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Master of Science in Physics


Programme of the MSc in Physics
Prospective master students can also check the master website, which also contains information on admission and application. International students should also check the website on Scholarships. (such as the LExS Scholarship and the Huygens Scholarship for outstanding international students).

The Master of Science (MSc) in Physics programmes of Leiden University are characterized by their emphasis on internships. At least 50% of the time (and study points) has to be spent on research training. The students form part of research groups of the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION). Preferably this time also includes a stay in a research group outside Leiden University. The goal of each programme is to train the student as an independent researcher, and to develop the necessary skills and proficiency to advance his/her career.

The duration of the MSc programme in Physics is two years (120 EC) and students can start at any moment during the year.

Leiden University offers four specialisations in the MSc Physics programme. The research-oriented specialisation has four so-called specialisations: The other three are broader-oriented specialisations, which dedicate at least one year to physics and the rest is used to study and gain experience in other areas:

The Master of Science in Physics is an English-language education, with the exception of the specialisations Education and Communication. These streams requires active command of the Dutch language. Students who complete the programme receive the degree Master of Science in Physics, with specification of the specialisation, if applicable.
 Tekstvak:   Specialisation Master of Physics (2 years) Research in Experimental Physics 33 - 50% Physics Courses   67 - 50% Research projects Experimental Physics Research in Theoretical Physics 50% Physics Courses 50% Research project Theoretical Physics Physics and Communication / Education / Science Based Business 17% Physics Courses 33% Research project  Physics 50% Courses and internship Communication / Education/ Science Based Business    
The master programme is characterized by a strong connection with ongoing research. In the three experimental physics specialisations two-thirds of the time is spent on research projects and one-third on courses. The theoretical physics specialisation has a relatively bigger part that is spent on (theoretical) physics courses and one year is being used for a theoretical physics internship.

The strength of our master programme is its individual character. For each student a programme will be designed, which for experimental physics may comprise of elements of different specialisations.

Before starting the MSc in Physics, students should make a study plan, containing a list of courses and research projects they intend to do. The plan has to be discussed with the specialisation coordinator and/or the study advisor. The study plan should be filled in and sent to the study advisor by e-mail: studieadviseur@physics.leidenuniv.nl.

More information on the Programme of the MSc in Physics:
- Study plan form (doc-file)
- The final examination procedure
- The study guide
- Information on the specific specialisations
- Course descriptions
- Schedule
- Course and Examination Regulations (Onderwijs en Examenregeling)
- Exam Committee
- Education Advisory Committee (Opleidingscommissie)
- The Leiden Institute of Physics (LION)

Master research projects
 

Depending on the specialisation, every student can do one or two Physics research projects. A research project can be done at one of the groups of the Leiden Institute of Physics, (LION). Students that have obtained their Bachelor degree in Physics at Leiden University got the chance to get to know the Lion research group during the 'orientation on the Bachelor Research'. Students who want more information on the possible research projects can contact the specialisation co-ordinator or the study advisor. and check out the website: www.physics.leidenuniv.nl At least one of the two projects in an experimental group has to be 40 EC, divided into 33 EC for the research work, 5 EC for the thesis and 2 EC for the oral presentation. The other experimental project can vary between 20 and 40 EC, consisting of the same components, proportionally scaled. A project in Theoretical Physics has a size of 45 EC, the thesis 10 EC and the oral presentation 5 EC.


Before starting a research project, it has to be registered through a research project form. After completion the supervisor must sign the form before handing it over to the Programme co-ordinator (onderwijscoordinator), Huygens Laboratory, room 303. The programme coordinator will present the plan to the study advisor, who has to sign the form for approval before the student can start the project. Students who want their electronic keycard to be updated during the project (providing 24-hr entrance to the building) have to give their keycard number on the form. During the research project, students will be provided with a workplace within the research group. Attending the (weekly) group meetings is an important component of your research project.

Students that have found an interesting research project outside Leiden University, can discuss this with the study advisor. They have to find a staff member from inside the Physics department to act as a local supervisor and ask the Board of Examiners for permission (through the study plan).

