MSc in Physics
University Of L'Aquila
Key Information
Campus location
L'Aquila, Italy
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Introduction
Physics
Department: Physical and Chemical Sciences
Level: Master's
Class: LM17
Admission typology: Open admission with assessment of personal competencies and skills
Internationalization: International degree course
The Master’s Degree in Physics completes the general training, acquired with a Bachelor’s degree, by giving a solid common basis in the distinctive sectors, and allows students to acquire a deep knowledge of Frontier Physics in the chosen sectors of Micro- or Macrophysics, useful to work also in an international context.
Admissions
Curriculum
The proposed training path allows students to consolidate the knowledge of Modern Micro- and Macrophysics, included the Quantum Mechanics applied to Matter and Nuclear Physics, Quantum Electrodynamics and Physics of Atmospheric fluid dynamics and Space plasma, in addition to the knowledge of cutting-edge frontier topics in the chosen sector of micro- and macrophysics. The Degree Course provides for distinctive teaching modules for over 45 ECTS that include advanced experimental/laboratory/computational techniques, in addition to advanced theoretical topics and their application in different sectors.
In particular, at the end of the training path, Master’s graduates in Physics will gain:
Knowledge:
- excellent knowledge and understanding of mathematical/theoretical formalism in the field of quantum and statistical physics, and its implications in the different sectors of physics;
- deep knowledge of the principles of the major techniques and methodologies of experimental investigation and the consequent data analysis with applications related to the most recent methodologies, adopted in different contexts;
- specific advanced knowledge of theoretical formalism, principles, models and the most modern experimental techniques used in the chosen sector;
- knowledge of cutting-edge research topics in the chosen sector;
- knowledge of frontier topics belonging to related sectors chosen by the students;
- knowledge of calculation techniques for data processing and simulation of complex physical systems.
Abilities:
- ability to understand complex mathematical-physical formalisms in different sectors;
- ability to understand scientific articles and specific scientific literature;
- ability to apply mathematical models to real world physics problems;
- ability to understand and recognize the laws regulating the dynamics of physical phenomena in different fields, thanks to interdisciplinarity;
Learning methods: Ad-hoc teaching modules (distinctive, related and additional).
Assessment methods: Individual exams with final written and oral test.
Possible intermediate tests with partial or feedback assessment.
All the teaching modules of this training path provide for a final exam with a final written and/or oral test. In the laboratory courses, students are supported in activities that provide for the autonomous setting up of experimental equipment and the acquisition, analysis and processing of data obtained from both experiments and numerical simulations.
Applying knowledge and understanding
At the end of the training path, Master’s graduates in Physics will have gained the following abilities:
- ability to apply knowledge in different contexts and understand the interdisciplinary value of the acquired theories and experimental methodologies
- ability to test experimental equipment, in order to carry out usable measurements in the field of scientific research
- ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the frontier research in their own sector and in other sectors
- ability to test experimental equipment fit for the execution of usable measurements in the field of scientific research.
- ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the frontier research in their own sector.
- ability to apply, process and conceive advanced calculation techniques;
- ability to convert a real world physics problem into a mathematical model;
- ability to solve complex problems by means of equations and optimization techniques;
- ability to communicate their own reasoning and results in a clear and complete way to both specialist and non-specialist audience, in both written and oral form;
- ability to express formulaically the laws regulating the dynamics of physical phenomena, thanks to the interdisciplinary cooperation;
- transfer their own physical-scientific knowledge to third persons
- ability and flexibility to apply their reasoning skills and the scientific method to any other area.
Learning method: a group of common teaching modules of 40 ECTS gives an interdisciplinary perspective to apply knowledge and understanding; the final exam allows to develop individual skills in a medium-term project; the laboratory courses give the necessary knowledge and competencies to design and use an adequate measurement equipment to solve the issue under consideration.
Assessment method: all the examinations provide for the application of knowledge to previously unknown issues and stimulate the students’ initiative and autonomy.
Making Judgements
At the end of the training path, Master’s graduates in Physics will have acquired the ability to:
- critical reasoning;
- critically analyse a process in the light of the collected and examined data/evidences;
- carry out scientific research activities in the chosen sector;
- compare their own results with those pertaining to the available scientific literature, found in data bases and through bibliographic researches;
- conduct a critical and motivated analysis;
- find the most recent scientific literature pertaining to the issue under consideration.
Learning methods: Students gain these abilities by analysing and interpreting experimental data, critically comparing them with theoretical and model results, under the supervision of professors involved in scientific research activities pertaining to the sectors of the proposed paths.
Students are continuously stimulated, during the specific courses of the training path, to deepen relevant topics on different text books and original scientific articles.
Assessment methods: these competences are assessed with intermediate and final tests, in the context of the proposed courses and during the final examination.
Communication skills
At the end of the training path, Master’s graduates in Physics will have gained the following abilities:
- ability to support a scientific discussion by using the acquired knowledge and notions
- ability to use information technology tools to create a scientific presentation and support a scientific discussion in the presence of experts, on the basis of valid, convincing and relevant arguments
- ability to communicate the results of their own research to both specialist and non-specialist audience, by choosing the right language and presenting the most appropriate aspects in both cases. Learning methods: training activities that provide for the oral presentation of physics topics (essays and seminars in various contexts), also in English, which conclude with the presentation linked to the final exam.
Assessment methods: assessment of verbal communication skills, ability to motivate their own scientific conclusions and support a scientific debate during the oral exams and during the presentation of the degree thesis, all carried out in the presence of the faculty board.
Learning skills
During the training path, students gain advanced autonomous learning skills in both Italian and English language, being stimulated to conduct a bibliographic research (scientific texts and articles in English) and select the interesting material, by critically comparing and evaluating the various sources.
