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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
Physical Sciences
National ratings
Research Assessment Exercise 2008: our Functional Materials Research Group was ranked 2nd nationally in the Metalurgy and Materials discipline, with 80% of our research rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”.
Kent was ranked 3rd in the UK for physical science graduate employment prospects in The Times Good University Guide 2009.
Taught programmes
Research programmes
Taught-Research Programmes
The School of Physical Sciences offers postgraduate students the opportunity to participate in ground-breaking science in the realms of physics, chemistry, forensics and astronomy. With strong international reputations, our staff provide plausible ideas, well-designed projects, research training and enthusiasm within a stimulating environment. Recent investment in modern laboratory equipment and computational facilities accelerates the research.
The School maintains a focus on progress to ensure each student is able to compete with their peers in their chosen field. We carefully nurture the skills, abilities and motivation of our students which are vital elements in our research activity. We offer higher degree programmes in chemistry and physics (including specialisations in forensics, astronomy and space science) by research. We also offer taught programmes in Forensic Science, studied over one year full-time, and a two-year European-style Master's in Physics.
Our principal research covers a wide variety of topics within physics, astronomy and chemistry, ranging from specifically theoretical work on surfaces and interfaces, through mainstream experimental condensed matter physics, astrobiology, space science and astrophysics, to applied areas such as biomedical imaging, forensic imaging and space vehicle protection. We scored highly in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, with 25% of our research ranked as “world-leading” and our Functional Materials Research Group ranked 2nd nationally in the Metallurgy and Materials discipline.
Interdisciplinary approach
Much of the School's work is interdisciplinary and we have successful collaborative projects with members of the Schools of Biosciences, Computing and Engineering and Digital Arts at Kent, as well as an extensive network of international collaborations.
National and international links
The School is a leading partner in the new South East Physics Network (SEPnet), a consortium of six universities in the south-east, acting together to promote physics in the region through national and international channels. The School benefits through the £12.5 million of Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) funding, creating new facilities and resources to enable us to expand our research portfolio.
The School's research is well supported by contracts and grants and we have numerous collaborations with groups in universities around the world. We have particularly strong links with universities in Germany, France, Italy and the USA.
UK links include King's College, London and St Bartholomew's Hospital, London. Our industrial partners include British Aerospace, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Ophthalmic Technology Inc, Canada. The universe is explored through collaborations with NASA, ESO and ESA scientists.
Dynamic Publishing Culture
Staff have recently contributed to publications in top journals such as the Astrophysical Journal; Science, Physical Review Letters; Journal of Physical Chemistry; Journal of Materials Chemistry; Solid State Ionics; Journal of the American Chemical Society; Reactive and Functional Polymers; Optics Letters; Optics Express; Journal of Retinal and Vitreous Diseases; Journal of Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials; Journal of Physics – Condensed Matter; Journal of Chemical Physics; Chemistry of Materials; Forensic Science International.
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