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Master´s Programme in Physics, specialisation Particles and Cosmos

The Particles and Cosmos study path of the Master programme concentrates on the physics of the universe smallest constituents, its largest structures and history. The study path leads to exciting research areas such as Higgs physics and inflation, dark matter, physics beyond the standard model and more.

The programme starts with foundations in relevant 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 dive into the concepts and methods in particle and astroparticle physics, cosmology, and neighboring relevant areas and technologies such as nuclear physics, accelerator physics and general relativity.

  • Programme overview

    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 Particles and Cosmos study path is proposed to guide you towards the corresponding research areas, and makes you a good candidate for corresponding PhD student positions. Thanks to the strong base in experimental methods and theory, many of our alumni also find their way into industry jobs with high requirements on analysis and abstraction skills.

    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 22.5 credits among the following courses:

    Advanced Quantum Mechanics, 7.5 hp, FK5027

    Elementary Particle Physics, 7.5 hp, FK7062

    Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics, 7.5 hp, FK7050

    Nuclear Physics, 7.5 hp, FK7051

    Accelerator Physics, 7.5 hp, FK7055

    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 15 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.

  • How to apply

    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.

  • Contact

    Academic advisor at the Department of Physics:

    studievagledare@fysik.su.se

    Programme responsible:

    Prof. Christophe Clement, e-mail: christophe.clement@fysik.su.se