They gain, moreover, the skills to observe and understand the natural phenomena and the importance of research in the various sectors of physics, and to what extent the fundamental principles and the employed methodologies can be applied to many other fields.
Graduates are furthermore able to formulate complex lines of reasoning and modify standard demonstrations to adapt them to new situations, not always belonging to strictly scientific contexts.
Graduates eventually understand the limits of their knowledge and acquire the ability to identify relevant and useful text books, sources and scientific articles for in-depth analysis.
Learning methods: students progressively gain these skills by attending the specific courses and by preparing the Degree Thesis.
Assessment methods: some of the topics dealt with during the various courses are proposed for the autonomous learning and evaluated during the intermediate examinations and tests.
Program Outcome
The Master’s Degree in Physics completes the general training, acquired with a Bachelor’s degree, by giving a solid common basis in the distinctive sectors, and allows students to acquire a deep knowledge of Frontier Physics in the chosen sectors of Micro- or Macrophysics, useful to work also in an international context.
The training path is organized in curricula that focus on the disciplines of Microphysics and Space- Geophysics, potentially divided into training paths that reflect the research activities of the Department of Physics, and in particular:
- Particle physics and Astrophysics;
- Condensed matter physics: basic science and nanotechnologies;
- Space physics;
- Environmental physics and Meteorology.
The common education, given mainly during the first year, comprises topics of Quantum physics and Classical physics of micro and macro systems, content of common compulsory distinctive teaching modules.
During the second year of study, students essentially dedicate themselves to specific activities that introduce them to the chosen research field, which will be further deepened during the preparation of the degree thesis.
The specific areas provide for advanced training activities in:
- Area of Condensed matter physics and Nanotechnologies: it comprises the theoretical and modelling basis and the most advanced experimental methods of condensed matter physics and their application in the fundamental technological and research field.
- Area of Particle physics and Astrophysics: it regards knowledge of advanced mathematical formalism and specific experimental methods, and their application to the interaction between the constituents of sub-nuclear matter.
- Area of Space physics: it comprises knowledge of plasma physics, their dynamics and interaction with cosmic radiation.
- Area of Atmospheric Physics, Meteorology and Remote sensing: it includes the knowledge and the observational and theoretical basis for the study of atmosphere and climate, as well as the necessary modelling techniques and formalism for events forecast.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Role in a work environment:
The professional activities that master’s graduates can carry out are synthetically indicated as follows:
- activities of promotion and development of scientific and technological innovation
- management and design of technologies,
- functions of high responsibility in the sectors of industry, environment, healthcare, cultural heritage and public administration,
- ability to conceive original and rigorous demonstrations.
The solid scientific education of Physicists, and in particular the familiarity with mathematical models, computer science and experimental equipment, allows them to hold roles of design and analysis in a wide range of applications, also not directly connected to physics.
Physicists hold managerial positions in the hospitals, as experts of the applications of Physics on Medicine in the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies (ARPA), secondary school teaching jobs (where they hold the chair of physics, but also those of mathematics and computer science), in industrial research laboratories. Physicists, moreover, have functions of designers and analysts in computational activities that require the knowledge of mathematical models, and in the area of Information and Communication Technology.
Currently there isn’t in Italy a Professional Board of Physicists, but there are Draft Bills for its establishment
Skills associated with the function
Role competencies:
The competencies acquired by the Master’s graduates in Physics, usable in the world of work, allow them to access different professional opportunities that provide for:
- coordinating and supervising the activities of junior physicists and technicians;
- experimentation, research, also computational, training and update in the scientific disciplinary sectors concerning physics;
- writing analytical-instrumental procedures linked to physics investigation and research activities as well;
- freelance activities concerning the promotion of technological innovation and transfer, the employment of emerging technologies for the improvement of products and services, the guarantee of products and services quality and continuous adjustment of their functionalities to the technological development;
- Applications of physics to the analysis and solution of problems, especially for the effective use of available resources and the development of new opportunities;
- consultancies and opinions about pure and applied physics;
- consultancies about safety and hygiene at work, connected to the aspects of physics;
- design of mathematical models aimed at optimizing the processes for the sector of “industrial physics, physics of materials and information”;
- employment of equipment for the characterization of materials and applications in the following fields: chemical, mechanical, aerospace, electrical, electronics, telecommunications, energy, construction industry, transports, agri-food, biomedical, environment and cultural heritage;
- analysis of complex systems; application of computational techniques to the modelling and validation of complex phenomena and integrated systems;
- analysis and design of complex economic models, also by means of numerical simulations;
- physical and technical measures for application purposes; revelation, analysis and signal processing; electronic test and measurement equipment; interfacing between measurement equipment and digital processors; control systems for image acquisition and analysis;
- design and analysis in the fields of economics and finance, thanks to the ability to process and apply quantitative mathematical models to issues that present statistical and probabilistic aspects.
Professional status.
Professional opportunities:
The Master’s Degree Course in Physics is the main training opportunity for a Physicist who wants to exercise a highly specialized scientific profession with several professional opportunities, in the public (education and research centres, national and international laboratories, institutes and agencies operating in the scientific field) and in the private sector (companies operating in the technology, micro-electronics, software, nanotechnologies, energy and financial sectors). Physicists are able to work autonomously, assuming the responsibility of projects and facilities, using their specific competences to model complex systems in the field of basic and applied sciences; therefore, they can hold highly qualified positions.
The Master’s Degree in Physics represents, moreover, the basis of a career oriented towards specialized training and research professions and represents a preferential condition to access a PhD Programme in the same disciplinary area.
The graduates who have a sufficient number of ECTS in specific disciplinary sectors will be able to participate, as provided for by the existing law, at the admission tests for secondary school teacher training courses.