The Quantum Universe

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Understanding that the quantum universe operates in a fundamentally different way from the more familiar world of classical physics.

Course Objectives:

1. Understand the theoretical context of quanta and the experimental evidence of quantization.

2. Become familiar with the various interpretations of quantum physics.

3. Describe some of the most recent developments of quantum gravity.

PowerPoint presentations

Use of white board

Group discussions

Oral presentations

Group activities

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

1. Become familiar with the concept of quantum and the wave-particle dualism

2. Distinguish between and evaluate the advantages of several of the main interpretations of quantum physics

3. Be comfortable about the counter-intuitive principles of quantum physics and some of their consequences

 4. Gather an insight of the current theories  of the origin of the universe.

Option A, i.e. a portfolio of assessable coursework elements, consisting of a number of assignments in the form of set questions throughout the course. The number of elements will be three.

Option B, an 1,500-word essay on a topic to be selected from a list of proposed topics, 

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work the required standard.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

This is an introductory course that does not assume any previous familiarity with quantum physics.

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.