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Master programme: Nuclear and particle physics

 

Duration: 3 Terms
Form of education: Full time

Programme Chair: Assoc. Prof. Ph.D. Leandar Litov
Tel.: (+ 3592) 8161 410
Е-mail: litov@phys.uni-sofia.bg

 

Curriculum (pdf)

 

Тhе MSc programme Nuclear and Particle Physics aims to prepare highly qualified specialists in the field of nuclear physics, particle physics, radiation physics. After successful graduation the students will have knowledge and skills to perform fundamental and applied scientific research, development of experimental equipment, as well as routine measurements in the laboratories.

  • Admission

The successful candidate should have a BSc degree in physics. If the candidate does not have sufficient relevant background (at least 180 lecture hours or 15 ECTS credits in subjects in the field of nuclear and particle physics), he/she should attend additional courses during the MSc study.

  • Curriculum

During the first two semesters students should attend elective lecture courses (at least 300 hours per semester, equivalent to 30 ECTS) and successfully take exams. At least 4 of the lecture courses should be chosen from the list of obligatory courses. One course from another MSc programme (Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, Nuclear Energy and Technology or Medical Physics) can be chosen as well. The total number of courses for the first and the second semester should be at least 10. The third semester is foreseen for research work under supervision of senior tutors, MSc thesis preparation and participation in scientific seminars (30 ECTS in total).

The working language is English.

The lecturers in the Nuclear and Particle Physics MSc program are given by professors and specialists from the Faculty of Physics and Faculty of Mathematics of the University of Sofia and specialists from the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy of the Bulgarian Academy of Science.

  • Notes:
  1. Number of exams: 10 –12.
  2. If a student lacks sufficient background in the field (at least 180 lecture hours or 15 ECTS credits in subjects in the field of Nuclear and Particle Physics), he/she should attend additional courses from the BSc programme during the MSc study.
  • Exams during MSc study

Every lecture course ends with an exam to evaluate the knowledge. The form of the exam is specific for the given course and is described in the annotation of the course. The MSc study finishes with a MSc thesis defense which gives 15 ECTS. The defenses are scheduled twice per year – in the period February-March and June-July.

  • Equipment and field of researches

The highest quality of education is ensured by a multimedia center and two libraries as well as several laboratories: Particle Physics Laboratory, GRID Technology and Particle Physics Laboratory, Experimental Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Nuclear Electronics Laboratory, Laboratory for Computer Simulations of Physical Processes, Dosimetry and Radiation Protection Laboratory, Educational Biophysical Laboratory, Biomembranes, Biosensors and Biophysics of the Biomembranes Laboratory.

Tutors are involved in research in the field of: particle physics, nuclear physics, radioecology, natural radioactivity and metrology of ionizing radiation, simulation of physical processes.

  • Job opportunity for the MSc and possibilities for further specialization.

The graduates in Nuclear and Particle Physics can find further realization in:

  • scientific institutes and laboratories for fundamental research in the field of nuclear and particle physics;
  • scientific and applied laboratories which use nuclear methods and technologies; nuclear power plants; radiochemical laboratories; laboratories for dosimetry, radiation protection and radioecology; laboratories for medical equipment R&D.
  • Our MSc students have already found jobs and have a successful career at:
  • JINR (Joint Institute for Nuclear Research) – international research center situated in Dubna (Russia)
  • CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), situated near Geneva on the Swiss-French border
  • USA: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab); University of Chicago, Northwestern University (Evanston), University of Cincinnati, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University
  • Germany – Darmstadt (GSI), University of Mainz, DESY-Zeuthen, Berlin, Hamburg (HERA)
  • United Kingdom (UK) – University of Manchester, University of Bristol
  • Italy
  • The Netherlands
  • France
  • Switzerland – University of Geneva
  • Founder and owner of Yantel enterprise (USA) for electronics for cosmic research is a colleague of ours. He has helped us in the development and modernization of our Nuclear Electronics Laboratory.

The above list of research centres, universities, enterprises, etc. represents just a part of the institutions at which we have partners and we are collaborating with. The MSc students have the opportunity to work in these centres and to gain experience and qualification there.