Physics: Particle and Astroparticle Physics – (M.Sc.)

Contents

You can choose to complete your Master's programme in Particle and Astroparticle Physics with different profiles: a Research profile or profiles focusing on Physics Education, Science Entrepreneurship, Software Engineering or Science Communication.

Students in the Master's programme take courses in particle and astroparticle physics and experimental techniques. They may also take additional science courses offered by the faculties of science of the UvA, VU University Amsterdam, Utrecht University and Radboud University Nijmegen. In the second year, students focus on a research project of their own choice, provided it fits within the experimental activities of the Nikhef institute.

If you choose for the other profiles, your study programme exist of one semester of courses in particle and (astro)particle physics, one semester of conducting a research project and one year of components of the profile of choice.

Study programme Research profile

* First year

In the profile of the Master's programme Particle and Astroparticle Physic,s you will take mandatory courses in particle and astroparticle physics and experimental techniques common to (astro)particle physics research.

Optionally, you can either focus on deepening your theoretical knowledge or expanding you experimental capabilities.

All mandatory courses are taken at the Nikhef institute in Amsterdam during your first year. Additional courses are also offered by the faculties of science of the UvA, VU University Amsterdam, Utrecht University and Radboud University Nijmegen.

* Summer at CERN

If you are succesful in your exams of the first year, you will be offered the possibilty of conducting a research project of several weeks at CERN in the summer between your first and second year.

* Second year

In the second year, you perform a research project in one of the research groups of the Nikhef institute, at CERN or in the many universities or research institutes around the world involved in (astro)particle physics.

Research training

Depending on your interest and talents you specialise in one of the areas: data analysis, particle detection and instrumentation or theory.

During the research project you will join one of the research groups at Nikhef and actively participate in the regular progress meetings at Nikhef, at CERN or at the many institutes around the world that participate in the same experiments.

The research project will be completed with a Master's thesis and a presentation for Nikhef staff.

Professional specialization within the Master’s programme

In general, Master’s students are trained to become independent researchers. But at the UvA Faculty of Science you can also choose to complete your Master’s programme with a professional specialization, that focuses on other skills than doing research. In that case you will follow the programme of your chosen scientific discipline during the first year of your Master’s, and the programme of the specialization during the second year.

You will graduate as a Master of Science.

There are three professional specializations available:

• Science Communication
• Teaching
• Management, Policy Analysis & Entrepreneurship.

A note to readers who don’t speak Dutch: Only the specialization Management, Policy Analysis & Entrepreneurship is described in English, because the other two specializations are only taught in Dutch.

Degree requirements

A Master of Science in Physics is awarded upon successful completion of all the core courses in the curriculum and a written Master's thesis based on an independent research project. This translates into a total of 120 ECTS credits.

*Two entry pointsCare has been taken to make it possible for students to enroll and start their studies at two time-points during the academic year. It is recommended to start the programme in September (the regular start date), but enrolling in February can also be accommodated.

* If you choose for a different profile than the research profile, a Master of Science in Physics is awarded on completion of the courses in the physics curriculum with a total of 24 ECTS, a Master's thesis based on an independent research project of 36 ECTS and all components of the curriculum of the profile of choice with a total of 60 ECTS.

Track

This programme is a track of the Master's programme in Physics.

Accreditation

Accredited by: NVAO in: Netherlands

Funding details

Huygens scholarship

The Dutch government has allocated a vast amount for excellent students coming to the Netherlands under the HSP Huygens Programme. The Nuffic is administrating the Huygens scholarship. Please find all all necessary information about application and selection on their website.

! The Faculty deadline for receiving Huygens scholarship requests is: 31 December 2010. On the online application form please mention the Huygens scholarship request by thicking the relevant box.

The International Office will make a first selection of most excellent students. For this students we will write a nomination letter. Applicants that are part of this selection will receive the nomination letter by e-mail before 1 February 2011 which is the Nuffic deadline for application.

Amsterdam Merit Scholarship

The Faculty of Economics and Business provides a limited number of scholarships for excellent students in the Master's programmes. There is no fixed number of available scholarships. The actual number will be determined by the amount that will be allocated to the Faculty.

Selection procedure

1) Applicants should write an AMS motivation letter (tell us in not more than 300 words your motivation to get the scholarship).

2) Applicants should upload the AMS digital motivation letter to their online application for the MSc programme before March 1st 2011.

3) Before the end of May 2011 we will inform all applicants about the results by e-mail.

Ahold Scholarship Programme

Ahold, an international food retailing group based in the Netherlands offers scholarships for non-EU students in the MSc in Accountancy and Control programme. Applicants should have an outstanding academic record and have special interest in retail and the intention to work and live in the USA or Europe after graduation. All non-EU applicants accepted to the MSc in Accountancy and Control programme will receive supplementary information on this Scholarship.

Colfuturo Scholarship

Students from Columbia can apply for this scholarship through their website.

Ford Foundation Scholarship

Scholarships are provided for students from a selection of countries worldwide. For more information see the Nuffic website.

Netherlands Fellowship Programmes

This programme provides funding for women and members of priority groups or marginalized regions. For more information see the Nuffic website.

Other scholarships

Further information on scholarships can be obtained from Nuffic, please refer to their website. Click on the link 'Grantfinder' to search for Dutch scholarships for foreign students.

Studentgrant

In certain cases it is possible for EU students to receive a monthly studentgrant from the Dutch government (i.e. IB Group). Please check their website for further information.