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Special
Report on Science and Engineering at the University
of Leicester
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“Science
grows along interfaces.
When scientists
from different fields work
together,
new ideas grow”
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“It
is no longer possible for one person to understand
all of science. Can you think of any one person
who could design a mobile phone for example? Obviously
you would have to understand microwave telecommunication
theory and digital electronics. You would need
to know how semiconductor materials and devices
work – and how to fabricate them. The liquid-crystal
display is a complex combination of chemistry,
physics and electronic engineering. The digital
processing – the compression and encryption
- of the signal requires some rather advanced
mathematics. And then you have to make the plastic
and mould it … and there’s probably
quite a lot psychology involved in making the
product user friendly!
In this article you will read about many of the
inter-disciplinary activities at the University
of Leicester. The Beagle 2 Mars Lander - to be
controlled from the National Space Centre in Leicester
- requires a knowledge of Geology as well as Astronomy,
Physics and Space Engineering. Conversely Geography
has greatly benefited from examining the Earth
from space. In Engineering we even have bionic
moths that are controlled by smell!
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This
year the British Association’s Festival of
Sci-ence (www.the-ba.net)
comes to the University of Leicester (9 - 13 September).
The theme of “Science and the Quality of
Life” will be explored by over 400 scientists,
3000 visitors and the world’s media in a
packed programme of talks, exhibitions, debates,
visits and social events. Highlights include:
gaining a better understanding of diseases such
as new variant CJD; the British and European Space
missions; and what is creativity and how has it
evolved?
The University of Leicester is internationally
renowned for its research – and for its research-led
teaching. Visiting its departments you realise
the enthusiasm of the staff and the students -
it is an exciting and vibrant place to learn and
to work.”
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Dean
of the Faculty of Science
University of Leicester
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