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Physics

For information on courses and requirements of each specialisation, please follow the links below. Please note that these are based on the Education and Examination Regulations for 2024-2025.

The Master Physics programme consists of the specialisations mentioned below.

A more detailed overview of the programme structure of each specialisation can be found in the appendices of the Course and Examination Regulations of the Physics Master programme

For information on courses and requirements of each specialisation, please follow the links below:

Research Specializations

Biological and Soft Matter Physics

Classical/Quantum information

Cosmology

Quantum Matter and Optics

Theoretical Physics

Interdisciplinary Specializations

Physics and Education

Physics and Business Studies

Physics and Science Communication and Society

Leiden/Delft MSc program

Furthermore we participate in the Leiden Delft MSc program QIST

For questions contact the Study Advisor Physics

First semester courses 2024-2025

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Advanced Optics 6
Advanced Topics in Theoretical Physics I 6
Biophysics 6
Complex Networks (BM) 6
Condensed Matter Physics 6
Econophysics 6
Effective Field Theory 3
Origin and Structure of the Standard Model 3
Quantum Information 3
Quantum Theory 6
Statistical Physics a 6
Statistical Physics b 3
Theory of General Relativity 6

Inter-faculty Electives

Computational Chemistry and Molecular Simulations (CCMS) 6
Density Functional Theory in Practice (DIP) 6
Science Methodology (SCM) 4

Second semester courses 2024-2025

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Academic and Professional Skills (Science) 3
Advanced Topics in Theoretical Physics II 6
Applied Quantum Algorithms 6
Computational Physics (3 EC) 3
Computational Physics (6 EC) 6
Frontiers of Measurement Techniques 3
Mechanical Metamaterials 6
Particle Physics and Early Universe 3
Physics and Classical / Quantum Information 6
Physics of Finance 3
Quantum Field Theory 6
Quantum Optics 6
Soft and Biomatter Theory 6
Superconductivity 3
Theoretical Cosmology 3
Theory of Condensed Matter 6
Topics in Theoretical Physics: Topological Order in Quantum Matter 6
Science and the public: contemporary and historical perspectives 6

MSc Research Projects

Admission requirements
Depending on your specialization, you do one or two MSc research projects in the second study year. You can only start the research project when you are on track, i.e., when you have acquired close to 60 ECs of your MSc Physics program. In exceptional cases, you can also start a project after half a year of study. Master's Research Project can only be started in consultation with the study advisor.

Description
The Master's Research Project is an integral and vital part of your training as an Physics master's student at Leiden University. During a period of typically 4-9 months, you engage in state-of-the-art research at LION, the Physics Institute of Leiden University. You will be supervised by a scientific staff member and hosted in a research group, where you will participate in new or ongoing research, regular group meetings, seminars, and other activities. Each Master's Research Project is concluded with a Master's Thesis and a Student Presentation.

Each project must be approved by the study advisor before the start.
For some specializations, at least one of the two research projects has to be carried out in an experimental group. All research projects are performed under the responsibility of a LION staff member. One project must be carried out in a LION group. Up to one project can be carried out outside LION.

Practical information

  • Information regarding the conditions for each specialization please check the OER

  • Relevant information on procedures and forms for the registration, assessment etc. can be found on the master's research projects page on the Physics student's website

  • For general questions or in case of problems during your research that you would prefer to discuss confidentially, contact our Physics study advisor Chara Papathanasiou.

Course Level

Level indication

The level of an individual course is indicated with a number ranging from 100 to 600 as follows:

  • Level 100 Introductory course; no course prerequisites Intensive supervision, textbooks in Dutch, guided work groups, etc Mostly first year courses, some second year (bachelor’s)

  • Level 200 Introductory course; no specific course prerequisistes Independent study techniques required, books in English may be used Mostly second year courses, some first year (bachelor’s)

  • Level 300 Course for advanced students; course prerequisites at level 100 or 200 Books in various languages (only if relevant) Examinations test the student’s skills in applying acquired knowledge and insights into new problems

  • Level 400 Specialised course; course prerequisites at level 200 or 300. Books mostly in languages other than Dutch; extensive use of scientific articles. Examination may include a small research project, an oral report, or written papers. Third year bachelor’s or first year master’s course

  • Level 500 Master course: scientifically oriented course. Course prerequisites at level 300/400. Scientific advanced specialist/professional literature

  • Level 600 Master course: very advanced scientific course with as prerequisite a level 400/500 course. Latest developments in scientific field. Examination consists of a contribution to an unsolved problem, with an oral presentation.

Career Preparation

Career preparation at Leiden University

In addition to offering you a solid university education, Leiden University aims to prepare you as well as possible for the labour market, and in doing so contribute to the development of your employability. In this way, it will become easier for you to make the transition to the labour market, to remain employable in a dynamic labour market, in a (career) job that suits your own personal values, preferences and development.

'Employability' consists of the following aspects that you will develop within your study programme, among others:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.

2. Transferable skills
These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example: researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.

3. Self-reflection
This concerns self-reflection in the context of your (study) career, including reflecting on the choices you make as a student during your studies, what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?

In addition, reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?

4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through internships, work placements, projects, practical (social) assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment.

5. Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences from the work field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, interviewing people from the work field, and shadowing/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.

Employability in the curriculum of Physics

General
The MSc Physics program at Leiden University aims to provide you with the best possible preparation to enter the job market after graduation.

The major part of the MSc Physics programme involves the MSc Thesis projects. This is the moment where you learn to transfer your training of discipline-specific knowledge into practical skills to apply them to problems at hand. The program emphasizes that Science Research is always done as a team. The MSc Thesis project also teaches you to work in a professional environment and fosters the development of an extensive set of transferable collaborative and planning skills.

In addition, the required course (APS, 3 EC) focuses on the broader context in which the knowledge and training you received as part of your BSc and MSc physics training is useful and applied in professions outside of fundamental research. It includes the reflection back of this on your conscious choices for their own professional development and preparation for a successful start of their career on the job market.

Activities contributing to career orientation within the curriculum

First Year:

  • Physics Science Day

  • As part of the Course Academic and Professional Skills APS

    • Lectures by and discussion with alumni about their career development
    • Group work on a project that relates to physics education
    • Networking
    • Reflection on writing one's CV
    • Reflection on job interview preparation
    • Insights into teamwork (roles, rules, personal and interpersonal skills)

Second Year:

  • Multisession workshop “Applying for a job”

  • MSc Thesis project

    • Skills that are actual and linked to current research questions
    • Independence
    • Team work
    • Presentation skills
    • Networking
  • Company internship

Activities to prepare for the labour market co-curricular or outside of the curriculum

Every year, various activities take place, within, alongside and outside of your study programme, which contribute to your preparation for the labour market, especially where it concerns orientation towards the work field/the labour market, (career) skills and self-reflection. These may be information meetings on decision moments within your programme, but also career workshops and events organised by your own programme, the faculty Career Service or your study association.

Career Service, LU Career Zone and career workshops calendar

Faculty Career Service
The Career Service of your faculty offers information and advice on study (re)orientation and master's choice, (study) career planning, orientation on the labour market and job applications.

Leiden University Career Zone Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.

Workshops and events
On the course calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Career services.