Academic regulations for the Master's degree programme in Physics at the Faculty of Science
(1) Name of degree programme
Master's degree in Physics
(2) Degree
A completed Master's degree programme provides graduates with the title Master of Science in Physics (MSc in Physics), specifying elective subjects, if applicable.
(3) Academic line and main subject areas of the degree programme
The Master's degree programme in Physics is an individual research-based study programme that – based on a qualifying examination – consists of advanced studies within Physics.
The Master's degree programme also includes study components from other subject areas, profiling the programme according to the student's individual interests and desired competence profile.
(4) Academic skills and qualifications
The aim of the Master's degree programme is to develop the academic and personal skills the student acquired during the previous Bachelor's degree programme, so that the Master:
obtains qualifications for employment in private and public sector companies and organisations – both in Denmark and abroad – where a high level of expertise in Physics is required.
acquires the necessary prerequisites for further studies, including a PhD degree programme.Compared with Bachelors, Masters have expanded on their academic knowledge, analytical skills and independence to the extent that the Master is able to independently apply scientific theory and methodology within the field of Physics. By completing the degree programme, the Master obtains skills in the following overall competence goals:
The Master has general knowledge of Physics and detailed knowledge of key disciplines, methodologies, theories and concepts within Physics.
The Master can independently plan, manage and implement projects and apply the results in scientifically relevant decision processes.
The Master can assess the applicability and appropriateness of theoretical, experimental and practical methodologies for the analysis and solution of scientific questions and issues.
The Master can structure his/her own competence development independently and critically.
The Master is able to systematically and critically familiarise himself/herself with new subject areas.
The Master can relay and communicate academic questions and issues to both a scientific and a general audience.
The Master can collaborate constructively on a scientific basis to solve subject-related issues.
The Master has an understanding of and insight into the connection between Physics and the other scientific subject areas, and has qualified knowledge regarding the interaction between Physics and society at large.
(5) Standard ECTS credits
The Master's degree in Physics has a prescribed duration of two years of full-time study, corresponding to 120 ECTS credits.
(6) Authority
The academic regulations for the Master's degree in Physics are determined in accordance with:
Executive Order no. 338 of 6 May 2004 regarding the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes at universities (the Education Executive Order) with subsequent amendments in accordance with Executive Order no. 805 of 19 August 2005.
The Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation guidelines no. 5 of 18 January 2006 regarding university degree programmes aimed at teaching at upper secondary schools.
Additional rules relating to degree programmes can be found in the Aarhus University electronic rules and regulations at www.au.dk/en/rules.
(7) Prepared by
The Board of Studies, Master's Degree Programmes, at the Faculty of Science, Aarhus University.
(8) Approved by
The Dean of the Faculty of Science on 1 August 2008.
(9) Effective date
The academic regulations take effect on 1 August 2008.
(10) Number of places available and admission procedures
Admission and registration regarding the Master's degree programme in Physics take place on a continuous basis. Applications received by 1 June and 1 December ensure admission by mid-August and mid-January, respectively, provided all admission requirements are met.
(11) Admission requirements and prerequisites
The following Bachelor's degrees qualify students for admission to the Master's degree programme in Physics:
A Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Aarhus University, the University of Southern Denmark or the University of Copenhagen.
A Bachelor's degree amounting to at least 60 ECTS credits in Physics can qualify the student for admission, provided the combined academic demands regarding the Master's degree programme in Physics can be met.
Other qualifications can provide admission to the Master's degree programme, provided the university assesses that their level, extent and content correspond to the degrees mentioned above.
In connection with possible admission, further requirements can be stipulated regarding the composition of the degree programme.
It is a condition that each student's language skills are sufficient to be able to follow teaching in English and prepare written material in English.
(12) This degree enables admission to
The Master's degree in Physics qualifies students for admission to further studies at PhD level.
(13) Transitional rules
(14) General content and academic progression provisions of the degree programme
The Master's degree programme consists of graduate courses within the Physics field of study, including a Master's thesis amounting to 30 or 60 ECTS credits, as well as an elective subject outside the Physics field of study amounting to at least 30 ECTS credits. The Master's thesis concludes the studies. The study programme is composed individually under supervision. When composing the degree programme, the individual student's interests and desired competence profile are taken into account, and this ensures that the academic progression and integrity in the degree programme comply with the requirements of a Master's degree. Approved Bachelor's courses can be included in the programme to a limited extent.
(15) Description of the aim of the individual programme components
A description of the aim of the individual courses is available in the Course Catalogue and the Catalogue of additional qualification packages at www.nat.au.dk.
(16) Description of the general content of the degree programme
The Master's degree programme in Physics amounts to 120 ECTS credits. The study programme for the degree must consist of a combined entity and comply with the following:
The programme consists of advanced study components in Physics that amount to at least 90 ECTS credits, including the thesis.
The total amount of study components in Physics and Astronomy in the programme, combined with the study components in Physics and Astronomy in the qualifying Bachelor's degree programme, must equal at least 180 ECTS credits.
The programme must include one of the approved qualification packages, equalling a total of 30 ECTS credits. This requirement can be waived if the scope of the qualifying Bachelor's degree programme is sufficient.
The programme must include a thesis amounting to 30 ECTS credits for theoretical theses and 60 ECTS credits for experimental theses.
Combined with the qualifying Bachelor's degree programme, the Master's degree programme must include components corresponding to the compulsory Physics and Astronomy courses (90 ECTS credits) and auxiliary subjects (30 ECTS credits) in the Course Catalogue.
If Physics is combined with a subsidiary subject to achieve academic competence in two subjects that target teaching jobs at upper secondary school, the Master's degree programme must include:
45> That part of the subsidiary subject that is not included in the qualifying Bachelor's degree.
