Employability - Swansea University

Employability
The College of Science - Physics
Physics
Case Studies
Dr Peter Watkeys
MPhys in Physics, PhD in
Experimental Physics
After receiving offers to study physics at
numerous universities I decided that Swansea
was definitely the place for me.
The campus is a wonderful, friendly place.
A fantastic location close to the sea, and a
great place if you are interested in pursuing
sporting interests alongside your studies.
For me the close proximity of the athletics
track and the fantastic gym facilities were a
massive positive.
My four year MPhys course was such a
fantastic time for me that I decided I wanted
to extend my stay in Swansea and fortunately
was taken on for an Experimental PhD under
Professor Michael Charlton.
I credit the staff of the physics department;
the course structure; and the University as a
whole for enabling me to get a job offer from
the first company which I interviewed with -
starting the job less than a week after my viva
- as an Experimental Physicist/Modeller for a
Government defence contractor.
Studying Physics at Swansea University will give you detailed insight
into the fundamental laws underlying all of Nature - from quantum
mechanics, describing quarks and gluons, to Einstein’s theory of gravity,
relevant for the Universe on cosmological scales. Along the way you will
learn a number of indispensable skills for life, which will make you well
prepared for what comes after graduation.
Our physics students excel in:
Problem solving - Studying physics gives you a pragmatic and analytical
approach to problem solving. You break down tasks to basic elements and
use imagination and creativity to solve challenging problems.
Reasoning - You are trained in constructing logical arguments, applying
analytical skills and grasping complex problems.
Numeracy - You will be highly skilled in employing mathematics to solve
scientific problems, create mathematical models and interpret and present
information graphically.
Practical skills - During lab sessions and in project work you plan,
execute and report on experiments, using advanced technical equipment.
Attention to detail is crucial.
Communication - Tutorials, joint practical work and final-year
presentations will teach you to communicate complex ideas and use
technical language correctly and efficiently.
Information and communication technology - The use of computers and
digital tools, with highly specialised software packages, is fully integrated,
and access to high-performance computing resources is provided.
Contact the College of Science - Physics
for more information
www.swansea.ac.uk/physics | +44 (0)1792 295301

You will become skilled in both independent work and teamwork. A proper
organisation of your time, with continuous assessment throughout the terms and
examination twice a year, is indispensible.
Physics graduates have a wide range of job opportunities. Employers
include academic institutions, government research organisations and
industry, including aerospace and defence, education, energy, engineering,
instrumentation, manufacturing, oil and gas, science, communication, space
exploration and telecommunications. Many physics graduates pursue a career
outside of physics, e.g. in consultancy, IT, the environmental industry, financial
services, the legal sector, transport and utilities.
Case Studies
Dr Serena Kerrigan
Swansea University ticked all the boxes for me with an excellent teaching standard for physics. During my studies I was fortunate not only
to work with world leading scientists in Swansea but also to be part of an International collaboration, ALPHA, based in CERN.
For my dissertation I was not required to do independent study but was placed into an active research group within the department and
managed to publish my first Publication, I also received a prize in experimental physics for my work.
I completed my PhD in March 2011 and relatively soon after I began employment within an international company. My current role puts me in
a position of high responsibility and directly allows me to apply the knowledge and skills obtained during my studies.
Dr Chris Baker
Following the successful completion of the 4 year MPhys course offered by the Physics department at Swansea University, I continued to
study and conduct research with antimatter which led to the award of my doctorate degree in 2010. Having the opportunity to study under
leading researchers, within the friendly atmospheres of the Physics department, Swansea University and the City of Swansea, not only
provided a very enjoyable 9 years but led directly to my current position as an Associate Professor at Washington State University, USA,
where I continue to use the skills and expertise I acquired during my time at Swansea. Whether someone is considering a 3 year or 4 year
course, in preparation for industry, academia or the fl exibility offered by an excellent degree for the future, I thoroughly recommend Swansea
to anyone with an appetite for knowledge.
