What is Physics?

Physics is a fundamental building block of science and engineering. Physics provides the toolbox that help us understand the basic laws governing the structure of matter, the nature of energy and the physical forces that form our world. Physics encompasses the science of short-range forces operating inside the nucleus of an atom and explains the origin of gravitational waves that determines the structure of the universe.

In years 1 and 2, our IOP accredited undergraduate programmes (GY320 and GY301) principally teach classical physics –developed by scientists such as Isaac Newton and James Clerk Maxwell. In years 3 and 4, teaching progresses to consider Quantum Physics and Relativity, pioneered by scientists such as Max Planck and Albert Einstein.

The ability to understand matter as waves and waves as particles is increasingly important in future technologies; this is often the most significant differentiating factor between engineering and physics.

The School combines both research and teaching in the same location. The School has expertise in observational astronomy that extends across the full electromagnetic spectrum; this enables our scientists access the best telescopes available in the world.  In climate change the School manages Mace Head –one of 31 global atmospheric watch research stations on the planet. In biomedical physics, the School operates the only CAMPEP (Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs) accredited MSc programme in Europe that enables graduates to operate as Medical Physicists in Hospitals throughout North America on graduation.

Why Physics?

People study physics because they are curious about how the universe works.  Some students seek to apply their fundamental knowledge of physics to solve the grand societal challenges that face the world such as how to create clean and efficient sources of energy, how to better use the planet’s limited resources, how to develop smart green integrated transport, how to transmit and store information securely, how to produce sustainable food safely, or to deliver better healthcare for a growing and increasingly elderly world population. Some aspiring physicists are keen technologists –eager to develop the technologies that enable the next big breakthrough –in Advanced Materials & Nanotechnologies, Micro-/nano-Electronics & Photonics, Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence and Security & Connectivity.

The School of Physics in Galway prioritises its activities where key enabling technologies address the grand societal challenges of the future.  A laser-enabled printed electronics and printed biomaterials manufacturing test-bed proposes to create optically, electrically, and thermally activated medical devices. Experts in geometric optics apply their expertise to evaluate new technologies at the European Space Agency. Our astrophysicists are members of international collaborations (I-LOFAR, VERITAS, JCMT, ESO) seeking to advance knowledge in modern astronomy.

Equality & Diversity: Juno

In 2013, NUI Galway’s School of Physics’ work in promoting equal opportunities in science was rewarded by the Institute of Physics: the School has been made a Practitioner under the Institute’s Juno Project, the first university in Ireland to achieve this status.

The Juno Project, established by the Institute of Physics in 2007, aspires to redress the long-standing issue of the under-representation of women at the highest levels of physics academia in the UK and Ireland. The aim of Juno is to recognise and reward departments that can demonstrate that action has been taken to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for both women and men.