Physics, 120 hec

To understand the fundamental laws of physics has been a challenging problem since the birth of modern science. It is of great interest in itself, and forms the basis of other branches of science. Although tremendous progress has been made, many important questions remain to be answered, and this is likely to remain a very active area of research for the foreseable future.

Within a couple of years, new results are expected, both from experiments at particle accelerators and from astrophysical observations, that are likely to lead to major advances in our understanding of the fundamental laws of nature. There is also vigorous activity with connections to fundamental physics in the field of condensed matter physics and atomic and molecular physics.

Why study a master's programme in physics?

The analytical and problem solving skills developed in this programme have proven to be very attractive on the employment market and open up a wide spectrum of career opportunities. The programme is an excellent preparation for students who wish to continue their education towards a doctoral degree in physics or some related area, either at Göteborg University or at some other university in Sweden or abroad. Most students leave the academic world, though, and find positions in fields such as e.g. teaching, industrial research and development, consulting, management, or financial analysis.

The aim of the Master's programme in physics is to give the student a broad knowledge of theoretical and experimental physics and the necessary mathematical techniques relevant to the study of the fundamental laws of nature. It should also develop analytical and problem solving skills necessary for doing independent work in this field, and give practice in communicating the results. The programme is given in colaboration with Chalmers University of Technology.

Subject-matter

This program will provide a fundamental understanding of nature and will reflect modern research activities in physics today. Topics include the physics on all scales from the quantum description of strings, particles, atoms, matter and mesoscopic and macroscopic objects all the way to stars, galaxies and gravitational theory. There are theoretical as well as experimental courses.

To reveal the structure of the fundamental laws of Nature is still a challenging problem even though many important results have been obtained. Present research activity is focussed on high energy physics, subatomic physics, disordered systems, computational physics and complex systems in biology, economics and society.

In this programme the student can study any of these aspects of nature. The student can choose between a theoretical or an experimental profile. Among the various courses there is a core depending on the chosen profile and then the student can choose between several optional courses.

Entrance requirements

A Bachelors degree or the equivalence to 180 higher education credits or 180 ECTS credits at an accredited university, with a minimum of 90 p in physics. English B level or English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 no part under 5.5 or TOEFL 575 p, TWE score 4.5 is also required.

Selection: Selection is based upon the number of credit points from previous university studies, maximum 225 hec.

Start/term

Autumn 2012, full time (100 %)

Application and admission

There is one intake per year and the semester starts in September. Final application date for the academic year 2012/2013 is 15th of January 2012.

Application fee: 900 SEK (Does not apply for EU/EEA citizens or exchange students).
Tuition fee: Full programme cost 260 000 SEK. First payment 65 000 SEK. Tuition fee does not apply for EU/EEA citizens or exchange students.
Application international students: Closed for late application.
Application Swedish/EU/EEA citizens: Apply here

Further information on how to apply: www.universityadmissions.se