Applied Physics

120

Note: use the menu at the left for information on each subset of the programme.

The structure described here applies to students starting the programme in 2024. For students who started in 2023-2024 or earlier, the old rules apply (with a thesis project of 48ec (AP3902) and an internship of 18ec (AP3911).

The Applied Physics programme is a two-year master programme and comprises 120EC. The programme has a core-orientation structure. Within this structure, there is a choice of research tracks:

• Physics for Energy,
• Physics for Fluids Engineering,
• Physics for Health and Life,
• Physics for Instrumentation,
• Physics for Quantum Devices and Quantum Computing.



CORE PROGRAMME

The Applied Physics core programme comprises 90EC and has the same structure for all tracks and students:

• 12EC of compulsory modules: Mathematical Methods for Physics (9EC) and Ethics and Engineering (3EC).
• 12EC of advanced fundamental physics modules: choose two (out of four) advanced physics modules. These modules aim at depth as well as breadth in general physics knowledge.
• 15EC of of track-list electives: technical and science subjects related to the tracks. These modules are more specialised and representative for the research areas of the physics departments.
• 6EC advanced fundamental physics, track-list, or general electives.
• 45EC Master Thesis Project: to be carried out in a research section within the faculty of Applied Sciences or in an affiliated group.



ORIENTATIONS

Combining the core programme with a 30EC orientation completes the master programme. The orientation allows for a broadening of knowledge or for additional depth. Students may opt for:

• Research and Development (R&D) – System Engineering for Physicists (5EC), Professional Practice (15EC), and 10EC of additional electives chosen from subjects on the advanced fundamental physics list, track lists, the list of general electives, or (with a maximum of 6EC) Societal modules.
• Education (Ed1/Ed2) – get a Dutch secondary school qualification.
• Management of Technology (MoT) – consists of (either the first or) the second semester of the MSc MoT programme.
• Study-abroad (SA) – a semester, 30EC of modules, at a foreign university; optionally including a research project.
• Pre-PhD - see Pre-PhD special programme, below.


SPECIAL PROGRAMMES

Special programmes, which imply restrictions on the Applied Physics core programme, are:

• Pre-PhD special programme - focussing on the preparation and education of students for a PhD position. The 30EC orientation part of the programme consists of Academic Skills (3EC), an Academic Research project (12EC), and electives (15EC). There are additional requirements for the choice of the Advanced Fundamental Physics and Track-list modules.
Admission requirements are based on the results in the first semester of the programme (at least 7.5 weighted average, no study delay, and a convincing motivation).

• MP Optics & Photonics special programme - a 4TU initiative fitting within the Physics for Instrumentation track and the R&D orientation with a focus on optics and photonics. There are additional requirements for the choice of the Advanced Fundamental Physics and Track-list modules.
There are no admission requirements. This special programme is open to all students.



PROGRAMME ADDITIONS

• Honours Programme: This is an additional individual challenging programme of at least 20 EC on top of the regular programme for students with a better than average performance in their MSc programme (>7.5 weighted average and no study delay). Approval by the director of studies is needed. The full Applied Physics programme including the additional honours programme must be finished according to schedule.

• Double degree programmes: These are three year programmes: Applied Physics – Management of Technology, Applied Physics – Applied Mathematics, or an individually approved combination of Applied Physics with another MSc programme. FORMAL PERMISSION TO START A DOUBLE DEGREE PROGRAMME IS ALWAYS REQUIRED IN ADVANCE !!

REGULATIONS

See http://www.tnw.tudelft.nl/regulations (or Brightspace) for the official regulations of the programme:
- Teaching and Examination Regulations 2024-2025 ("OER")
- TER Appendix - Programme Specifics MSc Applied Physics 2024-2025
- Rules and Guidelines of the Board of Examiners 2024-2025 ("RRvE").

The student meets the requirements for the degree audit once the following have been met:
a. a result has been earned for all required modules: a mark, a pass (v) or an exemption (vr);
b. none of the marks may be lower than 6.0.

The designation ‘with distinction’ for Master’s degree audits.

1. A student can receive the designation ‘with distinction’ for the Master’s degree audit if the Board of Examiners decides to grant this distinction and the following requirements have been met:
a. the weighted average of the results of the courses not including the MSc final project is at least 8.0; passes (v) and exemptions (vr) will not be taken into consideration;
b. the number of credits for the courses for which a pass (v) has been earned or for which an exemption (vr) has been granted may not exceed 40 credits in total;
c. The result for the MSc final project is at least 9.0;
d. None of the marks may be lower than 7.0;
e. The student’s degree programme has not taken longer than two years, calculated from the date of the first examination, taking into account any study delay that falls under the Graduation Support Scheme.

2. In special cases the Board of Examiners may decide to grant the designation ‘with distinction’ to a student who does not meet the requirements referred to in subsection 1 if the student in question has shown exceptional skills in the degree programme.