Aberdeen, University of - College of Physical Sciences

College of Physical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen

As part of the University of Aberdeen, the College of Physical Sciences enjoys an excellent reputation through its insistence on the highest standards, a strong commitment to the best teaching practices, up-to-the minute curriculums designed by experts in their fields, and a strong underpinning of internationally acclaimed research and development. All of these (and more) are strong reasons why the University of Aberdeen should be your first choice for science & engineering study.

The University is a major international centre for teaching and research in all divisions of scientific study and the College lies at the core of that. Based in the heart of the historic King's College campus in Old Aberdeen, one of the most historic parts of the City of Aberdeen, the College of Physical Sciences has a clear vision to provide academically challenging programmes of study for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students and to lead the field in cutting edge research activities.

Our students come together with internationally leading academic staff within this engaging and supportive environment to both study towards taught undergraduate and postgraduate degrees as well as postgraduate research studies where staff and research students pursue pure and applied industry-driven research which in turn directs and informs the teaching programmes.

With our strong industrial links, we are able to provide programmes which meet the needs of employers while at the same time promoting the transfer of cutting-edge research outcomes. There are also extensive opportunities for fieldwork in the UK and overseas as dictated by the nature of your programme.

The College is structured around the School of Engineering (covering the Civil, Chemical, Electrical & Electronic, Mechanical & Petroleum Engineering fields), the School of Natural and Computing Sciences (Chemistry, Computing Science, Mathematical Sciences and Physics) and the School of Geosciences (Archaeology, Geography & Environment, and Geology & Petroleum Geology), all of which offer outstanding opportunities for study. The College’s over-arching Graduate School provides a central point of contact for all postgraduate matters.

Research in the College is founded on these strong academic disciplines and ranges from fundamental research to applied projects, many of which are carried out in close partnership with industry. There are strong links between Departments, and a number of research areas span Departments and Schools across the College and the University. Researchers at the College consistently perform extremely well in the UK Government-led Research Assessment Exercise with the majority of the research activity within the College being judged to be either world-leading or internationally excellent.

Within this environment postgraduate students have the opportunity to undertake research at a range of levels, through either full-time or part-time study. It is possible to complete an MRes (Human Geography is a recognised ESRC outlet), MSc by Research, MPhil, PhD or an EngD (a professional Engineering doctorate) through the College.

There is a long history of interdisciplinary co-operation on teaching and research with colleagues in other parts of the University and with partners in a wide range of prestigious institutions all over the world. As such the College has a truly international perspective on its activities, with a number of internationally renowned and internationally active staff, and an increasing number of formal international research collaborations. Locally the University has a unique relationship with world-renowned research institutes, including the James Hutton Institute (formerly Macaulay Land Use Research Institute). This affords excellent opportunities to undertake collaborative projects.

The College is also home to the £11.8 million dot.rural Digital Economy Research Hub which investigates how advances in digital technologies can transform rural communities, society and business.

An excellent library provides the essential books and journals, and all students have direct access to electronic journals from their own computers. The College has its own information consultant within the library whose subject knowledge and expertise is actively available to students to provide help in making effective use of the wide range of paper and electronic resources available. Our new £57 million Library is the largest capital fundraising project undertaken to date by the University and is a landmark of learning, bringing high quality students, researchers and academics to the University to support our academic ambitions and international reputation.

Funding is available for taught and research programmes from several sources, including the Research Councils and industry. The quality of our taught programmes is demonstrated by continued support from national and international funding agencies and by the high demand for our graduates from industry. Studentship opportunities are regularly advertised via the College website.

Visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/cops/graduate
Email: physicalsciences@abdn.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1224 272051