What is it?
Physics by the Lake is a national summer school on theoretical condensed matter physics organised by the Institute of Physics (IOP) and sponsored by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). It consists of two weeks of high-quality lecture courses by experts in the field, as well as tutorials to give thorough training in solving real problems. There is also a series of after-dinner seminars.
This school is free for EPSRC-funded postgraduate students. A limited number of partial IOP sponsorships are available for other UK-based students.
When is it?
The lectures start at 9am on Monday 12th July 2010 and finish at 1pm on the last day. You should arrive sometime in the afternoon of Sunday 11th July.
Where is it?
The school takes place at the University of Cumbria's Ambleside campus, in the heart of the picturesque Lake District, on the north end of Lake Windermere. On-site accommodation and the college's legendarily wonderful food are provided for all participants.
See the Location page for more information.
Who should come to it?
It is primarily aimed at Ph.D. students in theoretical condensed matter physics typically at the end of their first year. Theoretically-inclined experimental condensed matter physics students are also strongly encouraged to take part.
What will happen during the school?
The lectures fall into two sets, core subjects and applications. The first set contains three courses each of which comprises six lectures and two tutorials. The second set is varied in length, style and subject matter.
The set of courses for 2010 is confirmed as:
Core subjects
- strongly correlated quantum systems (Dr Chris Hooley, University of St Andrews)
- statistical mechanics (Dr Richard Blythe, University of Edinburgh)
- electronic structure (Dr Martin Lüders, Daresbury)
Applications
- superfluidity and superconductivity (Dr Derek Lee, Imperial)
- mesoscopic physics and quantum coherence (Dr Andrew Armour, Nottingham)
- soft matter and complex fluids (Dr Mike Evans, Leeds)
- applications of statistical physics (Prof Peter King, Imperial)
- biophysics (Dr Sarah Harris, Leeds & Dr Andrea Jimenez Dalmaroni, Imperial)
- physics of ultracold atoms (Dr Marzena Szymanska, Warwick)
How much does it cost?
The full fee for attending the school in 2010 is £800 (if you share a room with another student) and £850 (if you stay in a single room). This fee covers full board and lodging and internet access as well as the full academic programme (lectures, tutorials, seminars and a full set of printed notes).
If your Ph.D. is funded by the EPSRC your fee will be paid directly to us by the EPSRC. That is, as far as you are concerned, the school is free. This also goes if you are funded by a University, College or other similar scholarship but would have qualified for EPSRC funding. In return for this generosity, all we ask of you is to commit yourself to the entire school.
A limited number of places with reduced fees can be offered to other UK-based students, through sponsorship provided by the Institute of Physics Theory of Condensed Matter group. Overseas students will typically be required to pay the full cost from their own funds.
How do I apply?
Applications for the 2010 school will open on 2nd Febuary 2010 and close on 19th March 2010: see the apply page for more details. If you are applying for an EPSRC-funded place, note that in previous years the school has been over-subscribed and we have had to allocate places on a first-come first-served basis (see next question).
From 2010, application is a two-part process. You will first be asked to register your details electronically via the website. Since we require a signed declaration from both you and your Ph.D. supervisor, your application will not be complete until we have received a printed copy of your application (duly signed) from you by post.
What happens if the school is over-subscribed?
The school was over-subscribed in both 2008 and 2009, and we have unfortunately had to turn away applications from well-qualified students. In 2010, we will consider all printed and signed applications for EPSRC-funded places at the school received before the closing date. Whilst we may give priority to applications from students in their first year of a predominantly theoretical Condensed Matter Ph.D., we nevertheless anticipate that the majority of the places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis, as measured by receipt of the signed, printed part of the application form. You are therefore encouraged to get your application in as soon as you can.
How should I prepare for the poster sessions?
We will be holding two poster sessions during the school so that students can find out a bit about each other's research. Please bring a poster up to a maximum of A0 portrait size (84cm wide and 119cm tall). You will be informed at the school which of the two sessions you will present at: you will have an opportunity to give a one-minute verbal introduction to the whole group, so come prepared to say a few words about who you are and what you do.
What did previous students think?
Students who attended the school in 2009 reported that the following were the best things about the school:
- It gave me a good understanding in a wide range of topics and was very interesting.
- The chance to hear about interesting physics outside my area of research.
- There are many motivated and well prepared lecturers (and seminar speakers) which helped me to get excited and inspired about our field of research and think about problems from alternative perspectives and become aware of new questions.
- It was great to get the opportunity to meet other people at a similar point in their PhDs.
- The poster sessions were very very good - and the short introductory talks as well.
- The setting - the Lakes are ideal even when it is raining.
- Accommodation and food were both good.
There will almost certainly be someone in your research group or department - another student, or possibly even some of the lecturers - who attended a previous Physics by the Lake Summer School. Why not ask them what they got out of it?
Are lecture notes available?
A full set of lecture notes and solutions to problems will be handed out to you at the school. Lecture notes from previous schools are available to former participants on the Resources page. If you are a Ph.D. student in Condensed Matter Theory and would like to get access to these resources, please follow the instructions there.
I have a question that's not answered here!
If you have a general enquiry about the school, please direct it at Richard-B [at] physicsbythelake.org. Any problems with the website should be aimed at Richard-B [at] physicsbythelake.org.
