Production, amplification transmission and application of high frequency and high power radio frequency and microwave signals is an area of enormous importance to a range of scientific and industrial activities.
Examples include the secondary heating of Fusion Plasmas (by ECRH or Lower Hybrid drive), generation of plasmas for industrial processing of materials, microwave curing of ceramics, telecommunications, RaDAR and particle acceleration for medical and scientific applications. A substantial industrial base exists in the UK supporting this requirement. To better facilitate the development of this field these industries have joined with academic partners to create the Faraday Partnership in High Power RF. Industry has identified a recruitment requirement for students with a solid foundation in this area of science. The Physics Department of the University of Strathclyde has established a course formed of a coherent set of modules to fulfill this requirement and leading to the award of the Degree of MSc, the Postgraduate Diploma or the Postgraduate Certificate in High Power Radio Frequency Science and Engineering.
Benefits of this course
This course will be attractive to candidates working in, or seeking employment in, those areas of science, engineering, medicine and commerce where the generation of high power and high frequency electromagnetic radiation is required. A thriving industrial community exists within the UK and throughout the world supporting and enabling this omnipresent technology. Examples include the manufacturers of sources and amplifiers based on solid state and vacuum electronic techniques, antennae/transmitter design and manufacture, particle accelerators designers and operators for scientific, industrial and medical applications, communication system developers, manufacturers and operators, especially broadcast type systems, Designers and operators of RaDAR systems and plasma reactors for industrial, scientific and future clean-energy generation applications. The curriculum has been devised in conjunction with, and will be subject to ongoing review and input from, the industrial members of the Faraday partnership in High Power RF ensuring that the material is directly relevant to the needs of industry. the curriculum has been structured to allow industrial candidates to attend without requiring extended absence from their place of work. It is hoped that many full time candidates will be able to undertake projects at industrial sites giving them exposure to a real, relevant working environment. Classes will be delivered by staff from the University of Strathclyde who have a long established and globally recognised research reputation in this field. The course offers the opportunity to experience the latest Rf and microwave test equipment using research infrastructure in the laboratories and also through the sponsorship of an RF teaching lab in parallel with class PH903 by Anritsu Ltd, one of the worlds leading innovators in RF and microwave test apparatus. Anritsu also sponsor prizes for the best performances by students on the curriculum.
Course Structure
The course will consist of a taught element and a research project, and has been structured to make it suitable for students already in industrial appointments as well as those taking the course independently. The taught classes will occur in six modules of intensive study each of two weeks in duration each consisting of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. Candidates already in positions with industry will normally conduct the research project at their place of work, other candidates may have the opportunity of undertaking research at industrial research facilities, otherwise they will conduct research associated with the Universities research programme in this field. Candidates who are in employment may take the course over a two or three year period on a part time basis. The assessment of the taught modules will be achieved by means of a combination of coursework and written examination. The individual research project will contribute 50% of the MSc and will be assessed on the basis of the candidates benchwork and dissertation, the production of a paper in a format suitable for publication in a relevant research journal and a presentation to the peer group. Candidates may be required to submit to a Viva-Voce examination. Detailed curriculum information and dates for the modules are available. Individual modules may also be taken as short courses independently of the degrees. A course handbook has been created.
Admission
The course admitted its first students in September 2004. Admission for the next academic year is now open. It is expected that candidates will hold the equivalent of a UK Honours degree at first or upper second classifications, in a technical discipline such as physical science, electrical and electronic engineering, but other qualifications and experience will be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants may be required to submit to an interview. A small number of funded studentships are available which pay the University fees and a subsistence allowance to the candidate, applications are invited for these studentships, awards will be made on a competitive basis. Applications from candidates already in UK industry and from overseas are also invited.
for Sep 2013 entry to full-time MSc high power radio frequency science and engineering (Admission Code : PHMSC)
Postgraduate entry requirements are in our prospectus.
for Sep 2013 entry to full-time PG Diploma high power radio frequency science and engineering (Admission Code : PHPD)
Postgraduate entry requirements are in our prospectus.
for Sep 2013 entry to part-time MSc high power radio frequency science and engineering (Admission Code : PHMSPT)
Postgraduate entry requirements are in our prospectus.