Master of Science in Physics

Physics has been the main motor of the spectacular scientific and technological developments of the 20^th century and will definitely continue to play a dominant role for the promotion of science at large in this century.
The study programme in Physics provides you with more advanced courses, and starts the process of specialisation. The Master's thesis is supervised by an active researcher and initiates you to the frontiers of research. At the Master's level, about half of the courses are compulsory and of general interest, the other half consists of more specialized elective courses. Specialized lectures may also be taken at other universities, in particular Bern. It is recommended that you follow the specialised lectures in the field of your future Master's thesis. Other lectures, at your discretion, are necessary to complete the requirements. The lectures are complemented by seminars on modern research topics and advanced laboratory work, colloquia and project in research group.

• Profile and Options

  At Master's level, this study programme in Physics provides students with advanced courses and starts the process of specialisation. About half of the courses are compulsory and of general interest, the other half consists of more specialised elective courses.
  The Master's thesis will be supervised by an active researcher and initiates students to the frontiers of research, in the following subjects: Electrons in solids, Soft matter and photonics, Theoretical interdisciplinary physics, Collective quantum phenomena and Nanosciences (Nanomaterials).
  At the end of the programme, students will have learned how to apply their knowledge to do research projects and how to work independently or integrate into an interdisciplinary research team.

  Compulsory courses:

  • Theoretical physics: Relativistic quantum mechanics, Field theory, Many-body theory;
  • Condensed matter physics: Magnetism and quantum fluids, Soft condensed matter;
  • Constituents of matter: Electrons and photons, Atomic spectroscopy, Modern optics.

  Elective courses:

  • Specialized courses (examples): Optics of strongly scattering media, Physics of living matter, Interdisciplinary statistical physics, Advanced materials, Polarized light and polarized atoms, Solid state magnetism, Colloid physics, Solid state spectroscopy, Polymer physics, Symmetries in physics, Atomic collisions, Scattering methods in soft condensed matter, Theories of high temperature superconductors, Physics of information, Critical phenomena, Exotic atomic transitions, Magneto-optical effects in atoms, Synchrotron radiation, experimental astrophysics, cosmology and relativity;
  • Other courses: at the discretion of the student (for example, a course in Scientific English). Should you be interested in taking courses at the University of Bern, please note that you must register at UniBe Course catalogue University of Bern

  Important info concerning procedure, registration and travel expenses reimbursment are available here

  Master's thesis

  Subject in following fields: Atomic physics, Electrons in solids, Soft matter and photonics, Theoretical interdisciplinary physics, Collective quantum phenomena and Nanosciences (Nanomaterials).

• Academic and Professional Career Opportunities

  The aim of the studies leading to the award of a Master of Science in Physics is to deepen knowledge and perfect competence and at the same time develop skills in scientific English.
  At the end of the study programme, you will have shown that you can apply your knowledge to accomplish a research project and will have learned how to work independently or how to integrate into an interdisciplinary research team.
  The award of the degree requires creative and self-critical talents as well as the ability to communicate ideas and work both in English and your native language.

  The Master's degree in Physics opens many doors, a natural choice being doctoral studies. A Ph.D. degree is necessary or advantageous for continuing work in academic or industrial research positions. Teaching at Secondary level is another obvious choice (see «Course offerings, "Teacher Education for Secondary Level").
  Learning scientific rigor, abstract thinking, experimental and mathematical skills, the ability to describe concrete phenomena by theoretical models, the ability to identify relevant variables, are skills of good standing in the search for employment in both the public and private sectors. Branches where physicists are welcome include machine and electronic industries, applied computing, insurance companies, risk management and even financial mathematics. Besides those typical careers, physicists frequently appear in important managerial positions or in politics.

• The Fribourg Advantage

   Life in Fribourg

• Organisation and Admission

  Structure of studies

  90 ECTS credits, 3 semesters

  1^st and 2^nd semester

  • advanced condensed matter
  • atoms and photons
  • project : you perform a work in one of our research groups
  • colloquia and proseminars
  • elective courses : specialization and other courses

  3^rd semester

  • elective courses : specialization and other courses
  • master thesis : real research work in one of our groups under the supervision of an active researcher

  Admission

  Master's degree programmes are built on the knowledge and abilities that were acquired when obtaining a Bachelor's degree.

  Holders of a Bachelor's degree awarded from a Swiss university can be admitted to a Master's degree programme within the corresponding discipline without any additional requirements. The same applies to holders of a Bachelor's degree awarded by a foreign university, provided that the Bachelor's degree is recognised and considered equivalent by the University of Fribourg.

  Holders of a Bachelor's degree awarded from a Swiss university or holders of a Bachelor's degree awarded by a foreign university, provided that the Bachelor's degree is recognised and considered equivalent by the University of Fribourg, can be admitted to a Master's degree programme within another discipline with prerequisites (must be successfully completed before starting the Master's degree programme) or additional requirements (can be completed during the Master's degree programme). According to existing agreements, holders of a Bachelor's degree awarded from a Swiss university of applied sciences can also be admitted with prerequisites or additional requirements.

  The respective conditions of admission for each Master's degree programme are reserved.