Physics – (M.Sc.)

Contents

All tracks are intended for students with a recognized education in physics or astronomy including optics, quantum physics and electrodynamics on the bachelor level. The degree obtained guarantees a thorough experience on the frontline of physics research and a practical training of communicative and computer skills required to function in industry, society and research. In the Master of Science tracks Communication, Education or Science-Based Business, specific career opportunities in science related professions can be explored. All tracks leading to the MSc degree of physics can give access to a PhD programme.

Structure of the Master of Science programme

The Master of Science programme consists of a compulsory and optional part. The compulsory part includes a number of courses on the chosen subject. Master students also work on one or two research projects and a Master thesis. In the optional part of the programme, students can choose from a number of courses depending on the research project.

Tracks

• Research in Experimental Physics
• Research in Theoretical Physics
• Physics and Science-Based Business
• Physics and Communication
• Physics and Education

Track: Research in Experimental Physics

The Experimental Physics track concentrates on the subjects of the different research groups in the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION). They comprise Biological and Molecular Physics, Quantum Optics and Quantum Information and Condensed Matter Physics.

The programme consists of courses (40-60 EC) and 2 research projects (80-60 EC) totalling (minimally) 120 EC (equivalent to two years of study). It can to a high degree be tailored to individual needs and interests.

Two of the courses should be chosen from the Theoretical Physics courses on offer (for a number of research subjects, the course Quantum Theory is strongly advised). The other courses can be elected from all physics courses on offer. It is even possible to choose courses offered by other universities or graduate schools. One research project will be performed in a research group within LION, the Leiden Institute of Physics. The other research project can be done in a research group within or outside LION. Both research projects include a master's thesis and an oral presentation.

The programme should have sufficient level and cohesion, and the elective part in all cases requires approval of the Board of Examiners in advance.
Please use the menu on the right hand side to view the other tracks of this programme.

Track: Research in Theoretical Physics

The track Research in Theoretical Physics concentrates on subjects like High Energy Physics and Particle Cosmology, Theoretical Physics of Life Processes and Condensed Matter Theory.

The programme consists of courses (60 EC) and 1 research project (60 EC) totalling (minimally) 120 EC (equivalent to two years of study). It can to a high degree be tailored to individual needs and interests.

In the first year, courses at an advanced level in theoretical physics, mathematics or general physics are taken. Mandatory courses (20 EC) are: Quantum Theory and Topics in Theoretical Physics (with a yearly varying topic). At least two more courses should be chosen from the Theoretical courses on offer (20 EC), for example Statistical Physics, Quantum Field Theory or Theory of Condensed Matter. The rest of the courses (20 EC) can be chosen within the area of Physics or Mathematics and a maximum of one master course can be taken anywhere at Leiden University.

The second year consists of a research project in theoretical physics, to be completed with the writing of a master's thesis and an oral presentation.

Track: Physics and Science-Based Business

The MSc programme Physics and Science-Based Business (SBB) prepares students for a career in science-related business and administration and for innovation and enterprise from a physics perspective. In addition to knowledge of physics, students obtain competence with respect to organisations, people in organisations and establishment and management of processes.

The track starts with a part focused on Physics (60-80 EC) and in the second year the student will specialise in Science-Based Business (60-40 EC).

The physics component of the programme consists of courses (20 EC) to be selected in correspondence with the research topic, and a research project (40 EC) in one of the research groups of the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION), including a master's thesis and an oral presentation. The Physics research component can be extended with a maximum of 20 EC. The choices for courses and research project will be made in concert with a supervisor.

The business related part of the programme (60 EC) consists of the following components:

• Science-Based Business Fundamentals
• Science-Based Business Internship
• Orientation on Technopreneurship
• Science-Based Business electives

In order to get a Science-Based Business Master annotation, a minimal programme consisting of the course Science-Based Business Fundamentals and the Science-Based Business training period must be completed. More information on Science-Based Business is available at www.sbb.leidenuniv.nl

Track: Physics and Communication

The master's track in Communication offers students the opportunity to combine Physics research training with programmes in different aspects of science communication, such as journalism, new media, museology and information visualisation.

The first year of the MSc programme (60-80 EC) focuses on physics. Specialisation in communication (60 EC, with a minimum of 40 EC) will be realised in the second year. Fluency in Dutch is required.

The physics component of the programme consists of courses (20 EC) to be selected in correspondence with the research topic, and a research project (40 EC) in one of the research groups of the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION), including a master's thesis and an oral presentation. The Physics component can be extended by a maximum of 20 EC by extending the research component or by doing extra physics master courses. The choices for courses and research project will be made in concert with a supervisor.

The communication related part of the programme (60-40 EC) consists of the following components:

• Course: Science Communication & Society fundamentals
• Internship, for example in the area of Journalism, Museology or an agency for science communication and education.

Optional:

• Master's thesis
• Electives in communication. Courses in scientific communication can be taken at other universities (e.g. TU Delft, Wageningen UR or Vrije Universiteit). This track closely co-operates with the MA specialisation `Journalistiek & Nieuwe Media´, MA Dutch Language and Culture, Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University The minimal level of the electives is 400.

Track: Physics and Education

In the MSc programme Physics and Education student teachers develop their competences to innovate their practice (e.g., by developing and testing instruction on a specific topic). This programme meets the requirements to obtain the degree "eerstegraads lesbevoegdheid" in Physics, needed for teaching at Dutch secondary schools. Students with an MSc in Physics and Education are also admissible to a PhD programme. Fluency in Dutch is required.

The first year of the MSc programme (60 EC) focuses on Physics. Specialisation in education (60 EC) will be realised in the second year.

The physics component of the programme consists of courses (20 EC) to be selected in correspondence with the research topic. The research project (40 EC) will be performed in one of the research groups of the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION), including a master's thesis and an oral presentation. The choices for courses and a research project will be made in concert with an adviser.

The education part of the programme (60 EC) is taught in Dutch. It is offered by the Leiden University Graduate School of Teaching (ICLON), and consists of the following components:

• Educational Theory
• Supervision of Professional Development
• Teaching Methodology
• Specialisation
• Teaching Practice (30 EC)

For students attending the Education track it is strongly recommended that the BSc programme has included the 10-EC-course Learning, Presentation and Communication, offered by the Leiden University Graduate School of Teaching (ICLON), or an equivalent course. Please use the menu on the right hand side to view the other tracks of this programme.

This programme has a workload of 120 ECTS.

Accreditation

Accredited by: NVAO in: Netherlands

Funding details

Scholarships / Grants:

Leiden University:
For additional information: Website