For incoming Physics, Physics with Astrophysics and Phys/Bus students
Complex Numbers Worksheet
The worksheet on complex numbers (available from the rh menu) is your first piece of coursework. Your answers are due on the first Friday of term. You should work through this sometime between now and then. Should you have any questions about the material, you will be able to discuss them with your tutor when you get here.
Mathematical Techniques
One of the major differences between the way you have probably been taught physics until now, and the way it is taught at university, is the increased role that mathematics plays. In our experience the transition to University does not cause significant problems, provided that you are reasonably fluent in the mathematics that you have learnt at school or college.
To give you an idea of the mathematical skills we expect, there is a list of topics in the menu (Maths Revision). We ask that you spend some time between now and the beginning of the academic year revising this material. To help you assess your knowledge there is a mock diagnostic test, which is similar in scope, and difficulty, to a test you will take in the first week of term. There are also links to revision aids and tutorials.
Physics Textbook
The physics course in year 1 will follow closely the text book University Physics with Modern Physics with Mastering Physics (International Ed.) by HD Young and RA Freedman. We provide you with a copy, so please do NOT buy it! For the mathematics component of the course (it covers mathematics in year 2 as well) a recommended textbook is Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering, 3rd Edition, by KF Riley, MP Hobson and SJ Bence, Cambridge University Press (ISBN 0521679710).
