RECORD RISES IN SCIENCE APPLICATIONS TO UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER AS TV SHOWS INSPIRE STUDENTS TO SHOOT FOR THE STARS

‘Brian Cox effect’ impacts interest in science at leading UK university

One of the country’s leading universities has reported record rises in applications to science degrees.

The biggest increase in applications at the University of Leicester has been in astronomy and physics — up by 66 per cent1, compared with a national average of 8.8 per cent in physics and decline of more than 3 per cent in astronomy.

The change has been attributed to Leicester’s growing reputation as a centre of academic excellence and students thinking more carefully about which degrees will offer them the best career prospects.

Academics believe that some of the increased interest in science may be due to the so-called “Brian Cox effect” – with astronomy and physics gaining popular appeal through TV programmes presented by the pop-star-turned-professor, and other celebrities.

Growing applications have forced the University to increase its entry requirements for prospective students, from three B grades at A-level to AAB or ABB.

Professor Martin Barstow, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University and Head of the College of Science and Engineering, said: “In the past it was really quite difficult to recruit students to some science subjects and it was a hand-to-mouth existence for some departments. We would worry about the messages in schools about the importance of a science degree.

“But we have seen a big reversal and it is now a case of ensuring we recruit the very best applicants.

“It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why we are seeing these changes in application rates without any hard evidence, but I believe that students are becoming more discerning and are thinking ahead to how their degree might help in their future careers. Leicester also ranks highly in university league tables, and young people take notice of these.

“We are also undoubtedly seeing the Brian Cox Effect, with Professor Cox and other celebrities such as Dara O’Briain and Brian May making science more appealing and accessible to a mainstream audience.”

Other science subjects that have seen a jump in applications at Leicester including computer science, up by 28 per cent (against a national increase of 15.5 per cent), chemistry up 19 per cent (9.7 per cent nationally) and engineering with a rise of 25 per cent (15.2 per cent nationally).

Source: The University of Leicester Press Office

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How much energy is there in a peanut (and other snacks)?

The students at the Leicester ISC were tasked to find out by performing a calorimetry experiment in the Chemistry labs, University of Leicester.

For information on studying at the University of Leicester International Study Centre, please visit the website.

New forensic institute at the University of Leicester will help police forces solve ‘unusual crimes’

New Forensic Science Institute named after DNA fingerprinting pioneer Alec Jeffreys

The University of Leicester is establishing a new forensic science Institute which aims to help UK police forces solve unconventional crimes.

The Alec Jeffreys Forensic Science Institute is a new multi-disciplinary centre at the University of Leicester which aims to help police forces with some of the requests handled by the former Forensic Science Service (FSS).

The new Institute aims to be a leader, innovator and agenda setter in the field of forensic science and is named after the world renowned University of Leicester scientist Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, of the University’s Department of Genetics, who pioneered techniques for DNA profiling and fingerprinting which are now used globally by police forces.

Professor Jeffreys said: “This is a very exciting new initiative, and I am so proud to have it named after me. The provision of forensic science in the UK has undergone major and potentially damaging changes in recent years, so this Institute has real potential to provide much-needed breadth and depth of expertise, especially in complex casework, as well as a voice for the proper funding of forensic science research in the UK”.

The Institute will initially involve the departments of Chemistry, Criminology, Engineering, Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine and will involve local and national police agencies in its running.

The project has been undertaken by Dr John Bond, a senior lecturer in Forensic Sciences in the Department of Chemistry who was awarded an OBE last year for his services to forensic science, and Dr Lisa Smith, a lecturer in the Department of Criminology. Dr Bond’s work on Visualizing Fingerprint Corrosion of Metal was voted one of the top 50 inventions of 2008 by Time Magazine and one of the inventions most likely to change the world in 2009 by BBC Focus Magazine

Dr Bond said: “The time is now right for forensic science research in the UK to be put on a sounder footing, with proper funding streams provided by the UK research councils so that institutions such as the University of Leicester can undertake meaningful and productive research to enhance the use of forensic science to detect crime both in the UK and overseas.

