Physics

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

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Deze opleiding

How does nature work? How can we use its concepts? By making models and formulating natural laws, we can describe and predict the natural world.

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locatieGroningen
diplomaBSc
typeregulier, 180 EC
start1 september
taalvolledig English
opleidingsduur3 jaar voltijd
accreditatiesNVAO
croho-code50206
numerus fixusnee
honoursnee

Physics is a 'hard' science: it is concerned with hard figures, precise and pure measurements. These are used to produce models and explain natural phenomena.
The Bachelor's programme in Physics lasts three years. During your first year, you will study basic subjects such as mechanics, special relativity, and electricity & magnetism. You will also take practical courses. During this year, you can choose between four tracks:

- Biophysics & Medical Physics
- Energy & Environmental Physics
- Nanophysics
- Particle Physics

Employability

Physics graduates have excellent opportunities on the job market. You can work as a researcher at a company or an institute, or for example as a consultant, because you will have the analytical skills that are both needed and wanted to solve complicated questions in such environments.

Nieuwe generatie zonnecellen in de maak

Waarom aan de University of Groningen?

  • At the University of Groningen you will study under researchers who have gained a worldwide reputation in their field. The linked Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, for example, is ranked in the top 15 of its kind worldwide.
  • The first semester of this programme offers you the opportunity to orientate broadly. You can easily switch to the Bachelor's programme Astronomy after the first semester, or Applied Physics within the first year.
  • The University of Groningen is the only Dutch university who offers a Physics Bachelor's programme in English.
  • Our faculty is the home of the 2016 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Ben Feringa, and the Nobel Prize winner in Physics, Frits Zernike.


Studieprogramma

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opbouw
The Groningen science and engineering programmes stand out for their academic excellence. The work pace in the first year is generally high and the courses contents demanding. The first year curriculum concentrates on laying a sound basis for our engineering and natural science disciplines. This allows our students to choose their specialization tracks already in the second half of the first year.
Talented and highly motivated students have the opportunity to receive a Bachelor's degree in Physics as well as a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics. This normally requires one additional year. More information can be found here: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/double-degree-mathematics-physics

Credits per year: 60 ECTS; most courses are 5 ECTS.

periode
Calculus 1 (for Physics)
Mechanics and Relativity
Electives semester 1: Introduction Astronomy; Medical Physics and Biophysics; Introduction to Energy and Environment; Introduction to Nanophysics; Physics of Modern Technology; Physics of the Quantum Universe
Electricity and Magnetism
Mathematical Physics
Physics Laboratory 1 & 2
Linear Algebra (for Physics)
Computational Methods 1
Physics Laboratory 2
Calculus 2 (for Physics)

tracks

track Nanophysics

Nanophysics is the study of materials on nano scales (one billionth of a metre).

Some materials are known to have very special properties on these small scales. The application of nanophysics is gaining in importance, for example in processing polluted water into drinking water.

track Particle Physics

An introduction to the smallest constituents of materials. It deals with 'fundamental' questions such as Where is anti-matter in the Universe?

You will also study practical applications for nuclear energy and medical applications such as MRI.

track Energy & Environmental Physics

This track involves the study of energy consumption, its consequences for the climate and what can be done about this. Physics in its purest form, and at the heart of society.

How are greenhouse gasses generated and what effects do they have? How can we make better use of alternative energy sources?

track Biophysics & Medical Physics

Biophysics & Medical Physics is a track where you learn how fundamental physics is used to understand life from the nanoscale to the size of humans.

Furthermore, physical techniques for diagnosis and treatment in health care are discussed. For example, how does a CT scan or a PET scan work? What does radiation do, and what are its side effects?

