Physics, Master's, 2 years

Specialisations

Career

As a fully trained physicist, you have expertise in physics and technology combined with broad expertise in science. This ensures that you are well equipped to fill important roles in research, education, industry, management, and society.

With a master's degree in physics, you will have many available career paths in both the public and private sector. You can work both centrally and regionally, among others in technology companies, in hospitals, in consulting companies, and in government ministries and directorates. You can also specialize in various branches of physics and work as a scientist or engineer at national and international research centres such as CERN and ESA.

The candidates from us are working, among other things, as:

• Medical physicist in Helse Vest
• Senior Development Engineer in Data Respons
• Physics in 3-PHASE Measurements
• Application Developer for Apple in Silicon Valley

An additional one-year practical pedagogical education (PPU), qualifies you to work as a teacher in upper secondary school.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in research, you can apply for a PhD degree at UoB or at another institution.

Structure

The program covers two academic years (four semesters) and normally starts in the autumn.

In the first year of your studies, you normally follow courses (50 to 60 credits). Course, syllabi, and study plans depend on which specialisation you choose.

The second year you mainly work with the research for your master's thesis. Having a whole year dedicated to the thesis gives you the chance to really focus on your own independent scientific work.

You choose your master's topic from available master's projects in physics, or you can find a suitable subject in cooperation with your supervisor.

Student life

The life of a master's student in physics is hectic and rewarding.

Your workweek will be full of activities such as:

• Laboratory work
• Field work, for example at CERN, Sognefjorden and Svalbard
• ... and of course, lectures and other learning activities.

You will be taught by world-class researchers in their fields. Our department is an important partner in the international research environment and work closely with universities and research institutions in Norway and abroad. This implies that you can get to know and get assistance from the best national and international researchers as a master’s student at our department.

We create an environment where you as a student are a natural part of the research group, and the work environment is inclusive and informal.

Depending on which research group you are associated with in your master's work, it is possible with practical field work on beautiful Norwegian locations such as Marifjøra in Luster or at Andøya Space. For other directions, there are opportunities for having longer stays at for instance  Svalbard or CERN in Switzerland. Regardless of direction, you will gain broad experience in programming and in processing of large amounts of data.

We value the quality of education highly. We have a living didactic environment with active research on students' learning. We have our own teacher forum, and an interdisciplinary working group that focuses on quality in teaching. As a master's student, you can, among other things, gain valuable work experience as a student assistant or mentor for younger students.

Fagutvalget for Fysikk og Teknologi (FFT) and the association Doppler are the student organizations for all physics students. They organize social and academic activities and are a link between all the students at our department. Connect with them at FFT's Facebook page.

Once you start working on your master's thesis, you will have your own desk at the Department of Physics and Technology (IFT), which you will find centrally located on Nygårdshøyden south, right in the centre of Bergen.

What you will learn

The programme is suitable for students who are reflective, and who have an inquisitive, critical, and curious approach to the world. You will be trained in thinking creatively and outside standard explanatory models and disciplinary boundaries. You will also learn basic research methods in field-based, experimental, and theory-oriented research related to the different specialisations in physics.

With a master's degree in physics, you will:

• contribute to the understanding of topics within physics and technology that are important for the field of research and for society.
• retrieve, analyse, and apply new knowledge.
• analyse, interpret, and discuss your own data in an academic and critical manner, in light of information and theories in the field.
• work in accordance with scientific principles, and understand and respect openness, precision, accountability, and the significance of distinguishing between knowledge and opinion.

See complete list of compulsory learning outcomes under each specialisation.

Study period abroad

There are several alternatives for students who want to a study period abroad. You can carry out fieldwork and take courses at the University Centre on Svalbard, apply to be a summer student or technical student at CERN or take part in other exchange activity after consulting with your supervisor.

Admission requirements

The master's program in physics is based on a bachelor's degree in physics or a subject area in a corresponding subject circle. The different fields of study have slightly different requirements for the composition of courses, so the admission requirements are given under each specialisation.

Bachelor's degree from UoB that qualifies:

• Bachelor's degree in physics
• Bachelor of Mathematics, given that PHYS111, PHYS112, PHYS113, PHYS114 and PHYS118 are included in the degree. One of the courses can be included in the master's degree.

• Bachelor of Climate, Atmospheric and Marine Physics, given that PHYS112 AND PHYS118 or PHYS119 are included in the degree.
• Bachelor in nanophysics, given that MAT112, PHYS114, MAT121 and MAT131 are included in the degree.

For the specialisation in Microelectronics, a basic electrical engineering subject corresponding to ELE141 and/or ELE142 (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences) is required in addition.

External bachelor's degrees that qualify:

• Other bachelor's degrees may qualify if you meet the admission requirements as described above. I.e., you must hold a minimum of:
  • 70 ECTS physics, where 10 ECTS should be lab work,
  • 40 ECTS mathematics
  • 10 ECTS programming

In addition, applicants with the following background are qualified for two specialisations:

• Microelectronics: Bachelor's degree in electronics engineering, including specialisation in physics/mathematics (Advanced mathematics and physics for computer and electronics)
• Measurement technology and nanophysics: Engineering educations in electronics/ automation/computer technology, including specialisation in physics/mathematics (Advanced mathematics and physics for data and electronics)

You also need to document:

• Average grade of at least C (equivalent to a Norwegian grade C)
• Language requirements for bilingual programs.

NOTE! Contact the study section at studie.fysikk@uib.no if you have questions related to the admission.

How to apply

Follow these links to find the general entry requirements and guidelines on how to apply:

• Citizens from outside the European Union/EEA/EFTA (1 December)
• Citizens from within the European Union/EEA/EFTA (1 March)
• Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway (15 April)

You will also have to meet the programme specific entry requirements

Please note that the regular admission is in fall. A supplementary admission is available in the spring (application deadline 1 November), if not all spots have been filled in the fall admission. The spring admission does not apply for applicants from outside the European Union/EEA/EFTA.