Every research project has to be completed with a thesis and an oral presentation. Both the thesis and the presentation have to be evaluated by your supervisor and another LION staff member not directly connected to the research group (second assessor). Your supervisor is responsible for arranging a second assessor. The oral presentation has to be public. Alongside with the research group members, also students and other LION members can attend. The second assessor has to be present at the presentation. The presentation has to be announced through the website. Students must send a timely e-mail with their name, the title of the presentation, the date and time and the location to Programme Coordinantor. The organisation of the time and location of the oral presentation is the responsibility of your supervisor. The format of the thesis should be discussed with your supervisor. It is important to have contact with your supervisor on a regular basis during the writing phase of your thesis. To make sure you can finish your research project in time, you have to make a good planning together with your supervisor. Set dates for the presentation, handing over the thesis to your supervisor and receiving your evaluation. Take into account the availability of your supervisor and second assessor in the period that you are finishing your research project. A 1-page overview should be part of the thesis. The required format will be made available on this website in September 2010.

After evaluation, both a printed copy and an electronic file of the thesis should be sent to the Programme Coordinator in order to store it in the LION archives. A copy of the front page of the thesis should be handed over to the Students’ Administration Office (Educatief Centrum) when you apply for your final examination.

More information on the Master research projects:
- Research project forms (LION or External research project and Grading research project)
- LION research groups
- Orientation on the Bachelor research
- Specialisation co-ordinators
- Study advisor
- Programme co-ordinator (onderwijscoordinator)
- The final examination procedure

Safety instructions
LION organizes safety instructions two times a year. These safety instructions are for everyone involved in working with lasers, chemicals, cryogenic liquids and/or electricity. At this meeting you will be informed about safety rules, possible danger and compulsory personal protection.
Students should attend the safety instructions before starting their Master's internship in an experimental group. More information on safety instructions and schedule.

Programme of the MSc in Nanoscience
De opleiding MSc in Nanoscience Leiden/Delft zal m.i.v. het studiejaar 2010-2011 worden gestopt. Hiervoor kunnen dus geen nieuwe studenten meer worden ingeschreven. Geďnteresseerde studenten kunnen gewezen worden op de mogelijkheid om zich in te schrijven voor Physics, waarbij een groot deel van het vakkenpakket van Nanoscience kan worden gekozen.

PhD Programme
Every year the LION has paid positions available for PhD students. After obtaining the MSc degree, it is possible to apply for these PhD positions. In addition it may be possible to enter the PhD programme on the basis of self-obtained grants. The PhD programme takes another 4 years and involves research and coursework; the specific requirements are determined in agreement.

Cosmology
 The Stream Cosmology is positioned at the interface between Theoretical Physics and Observational Astronomy. The Leiden Institute of Physics offers this stream in collaboration with the also internationally well known Leiden Observatory. Similar to the Theoretical Physics stream, in-depth knowledge is required of undergraduate courses with theoretical and mathematical emphasis: quantum physics, electrodynamics, statistical physics, and complex analysis. Also prerequisite is the Leiden Bachelor course on Physics of Elementary Particles, or a clear equivalent. The Bachelor course Relativistic Electrodynamics is strongly advised. The full program for the Cosmology stream can be found here.

Casimir pré-PhD
The Stream Casimir pre-PhD prepares the student for Ph.D. research within the Casimir Research School, a joint undertaking of the Leiden Institute of Physcis (LION), and various departments at Delft University of Technology. The programme follows a strict schedule and specifically aims at broadening the research perspectives of the student in such a way that they are aware of the frontiers of science in the research themes of the Research School, namely Molecular Biophysics, Physics of nanostructures, Quantum Matter and Functional Materials, Quantum Information and quantum optics, Universe physics; theory and instrumentation, and Dynamic Complex Systems. Admission both to the first and second years of the programme is by selection only. For a limited number of participants, a PhD position in a research group of choice in Leiden or Delft is guaranteed upon finishing this program. For more information contact Dr.Sander Otte (A.F.Otte@tudelft.nl).

More information on the PhD programme:
- The Leiden Institute of Physics (LION)