Study Program and calendar

Specialization areas

There are two pathways for completing the master in Astrophysics, Particle Physics and Cosmology:

  • Astrophysics and Space Sciences

  • Particle Physics and Gravitation

Astrophysics and Space Sciences focuses on the study of the macrocosmos, i.e., in the various astronomical objects and their associated physics, whereas Particle Physics and Gravitation centres on the microcosmos, i.e., on the structure of matter and their fundamental interactions. This notwithstanding, it is possible to design an interdisciplinary course by selecting subjects of both specialties.

To adquire the specialization in Astrophysics and Space Sciences it is mandatory to pass the subjects of the master's module 'Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics', whereas to adquire the specialization in Particle Physics and Gravitation it is necessary to successfully complete the subjects of the master's module 'High Energy Physics'.

This Master's degree is mainly aimed at graduates in Physics or other scientific disciplines who have previously completed their undergraduate training in areas closely related to those covered by the Master's degree. The Master's Coordination Committee may require students holding non-Physics degrees to take some extra Physics undergraduate subjects (Formative Complements) up to a maximum of 12 ECTS in accordance with their previous training in this discipline.

Program

The standard master's program consists of 60 ECTS distributed as follows:

  • 12 ECTS in two six-month compulsory core subjects (Advanced Cosmology and Mathematical and Statistical Techniques).

  • 12 ECTS in two six-month mandatory specialization subjects.

  • 12 ECTS in six-month elective subjects.

  • 24 ECTS in a mandatory Final Master Project that must be completed in the second half of the master's degree. This is an introductory research project that lasts approximately 4-6 months.

Calendar

The master's program lasts a minimum of one year, with subjects organized in semesters that run from about the third week of September to the end of January and from the second week of February to the end of June (the specific dates may vary each year; please, check the schedule). Shortly before classes start, we have a welcome session for incoming students where we inform you about the course's operation and the steps to follow once you are here. Both the welcome session and the course's opening day are duly announced in this website.

As a rule, the subjects are taught from Mondays to Thursdays for 12 weeks each semester. Parts of some subjects may eventually be taught by a guest lecturer, which may result in a rearrangement of the corresponding schedule.

Language

All master's lectures are conducted in English. The Formative Complements are usually given in Catalan and/or Spanish, but a few are also taught in English. For those given in Catalan or Spanish the students will have acces to bibliography and courses' notes written in English.

The University of Barcelona provides free resources for non-Catalan speaking students, which may be of interest to you. More information here.