Onderwijs

taal van onderwijs100% en
avondonderwijsn.v.t.
afstandsonderwijsn.v.t.
study abroad
Exchange: All our science and engineering programmes offer study abroad possibilities at a number of partner institutions. Our partners include top-100 universities in Europe (for example in Germany, UK, and Sweden) and in the USA, China, South-East Asia, and South America. Our exchange programmes have a typical duration of one semester and count toward your final degree.
bindend studieadvies
  • minimaal 45 EC in de eerste 12 maanden


You will be issued a study advice at the end of your first year of study. You can expect a positive study advice if you have earned at least 45 ECTS credit points (out of a total of 60 ECTS; most course units are 5 ECTS). If you have earned fewer than 45 ECTS and are issued a negative study advice, you will not be allowed to continue your degree programme.
You will receive a preliminary study advice in December to make sure that you know where you are.
Please contact your study advisor as soon as possible if you have any questions about the BSA system.

Toelating en kosten

startmomenten

1 september 2024

aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2024
wettelijk tarief : € 2530 (€1265 in het eerste jaar)
instellingstarief : € 13100
niet-EU/EER studenten : € 19300

1 september 2025

aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2025
collegegeld nog niet bekend

toelaatbare profielen
VWO N&Taangevuld met
VWO N&Gaangevuld met wiskunde B + natuurkunde
VWO E&Maangevuld met wiskunde B + natuurkunde
VWO C&Maangevuld met wiskunde B + natuurkunde
toelatingseisen

taaltoets
Language proficiency certificate for English (except for applicants with a Dutch pre-university education (VWO) as well as the exemptions listed on the language exemptions webpage). More info: https://www.rug.nl/fse/programme/admissions/bsc/language

De stad

studievereniging

FMF
The FMF is an association for the Bachelor's programmes Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Applied Physics, Physics, Astronomy and all of the subsequent Master's programmes at the University of Groningen.
The association pursues three objectives. The first objective is that it wants to contribute to the broadening of the scientific education of its members. This is done by organizing various activities in the scientific field, such as study excursions, lectures and symposiums.

aan het woord: studenten en docenten

Diana Ionescu
I have been drawn to physics out of curiosity how the world around us works

I am a first-year student from Romania and I have been drawn to physics ever since secondary school, out of curiosity about how the world around us works and why it is the way it is. So, wanting to follow a science-related Bachelor's degree, Physics was the perfect, most fulfilling choice for me.

Groningen caught my attention due to its international environment...
Each of the four blocks per year comprises course units that tie in together because they are either mainly physics-oriented or provide essential tools for physicists, such as the course units in mathematics or programming.The programme also allows for a dynamic life outside study hours. I am an active member of two committees of the FMF, the study association for Physics and Mathematics. I try to keep an active social life and always enjoy going out with friends. I also spend time taking part in cultural or sports-oriented activities, such as going to the theatre, reading, jogging, and sometimes travelling.After my studies, I plan on staying in academia, and so a career in research or teaching seems particularly appealing to me at the moment.


lees verder ...
Marcel van den Broek
These subjects changed the way I saw the world around me

I was always curious about how everything around me worked. At first, I was interested in devices like cars and computers. But eventually, if you ask 'why' enough times, you end up at the fundamentals – which is physics.

It turns out that nature does not operate in as straight forward a manner as it seems. Quantum mechanics and relativity can be very counterintuitive. That made me want to learn all about it. I looked up the statistics on job security after completing the degree programme and they were reasonably high...
It did not require any advanced mathematics and it also explored interesting concepts about the perception of time.
In the second year, quantum mechanics was taught. This required a bit more work but the insights that were obtained were very interesting and strange. These subjects stood out since they really changed the way that I saw the world around me.The most difficult subjects for me were some of the course units in mathematics. Not because they were particularly hard but because I could not immediately see why I needed to learn those subjects. However, later in my studies, these subjects came back and their value became clear.Besides studying Physics, I joined the Mayday student sailing society. I do recommend joining some kind of student or sports organization when starting your student life in Groningen. It is a great way to make friends quickly and to make the most out of student life. I also worked as a teaching assistant (TA) for a programming course unit on Python. TA jobs let you work in the field of your interest and provide a decent salary.I will do my Master’s degree programme in Applied Physics. The other Master’s programmes are more research oriented. However, I would like to go into industry after my studies. Applied Physics seems to be the programme that best suits that interest, while still teaching subjects in physics that I find interesting.


lees verder ...
Nithesh Balasubramanian
Physics is amazing

I decided to study Physics, because Physics is amazing! I'm from Chennai, India, and I decided to study in Groningen, because it seemed like the course structure was tailored for me in terms of specializations and academic rigour. I find Physics intuitive and the course isn't that difficult. There are just many tasks in very small time scales, which makes the program time intensive if you wish to perform well.

