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Inter-university Master's programme organised in collaboration with the University of Cantabria
5th Edition. From October 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024
The Menéndez Pelayo International University (UIMP) and the University of Cantabria (UC) have planned, through an academic alliance, the program for the Official Master's Degree in Particle Physics and Physics of the Cosmos.
The aim of the Master's programme is to provide students interested in developing a research career, and all those who have an interest in modern science, advanced training in fundamental concepts and a methodology in the fields of Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology.
According to the chosen specialty, students will be able to delve into either the microscopic world of high-energy particles, or the knowledge of the Cosmos in its entirety and the main astrophysical processes that take place in it. Throughout the Master, students will be in direct contact with researchers participating in leading international collaborations on the current scientific scene.
After taking this Master's programme, students will have a broad and deep knowledge of the most exciting fields of current science and will be able to join research groups and start a doctorate, having also acquired skills, both from the point of view methodological and practical, which will be useful in their job placement in the non-academic professional world.
The Master's programme comprises two specialities:
Speciality in Particle Physics
Speciality in Physics of the Cosmos
Regular Pre-Enrolment Period: March 03 to June 8, 2023 (until 12:00 Madrid time)
Enquiries regarding the pre-enrolment process should be addressed to: preinscripcion.posgrado@uimp.es
Regular Enrolment Period: From June 27, 2023, within 10 calendar days of receipt of the notification of admission.
Submission of documentation: from the time of enrolment until the first two weeks of the course.
Enquiries regarding the enrolment process should be addressed to: alumnos.posgrado@uimp.es
Additional information can be found here (in Spanish)
Francisco Jesús Carrera Troyano, Full Professor, Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
Gervasio Gómez Gramuglio. Senior Scientist, CSIC-Univerisdad de Cantabria (UC)
Contact email: master-fispyc@ifca.unican.es
Spanish and English
Admission of candidates will be decided by the Academic Committee for the Master's according to the conditions for access and specific requirements for admission to the program with the objective of not surpassing the 10 spaces established as the course maximum.
Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA)
Edificio Juan Jordá (Sala Marie Curie)
Avenida de los Castros, s/n 39005 Santander (Cantabria), España
Facultad de Ciencias de la Universidad de Cantabria
Avenida de Los Castros, 48
39005 Santander (Cantabria), España
The Master's Degree in Particle Physics and Physics of the Cosmos has a teaching load of 60 ECTS credits that is spread over two four-month terms (one academic year).
The programme is structured into 24 obligatory credits, 18 elective credits and 18 Final Master's Dissertation credits. The programme offers two specialities.
Basic Module (24 ECTS): This module aims to provide students with the essential concepts and tools common to physics of the cosmos and particle physics.
Research Project (18 ECTS): This module aims to introduce students to the world of advanced research in a topic of their choice within physics of the cosmos or particle physics. The student will produce a publication-quality report and learn to collaborate in specialized research teams.
Physics of the Cosmos (12 ECTS): This module covers in depth topics of cosmology and astrophysics, treating, from a current perspective, topics of great interest, such as the dark universe, black holes and active galactic nuclei, very early universe and inflation, the dark epoch and reionisation of the universe, or multi-messenger exploration of the universe, among others. A large number of research groups and international collaborations are active in these areas, including the teaching staff who will deliver the courses.
Particle Physics (12 ECTS): This module delves in the techniques used in fundamental particle physics research: detection methods and techniques and analysis tools. Training is provided to enable students to participate in data analysis groups in collaborations of large particle accelerator detectors. In addition, topics such as advanced quantum field theory and current challenges in particle physics, the determination of the nature of dark matter and theoretical extensions to the standard model (supersymmetry, extensions in the Higgs sector, etc.) are covered.
