Re: what is york like for physics?Jamjar's a troll, it's probably worth ignoring him/her. There are a tiny handful of people who don't like York (Jamjar and Picnic1 on here) who jump in at every opportunity to slate it, but most people love it.(Original post by tess_1234)
Oh no, I was hoping to Physics at York too. I hope its ok. It looks ok from the results and was pretty impressed when I went to an open day. Have you seen the views from the top of the tower block?? They are worth it!
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Re: what is york like for physics?What a pity Laser that you demonstrate such poor judgement. I have asked some very searching and honest questions that any prospective student would want answers to. You have managed to undermine your personal integrity with your cynical and biased views and so why anyone would want to go to the University of York if you are an example? You have failed as its ambassador.(Original post by laser)
Jamjar's a troll, it's probably worth ignoring him/her. There are a tiny handful of people who don't like York (Jamjar and Picnic1 on here) who jump in at every opportunity to slate it, but most people love it.
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Re: what is york like for physics?I believe contact hours are more like 25 hours a week in the first year, and only slightly fewer in the second year. I'm doing the foundation year and I have 26 hours a week for that year.(Original post by Jamjar)
What a pity Laser that you demonstrate such poor judgement. I have asked some very searching and honest questions that any prospective student would want answers to. You have managed to undermine your personal integrity with your cynical and biased views and so why anyone would want to go to the University of York if you are an example? You have failed as its ambassador.
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Re: what is york like for physics?If you don't quote the person you're talking to, then they won't be able to see your post!(Original post by shahbaz)
Hi did you learn how to program and other computational skills as part of your physics degree? -
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Hi. If you don't mind me asking I have a couple of questions about the foundation year.(Original post by BradLBlackwell)
I believe contact hours are more like 25 hours a week in the first year, and only slightly fewer in the second year. I'm doing the foundation year and I have 26 hours a week for that year.
Who teaches the year? At other places I've been looking at some physics lecturers teach it whereas at some places non-physics lectures teach if you understand what I mean?
What is the work like? How hard is it? I did well in GCSE Maths and Science but didn't take any up at A-Level but unsure what the step upto the foundation year will be like.
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Re: what is york like for physics?Hi, was just wondering do you learn any programing or other computer skills as part of your physics degree?(Original post by zar91)
OK, so I know you were a bit disappointed that someone didn't reply... I know I don't quite qualify (see signature), but three of my five housemates next year take Physics so I'll do my best to answer the ones I know about...
1. How many contact hours per week are there, and does the number diminish as you progress from 1st to 4th year of the degree programme?
It's around 15 hours per week in first year, with a variety of lectures and lab time. I'm not sure whether it decreases across the years, but obviously if you're doing your own research you will spending less time in groups/lectures and more time either by yourself or with one supervisor/tutor.
2. Have you experienced poor quality lectures, and what do you think is the main reason?
I think most Physicists would say the only drawback is some lectures, as a previous respondent has said, being 'boring', but that you inevitably get that in any subject (agreed, from a History perspective).
The only thing I would say is the general frustration with labs... being paired with lab partners that are not of the same work ethic as you, and having to stay for an hour longer than needed because you have to wait for them to finish... but really there is little complaint more than that. And seriously, you change lab partners within the year, so don't be too worried about stuck with people you don't like.
3. What is your experience of feedback from lecturers on handed in course work and how would you describe the quality of this feedback?
There are problem questions and stuff every week so obviously you'll be pretty sure whether or not you understand things. I also thing the other respondent explained it better than I can: Physics apparently have tutorials which most other departments are very jealous of.
4. How knowledgeable do you think your lecturers are in their subject field?
All lecturers in a university of York's standard, in a department that outclasses its rivals at the same university, will be of national, if not world-class standard. The department will make sure you get experts in the field they are teaching.
5. How would you describe the quality of the laboratory facilities?
I don't know much, having never *had* a Physics lesson, but the department has one of the newest buildings on campus for its labs.
6. Which College is the most convenient to the Physics department and how would you rate it?
Any of the central colleges would be fine. So James is a bit more 'posh' in the new parts (i.e. ensuite), Vanbrugh as well (has newer parts). Both of them also has older parts which aren't as nice. Langwith is close, has ensuite but all the blocks are older. All the accommodation on the centre of campus is good, and really it's better to be closer than to prioritise being in a new building.
7. How many students take up the option of studying abroad, and have they found it difficult to adjust to a different university system?
Not many students study abroad as far as I'm aware, in terms of proportion of overall... and being a first year, I hope someone else might answer the second half more effectively.
8. To what level of mathematics beyond A level standard is achieved at the end of the degree programme?
Well I did A-Level Further Maths and my friend has borrowed all my notes for the end of first year... so I should imagine in 2nd, 3rd and 4th years (if you do the full MPhys) would be well beyond it. Also you can choose whether to do more 'Maths' type modules later on.
9. Finally do you think York University's reputation is well deserved?
From what I have seen, yes. If you come to York you will have to work hard (one housemate has to retake all exams for this year, which have a pass rate of 35%, and he isn't stupid). My friend works a lot harder than I do at the moment, and has a lot of contact hours. But the department is a good one, will support you if you need it and it is definitely a great department at the university.
It'd be good if someone else would give you a bit of a closer examination, but I hope I can do something.
