Contact with staff

If you have any questions on the subject or are experiencing difficulties with a lecture course, you should consult the member of staff giving the course as soon as possible. The consultation may be:

• immediately after the lecture;
• by calling on the lecturer concerned in his or her office;
• by email;
• by making an appointment with the lecturer at a mutually convenient time. Appointments are arranged by the secretary in the Departmental Office. You should ask for an Appointment Form on which you should indicate times when you are available. The lecturer will be contacted by the secretary and will fix one of those times which is mutually convenient. You should call back a day later to pick up the form which confirms the appointment.

Directors of Studies

In each academic year, there is a Director of Studies with responsibility for overseeing the teaching in that year. The Directors of Studies are:

• Level 1: Dr Robert Potvliege,
• Level 2: Dr Beth Bromley,
• Level 3: Professor Tom Shanks,
• Level 4: Dr Stuart Brand.

Each of these people chairs regular meetings of his Level's course team, where details of syllabus compatibility, coherence and level are examined and refined. They are all members of the Departmental Education Committee, which reports to the Board of Studies in Physics where major policy issues are decided.

Director of Education

The Department’s Director of Education, Professor Gordon Love (Room 143), works in association with the Directors of Studies at each Level to oversee the whole of the Department’s teaching programme. He is Director of Undergraduate Studies and also represents the Board of Studies in Physics at the meetings of the Faculty of Science Sub-Committee of the University’s Education Committee.

Course Adviser

The Course Adviser for all Levels is Mr Adrian Skelton (Room 13). He is available and willing to discuss any general aspects of the courses with you. If you have any doubts about suitability of a course to your interests or abilities, he will offer specific advice. If you have difficulties which cannot be resolved by the lecturers or your tutor, you should discuss the matter with the Course Adviser. He will consult with the Director of Studies to ensure that help is given.

Natural Sciences Adviser

The Deputy Head of the Faculty of Science manages the Natural Sciences programme on a day-to-day basis. In addition, there is an Adviser in each department to give subject-specific guidance to Natural Sciences students. The Natural Sciences Adviser in the Department of Physics is Dr Chris Maxwell (Room OC105).  There is a dedicated web page with information and FAQs about Natural Sciences within the Department of Physics. 

Staff–Student Consultative Committee

The Board of Studies has a Staff–Student Consultative Committee to provide an effective means of communication between staff and students. The Committee meets once per term. It has student representatives from each year and if you have issues you wish to raise, you should contact your year representatives. Find out more about the SSCC

Director of Postgraduate Studies

The Department's Director of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Peter Hatton (Room 107), works in association with the Director of Education to oversee the Department’s postgraduate programme. He chairs the meetings of the Postgraduate Studies Committee and is a member of the Education Committee.