AF1 - Participation and attendance to lectures and seminars
AF2 - Participation and attendance to seminars led by a teacher
AF3 - Conducting laboratory experiences
AF4 - Doing computational practicals
AF5 - Developing guided projects
AF6 - Preparation and oral presentation of works
AF7 - Participation and attendance to field work
AF8 - Visits to companies, hospitals, field areas, observatories and research centers
AF9 - Tutorials with a teacher that will be developed both personally and through online resources (for example, email, content manager in a web environment, e.g. Moodle)
AF10 - Preparation of lab reports and written works
AF11 - Preparation and written presentation of works
AF12 - Individual study of subject contents
AF13 - Group study of subject contents
AF14 - Written exam
AF15 - Practical test in the laboratory
AF16 - Oral presentations
MD1 - Lectures
MD2 - Resolution of cases in the classroom
MD3 - Laboratory experiences
MD4 - Computational practicals
MD5 - Oral presentation of works
MD6 - Written works
MD7 - Preparation of reports
MD8 - Seminars
MD9 - Tutorials
M10 - Visits to companies, observatories and research centers
SE1 - Written exam
SE2 - Oral exam
SE3 - Practical test in the laboratory
SE4 - Assessment of written reports and work
SE5 - Assessment of oral reports and work
SE6 - Monitoring of attended activities
SE7 - Written Final Master's Dissertation report
SE8 - Defence of the Final Master's Dissertation
This Master's degree brings students closer to research, in a practical and direct way, in the fields of particle physics and the cosmos. These two lines of research have generated great international interest in recent years, due in part to the immense research activity that has been developed within large international collaborations such as the great hadronic accelerator of CERN, the space missions participated by the European Space Agency, or the development of terrestrial experiments for space observation, among others.
In the last decade there has been a remarkable convergence between the astrophysics and particle physics communities due to the evolution that some key aspects of both disciplines have had. Today it is already globally recognized by the scientific community that a multidisciplinary approach that takes advantage of the clear synergy between both specializations is crucial for the study of topics of greatest interest today, such as the formation and evolution of the universe or the nature of dark matter, to cite just two examples.
The Master's degree deliberately has a strong research component with the intention of bringing students closer to the most active Spanish research groups in the two areas of specialization.
The Master's degree is based on the extensive research experience and postgraduate training in the two areas of specialization of the groups involved in this proposal. The vast majority of subjects are taught by UC professors and CSIC researchers (whose participation is particularly encouraged through the UIMP), as well as by prestigious national and international researchers.
CG1 - Ability to integrate effectively in a work group and work in a team, sharing available information and integrating their activity in the group activity, collaborating actively in the attainment of common objectives
CG2 - Capacity for study, synthesis and sufficient autonomy to start a Doctoral Thesis, once the training programme is completed
CG3 - Draw up scientific and technical documents, particularly scientific articles
CG4 - Know how to prepare and conduct presentations, before a specialized public, about research or a scientific project
CG5 - Ability to plan, design and start up an advanced project
CG6 - Search, obtain, process, communicate information and transform it into knowledge
CG7 - Know the methodological tools needed to develop advanced projects
CG8 - Ability to update knowledge exposed in the scientific community
CT1 - Ability to search for, obtain, select, treat, analyze and communicate information using various sources
CE1 - Ability to start a Doctoral Thesis in the field of Particle Physics and Physics of the Cosmos
CE2 - Ability to prepare and present the work within the working group of large collaborations in Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology
CE3 - Know the techniques of statistical analysis and modeling of data with the ability to interpret results in Particle Physics and Physics of the Cosmos
CE4 - Ability to handle specific modeling and data analysis software
CE5 - Ability to handle the main operating systems used in the scientific field and develop programs in languages oriented to scientific calculation
CE6 - Ability to tackle numerical problems autonomously, using scientific libraries and developing algorithms
CE7 - Ability to plan and develop computer science/numerical component projects
CE8 - Ability to understand the synergistic role that Astronomy, Cosmology and Particle Physics have when explaining the origin, evolution and composition of the Universe, as well as the fundamental physical mechanisms that govern it
CE9 - Ability to handle the instruments and experimental methods used in the field of Particle Physics and Physics of the Cosmos
CE10 - Know the limitations of the different instrumentation used in the field of Particle Physics and Physics of the Cosmos
This University Master's Degree is aimed at all types of students with an interest in postgraduate training related to Particle Physics and Physics of the Cosmos, and who, eventually, seek advanced training in one of the two specialties it offers (Particle Physics and Physics of the Cosmos).
According to this approach, the profile of graduates in Physics is the most appropriate to access to this master's degree. But also students with such concerns, coming from related degrees, such as graduates or engineers of certain specialties (Electronics or Telecommunications, to name a few examples) or graduates in Mathematics, are also susceptible to taking this Master.
See Access requirements under section "Entry and Admission ".
The Master has an academic and scientific research orientation. It aims to train students to continue with training based on scientific research, accessing any doctoral program inside or outside of Spain.
Beyond the clear research orientation and advanced training in the specialties of Astrophysics and Particle Physics, the Master also contains subjects, both compulsory and optional, that provide transversal training in aspects of great value outside the exclusively academic field, such as methods of analysis, statistics, advanced programming, development of particle detectors and instrumental techniques for the detection of different forms of radiation.
