Entry requirements: degree in Physics, Mathematics or Engineering
Language of instruction: Spanish/English
Basic structure of curriculum
The curriculum combines theoretical, experimental and instrumental knowledge necessary for the training of scientists and technologists in fields such as high energy physics, cosmology, astronomy, astrophysics and astroparticle physics, as well as the necessary tools for these research.
It takes into account the preferences of students and also their experience and previous training from physics, mathematics, or engineering degrees. It consists of 90 ECTS credits distributed as follows:
- 12 compulsory ECTs (2 courses of 6 ECTs each)
- 48 optional ECTs (8 courses of 6 ECTs each to choose from a total offer of 15)
- 12 ECTs of external internship (of which 4 ECTs can be optionally taken in complementary activities as attendance at schools, confenrences and other activities)
- 18 ECTs of Master’s Thesis
| SUBJECT | COURSE | ECTS | Semester |
|
Compulsory module |
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| Frontier topics | Frontier topics in cosmology, astrophysics and particle physics | 6 | S1+S2 |
| Mathematical and computational methods | Mathematical and computational methods in cosmology, astrophysics and particle physics | 6 | S1+S2 |
|
Master thesis module |
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| Master Thesis | Master’s Thesis | 18 | S3 |
|
Internship module |
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| Internships | Internships and complementary activities | 12 | S3 |
|
Elective module |
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| Cosmology and relativity | Cosmology I: the early universe. | 6 | S1 |
| Cosmology II: formation of structures in the universe | 6 | S2 | |
| General relativity and gravitational waves | 6 | S2 | |
| Astrophysics | Observational astrophysics | 6 | S1 |
| Stellar astrophysics | 6 | S2 | |
| Extragalactic astrophysics | 6 | S2 | |
| Particle physics | Quantum field theory | 6 | S1 |
| Electrodynamics: interaction of radiation and matter | 6 | S1 | |
| Theory and phenomenology of the standard model of particle physics | 6 | S1 | |
| Particle physics beyond the standard model | 6 | S2 | |
| Astroparticle physics | Astroparticle physics I: gamma rays, neutrinos and cosmic rays. | 6 | S1 |
| Astroparticle physics II: the dark universe | 6 | S2 | |
| Instrumental techniques | Techniques of low radioactivity background | 6 | S1 |
| Physics and engineering of particle detectors | 6 | S2 | |
| Instrumentation for astronomy and particle physics experiments. | 6 | S1 | |
The 60 ECTS credits corresponding to courses are organized in two semesters from September to June. The third semester (months from June to December) is released from classes to allow full-time internships, complementary activities and Master Thesis work. The Master’s Thesis (TFM) can be presented and defended in any of the 4 calls foreseen by the University of Zaragoza (February, June, September and December).
The aim of the Master’s Thesis is the realization of a personal research work, directed and supervised, but with the student being responsible for his/her work. He or she must be able to deal with the resolution of a problem within the research line chosen with certain autonomy and independence, within a work team. The internship program and complementary activities are one of the strengths of the Master, and thus are considered in the structure of the title: a) by assigning 12 compulsory ECTS credits to these activities, and b) by adapting the temporal distribution of the courses.
The 12 ECTS credits of compulsory internships and other activities (300 hours, 8 full-time weeks) along with the 18 ECTS credits of the TFM (12 weeks full-time), involve more than 5 months of immersion in a real work environment in which to start effectively a professional career as a technologist or researcher.
Educational methodology
The teaching-learning process is based on active methodologies, with the students being responsible for their own learning, following the dictates of the European Space of Higher Education for the training of professionals.
Specific resources and didactic methods are needed for the proposed blended methodology as face-to-face classes where the teacher and students work together the themes of each subject, but with documents and audiovisual materials for students who follow online classes. New technologies allow the creation of virtual learning communities and each subject will have an online course in the Moodle platform where students will be able to have access to texts and study guides, audiovisual (including, according to availability, classes and seminars) materials, interactive activities (including virtual practice), assessment tools, forums and chats. All classes, materials and activities will be offered in English and Spanish languages