Master's Programme in Physics, 120 credits

Degree

After completing the study programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website). In Swedish, Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is called Naturvetenskaplig masterexamen. The degree is awarded in the main field of study (Physics).

Description of the education for current education cycle

The education is at an advanced level (second cycle). The aims for second-cycle courses and study programmes are set out in the Higher Education Act, Chapter 1 Section 9.

National goals for current degree

The national aims for qualification are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance's Annex 2.

Examination format

Each syllabus sets out the examination formats used in each individual course.

Grades

Each syllabus sets out the examination formats used in each individual course.

Transfer of Credits

A student who believes to have gained knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional experience that may be equivalent to a course or part of a course in the programme can apply for transfer of credits. Granting a transfer of credits means that the student will not have to study the parts of the programme included in the decision. Information on transfer of credits is available on Umeå University's website.

https://www.umu.se/en/student/my-studies/transfer-of-credits/

General

The Master's Programme comprises 120 credits and includes compulsory courses, elective courses, and free electives (see below for an explanation of the different types of courses). As long as the requirements for qualification are met, students enjoy great freedom of choice with respect to courses. The programme may also be completed after just one year, which may lead to a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) in Physics. If so, the programme concludes with a Master's Thesis of at least 15 credits.

The programme provides broad and in-depth knowledge in physics. Areas of specialization are largely chosen individually by the student through advanced courses that build upon one another.

The programme offers the following profiles:

• Computational Physics
• Photonics
• Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials
• Theoretical Physics

The students are recommended to follow the study path of one of these profiles but can also choose to combine courses from different profiles. The study path for each profile lists the elective courses that the students should study. Each profile includes between 7.5-22.5 credits elective and optional courses.

The courses included in the study programme are listed in chronological order under the headline "Programme structure".

Most courses are offered at half-speed and thus students usually take two courses in parallel throughout the programme. Exceptions include the project courses (Physics - Degree Project, Physics - Degree Project II and III, Advanced Project in Physics, and Project in Optical Physics), where the format can be adapted to the student's individual study plan.

Instruction is provided in the form of lectures, lessons, and problem-solving sessions, as well as through supervision in connection with laboratory work and project work. Presentation of laboratory work and projects may occur both orally and in writing. Studies are expected to be conducted on a full-time basis. A working week normally comprises 10–20 hours of scheduled instruction, while the remaining time is dedicated to self-study and exercises. The courses are most often taken together with other programmes, primarily the Master of Science Programme in Engineering Physics. Normally, the courses are taught at half-time pace. All courses are taught in English.

Compulsory courses
Compulsory courses are those courses that all students within the programme normally take. A student following the study programme is guaranteed a place on all compulsory courses, provided that the entry requirements for the specific course are met. Entry requirements are specified in the respective course syllabus.

The following courses are compulsory:

5FY172 Master's Thesis in Physics, 30 credits
5FY174 Quantum Mechanics 2, 7.5 credits
5FY213 Atomic and Molecular Physics, 7.5 credits
5FY168 Advanced Project in Physics, 7.5 credits

Recommendations regarding when these courses can be taken during the programme are provided under the heading "Study Plan" below, with the exception of Advanced Project in Physics. That course should be studied in place of an "Elective/Optional Course" at some point during the programme.

Elective courses
Elective courses are a selection of courses that Umeå University offers within the scope of the programme and where the student chooses which courses to enrol in. The student is guaranteed a seat in one of these courses, provided that the entry requirements for the courses in question are met. However, the student is not guaranteed a seat in their first choice courses. Entry requirements are specified in the repective course syllabus.

• 5FY193 General Relativity
• 5FY195 Astrophysics
• 5FY191 Advanced Fluid Mechanics
• 5FY167 Advanced Computational Methods in Fluid Mechanics
• 5FY215 Advanced Laser Systems and Laser Technology
• 5FY178 Advanced Materials
• 5FY197 Non-Invasive Measurement Techniques
• 5FY228 Digital Physics
• 5FY198 Modelling the Dynamics of Living Systems
• 5FY170 Electrodynamics II
• 5MA176 The Finite Element Method
• 5FY225 Physical Measurement Techniques with Electrical Circuit Theory,
• 5FY187 Numerical Methods in Physics
• 5FY230 Sustainable Technologies
• 5FY195 Non-linear Physics
• 5FY126 Information Theory
• Networks and Markets
• 5FY179 Quantum Field Theory I
• 5FY180 Quantum Field Theory II
• 5FY192 Laser-Based Spectroscopic Techniques
• 5FY175 Laser Physics
• 5FY227 Machine Learning in Physics
• 5DA003 Matrix Computations and Applications
• 5FY221 Modelling and Simulation
• 5FY188 Monte Carlo Simulations of Critical Phenomena in Physics
• 5FY182 Nanoscience
• 5MA184 Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations
• 5DA004 Optimization and Applications
• 5FY194 Optical Construction
• 5FY183 Space Physics with Measuring Techniques
• 5FY184 Space Plasma Physics
• 5FY219 Spacecraft Technology and Design
• 5FY185 Solar Cells

Other Elective Courses

• 5FY098 Current Research in Physics 1
• 5FY099 Current Research in Physics 2
• 5FY100 Current Research in Physics 3
• 5FY101 Current Research in Physics 4
• 5FY190 Physical Measurement Techniques with Circuit Theory
• 5FY177 Project in Optical Physics
• 5FY173 Master’s Thesis in Physics II (15 ECTS)
• 5FY171 Master’s Thesis in Physics III (60 ECTS)

For more information about the courses, please refer to: https://www.umu.se/en/education/studies/search-courses/the-department-of-physics/courses---the-department-of-physics/

Optional Courses
Optional courses within the programme are applied for in open competition. Optional courses can be taken at Umeå University or at other higher education institutions in Sweden or abroad.