Although the main objective of these subjects is to provide the essential knowledge base necessary for either of the two specialties, they also provide students with great added value to be able to join the business world, in the fields of telecommunications, programming companies, electronics, and in various sectors where advanced data analysis and simulation capabilities are required.
Access with an official university degree from Spain or the European Higher Education Area (EHEA): Admission to the Master's Degree in Particle Physics and Physics of the Cosmos requires an official university degree from Spain or another higher education institution belonging to another Member State of the EHEA which grants access to study a Master's Degree in the country of origin.
Access with a university degree from outside the EHEA: Students with degrees from education systems outside the EHEA can be accepted without requiring official recognition of their degrees by accrediting that the level of studies is the equivalent to that of official university degrees in Spain and that the degree allows access to postgraduate studies in the country of origin.
Access for these students depends on a favorable decision from the Rector. The decision by the Rector will never imply official recognition of the degree the student possesses nor its recognition for purposes other than to study the Master's Degree.
Applications for admission must be sent via the web site "On-line Pre-registration" which can be accessed from http://www.uimp.es/preins/index.php. When pre-registration is made, the required documentation must be attached in PDF format. This documentation may not be authenticated or certified at the time of the pre-registration, but they must be authenticated or certified at the time of the formal registration, if the student is admitted
Graduates in Physics whose training credits exceed 240 credits will be able to directly join the programme.
Graduates in Physics from Spanish and foreign universities who have completed a degree of at least 180 credits will also be able to join the programme. The Academic Coordination Commission could propose, according to each particular case, the realization of some formative complement.
Students from related Degrees (for example, Degrees in Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering or Telecommunication Technology Engineering) whose training credits exceed 240 credits may be admitted, as long as the Academic Coordination Commission considers that their training prior in Physics, Mathematics and Basic Programming is sufficient, and can be completed, in any case, with the completion of a series of supplementary training.
Photocopy of National ID card, in the case of Spanish citizens, or of passport or identity document, in the case of foreign nationals.
Ohotocopy of the Qualification Certificate which provides access to Masters' Degree studies, or proof of having paid for the issuance of the certificate concerned.
Certification of personal academic records.
ID or Passport-size photograph, in JPG format.
Curriculum Vitae, in PDF format, so as to facilitate the assessment of other merits appropriate to the admissions profile.
Students presenting foreign and non-homologated degrees must also provide to access:
Certification from the issuing university stating that the degree offered qualifies one for access to postgraduate studies in the country in question.
Personal academic certification which specifies the study program completed; official duration of the program in academic years and listing of courses taken, grade, and credit load of each one.
IMPORTANT: The academic documents of foreign degrees are to be presented translated into Spanish, where necessary; all those corresponding to countries not belonging to the EHEA are to be certified (on the UIMP website, general information on these requirements can be found).
The required documentation in original format should ONLY be submitted to the Student Administration Office (Secretaría de Estudiantes. C/ Isaac Peral 23. 28040 Madrid , Spain) in the event that the application has been passed by the Academic Committee for the Master's.
Universal accessibility will be guaranteed and the necessary resources and support will be monitored for those students with disabilities in order to assure the correct completion of the Master's. We ask that these students indicate their specific needs when enrolling.
In this link you can consult the UIMP Protocol for the attention of students with specific educational needs.
Where the number of applications exceeds the maximum number of new student places, candidates will be admitted in line with the following assessment criteria:
a) Academic transcript.
b) In the event of doubts or ties, the candidate will undergo a personal interview.
The Academic Commission may admit students and assign them up to 60 credits in supplementary training. Therefore, students who fail to accredit sufficient training in physics, mathematics and/or computing shall undertake supplementary training with up to 42 credits in physics, 18 credits in mathematics and 12 in computing.
In exceptional cases, where the required supplementary training does not represent an excessive additional load for students, the Academic Commission may authorise it be taken at the same time as the Master's programme. Said Commission will report to the Graduate Academic Commissions of each University.
A program of up to 72 credits of training supplements has been designed to complete the training of the student, who, in any case, will not be asked to take more than 60.
Supplementary training includes three fields that are, in turn, spread over subjects in the following way:
Physics, 42 credits (each subject is 6 credits):
Classical Mechanics and Relativity (G49)
Astronomy (G50)
Electricity and Magnetism (G51)
Electromagnetism and Optics (G52)
Quantum Physics and Structure of Matter I: Fundamentals of Quantum Physics (G55)
Quantum Physics and Structure of Matter II: Atoms, Molecules and Solids (G56)
Quantum Physics and Structure of Matter IV: Nuclei and Particles (G58)
Mathematics, 18 credits (each subject is 6 credits):
Math I: Linear Algebra and Geometry (G35)
Mathematics II: Differential Calculus (G36)
Mathematics III: Integral Calculus(G37)
Computing, 12 credits (each subject is 6 credits):
Computing (G40)
Introduction to Software (G2666)
These Complements will be associated with subjects of the Degree in Physics and Computer Engineering at the University of Cantabria. The code indicated in each subject refers to the nomenclature of the Degree program of the University of Cantabria.
