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Physics

Master

How is Physics structured?

The master’s programme programme in Physics takes two years to complete, and each academic year is divided into two semesters.

The diagramme below gives you an overview of the course of study. On small screens, it works best in landscape mode.

Areas of specialization

Each area of specialization consists of a number of elective courses and projects, which we recommend you choose from if you wish to specialize in the relevant research area.

  • In fundamental physics, you learn about the fundamental laws that govern the universe as a whole as well as its fundamental constituents.

    We cover physics at the largest possible scales, for instance in General Relativity and cosmology, where we explore the universe as a whole. We cover physics at the smallest possible scales, for instance in Quantum Field Theory and astroparticle physics, where we discuss elementary particles and their fundamental interactions.

    Moreover, we cover physics at some of its most extreme frontiers when we explore black holes. Finally, we also cover some of the most fascinating mysteries in modern physics in dark matter and in quantum gravity.

    Recommended autumn courses

    Recommended spring courses

  • Historically, physics has been driven by theories and experiments, but today computational physics is also a strong driving force in many areas. Instead of laboratories we use supercomputers, instead of samples we use mathematical models, and instead of analytical theories we develop algorithms and write software.

    By simulating models of everything from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos, we gain fundamental insights into nature that can be difficult to obtain by experiment and theory alone.

    By visualising our simulation results, we can make pictures or films that illustrate the fascinating physics behind complex phenomena: For example how electrons in certain proteins allow birds to sense the magnetic field, how molecules in rubber respond to deformation and hence how elasticity emerges at molecular scale, or how proteins transport molecules across the cell membrane. Visualisation is also an ideal tool for teaching and learning the physics of complicated systems. By simulating models of complex systems students can conduct virtual experiments and even change the fundamental laws of nature, and study how “our” universe emerges out of “our” particular laws of nature.

    At SDU, our main focus is the physics of molecules of light and heavy atoms, cell membranes, nucleic acids, what makes living matter different from non-living matter, bird navigation, glassy systems and aging, soft-condensed materials, and ecosystems. These interdisciplinary topics touch on biology, materials science, artificial life, chemistry and sociology. We also collaborate with industry and apply our models to addressing practical problems such as improving drug delivery systems, rubber materials for car tires, or how milk turns into yoghurt and cheese.

    We are unique in offering projects within such a wide range of computational topics to students. SDU also hosts the Abacus 2.0 supercomputer which has in excess of 14,000 cores. Abacus 2.0 is not only our laboratory for studying physics, but also the laboratory where we teach physics to students and where students work on their projects.

    Recommended autumn courses

    Recommended spring courses

  • In biophysics you learn how the principles of physics determine the behaviour of living systems and soft materials.

    Biological systems can often be modelled by well-known interactions and properties on a short scale, resulting in a complex emergent behaviour at a larger scale. If mechanisms for biological processes can be identified, they can be used for treatment of diseases or development of new technological materials.

    Examples of biophysical systems include live cells, cell membranes, liquid crystals and polymers. The Biophysics track involves concepts from Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics, Mechanics, Optics, Experimental methods and Microscopy.

    Particularly recommended autumn course

    Recommended spring courses

  • In optics and laser physics you learn how light and matter interact, from the classical scale with ray and wave optics down to the scale where quantum mechanics govern the interactions of atoms and photons. You also learn how this is applied in laser physics and through advanced microscopy techniques. You can also learn how these techniques are used to study systems, such as biological cells and liquid crystals.

    This track in particular shares content with the Physics and Technology Engineering programme offered by the Faculty of Engineering, but also provides the opportunity to follow fundamental theoretical physics courses, such as Quantum physics and Advanced statistical physics.

    Particularly recommended autumn course

    Recommended spring courses

Example of schedule

Below is an example of how your weekly schedule might look like in the first semester of the master’s programme in Physics. Please note that your schedule may vary from week to week and that teaching activities may be scheduled on weekdays in the hours between 8 and 18.

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
8-10
Research activities in experimental physics (common class)





10-12
Advanced statistical physics (common class)

10-12
Quantum physics (group class)




12-14
Advanced statistical physics (group class)
14-16
Advanced statistical physics (common class)
14-16
Quantum physics (common class)
14-16
Galactic dynamics and dark matter (common class)
14-16
Galactic dynamics and dark matter (group class)

 
16-18
Quantum physics (common class)

The programme regulations are the legal foundation of the programme. They describe the rules applying to the programme, including the admission requirements, the programme structure, the qualifications you will achieve, and a summary of the general rules applying to all students.

As a student, you are responsible for keeping up to date with the programme regulations, which may be revised once every year – any changes typically come into effect on 1 September.

See the programme regulations on MySDU

A course description is a detailed description of a course, in which you can read about the aim and contents of the course, teaching methods, the expected workload and the form of the exam.

The Master's degree programme in Physics includes the opportunity to complete a company project during the 2nd semester.

A company project is a well-defined project, which is done part-time or full-time in a company or organisation, and which has a scope of 10, 15 or 30 ECTS. A company project places demands on learning on a par with other courses at the university. There is both an SDU supervisor and a company supervisor associated with the project.

The company project must take a specific problem as its starting point and the study board must approve the project description before you can start working on the project.

Company projects are always unpaid.

As part of the Master's degree programme in Physics, you have the opportunity study abroad at a university outside Denmark, either during the 2nd semester or as part of your thesis project.

You can choose either a university that SDU collaborates with, or you can choose to arrange your stay at another university. SDU collaborates with more than 200 partner universities, and we want to help you find the perfect place for you.

If you start the programme in September, spending your 2nd semester abroad grants you the most flexibility – if you start in February, you get the most flexibility if you spend the 1st semester abroad. Additionally, on the second year of the programme, you have the opportunity to do your Master's thesis project or parts of it abroad.

Read more about spending a semester abroad on MySDU

On the 2nd year of the programme, you will work on your Master's Thesis project, which has a scope of 60 ECTS.

You will typically be affiliated with your supervisor's research group at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, who will be able to counsel and guide you in your literature search and your collection and processing of research data.

Academic culture in Denmark

Danish academic culture is characterised by active participation in class, group work and critical thinking. Rather than simply accumulating and reproducing knowledge, you will be expected to analyse, question and discuss the course topics.

The relationship between lecturers and students is often rather informal; students and lecturers may find themselves joking together and engaging in vigorous debates during classes and lectures.

Studerende på Syddansk Universitet