Physics Open Evening a great success!
Thanks to all who attended the evening, especially to pupils, parents and guardians who travelled from outside Dublin. Thanks also to our five speakers, who did an excellent job of communicating what our degree is about and what value it has for them in their current jobs. For further information please contact either Bairbre Fox or Padraig Dunne.
Event: UCD School of Physics Open Evening
Date: Tuesday 13th November 2012
Time: 6:30pm
Biographies of Speakers
Killian Smith, Research Scientist at the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (www.rpii.ie)
Dr Smith was awarded a first class honours Bachelors Degree in Science (Experimental Physics) and a PhD in Experimental Physics (radiation physics and radiochemistry) from University College Dublin. After completing his PhD he took up a position as an assistant lecturer in the Department of Experimental Physics (UCD). In 2010 he completed a MSc in Nuclear Science and Technology, graduating with distinction from the University of Manchester.
In 2001, he began working in the Environmental Laboratory of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), with responsibility for the air monitoring programme. Since 2005, he has worked in the RPII’s Nuclear Safety Section.
Dr Smith has represented Ireland on a number of international committees and working groups. He is currently a member of a number of European Commission, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and Nuclear Energy Authority (NEA) expert groups. He is also involved in the development and application of computer models that simulate the transfer of radiation in the environment.
Craig O’ Connell: 3rd year Experimental Physics student
The physics programme in UCD is an amazing learning and growing opportunity. In the first two years the modules cover a variety of subjects from Calculus and Mathematics to Electromagnetism and Quantum mechanics, as well as some more advanced topics. The degree streams (Theoretical physics, Experimental physics and Astrophysics) differentiate from each other more and more in 3rd and 4th year which allows the modules to be tailored to the students to give them the correct skill-set for working in their respective fields. There is such a variety of subjects that something is bound to catch your interest, and when this happens there are vast opportunities for summer internships and research projects. I have just completed an internship with the Advanced Optical Imaging group on Retinal Imaging. The Physics degree at UCD will not only give you invaluable knowledge and experience in physics but will also introduce you to an amazing group of friends, colleagues and lecturers
Jamie Keating, Chief Executive Officer, UNO
I went to UCD from 2006-2010, to study Physics with Astronomy and Space Science. This degree is a fantastic opportunity to learn about everything from Quantum Mechanics to Cosmology. You get to know the scientific theory, but also practical skills. As part of the course we travelled to Tenerife, to an Astronomical Observatory, to conduct a week-long mission with state of the art equipment. All of this experience combined helped me secure an internship at the European Space Agency.
Since leaving UCD, I have really seen the benefit of having a degree in Physics. The unique combination of mathematical, experimental and computational skills that you get from this degree will open up so many opportunities. I chose to start my own company designing a revolutionary payment solutions platform taking advantage of the skills I gained from my degree and continuing to learn along the way!
Michelle Galvin, Geoscientist, Tullow Oil (http://www.tullowoil.com/)
I completed a BSc in Physics in UCD followed by a PhD in Nanophysics. Since October 2010 I work for Tullow Oil as a geoscientist in their Dublin office. The role of a geoscientist in the geophysical operations group in Tullow Oil involves working with data (e.g. seismic, well logs) from the field aimed at mapping the location, quality and quantities of hydrocarbons i.e. oil and gas. Seismic surveys involve using sound waves to image the subsurface to depths on the order of kilometers. The geoscientists in the geophysical operations team design the surveys and process the data to optimize the resulting image for interpretation by geologists. Advanced techniques are employed to combine different data types e.g. seismic, well logs, to extract lithology information, i.e. rock properties, which can be used to indicate what type of rock/fluid combination is present.
Seán Cournane, Medical Physicist, St James’s Hospital (http://www.stjames.ie/)
I'm a medical physicist and currently a member of the Medical Physics and Bioengineering Department at St James's Hospital.
I initially studied a BSc Theoretical Physics at UCD followed by my PhD in the Radiation laboratory at the School of Physics. I then joined the Medical Physics and Bioengineering Department of St James's hospital where I completely an MSc Physical Sciences in Medicine and now currently work as a diagnostic imaging physicist.
I specifically work with ultrasound, nuclear medicine, x-ray and mammography modalities where I am involved in clinical support, equipment management and testing, procurement of new technology, radiation protection, education and research.