Engineering Physics

The Master's programme in Engineering Physics prepares students for advanced industrial research and development and further PhD studies in physics and related subjects. Solving complex, sometimes interdisciplinary problems, is a central part of the education, requiring a profound knowledge and understanding of physics, as well as experience with analytical and computational tools.

The programme includes five tracks: Theoretical Physics, Subatomic & Astrophysics, Optical Physics, Nano Physics, and Biomedical Physics; each with compulsory, conditionally elective and elective courses.

The Biomedical Physics specialisation aims to develop the ability of physicists to interact with the life science disciplines, and offers suitable combinations of subjects, both for a career in industry, as well as for continued studies towards a PhD degree.
In Nano Physics, a number of highly interesting current fields are treated, such as nano structures, nano magnetism & spin electronics, superconductivity and other phenomena with very special properties.
Optical Physics is important in basic and applied research, as well as in industrial applications; students with a thorough knowledge of this field are much sought after as PhD students, as well as for positions in industry and consulting.
The Subatomic and Astrophysics specialisation covers a selection of topics at the frontline of contemporary physics; both the experimental and theoretical aspects of atomic, nuclear, and particle physics with applications to astrophysics are included.
The Theoretical Physics specialisation provides the students with a broad education in fundamental theoretical physics, preparing them for a future as problem solvers or researchers in industry, or for continued PhD studies.

Track Theoretical physics

The theoretical physics specialisation provides the students with a broad education in fundamental theoretical physics, preparing them for a future as problem solvers or researchers in industry, or for continued PhD studies. The compulsory courses in quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics provide basic theoretical tools that are needed for the more specialised courses. The conditionally elective courses provide specialisations in particle physics, mathematical physics, condensed matter physics and theoretical biological physics. Suitable elective courses can then provide even deeper knowledge concerning theoretical and mathematical physics, or experimental physics.

Year 1

Mandatory courses

• Advanced Quantum Mechanics 7.5 credits
• Statistical Mechanics 7.5 credits

Conditionally elective courses

• Mathematical Methods in Physics, Additional Course 3.0 credits
• Simulation Physics 6.0 credits
• Special Relativity 6.0 credits
• General Relativity 3.0 credits
• Relativistic Quantum Physics 7.5 credits
• Theoretical Particle Physics 7.5 credits
• Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics 7.5 credits
• Computational Physics 7.5 credits
• Complex Systems 7.5 credits
• Biophysics 7.5 credits

Year 2

Mandatory courses

• Theory and Methodology of Science (Natural and Technological Science) 4.5 credits
• Research Methodology in Physics 3.0 credits

Conditionally elective courses

• Quantum Field Theory 7.5 credits
• Condensed Matter Theory 7.5 credits

Track; Subatomic and Astrophysics (TFYB)

The subatomic and astrophysics specialisation covers a selection of basic science topics at the front-line of contemporary physics. Both the experimental and theoretical aspects of atomic, nuclear, and particle physics with applications to astrophysics, are included. The application of basic science to real-life problems is illustrated through medical imaging and treatment techniques. The aim of the specialisaiton is to prepare students for careers at international research facilities, university-based research groups or high-technology industry.

The compulsory courses provide a broad orientation in the concepts of subatomic physics, and an advanced discussion of quantum mechanics. The conditionally elective courses allow students to study several fields in more detail, and explore the resulting synergy necessary for a fundamental description of the Universe. The elective courses allow students to further focus their studies on a particular research field, broaden their studies within the specialisation, or further explore applications within basic science, industry and society.

Year 1

Mandatory courses

• Subatomic Physics 7.5 credits
• Advanced Quantum Mechanics 7.5 credits

Conditionally elective courses

• Theoretical Nuclear Physics 6.0 credits
• Experimental Particle Physics 7.5 credits
• Nuclear Physics 8.0 credits
• Medical Imaging, Signals and Systems 7.5 credits
• Special Relativity 6.0 credits
• Relativistic Quantum Physics 7.5 credits
• Theoretical Particle Physics 7.5 credits

Year 2

Mandatory courses

• Theory and Methodology of Science (Natural and Technological Science) 4.5 credits
• Research Methodology in Physics 3.0 credits

Conditionally elective courses

• Astroparticle Physics 7.5 credits
• Experimental Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics 8.0 credits
• Astrophysics, Advanced Course 6.0 credits

Track; Optical Physics (TFYC)

Optical physics is important in basic and applied research, as well as in industrial applications. Students with a good knowledge of this field are much sought after as PhD students, as well as for positions in industry and consulting. The compulsory courses will provide a sound knowledge of optics and laser physics, thereby providing a good foundation for many of the other courses. Many courses provide skills in practical problem solving, which prepares the students for independent research and development work.

Year 1

Mandatory courses

• Optical Physics 6.0 credits
• Laser Physics 7.5 credits

Conditionally elective courses

• Solid State Physics 7.5 credits
• Optical Physics 3.0 credits
• Problem Solving in Optics 6.0 credits
• Optical Systems Design 6.0 credits
• Fourier optics 6.0 credits
• Optical Measurement Techniques 6.0 credits
• Quantum Electronics with Electro Optics 12.0 credits
• Physics of Biomedical Microscopy 6.0 credits
• X-ray Physics and Applications 6.0 credits
• Nanophotonics and Bionanophotonics 7.5 credits
• Laser Spectroscopy 8.0 credits

Year 2

Mandatory courses

• Theory and Methodology of Science (Natural and Technological Science) 4.5 credits
• Research Methodology in Physics 3.0 credits

Conditionally elective courses

• Solid State Physics 7.5 credits
• Optical Physics 3.0 credits
• Problem Solving in Optics 6.0 credits
• Physics of Biomedical Microscopy 6.0 credits
• Laser Spectroscopy 8.0 credits

Track; Nanophysics (TFYD)

Nano physics is of fundamental importance in a broad spectrum of technological applications. In this specialisation a number of highly interesting current fields are treated, such as nano structures, nano magnetism & spin electronics, superconductivity and other phenomena with very special properties. The students will receive a good basic education suitable for a career in high-technology industry, as well as for continued studies towards a PhD degree.

