Master in Physics

• Acquiring scientific expertise in physics:

•  Be critical and develop a scientific method: an analytical and rigorous way of thinking
• Identify and understand the principles underlying natural phenomena (conservation laws, symmetries, etc.)
• Understand the laws of nature through their formulation in classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum field theory, special and general relativity, thermodynamics, statistical physics, astrophysics, etc. 
• Master the main mathematical, experimental, and technological tools used in modern physics. 
• Use the fundamental principles of physics to create or innovate 

• Mastering the scientific thought process and approach:

• Deduce new laws from observational facts, possibly through an interdisciplinary approach, and formalise them within a theory 
• Discover new consequences of existing theories 
• Conceptualise and model complex principles
• Formulate working hypotheses or experimental protocols that can be tested and possibly refuted in order to determine the accuracy of these theories
• Develop, optimise, and exploit experimental devices 
• Analyse data 
• Confront experimental measurements with simulations and theoretical predictions

• Learning to communicate appropriately depending on context and target audience:

• Present research in a scientifically rigorous way, with an appropriate bibliography
• Present various aspects of physics, taking context and target audience into account

• Developing professional skills while applying ethical principles in one's area of expertise:

• Be self-critical in the evaluation of one’s own skills
• Respect sources and intellectual property
• Be conscious of the importance of applying ethical rules when dealing with technological applications of physics
• Act as a teacher, decide how to teach a subject, analyse the organisational and institutional context of the educational system in which one practices (Master programme with a teaching focus)
• Conduct—individually or with peers—a critical and rigorous analysis of one's own teaching practices and their impact on students (Master programme with a teaching focus)

• Communicating in a manner adapted to the context and the public:

• Present research in a scientifically rigorous way, with an appropriate bibliography
• Present different aspects of physics in a manner adapted to the context and the public

The programme is balanced between lecture courses, exercise sessions, practical laboratory classes, and individual projects. Courses, exercises, laboratory work, and projects are assigned and coordinated by researchers who are highly involved in international physics research projects and collaborations.

• Prizes and distinctions: Nobel 1977, 2013, Wolf Foundation 2004, Gravity Research Foundation 1978, Franqui 1982, 2000, and 2006

• First physics department (in the French Community of Belgium) in number of publications and citations

• Active collaboration with major research centres (CERN, European Space Agency, European Southern Observatory, DESY, ESRF, etc.)

• Many projects and international missions (CMS experience, GAIA, etc.)

• Competitive research grants (4 ERC grants in the last few years)

• Heading the Solvay International Institutes for Physics and Chemistry

A physicist’s education requires in-depth knowledge of mathematical tools. It also implies a strong methodology and a scientific background to tackle new problems and develop new avenues of research (in research institutes, but also in the private sector). It involves learning advanced computanional tools, and designing and using complex devices. It drives each student towards the most advanced understanding of the properties of nature.

The Master in Physics aims at enabling students to specialise in every possible branch of modern physics, opening the doors to worldwide research, industrial development, or teaching.

For over a century, Brussels has been a widely recognised centre of excellence in physics, through the Solvay Conferences, created in 1911. ULB's Physics Department still hosts the governing board of the International Solvay Institutes for Physics and Chemistry. By organising, on a regular basis, colloquia, chairs, and conferences that students are welcome to attend, the Solvay Institutes contribute to the development and international recognition of the Physics Department.

Lastly, an important aspect of ULB's Physics Department is the constant participation of many researchers (PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, and career researchers) in the teaching activities (projects, dissertation, classes), keeping a tight link between education and research at the highest level.

The physicist’s education necessitates an in-depth knowledge of mathematical tools. It also implies both a working method and a scientific background allowing one to tackle new problems and to develop new research axes (in research institutes, but also in the private sector). It implies learning computing sciences as well as designing and using complex devices. It drives each student towards the finest state-of-the-art understanding of the properties of nature.

The Master in Physics aims at allowing students to specialize in every possible field of modern physics and to open to them the doors to worldwide research, industrial development or teaching.

For more than a century, Brussels has been a widely recognized place for physics excellence, through the Solvay Conferences, created in 1911. The ULB Physics Department still hosts the direction of International Solvay Institutes for Physics and Chemistry. Through the organization, on a regular basis, of Colloquia, Chairs and Conferences that students are very welcome to attend, the Solvay Institutes contribute to the development and international recognition of the Physics Department.

Finally, an important aspect of the ULB's Physics Department is the constant participation of many researchers (PhD students, post-doctoral and confirmed researchers) in the teaching activities (lab practical, exercises, master thesis, training courses), keeping a tight link between physics education and research at the highest level.