Dr Kelly-Ann Walker
I am currently working as a Research Assistant in the College of Engineering at Swansea University. After completing my BSc in Physics
in 2005, I went on to study for my PhD in Physics researching novel optical sensors for Medical research. Swansea University’s strong track
record for encouraging and supporting inter-disciplinary research enabled me to collaborate with the College of Medicine, developing a new
skill set and gaining knowledge and experience in a new subject. Currently I am based within Swansea’s new Centre for Nanohealth, working
on a project to develop biosensing technology for medical devices - a project which relies heavily on my multidisciplinary background.
Dr Jefferson M Ridgway
In 2001, I decided to study a four year integrated Masters degree in theoretical physics at Swansea University after attending an open
day with the very welcoming staff of the small but close-knit physics department. After graduating in 2005 with a 1st, I returned to the
department to extend my studies to PhD level, which I completed in 2009. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Swansea University, and studying
within the physics department was a great & very productive experience. Due to having studied to PhD level, I was able to secure a job as a
physicist with Ultra Electronics, a FTSE 250 company, based in Dorset. I work on the design, development & testing of neutron fl ux detectors
used within the reactor of AGR nuclear power stations throughout the UK; and a qualification of materials & instrumentation in radioactive
environments project, which relies heavily on my multidisciplinary background.
Contact the College of Science - Physics
for more information
www.swansea.ac.uk/physics | +44 (0)1792 295301

Mae gan raddedigion Ffiseg ystod eang o gyfleoedd am swyddi. Mae’r
cyflogwyr yn cynnwys sefydliadau academaidd, sefydliadau ymchwil y
llywodraeth a diwydiant, gan gynnwys awyrofod ac amddiffyn, addysg,
ynni, peirianneg, offeryniaeth, gweithgynhyrchu, olew a nwy, gwyddoniaeth,
cyfathrebu, archwilio’r gofod a thelegyfathrebu. Mae llawer o raddedigion
ffiseg yn dilyn gyrfa y tu allan i ffiseg, e.e. ym maes ymgynghoriaeth, TG,
y diwydiant amgylcheddol, gwasanaethau ariannol, y sector cyfreithiol,
trafnidiaeth a chyfleustodau.
Astudiaethau Achos
Dr Serena Kerrigan
Roedd Prifysgol Abertawe yn ticio pob blwch i mi, gan fod safon ardderchog o addysgu ym maes ffiseg. Yn ystod fy astudiaethau
roeddwn yn ffodus fy mod nid yn unig wedi gweithio gyda rhai o wyddonwyr mwyaf blaenllaw’r byd yn Abertawe, ond hefyd wedi bod
yn rhan o brosiect cydweithio Rhyngwladol, ALPHA, a leolid yn CERN.
Ar gyfer fy nhraethawd hir, doedd dim rhaid i mi astudio’n annibynnol, ond ces fy nghynnwys mewn grŵp ymchwil weithredol yn yr adran, a
llwyddais i sicrhau fy nghyhoeddiad cyntaf. Hefyd derbyniais wobr ffiseg arbrofol am fy ngwaith.
Cwblheais fy PhD ym mis Mawrth 2011 ac yn gymharol fuan wedyn dechreuais fy nghyfl ogaeth mewn cwmni rhyngwladol. Mae fy
rôl gyfredol yn rhoi llawer o gyfrifoldeb i mi, ac yn rhoi cyfl e uniongyrchol i mi gymhwyso’r wybodaeth a’r sgiliau a gefais yn ystod fy
astudiaethau.