Year 1

Mandatory courses

• Mesoscopic Physics 8.0 credits
• Spin Electronics 8.0 credits

Conditionally elective courses

• Solid State Physics 7.5 credits
• Superconductivity and Applications 6.0 credits
• Advanced Quantum Mechanics 7.5 credits
• Statistical Mechanics 7.5 credits
• Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics 7.5 credits
• Computational Physics 7.5 credits
• Quantum Electronics with Electro Optics 12.0 credits
• X-ray Physics and Applications 6.0 credits
• Nanophotonics and Bionanophotonics 7.5 credits
• Introduction to Scanning Probe Microscopy 6.0 credits

Year 2

Mandatory courses

• Theory and Methodology of Science (Natural and Technological Science) 4.5 credits
• Research Methodology in Physics 3.0 credits

Conditionally elective courses

• Solid State Physics 7.5 credits
• Superconductivity and Applications 6.0 credits
• Characterization of Nanomaterials 7.5 credits
• Advanced Quantum Mechanics 7.5 credits
• Statistical Mechanics 7.5 credits
• Computational Physics 7.5 credits
• Condensed Matter Theory 7.5 credits

Track; Biomedical Physics (TFYE)

In this specialisation knowledge and skills in physics are developed towards applications and research in the life sciences, including biology, chemistry and medicine. Interdisciplinary activities have become increasingly important for the development of new medical diagnostic methods and treatments. Biomedical physics is at the centre of these activities.

This specialisation aims to develop the ability of physicists to interact with the life science disciplines, and offers suitable combinations of subjects both for a career in industry as well as for continued studies towards a PhD degree. The need for improvements in the medical field is practically infinite. Through the choice of courses the students can focus on experimental as well as theoretical approaches of biomedical physics, used on different spatial scales, from the molecular and cellular level up to the organ(ism) and population level.

Year 1

Mandatory courses

• Experimental Methods in Molecular Biophysics 8.0 credits
• Biomedicine for Engineers 12.0 credits

Conditionally elective courses

• Medical Engineering, Basic Course 6.0 credits
• Medical Imaging, Signals and Systems 7.5 credits
• Computational Physics 7.5 credits
• Biophysics 7.5 credits
• Physics of Biomedical Microscopy 6.0 credits
• Cellular Biophysics I 8.0 credits
• Cellular Biophysics II 6.0 credits
• Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Biomolecular Studies 6.0 credits
• Physics and Applications of Ultrasound 6.0 credits
• X-ray Physics and Applications 6.0 credits
• Nanophotonics and Bionanophotonics 7.5 credits

Year 2

Mandatory courses

• Theory and Methodology of Science (Natural and Technological Science) 4.5 credits
• Research Methodology in Physics 3.0 credits

Conditionally elective courses

• Medical Engineering, Basic Course 6.0 credits
• Computational Physics 7.5 credits
• Physics of Biomedical Microscopy 6.0 credits
• Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Biomolecular Studies 6.0 credits

Requirements

• A completed Bachelor's degree, corresponding to a Swedish Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS credits), or equivalent academic qualifications from an internationally recognised university.
• Students in their final year of undergraduate education may apply to KTH and, if qualified, receive conditional acceptance. If you have not yet completed your studies, please include a written statement issued by the degree awarding university. This statement must be certified and stamped by the Academic Registrar's Office, the Examinations Office or equivalent of the institution. Statements from other staff members, such as faculty members, will not be accepted.
• Students who are following longer technical programmes, and have completed courses equivalent to a Bachelor´s degree (180 ECTS credits), will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Cover sheet (generated from the web-based application). However, if you have a Swedish personal ID number or if you choose to upload your documents, the cover sheet is not required.
• Certificates and diplomas from previous education at an internationally recognised university.
• Transcripts of records (including course list). All courses taken and grades must be included. Sort them in reverse chronological order, i.e. put the last received document on top.
• Proof of English proficiency.
• A copy of your passport or some other document of identification. If you are from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and are required to document your citizenship status in order to be considered exempt from paying application and tuition fees, your passport copy must be certified. If you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, certification of your passport copy is not required.
• Completed summary sheet
• IELTS A minimum overall mark of 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic Training accepted). 
• TOEFL Paper-based test: total result of 575 (written test, minimum grade 4.5)
• TOEFL  Internet-based test: total result of 90 (written test, minimum grade 20)

• A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in physics or a physics-related subject, with sufficient theoretical depth, and with good academic results. Documented skills are required in mathematics (differential and integral calculus, linear algebra, differential equations & transforms, and statistics) and physics (classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, waves, geometrical optics). The physics coursework must correspond to at least 45 ECTS.

  The specific requirements may be assessed as not fulfilled if the grade point average is below 75% of the scale maximum.

Scholarships

• KTH Scholarship
• Russian Presidency Scholarship for Abroad Studies