Sellafield Visit, 20 June >

Click for details of our next visit, and how to register.

Physics and Astronomy Lectures Around the UK >

The list has recently been updated, with details of many talks to be given by Barrie Jones, John Zarnecki and other OU lecturers during 2008 and 2009.

S207 Preparation Weekend: Booking Now Open!

Yarnfield Park Training and Conference Centre, Stone, Staffordshire
27 - 28 September 2008

Booking is now open for the second S207 Preparation Weekend this year (intended for those starting the course in October).

For further details and a booking form, click here.

Getting on the right track with physics >

The IoP's Heather Pinnell meets a mature student (aka Jim Grozier) with a passion for physics, philosophy and ethics.

Fusion Sweatshirt - Now In Navy Blue! >

Fusion sweatshirts are now available in dark grey or navy blue, with a stitched logo. £12.00 each (including post & packing within the UK). Email us to place your order.

OU degrees meet Chartered Physicist requirements >

If OU students wish to progress to Chartered Physicist after they have completed their degree, they are required to follow a new scheme for accreditation.

ICPS Bank Transfers:
Act Now Or Pay More!

Main Market Square in Cracow is the heart of the Old Town.
This is the largest medieval town square in Europe.
(It doesn't usually snow that much in August, though!)

23rd International Conference of Physics Students:
Cracow, Poland, 6-13 August 2008

If you wish to pay your ICPS registration fee through Fusion (and thus avoid a hefty bank charge) you need to get the money to us ASAP as we need time to do the transfer, and it has to be done by 31 May.

Please e-mail us NOW at

if you wish to pay this way.

Please remember also that the poster and lecture abstract submission deadline is May 31.

For more information, and on-line registration, click here.

8th International Young Scientists' Conference on Applied Physics:
Kyiv, Ukraine, 11-13 June 2008

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Schemes exist at Trintity College Dublin, Imperial College London and Leicester University (although the latter may no longer be operating as its website looks rather out of date).

There is also the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) located at Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

And of course the CERN Summer Student Program no longer has an age limit ...

Alternatively, try contacting your local university, as there are often ad-hoc opportunities for research experience.

What is Fusion?

FUSION was formed in 2001 by students who recognised the need to create a society for Open University students and graduates whose primary interest is in physics. It now has over 400 members.

As a member of FUSION you will receive a regular newsletter with articles and reviews provided by fellow students and professional physicists, event updates and news from the OU Department of Physics and Astronomy. Past FUSION events have included visits to Culham Science Centre, Mullard Radio Observatory, Jodrell Bank, Bletchley Park, Sellafield and many more.

As a member of NEXUS you can attend lectures and meetings held by your local branch of the Institute of Physics, and take part in NEXUS activities such as trips to CERN.

You can find out about post graduate research opportunities or even help to influence the University on its choice of future courses. Gain a wider range of student contacts to help with a particular problem, or maybe meet to discuss ‘natural philosophy’ over a pint at the local pub.

With its sponsorship of Revision and Preparation Weekends, FUSION adds to your OU experience by bridging the gap left by distance learning. In addition, associate membership of Fusion is open to anyone with an interest in science and the aims of the Society.

We are delighted to announce that FUSION membership is now also available to part-time students at Birkbeck College, University of London.

Send in your application Form now.

What is the Institute of Physics?

The Institute of Physics is a professional body and learned society, established to promote the advancement and dissemination of a knowledge of and education in the science of physics, pure and applied.

The Institute has a world-wide membership and is active in:

• Scientific publishing and electronic dissemination of physics
• Providing support for physicists in all professions and careers
• Providing support for physics in schools, colleges and universities

The benefits of Institute membership

• A copy of Physics World every month, to keep you up to date on the latest events, research and jobs in physics.
• Discounts on all books and journals produced by Institute of Physics Publishing.
• Use of PhysicsWeb, a source of Physics Links, Jobs, Electronic Journals and your own portable email address!
• Branch Lectures at locations around the country on a variety of physics topics.
• Professional Support - upon graduating, you can apply for Associate Membership (and use the letters AMInstP after your name) - and enrol in their Professional Development Scheme to gain Chartered Physicist Status.

Copyright © 2006 Fusion - The Open University Physics Society. All Rights Reserved.