“We aim to provide a forum whereby problems in policing can be aired and ways found to overcome them.  We will do this by involving local and national agencies in the running of the Institute and by focussing on problem areas identified to us by the police service.”

The ways in which forensic work is carried out is currently going through a period of change, with much work now contracted out to private companies – but staff at the University of Leicester hope the new Institute will be able to help police forces with unusual requests.

Dr Bond said: “What we do want to offer is the ability to consult on unusual cases or pieces of evidence. A recent example was a request made to the University to oversee the analysis of evidence from a 80-year-old murder case as the University was seen to have specific skills in that area.”

Dr Smith said: “This new Institute is unique in its multidisciplinary approach to forensic science and criminal justice services.  By bringing together the various disciplines at the University (who traditionally work separately from one another), we will be able to provide the Criminal Justice System with a wider range of expert consultancy, research and innovation, teaching and continuing professional development.”

It is hoped existing forensic science courses, including the new distance learning MSc in Forensic Science and Criminal Justice, will be run from the new Institute.

The institute will be formally launched at the University on Monday 19 November in the presence of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Robert Burgess and Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys.
Source: The University of Leicester Press Office

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Dept of Engineering Students Achieve Green Impact Award

Students in the Department of Engineering and have achieved the bronze award in the Green Impact Scheme

2011/12 is the third year that Green Impact has been run at the University of Leicester. It has been a fantastic year, with teams putting in a lot of effort to achieve top level accreditations and students in the Department were responsible for achieving the Bronze Award.

Green Impact is a national accreditation scheme which recognises and rewards sustainable behaviour within the workplace.  Green Impact aims to empower individuals and departments to reduce their environmental impact by encouraging, rewarding and celebrating practical sustainable improvements.

There are currently 43 universities and higher education institutions taking part in Green Impact throughout the UK, with over 600 departmental teams registered. Departments who take part in the scheme can attain Bronze, Silver or Gold Green Impact awards based on their achievements.

Teams taking part in Green Impact work towards the following aims:

Reducing waste and increasing recycling
Increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions
Increasing sustainable procurement
Increasing sustainable transport
Improving communications relating to sustainability

The student team consisted of: Jamshedul Alam, Ram Vignesh Palaniswamy, Ashish George, Ce Dong Tan, Sourav Chatterjee, Nazharul Islam, Atul Arora, Rahul Rana

Source: University of Leicester Department of Engineering

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Heart research PhD researcher wins regional science prize

Department of Cardiovascular Sciences repeats last year’s success.
Heart research PhD researcher wins regional science prize

Congratulations to Dr Andrew Vanezis whose research has won the EMESP Prize, making it two in a row for our Department of Cardiovascular Sciences.

EMESP is East Midlands Engineering and Science Professionals, the body which represents the engineering and science professions in the region to local and regional government, the public, the media, and potential members of the profession including young people and others in education. Each year EMESP presents an award – £500 and an engraved tankard – to a postgraduate researcher in one of the East Midlands’ universities.

In 2011 the EMESP Prize was awarded to Will Nicholson who developed an electrical ‘LifeMap’ which can warn of the risk of sudden cardiac death. And this year the prize has gone to Andrew for his research into how pressure on blood vessels can have benefits for heart attack patients.

Source: University of Leicester News Blog.

A full report on Andrew’s research is on the University of Leicester’s Graduate School website.

For more information on studying Science International Foundation Year, please visit the ISC website.

London 2012 Olympics: New technology will be used to measure impact of extra traffic on pollution levels in the city

University of Leicester research announced as part of Universities Week campaign.

University of Leicester researchers are set to use new technology they have developed to monitor the impact of increased traffic on pollution levels in London during the Olympics.

