D-PHYS Master of Science – ETH Zurich and Ecole Polytechnique Paris Specialization in High Energy Physics
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D-PHYS Master of Science – ETH Zurich and Ecole Polytechnique Paris Specialization in High Energy Physics Study Guide Department of Physics Content Introduction 4 1 Master program 5 2 Performance Assessment 10 3 Program requirements, application and admission 18 4 Useful information about ETH Zurich and EP Paris 21 5 Appendix 26 Imprint Editorial staff Günther Dissertori and Matthias Gaberdiel Photograph Heidi Hostettler Graphic Design Amanda Eisenhut 3 Introduction 1 Master program ETH Zurich and Ecole Polytechnique (EP) Paris offer a Joint Master The aim of this Master specialization is to 1.1 Tutor System offer a coherent theoretical and experi program with specialization in High Energy Physics (HEP). High Energy Each student in the Master program in mental education in High Energy Physics, Physics studies the elementary constituents of matter and the associated High Energy Physics will be allocated a covering a wide spectrum of areas and ap fundamental forces. The tools for these studies are experiments at tutor through the academic board. The plications: particle physics, astroparticle tutor gives academic advice and helps with particle accelerators operating at very high energies or at very high physics, the Standard Model of the elec the coordination of the program. In parti beam intensities, as well as ultra-sensitive large-mass detectors. These troweak interactions and its supersym cular, the tutor advises the student in the experimental setups give sensitivity to the laws of physics at very short metric extensions, strong interactions and choice of courses for the second year, given distances. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC), launched in September 2008 quantum chromodynamics, nuclear phys the selection of courses taken in the first ics, general relativity and quantum gravity at CERN, is the most spectacular realization of such a tool to date. On the year, making sure that they complement including string theory, as well as theoret other hand, the theoretical description involves mathematical theories, each other. The tutor must approve the ical and observational cosmology. characterized by their intrinsic simplicity and predictive power, which final individual curriculum that is agreed reflect the symmetries of physical phenomena. The program runs for two years, and a to between the student and the tutor. The tu tal of 120 credit points (CP) is required for tor also coaches the student throughout a successful completion of the program. the program, monitoring progress and, if The Master is organised by the Department of Physics (D-PHYS) at ETH required, proposes necessary adjustments The program is set up symmetrically be Zurich, and the Département de Physique at EP Paris. An academic board, to enhance the performance of the student. consisting of two members each from both departments is responsible tween ETH Zurich and EP Paris, and stu dents must spend one year each at either For students starting the course at ETH for running the program. place. Students can begin the program ei Zurich the signed agreement between ther at ETH or at EP; in either case, the sec the tutor and the student, which defines This study guide provides detailed information related to the “Study ond year is then spent at the other insti the Master curriculum for the second year Rules for the Joint Degree Master in High-Energy Physics”, RSETHZ tution. Of the 120 CP at least 50 CP have at Paris (in the following text referred 324.1.0900.60 (in German). to be obtained at ETH and 50 CP at EP. At to as the Tutor Agreement and shown in ETH, courses in both years are organized Annex 5.4/page 29), must be submitted in two semesters, while at EP the first year to the DPHYS Student Office and to the is organized in three trimesters and the Academic Board. second year in two semesters. The Master If a student wishes to change his/her tu program must always be started in the au tor, an application has to be made to the tumn semester/trimester. All credit points academic board. The board must approve for the program must be obtained either any such change; in case of a disagree at ETH Zurich or EP Paris. ment between the academic board and the student, the Rector takes the final de cision. A change of tutor does not result in an extension of the maximum duration of the Master. 4 5 1.2 Curriculum structure of the For students spending the second year at B. Optional subjects in physics or mathe- D. General course in social or political sci- joint program ETH Zurich, the remaining credit points matics allow for a further specialization ences: During the first year at ETH, stu have to be obtained in the following ca te in specific areas of physics or mathemat dents have to choose one course from so The first year of the Joint Master program gories in the minimum number as stated ics. At least 10 CP have to be acquired in cial or political sciences. These courses consists of lectures, exercises and labo below: optional courses. serve to complement the range of skills ratory work, while there are further spe acquired in the core disciplines. They may cialized lecture courses and a 6month’s E. Optional subjects (20 CP) Students are free to choose more courses be selected from the complete course ca Master thesis during the second year. The • Optional subjects in physics from the complete course catalogue at the talogue of ETH Zurich. student’s workload, required to achieve • General optional subjects Master level in physics and mathe matics the objectives of the program, is measured at ETH Zurich1). Students should check E. Optional courses: The eligible optional F. Master thesis (30 CP) in credit points, according to the European with their tutor regarding the eligibility courses in the second year are determined Credit Transfer and Accumulation System Description of categories of any additional courses. by the tutor in consultation with the stu (ECTS). In total, 120 ECTS credit points are A. Core courses: The core courses lay the dent. Depending on the courses that were C. Pro-seminars, laboratory work, semester required, of which at least 50 have to be foundation for the remaining Master pro taken in the first year, they may include work: In proseminars, students have to gained at ETH Zurich and 50 at EP Paris. gram. core courses from A above, as well as op give a presentation on some specified top tional courses from B above. 1.2.1 Curriculum at ETH Core subjects in theoretical physics con ic in theoretical physics and write a report During the first year at ETH, the CP required sist of topics with primarily theoretical about it. The proseminar may be replaced for the Joint Master program are to be ob character at an advanced level. They sup by a theoretical semester work that can be tained in the following categories; in eve plement the Bachelor curriculum and are written in a theoretical group at the In ry category, the minimum number of cred the foundation for an advanced study of stitute for Theoretical Physics at ETH, and it points as stated below must be gained. theoretical high energy physics. At least that leads to a small thesis. In the field 10 CP have to be obtained in them. of experimental physics, experimental se A. Core subjects 20 CP mester work will be carried out in one of • Core subjects in Core subjects in experimental physics con the research groups of ETH Zurich. Some theoretical physics (10 CP) sist of topics of experimental physics at laboratory work may take place at CERN or • Core subjects in an advanced level. They supplement the at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Villi experimental physics (10 CP) Bachelor curriculum and are the founda gen. In all cases, the student has to write tion for an advanced study of experimen B. Optional subjects in a brief report on his/her work. tal high energy physics. At least 10 CP have physics or mathematics (10 CP) to be obtained in them. C. Pro-seminars, laboratory work, semester work (9 CP) D. General course in social or political sciences (2 CP) The eligible Core subjects and Optional 1) For details regarding the mathematic courses, subjects are described in the appendix. students can consult the website of the Department of Mathematics, www.math.ethz.ch. 6 7 F. Master thesis: The Master thesis con Students at ETH are allowed to attend 1.2.2 Curriculum at EP Paris 1.3 Duration and Terms cludes the Joint Master program. It pro additional seminars, colloquia or cours The courses for the first year (M1) at EP The Master program is designed as a full vides evidence of a student’s ability to do es to round off their education. Howev Paris are organized in trimesters, while time study program. The completion of independent research in the field of high er, students cannot acquire credit points those for the second year (M2) are organ 120 CP requires 4 semesters, or two years. energy physics. The Master thesis is pur for them. ized in semesters. The Master degree must be obtained sued under the academic mentorship of a Note that students have to sign up for In the first year (M1), students have to take within four years, otherwise credits will professor of ETH Zurich, who proposes the the courses via www.mystudies.ethz.ch, the courses spelled out in the appendix. expire and students may be disqualified topic and is responsible for fixing the start within the first four weeks after the start The second year (M2) consists of lecture from graduation.