Master´s Programme in Physics, specialisation General Physics
The programme starts with foundations in general experimental and data analytical tools (detectors, programming for physicists, statistical methods), and a deepening of selected theoretical concepts. It then offers the students the possibility to sample a broad range of physics areas from quantum and nanoscale technologies to particle physics, attosecond physics, and a variety of domains with ramifications into astrophysics, atmospheric science, molecular biophysics, astrobiology and more.
The programme represents two years of full time studies (120 credits), out which 30, 45 or 60 credits are allocated to the master thesis project. Within the programme there is a lot of freedom to choose the courses that best suit your interests and your physics profile. There is also room for you to broaden your competence thanks to a large number of facultative and optional courses.
The study path General Physics offers great flexibiliy and can be adpated to your interests. There is some possibility to start on the General Physics path and then continue to one of the more specialized study paths: Particles and Cosmos, Quantum Matter or AMO-Physics, if the transition is made early enough.
With a combination of mandatory, eligible and optional courses you acquire a solid base in analysis of data, experimental physics and experimental methodology. This is complemented by at least one theoretical course. The last phase of the programme consists of the master thesis project. We offer the possibility to carry out long projects, up to one year. Knowledge and skills acquired in the programme find applications in many areas of industry and research.
Here is a recommended planning for the courses to be taken during the four semesters:
Year 1
1st Semester
Programming techniques II, 7.5 credits, DA4007
Statistical Methods in Physics, 7.5 credits, FK7061
Eligible courses*, 15 credits
2nd Semester
Eligible courses*, 30 credits
Year 2
1st Semester
Optional courses**, 0, 15 or 30 credits
(the Physics Degree Project could start already on the 1 semester)
2nd Semester
Physics Degree Project, 45 credits, FK9002 (or Physics Degree Project, 30 credits, FK9001, or Physics Degree Project, 60 credits, FK9003).
*Eligible courses
At least one of the experimental courses:
Physical Measuring Techniques, 7.5 credits, FK7063
Detector Physics 7.5 credits, FK7056
At least one of the theoretical courses:
Analytical Mechanics, 7.5 credits, FK7049
Elektrodynamics, 7.5 credits, FK7045
Statistical Physics, 7.5 credits, FK7058
At least 15 credits among the following courses:
Advanced Quantum Mechanics, 7.5 hp, FK5027
Optics and Laser Physics, 7.5 credits, FK7046
Quantum Optics, 7.5 credits FK7047
Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics, 7.5 hp, FK7050
Nuclear Physics, 7.5 hp, FK7051
Introduction to Quantum Information and Quantum Computation, 7.5 hp, FK7052
Superconductivity, 7.5 hp, FK7053
Nanoscale technology, 7.5 hp, FK7054
Accelerator Physics, 7.5 hp, FK7055
Atomic Physics, 7.5 credits, FK7057
Quantum Chemistry, 15 hp, FK7059
Condensed Matter Physics, 7.5 hp, FK7060
Elementary Particle Physics, 7.5 hp, FK7062
Molecular Physics, 7.5 credits, FK7066
Modern X-ray Science: Theory and Applications, 7.5 hp, FK7067
Theory of General Relativity, 7.5 hp, FK8025
**Optional courses:
In order to give you the ability to customise the programme to your interests and needs, you have the possibility to choose among a number of optional courses. The optional courses represent in total 7.5 to 45 credits, depending on the scope of the master thesis project. The optional courses can be chosen freely among all the physics courses proposed at Stockholm University.
Independent project
The master thesis project usually starts during the second year, but may start as soon as you have earned at least 45 credits of advanced courses in physics. The project is usually carried out in one of the research groups of the physics department. The master thesis project may also be carried out at a different university or in a company. During the master thesis project you are given the opportunity to participate to the activity and life of the research group. You work with a research question in a professional research environment where you are in contact with graduate students and researchers. While still a university environment, it provides a unique opportunity to dive deep into a professional environment and develop important soft-skills (independence, perseverance, problem solving, critical thinking, communication, troubleshooting...) before going further to industry or graduate studies.
Application is done through universityadmissions.se.
Please note that you need to apply to specific study paths (you can apply to several but have to rank your choices).
When submitting you application make sure you have uploaded all required documents. Read more here: https://www.universityadmissions.se/documents
We at the Department of Physics do not require any additional documents such as CV, letter of recommendation or motivation letter. You will be contacted by us if we need further documentation.