Once the students are enrolled, they will receive via email all the information they require to follow the courses both in person and virtually.
The Directors of the Master are the people who will advise the students in everything they need for the correct development of their training.
The Directors will meet periodically with the students to analyze the teaching and learning process and consider any aspect they deem appropriate.
Once registered, students will receive support and guidance via different sources:
The UIMP and UC Faculty of Sciences websites that will include general academic information as well as specific information on this Master's programme.
Before the start of the Master's Degree, the students will receive an Inaugural Session where the Directors of the Master will make a presentation of the academic organization, operating rules, contact details of support staff and teachers, procedure to consult doubts or request advice on training, etc.
Each student will be assigned a tutor, appointed by the Academic Management Committee.
In addition, students will have a permanent tutoring procedure by the teachers, upon request of the student. If necessary, the teacher may develop a study and work plan for the student, which must be monitored.
Interactive virtual platform, in which the student will be transmitted all the programs, presentations, notes, videoconference recordings, practices, calendar of activities and material necessary for the development of the different subjects. Likewise, this platform constitutes the mechanism by which students will carry out or deliver to the teacher a large part of the practical work, including taking tests, solving problems, etc.
Library of the University of Cantabria: Courses on information localization -SOUCAN: Techniques and orientation for study, oral communication and intelligence.
The Academic Committee will also ensure to support and advise the student, as well as to evaluate the procedures and results of the orientation work. Together with all this, the student has the support and advice of the UC and UIMP Student Secretaries.
All the information will also be available on the website of the master's program.
Francisco Jesús Carrera Troyano. Department Chair of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
Gervasio Gómez Gramuglio. Senior Scientist, Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-UC
Patricio Vielva Martínez. Científico Titular, Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-UC
Gervasio Gómez Gramuglio. Senior Scientist, Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-UC
Rocío Vilar Cortabitarte. Associate Professor, Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
Iván Vila Álvarez. Senior Scientist, Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-UC
María Teresa Ceballos Merino. Senior Scientist, Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-UC
Diego Herranz Muñoz. Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
Contact email: master-fispyc@ifca.unican.es
The academic staff on the Master's programme includes lecturers from the Universidad de Cantabria, Instituto de Física de Cantabria and Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, as well as from other national and foreign centers.
A vast majority of these professors carry out their research activity on different topics related to Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology, participating in some of the most important experiments in the field, such as the discovery of Higgs, or obtaining the most accurate map of the cosmic microwave background, among other recent achievements.
The detailed list of lecturers on the programme can be viewed in the 'Syllabus Guide' section of this website. Each subject has a coordinator to ensure the teaching programme is followed.
Francisco Jesús Carrera Troyano. Full Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
Luis Julián Goicoechea Santamaría. Full Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
Gervasio Gómez Gramuglio. Senior Scientist, Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-UC
José Ignacio González Serrano. Full Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
Álvaro López García. Senior Scientist, Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-UC
Patricio Vielva Martínez. Senior Scientist, Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-UC
Iván Vila Álvarez. Research Professor, Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-UC
Bradley James Kavanagh Postdoctoral Researcher, Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-UC
Jordi Duarte Campderrós. Tenure Postdoctoral Fellow. Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
Pablo Martínez Ruiz del Árbol. Professor of Atomic, Molecular and Nuclear Physics, Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
José Luis Bernal Mera. Tenure Postdoctoral Fellow. Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
Rocío Vilar Cortabitarte. Assistant Professor of Atomic, Molecular and Nuclear Physics, Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
Alberto Fernández Soto. Senior Scientist, Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria
Students are continuously assessed via partial onsite tests on the teaching programme syllabus, their contribution to individual or team work and active participation in attended sessions.
Students have up to four calls to pass each subject, two per academic year enrolled with the current curriculum, counting among the four both qualified calls and those not evaluated. Without prejudice to the maximum number of calls, to guarantee a minimum academic performance, and a reasonable use, students will have to exceed a minimum of 50% of the ECTS enrolled each academic year. If they do not reach this percentage, they will not be able to renew their enrollment to continue their studies at the UIMP.
Students enrolled on the Master's programme will, after completing and passing the course, be awarded the Official University Master's Degree in Particle Physics and Physics of the Cosmos.