Content:
Students develop a physics-related project that allows them to gain new knowledge and practical experience in a specific field under the supervision of a professor in the physics section.
The project can take place in a laboratory at EPFL, in a university or in an external research center in Switzerland or abroad.
The training plan is fixed by the supervisor. It can be fully experimental or theoretical, or a mixed. It can also contain only courses. Courses in the doctoral program are accessible upon supervisor’s request.
(You cannot register for a Doctoral School course yourself. You must have the OK of the teacher, forward this email to [email protected] and ask them to register you for this course.)
Duration:
Specialization semester at EPFL: one semester (17 weeks + 1 week holiday Christmas/Easter).
Specialization semester outside EPFL min. 4 months, max. 6 months.
At EPFL: 9th September 2024 to 10th January 2025 and 7th February to 20th June 2025
If necessary, you can start earlier or later. The duration remains the same.
Submission of the written report to the project supervisor : 10th January or 20th June 2025
Supervision:
The Specialization semester must be supervised by a professor or MER (Maître d’enseignement et de recherche/Senior scientist) of the Physics Section, rare exceptions possible.
Registration:
Registration on IS-Academia, deadline: Friday of the 2nd week of the semester. No agreement or other document needed
Credits: 30 ECTS
The credits for the specialization semester are awarded on the basis of the evaluation of the specialization work. There are no credits attributed to courses taken as part of the specialization semester. A separate transcript is available on IS-Academia.
Students take courses and/or an experimental or theoretical laboratory work.
A written report is requested, an oral presentation may be requested, unless the specialization semester contains only lectures.
The Specialization Semester is graded by pass or fail.
If master credits are missing, you can take up to 8 credits during the Project if the responsible agrees.
Agreement or contract:
not necessary
https://www.epfl.ch/labs/het/master-programme/
Students having the necessary background will be introduced to modern research topics in High Energy Theory and will attend the following doctoral-level courses:
- Advanced Quantum Field Theory
- Gauge Theories and the Standard Model
- Conformal Field Theory and Gravity
Profs. João Penedones and Riccardo Rattazzi
These constitute the Specialization Semester, in the framework of the Master in Physics at EPFL, and have the purpose of complementing the work on the Master Dissertation. Naturally, the Master Dissertation is supervised by a professor from one of the high Energy Theory groups, which may be an extension of the TP project. This is when students put everything they have learned into practice, leading to work which is often published in distinguished scientific journals.
Students having interest in QST can take advanced courses during their specialization semester. They might be combined to an in-depth experimental or theoretical work in a research lab.
Quantum Computing PHYS-541
Prof. Vincenzo Savona
After introducing the foundations of quantum mechanics and of the measurement process, the course will cover the theory and practice of digital quantum computing. Both fundamental aspects and recent developments will be discussed, among which the most recent quantum algorithms, the theory of quantum error correction, and hybrid algorithms for the solution of optimization problems.
Course Book
Advanced Topics in Quantum Sciences and Technologies PHYS-744
Profs. Jean-Philippe Brantut, Christophe Galland, Vincenzo Savona and various lecturers.
This course provides an in-depth treatment of the latest experimental and theoretical topics in quantum sciences and technologies, with a focus on quantum sensing, quantum optics, cold atoms, and the theory of quantum measurements and open dissipative quantum systems.
Course Book
Students will follow three advanced courses to dig into the recent development of condensed matter theory:
Field theory in condensed matter physics PHYS-639 (compulsory)
Prof. Christopher Mudry
Course Book
Statistical Field Theory MATH-606
Neutron and X-ray Scattering of Quantum Materials PHYS-640
Prof. Henrik Rønnow, Ellen Fogh, Thorsten Schmitt
Course Book
Quantum Computing PHYS-541
Prof. Vincenzo Savona
After introducing the foundations of quantum mechanics and of the measurement process, the course will cover the theory and practice of digital quantum computing. Both fundamental aspects and recent developments will be discussed, among which the most recent quantum algorithms, the theory of quantum error correction, and hybrid algorithms for the solution of optimization problems.
Course Book
The Plasma Physics Specialization Semester mainly consists of an experimental or theoretical research project supervised by a researcher at the Swiss Plasma Center. In addition, the student will be introduced to advanced research topics in Plasma Physics by following and successfully passing the exam of one of the doctoral-level courses offered at the center. Depending on the semester, the offer consists of one of the following courses:
- Magnetic Confinement (PHYS-731)
- Plasma Instabilities (PHYS-736)
- Fusion and Industrial Plasma Technologies (PHYS-632)
- Plasma Diagnostics in Basic Plasma Physics Devices and Tokamaks:
from Principles to Practice (PHYS-732 ) / Control and Operation of Tokamaks (PHYS-734)
In order to enroll for a Plasma Physics Specialisation Semester, a student should have successfully attended at least one of the following classes: Plasma Physics I, Plasma Physics II, Plasma Physics III, and Nuclear Fusion and Plasma Physics.
