Physics

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 15.9 k / Year(s)  
84 place StudyQA ranking:9952 Duration:24 months

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As a graduate student in Physics at University of Copenhagen you can focus on the many different areas of physics such as quantum physics, condensed matter or nuclear physics. You can also obtain a specialised competency profile in astrophysics, biophysics or geophysics.

The programme is offered in English.

The MSc programme in Physics at University of Copenhagen takes place at the Niels Bohr Institute which offers an exciting international research community where the latest scientific breakthroughs are created.

During the programme you can work within many different fields of physics, from particle physics to the detection of climate change in Greenland's ice sheet. Theoretical teaching, practical laboratory experiments, projects and your own research will provide you with valuable knowledge of the newest technology and enable you to describe our physical reality through experiments and mathematical models.

Unemployment rates among physicists are low - companies in the public and private sector are looking for candidates with your competences and expertise, for instance as consultants in the oil industry, programmers in the IT business or even as advisors on exchange rates in the financial sector.

Profile and Career

The Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen is part of an exciting and international research environment where scientific breakthroughs are shaped. Your path through the physics universe will include theoretical instruction, experience with practical experimentation in the laboratory, project work and work in the field.

Graduate students in physics may specialize in one of numerous sub-fields such as particle physics, atomic physics, solid-state physics, nuclear physics, complex systems in physics and quantum information technology. As a graduate student in physics you will achieve the academic qualifications to independently participate in modern research and the communication of results. There are plenty of themes and courses to choose from, so you will determine your own course of study to a large degree.

Competence Description

  • You will learn the basic physical principles governing a physical system
  • You will work with mathematical models to describe physical reality
  • You will learn to work with experimental setups and become familiar with the latest technologies
  • You will read current research literature and be capable of contributing to the research

Career Opportunities

Unemployment among physics graduates is quite rare indeed and most physicists find work in a variety of settings. These include, but are far from limited to, private and public sector research, finance, programming in the IT industry and oil exploration.

Astrophysicists find employment as teachers or at observatories all over the world. There are job opportunities for biophysicists at hospitals or in the pharmaceutical industry, while geophysicists may work as meteorologists, or as consultants at national maritime agencies, environmental organisations etc.

The private sector has begun to deploy physicists in a more business-oriented context. A good example is how, in finance, physicists are engaged to predict market fluctuations. Some physicists are also employed as programmers in the IT sector as they often have strong programming backgrounds.

Programme Structure

  • One year of graduate coursework, primarily in English. The courses contain lectures, written examinations and the submission of reports along with the conducting of experiments.
  • You are assigned an advisor and research group that can help you select courses and develop a thesis topic.
  • Your course of study concludes with a thesis worth 30, 45 or 60 ECTS. The thesis project engages you with in-depth work targeted towards answering a problem in the field of physics, approached from a high level of research.
  • The research environment is characterized by a high degree of international collaboration and you will have the opportunity to be part of this network – either by working with guest researchers or through research abroad.

Your thesis begins when you develop a thesis contract in cooperation with your thesis supervisor. The contents of this contract and thesis framework include an overall description of the thesis topic and a completion date. Thesis topics could be:

  • Measurement based on ultracold atoms in optical frequencies
  • Analysis of data from particle accelerators, e.g. CERN
  • Production of equipment for synchrotrons
  • Utilisation of x-ray radiation to determine protein structures
  • Solid state physical realisation of quantum computers
  • Mathematical theory for turbulence in flowing fluids

Study Abroad

It is also possible to study abroad during your degree. You can choose to study abroad one or two semesters or for a shorter period of time; e.g. take a summer school course.

(1) Applicants with a Bachelor's degree in physics, nano-science or science & IT with a specialisation in physics from the University of Copenhagen can be admitted to the MSc programme in Physics.(2) Applicants with a Bachelor's degree in a natural or technical science from another university in Denmark or abroad can be admitted as long as they have passed the following:A Basic requirements: Mathematics (linear algebra, differential equations) (min. 20 ECTS credits)Classical mechanics (min. 10 ECTS credits)Thermodynamics (min. 10 ECTS credits)Electromagnetism (min. 10 ECTS credits)B Advanced requirements (min. 30 ECTS credits): Advanced physics within one or more of the following subjects: Quantum Physics, Modern Physics, Geophysics, Biophysics, and/or AstronomyThe combined total of A and B must be min. 120 ECTS credits.(3) In addition, the Faculty may admit applicants who, after a thorough assessment, are deemed to possess educational qualifications equivalent to those required in subsections (1)–(2).Prioritisation criteriaApplicants with a Bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Copenhagen are guaranteed admission on the first MSc intake after graduation.Priority will then be given to applicants with a Bachelor's degree in nanoscience or science & IT with a specialisation in physics from the University of Copenhagen. The next priority will be applicants with a Bachelor's degree in science or engineering from another university in Denmark or abroad.Language RequirementsTo gain admission to an MSc in the English language, non-Danish applicants must document qualifications on par with the Danish secondary school ‘English level B'. The Faculty of Science accepts the following 3 ways of documenting this:English is your native language. The Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen, accepts The University of Purdue view that citizens of the following countries are exempted from taking an English Language Proficiency exam: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, Grand Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Irish Republic, Jamaica, Montserrat, New Zealand, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, & Wales and United States of AmericaIf you are citizen of one of the above countries, you are not required to submit any proof of English proficiency. Your copy of your passport will suffice as sufficient proof.Prior studies completed in the English language/in an English speaking country. For example, if you have studied your Bachelor degree in England you are not required to complete an English language proficiency exam. We ask such students to provide a signed statement from the Educational institution (with the institution's stamp on it) stating that English is the main language of instruction. Furthermore, applicants from Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland) do not need to provide proof of English language proficiency.Applicants with English as their second language (except Scandinavians) must pass an IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge Advanced English test before being admitted. The Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, accepts the following tests and scores:IELTS-test (British Council) with a minimum score of 6.5Computer-based TOEFL-test with a minimum score of 213 pointsPaper-based TOEFL-test with a minimum score of 560 pointsInternet-based TOEFL-test with a min score of 83 pointsLanguage tests older than 2 years are not accepted (from the application deadline). English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 560 TOEFL iBT® test: 83

The Faculty of Science will not be awarding any scholarships for the academic year 2014/2015.

Please note that many scholarships are offered by companies or organisations, it can be worthwhile to research your particular options from your home country.

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