Degree Project/Independent Project
The degree project within the Master's Programme in Physics concludes the education and may be commenced when the entry requirements in the course syllabus are met. In the degree project, which comprises at least 30 higher education credits, the student shall apply the knowledge acquired during the period of study, independently address the assignment, and present the results of the work orally and in a written report/thesis. The work shall include some form of subject-related specialization within the field of physics. The degree project is normally carried out individually, but in isolated cases, it is also permitted for two students to collaborate on a degree project.

The report is normally written in English. Alternatively, the report may be written in Swedish, in which case it shall include an English summary as well as an English translation of the title.

Programme structure

See also information regarding compulsory, elective, and optional courses under the heading "General" above.

Listed below are the courses belonging to each profile for each semester. The courses are listed in the order they are taken. Courses are taken in pairs in parallel at half-time, except for the degree project, which is usually taken at full-time during the final semester. In periods marked "Elective/Optional course," the student can choose to take elective courses from other profiles or optional courses.

Computational Physics

To take this profile, in addition to the programme's general prerequisites, one must also meet the entry requirements for the course Modeling and Simulation.

Semester 1

• Quantum Mechanics 2
• Modeling and Simulation
• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations

Semester 2

• Numerical Methods in Physics
• Space Physics with Measuring Techniques
• Two of:
  • Monte Carlo Simulations of Critical Phenomena in Physics
  • Advanced Fluid Mechanics
  • The Finite Element Method
  • Digital Physics

Semester 3

• Two of:
  • Machine Learning in Physics
  • Information Theory, Networks and Markets
  • Modelling the Dynamics of Living Systems
  • Sustainable Technologies
  • Matrix Computations and Applications
• Two of:
  • Engineering Optimization
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Advanced Project in Physics.

Semester 4

• Master’s Thesis in Physics

Photonics

Semester 1

• Quantum Mechanics 2
• One of:
  • Laser-Based Spectroscopic Techniques
  • Laser Physics
• Two of:
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics
  • Advanced Laser Systems and Laser Technology,
  • Electrodynamics II
  • Optical Construction

Semester 2

• Two of
  • Non-Invasive Measurement Techniques
  • Advanced Project in Physics
  • Nano Science
• Two of:
  • Solar Cells
  • Non-linear Physics
  • Advanced materials

Semester 3

• Sustainable Technologies
• One of:
  • Laser-Based Spectroscopic Techniques
  • Laser Physics
• Two of:
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics
  • Advanced Laser Systems and Laser Technology
  • Electrodynamics II
  • Optical Construction

Semester 4

• Master’s Thesis in Physics

Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials

Semester 1

• Quantum Mechanics 2
• One of:
  • Laser-Based Spectroscopic Techniques
  • Laser Physics
• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• One of:
  • Advanced Laser Systems and Laser Technology
  • Optical Construction
  • Non-Invasive Measurement Techniques

Semester 2

• Nanoscience
• Non-Invasive Measurement Techniques
• Solar Cells
• Advanced Materials

Semester 3

• Sustainable Technologies
• One of:
  • Laser-Based Spectroscopic Techniques
  • Laser Physics
• Advanced Project in Physics
• One of:
  • Advanced Laser Systems and Laser Technology
  • Optical Construction

Semester 4

• Master’s Thesis in Physics

Theoretical Physics

To take this profile, in addition to the programme's general prerequisites, one must also be eligible for the course Modelling and Simulation.

Semester 1

• Quantum Mechanics 2
• Modeling and Simulation
• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• One of:
  • Electrodynamics II
  • General Relativity

Semester 2

• Two of:
  • Numerical Methods in Physics
  • Space Physics with Measuring Techniques
  • Quantum Field Theory I
• Two of:
  • Advanced Fluid Mechanics
  • Digital Physics
  • Non-linear Physics
  • Quantum Field Theory II
  • Monte Carlo Simulations of Critical Phenomena in Physics
  • Space Plasma Physics
  • Spacecraft Technology and Design
  • The Finite Element Method

Semester 3

• Advanced Project in Physics
• One of:
  • Information Theory, Networks and Markets
  • Modelling the Dynamics of Living Systems
  • Sustainable Technologies
  • Machine Learning in Physics
  • Matrix Computations and Applications
• Advanced Computational Methods in Fluid Mechanics
• One of:
  • Electrodynamics II
  • General Relativity

Semester 4

• Master’s Thesis in Physics

Deferment of studies

Information on deferment of studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Approved leave from studies

Information on approved leave from studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Discontinuation

Information on discontinuation is available on Umeå University's website.

Other

For more information, see Umeå University's Code of rules and procedures for first-cycle and second-cycle education https://www.umu.se/regelverk/