Dr Chris Baker
Ar ôl llwyddo i gwblhau’r cwrs MPhys 4 blynedd a gynigid gan yr Adran Ffiseg ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe, daliais ati i astudio ac ymchwilio
i wrthfater, a dyfarnwyd gradd doethuriaeth i mi yn 2010. Roedd cael cyfl e i astudio o dan ymchwilwyr blaenllaw, yn amgylchedd cyfeillgar
adran Ffiseg Prifysgol Abertawe, a dinas Abertawe, nid yn unig yn golygu fy mod wedi treulio 9 mlynedd llawn mwynhad, ond hefyd
arweiniodd yn uniongyrchol at fy swydd bresennol, sef Athro Cyswllt ym Mhrifysgol Talaith Washington, UDA, lle rwyf yn dal i ddefnyddio’r
sgiliau a’r arbenigedd a gefais yn ystod fy nghyfnod yn Abertawe. P’un a yw rhywun yn ystyried cwrs 3 blynedd neu 4 blynedd, i baratoi ar
gyfer diwydiant, academia neu’r hyblygrwydd mae gradd ragorol yn ei gynnig at y dyfodol, rwyf yn bendant yn argymell Abertawe i unrhyw
un sy’n awchu am wybodaeth.
Dr Kelly-Ann Walker
Ar hyn o bryd rwy’n gweithio fel Cynorthwy-ydd Ymchwil yng Ngholeg Peirianneg Prifysgol Abertawe. Ar ôl cwblhau fy BSc mewn
Ffiseg yn 2005, es i ymlaen i astudio ar gyfer PhD mewn Ffiseg yn ymchwilio i synwyryddion optegol newydd ar gyfer ymchwil Feddygol.
Yn sgîl hanes cadarn Prifysgol Abertawe o annog a chefnogi ymchwil rhyng-ddisgyblaeth, fe’m galluogwyd i gydweithio â’r Coleg
Meddygol, gan ddatblygu cyfres newydd o sgiliau a chaffael gwybodaeth a phrofiad mewn pwnc newydd. Ar hyn o bryd rwy’n gweithio
yng Nghanolfan newydd Abertawe ar gyfer Nanoiechyd, ac yn gweithio ar brosiect i ddatblygu technoleg biosynhwyro ar gyfer dyfeisiau
meddygol – prosiect sy’n dibynnu llawer ar fy nghefndir amlddisgyblaethol.
Dr Jefferson M Ridgway
Yn 2001, fe benderfynais astudio gradd Meistr integredig pedair blynedd mewn ffiseg damcaniaethol ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe ar ôl
mynychu diwrnod agored gyda staff croesawgar yr adran ffiseg fach, ond agos atoch. Ar ôl graddio gyda dosbarth cyntaf yn 2005,
dychwelais i’r adran i estyn fy astudiaethau i lefel PhD, a gwblheais yn 2009. Fe wnes i fwynhau fy nghyfnod ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe yn
fawr, ac roedd astudio yn yr adran ffiseg yn brofiad gwych a chynhyrchiol dros ben. Oherwydd fy mod wedi astudio at lefel PhD, llwyddais
i sicrhau swydd ffisegwr gydag Ultra Electronics, cwmni FTSE 250, yn Dorset. Rwy’n gweithio ar ddylunio, datblygu a phrofi synwyryddion
niwtron ffl wcs a ddefnyddir yn adweithydd gorsafoedd pŵer niwclear AGR ar draws y DU; a phrosiect cymhwyso deunyddiau ac offeryniaeth
mewn amgylcheddau ymbelydrol, sy’n dibynnu llawer ar fy nghefndir amlddisgyblaethol.
Cysylltwch â’r Coleg Gwyddoniaeth - Ffiseg
i gael rhagor o wybodaeth
www.swansea.ac.uk/physics | +44 (0)1792 295301

Cyflogadwyedd
Y Coleg Gwyddoniaeth - Ffiseg
Y Coleg Gwyddoniaeth - Ffiseg
Astudiaethau Achos
Dr Peter Watkeys
MPhys mewn Ffi seg, PhD mewn
Ffi seg Arbrofol
Ar ôl derbyn cynigion i astudio ffiseg
mewn llawer o brifysgolion, penderfynais mai
Abertawe oedd y lle i mi, yn bendant. Mae’r
campws yn lle gwych, cyfeillgar. Lleoliad
ardderchog ger y môr, a lle neilltuol os oes
gennych ddiddordeb mewn gweithgareddau
chwaraeon ochr yn ochr â’ch astudiaethau.
