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Education Special: The sky's the limit for David

Posted on: Wednesday, 13 August 2003, 06:00 CDT

SPACE, as Star Trek fans throughout the world will confirm, is the final frontier.

And Paisley University physics student David O'Donnell has his eye on its future after attending a special stargazers' summer school.

David was a delegate at the Particle Physics and Astronomy International Undergraduate Summer School University last month where students from around the globe gathered.

All, like David, are aiming to pursue a career in astronomy or particle physics.

It's a complex subject as astro- physicists observe events that happen in space and then use the information gathered by telescopes to explain how the universe was formed and why it looks the way it does.

Much of their work involves analysing data and performing simulations.

During this intensive summer school they study topics such as the creation of stars and galaxies and work on projects supervised by researchers.

Trips to the Edinburgh Royal Observatory and to CERN - the world's largest particle physics centre - in Switzerland were part of the schedule.

David, 21, who lives in Greenock, said: "My physics course is brilliant, I would recommend it to anyone. The summer school was a great bonus as I want to pursue a career in astrophysics research."

Dr Judith Steven-Setchell, electronic engineering and physics lecturer at Paisley, said: "This was a great achievement for David as he is one of only 24 students from across the globe to attend this world-renowned summer school."

The University of Paisley has also unveiled plans to handle an expected flood of calls from school and college leavers anxious to find a place at the university.

Its state-of-the-art information service, University Direct, got into full swing yesterday now that candidates have received their Higher results.

University Direct holds up-to-the-minute information on University of Paisley course vacancies. Callers can get confirmation of a place on one of the university's degrees within minutes, if their grades match Paisley's clearing requirements.

Last year University Direct received more than 8500 telephone and internet enquiries from prospective students looking for information on course availability.

The university expects that number to increase significantly this year with the introduction of a range of exciting new degree programmes.

The service operates on weekdays from 9am to 7.30pm. This extended clearing service will be available until August 22 and thereafter lines will be open 9am to 6pm until September 12.

University Direct can be contacted on 0800 027 1000 by anyone who wants to study at any of the university's campuses in Paisley, Ayr or Dumfries.

Clearing information will also be available via the university's website at www.paisley.ac.uk

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