So the biggest advice I can give you: University is not an extension of school, no matter where you're from...


lees verder ...
Martine Schut
Martine Schut, student Physics

Jasper Pluijmers
There's plenty to discover and develop, and that's what I find most important in a job

After obtaining Bachelor's degrees in Physics and Astronomy, I thought I wanted to become a researcher but, during my Master's, I decided to look beyond the academic world.

I still find astronomy and physics very fascinating topics. It’s exciting to study the world and the universe. Someone from the company Nedap came to hold a talk for my study association and I ended up doing a traineeship with them. They gave me further training to become a software engineer.Nedap works on technological solutions for various markets...
These tags work through small antennas and chips that are worked into every piece of clothing. Each piece of clothing has a unique number that can also be used for inventory management and data analysis.I work on the software for these tags and the corresponding anti-theft gates, which actually has a lot more to do with physics and astronomy than you might think because this software uses radio antennas. We might not be picking up signals from light years away but many principles are the same. What I like about this work is the fact that it’s useful and can be used in the real world. There’s plenty to discover and develop, and that’s what I find most important in a job.My tip for prospective students: make sure to go on company visits. Many companies are looking for science graduates but they don’t always know how to get in touch with you. So, if you see an interesting company, just give them a call and I’m sure you’ll be invited to come around for a chat.


lees verder ...
Machteld Kamminga
afgestudeerd in 2014 werkzaam als Phd RUG
I like the idea of working on an unsolved problem

'I had to write a research proposal as part of a Master's in Nanoscience. I submitted the proposal to NWO and they gave me a grant for my research!I work at the interface of Physics and Chemistry, studying perovskite materials which are used in solar cells. We are not sure exactly how they work, which is why we are studying their structural properties. I’m regularly at my desk reading or drawing graphs, but I also use several laboratories on a daily basis to do chemistry experiments, X-ray diffraction or to measure the electrical properties of the material...
I like it here; I like the idea of working on an unsolved problem. And we have a close-knit research team; we have lunch together every day.’Machteld Kamminga - PhD student at Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials


lees verder ...

Keuzehulp

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Studievergelijker

1/2 University of Groningen
Natuurkunde
€ 303 gemiddelde kamerhuur
64 eerstejaars
25% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
100% Engelstalig
2/2 Leiden University
Natuurkunde
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur
66 eerstejaars
21% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
100% Nederlandstalig
disclaimer: bovenstaande cijfers en beoordelingen zijn aangeleverd door de opleidingen zelf. Wij kunnen de juistheid niet garanderen.

Na de studie

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Beroepsperspectief / arbeidsmarkt

Research, advising or teaching… there are many fields open to you! Physics consists of a broad Bachelor's programme, after which you can specialize with a Master's degree programme. You can then pursue a career in business or continue in the academic world.

Business

If you opt for the business sector, you could pursue a career in industry, helping to develop technological innovations. Automation companies also like to employ physicists. The SME sector, consultancy and engineering firms are also increasingly looking for physicists.

Research

Once you have your Master's degree, you could find employment with research institutes such as TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research) and the KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute). You can also carry out PhD research at a university.

Not the same as technology

Large organizations such as banks and insurance companies like to employ physicists because of their analytical skills. As a physicist you can formulate a model to describe, predict and solve an issue. This is useful in positions that involve conducting analyses. There was a period during which McKinsey, the global consultancy firm, preferred to recruit only physicists!



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Contact

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Meer informatie?
Bezoek de website van deze opleiding.

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