I mi, roedd agosrwydd y trac athletau a’r
cyfleusterau campfa nodedig yn fantais
aruthrol.
Roedd fy nghwrs MPhys pedair blynedd yn
amser mor wych i mi nes i mi benderfynu
fy mod am estyn fy nghyfnod yn Abertawe,
ac yn ffodus ces i fy nerbyn ar gyfer PhD
Arbrofol o dan yr Athro Michael Charlton.
Yn fy marn i, i staff yr adran ffiseg; strwythur
y cwrs; a’r Brifysgol yn gyfan y mae’r diolch
am fy ngalluogi i gael cynnig swydd gan y
cwmni cyntaf y ces i gyfweliad gyda nhw
- cychwynnais yn y swydd lai nag wythnos
ar ôl fy viva - i fod yn Ffisegwr Arbrofol/
Modelwr ar gyfer contractiwr amddiffyn i’r
Llywodraeth.
Bydd astudio Ffiseg ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe yn rhoi ‘dealltwriaeth fanwl
i chi o’r deddfau sylfaenol sy’n rheoli pob rhan o fyd Natur - o fecaneg
cwantwm, disgrifio cwarciau a glwonau, i ddamcaniaeth disgyrchiant
Einstein, sy’n berthnasol i’r Bydysawd ar raddfeydd cosmolegol. Ar hyd
y ffordd byddwch yn dysgu nifer o sgiliau bywyd hanfodol, a fydd yn
baratoad da ar gyfer y cyfnod ar ôl graddio.
Mae ein myfyrwyr ffiseg yn rhagori yn y canlynol:
Datrys problemau - mae astudio ffiseg yn rhoi agwedd bragmataidd
a dadansoddol at ddatrys problemau i chi. Byddwch yn rhannu tasgau
i’w helfennau gwaelodol ac yn defnyddio dychymyg a gallu creadigol i
ddatrys problemau heriol.
Rhesymu - rydych wedi’ch hyfforddi i lunio dadleuon rhesymegol,
cymhwyso sgiliau dadansoddi a deall problemau cymhleth.
Rhifedd - bydd gennych gryn ddawn o ran defnyddio mathemateg i
ddatrys problemau gwyddonol, creu modelau mathemategol a dehongli a
chyflwyno gwybodaeth mewn ffurf graffig.
Sgiliau ymarferol - yn ystod sesiynau labordy ac mewn gwaith prosiectau
byddwch yn cynllunio, yn cyflawni ac yn adrodd ar arbrofion, gan
ddefnyddio cyfarpar technegol datblygedig. Mae manylder yn hollbwysig.
Cyfathrebu - bydd sesiynau tiwtorial, gwaith ymarferol ar y cyd a
chyflwyniadau blwyddyn olaf yn eich dysgu i gyfleu syniadau cymhleth a
defnyddio iaith dechnegol yn gywir ac yn effeithlon.
Technoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu - mae defnydd o gyfrifiaduron
ac offer digidol, gyda phecynnau meddalwedd hynod arbenigol, yn gwbl
integredig, a darperir mynediad i adnoddau cyfrifiadurol perfformiad
uchel.
Byddwch yn meithrin sgiliau o ran gwaith annibynnol a gwaith tîm. Mae trefnu
eich amser yn briodol yn gwbl hanfodol, gan fod asesu parhaus ar hyd y
tymhorau, ac arholiadau ddwywaith y flwyddyn.
Cysylltwch â’r Coleg Gwyddoniaeth - Ffiseg
i gael rhagor o wybodaeth
www.swansea.ac.uk/physics | +44 (0)1792 295301