The announcement has been made during the third annual Universities Week campaign –starting today (Monday April 30)- which aims to increase public awareness of the wide and varied role of the UK’s universities. This year’s campaign will look at the contribution that our universities make – and have always made – to the Olympic movement, the sports industry and society as whole.

The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are expected to draw 11m visitors from around the world to the UK’s capital for seven weeks, and 3m extra car journeys are anticipated on the busiest day.

The team of researchers will use their CityScan technology, which gathers scattered sunlight to scan whole cities and take readings of air quality, to investigate the impact of this extra traffic on pollution.

Rather than existing technology, which can only give an accurate reading for certain “hotspots,” CityScan can show the air quality over every point of the city – including individual roads, playgrounds and other buildings.

It will also reveal the days and times when pollution levels are at their highest.

Sensors will be set up on a 30-storey building in North Kensington and a 14-storey building in Chelsea, in the west of the city, as well as a third location which is yet be determined.

The sensors will give readings of nitrogen dioxide, which is produced from traffic emissions and can decrease lung function and increase the risk from respiratory illnesses, including bronchitis and asthma.

Team leader Dr Roland Leigh, of the university’s Earth Observation Science Group, said: “We will be able to map the pollution in 3D to show emissions of nitrogen dioxide and how far they spread.”

“Traditional sensors take in a single point measurement, giving a very accurate measurement that might be by a roadside.

“Between two or three CityScan instruments, we can map out a complete urban area and tell you where the nitrogen dioxide is in that space.”

“CityScan makes the link between emissions and poor air quality downwind, enabling better management of the respiratory health of sensitive individuals.”

“We want to make a practical difference, and contribute to systems which inform people when and where poor air-quality may occur.

The technology is already being tested in Leicester, and the scientists hope their findings will help councils all around the country improve environmental planning and traffic management issues.

Universities Week 2012 follows a successful campaign in 2011, which saw 110 universities and 52 renowned ambassadors take part in showcasing the work of the higher education sector.

This year the week looks to be an even bigger success with a series of high profile ambassadors including Seb Coe, John Inverdale and Dame Kelly Holmes helping to highlight how universities benefit everyone, whether or not they have been to university themselves. Hear what the ambassadors have to say at: youtube.com/universitiesweek2012

From University of Leicester Press Office.

To find out which science programmes are on offer at the University of Leicester ISC, or to find out more about studying at a top UK University in this momentous year in British sporting history, please visit the website.

University of Leicester Geologists Make Global Impact with their Scientific Research

Research involving University of Leicester  has been identified as one of the top 10 new ideas of our time.

The research, which investigates whether the Earth has entered a new epoch-the Anthropocene, was featured as the cover subject for Time Magazine’s special annual edition.  Billed as ‘Nature is Over’, the Time feature explores the Anthropocene, the concept proposed by Nobel Prize winning scientist, that humans are now fundamentally and permanently reconfiguring the planet’s geology as we take over more and more of the Earth’s surface, causing enormous and growing changes to landscape, climate and biodiversity.

University of Leicester Geologists, Jan Zalasiewicz and Mark Williams, along with Paul Crutzen and other scientist from around the world, have been leading an analysis of the Anthropocene and are currently weighing up the evidence for making the Anthropocene a formal part of the Geological Time Scale.

The Geology Department at the University of Leicester have also been conducting groundbreaking research in developing new techniques to see below the Earth’s surface.

Geophysicist, Dr Max Moorkamp, has been working with colleagues at the GEOMAR Institute on research that makes it possible to peer deep into the Earth, through miles of solid rock, to see the kind of underground resources our civilisation needs-oil, minerals, and water.

Dr Moorkamp will showcase his work in the House of Commons this week, where he will be in with a chance of of winning the prestigious Westminster Medal.

To learn more about how a foundation year at the University of Leicester can lead to a degree in Geology, please visit the website.

Source: The University of Leicester Press Office