Course activities within the Physics field of study equalling at least 45 ECTS credits, and a thesis amounting to 30 ECTS credits. The thesis must combine Physics with the subsidiary subject to the extent possible.
The total amount of study components in Physics in the programme, combined with the study components in Physics in the qualifying Bachelor's degree programme, must equal at least 180 ECTS credits, including the thesis. To achieve academic competence, the Bachelor's or Master's degree programme must include courses in School Physics (5 ECTS credits) and the professional didactics of Physics and Chemistry (5 ECTS credits).
The subsidiary subject must be taught at upper secondary school.
The Master's programme must be approved by the director of studies prior to commencement.
(17) Description of each component based on the framework requirements in the teaching administration (UVA) system, including a description of the rules for methods of examination and the approval procedures of the Board of Studies
Twice a year, the Faculty of Science publishes a Course Catalogue and a Catalogue of additional qualification packages with descriptions of all approved courses and additional qualification packages within the degree programmes offered by the faculty. Twice a year, prior to course enrolments, the course and additional qualification catalogues are reviewed and approved. The catalogues are available at www.science.au.dk/en/students.
(19) Credits and flexibility
Subject to individual assessment, the Board of Studies can approve courses from other degree programmes as part of the Master's degree programme in Physics. The maximum number of credits a student can obtain for the degree programme, however, is 60 ECTS credits. Credits cannot be transferred for the thesis.
In exceptional circumstances, the Board of Studies can grant exemptions from the rules set out in the academic regulations.
(20) Examinations
The method of assessment and examination for the individual courses appears in the course description in the Course Catalogue. The catalogue also indicates the time for the ordinary course examination as well as any re-examination.
Participation in a re-examination in a given course is subject to participation in the ordinary course examination.
All courses must be completed with one of the following methods of examination:
1. Written examination.
2. Oral examination.
3. Home assignment(s) (written examination)
4. Multiple choice (written examination)
5. Approval of compulsory assignments and/or reports followed by a discussion, if applicable.
6. Active participation in the course followed by a discussion, if applicable, e.g. attendance at a minimum of 80% of compulsory lessons, seminar contributions, submission (and approval) of compulsory assignments, etc.
7. Skills test (practical test)
8. Combinations of 1–7
The examination can be with or without the aid of materials. For methods of examination that include a discussion (methods 5 and 6) in which the final discussion was unsatisfactory, a second examination attempt can consist of an internal oral examination.
Information about the materials permitted, including the use of a computer, preparation, etc., is available in the individual course descriptions.
If the university considers it necessary, it can offer special examination conditions for students with a physical or mental disability, a first language other than Danish, and similar difficulties, in order to provide such students with the same examination opportunities as other students. It is a requirement that the level of the examination remain unaffected by this offer.
Applications for special examination conditions must be submitted to the Board of Studies no later than four weeks before the start of the examination.
(20.1) Enrolment and cancellation
Course enrolment takes place via the self-service facility for students at www.science.au.dk/en/students. The registration periods are as follows:
Courses in first and second quarters (autumn): enrolment period 1–15 May
Courses in third and fourth quarters (spring): enrolment period 1–15 November
The course description states whether enrolment must take place via the self-service facility.
Enrolment in examinations
Students are automatically enrolled in the examination when registering for a course.
Students are responsible for checking that examination enrolment is correct via the notice boards of the Board of Studies and the departments and www.nat.au/eksamen
The examination schedules are published approximately one month prior to commencement of the examination period on the notice boards of the Board of Studies and at www.nat.au.dk/eksamen.
Enrolment in re-examinations
The time of re-examination in a course is indicated in the course description. Students enrol for re-examination via the self-service facility for students (www.science.au.dk/en/students) during the following periods:
For courses with re-examination after the second quarter, the enrolment period is 1–15 November
For courses with re-examination after the third quarter, the enrolment period is 1–15 February
For courses with re-examination after the fourth quarter, the enrolment period is 1–15 May
For courses with re-examination in August, the enrolment period is 1–15 July
Cancellation of examination
Cancellation of an examination takes place via the self-service facility for students (www.science.au.dk/en/students). The deadline for cancellation of a given examination is one week prior to the first day of examination in the course. If students are late in cancelling, the cancellation is not accepted and an examination attempt is recorded in their study programme.
The examination results are published in the self-service facility for students (www.science.au.dk/en/students), as soon as they have been recorded.
Illness and other circumstances in connection with an examination
See www.au.dk/da/eksamen (available in Danish only) for the university's rules and examination guidelines.
20.2 Skills in spelling and written expression
In all major written examinations, regardless of the language used in the examination, the student's skills in spelling and expression form part of the assessment. The academic content carries the most weight, but skills in spelling and written expression affect the assessment of whether the student meets the overall aims.
20.3 Regulations for major written submissions
The following applies particularly to the Master's thesis.
Master's thesis
The Master's degree programme is concluded with a thesis amounting to 30 ECTS credits for theoretical theses and 60 ECTS credits for experimental theses. For the Master's thesis, the student works independently on an academic issue, on completion of which the graduate can:
identify, define and formulate an academic issue on a scientific basis.
define and present testable hypotheses within a subject-related topic.
independently plan and complete a major academic project using the subject's scientific methodology.
analyse, critically discuss and put into perspective an academic issue.
assess, critically analyse and summarise the scientific literature within a defined topic area.
relay academic results objectively and concisely to a scientific audience.
There are two ways of concluding the Master's thesis:
The student prepares a thesis report that covers the work carried out in connection with the thesis. This report is submitted for assessment and is included in the thesis examination.
A thesis assignment is specified covering the topic of the thesis, and this must be answered in writing 4–6 weeks prior to the deadline for submission of the thesis. This thesis assignment is specified by the main supervisor and must be approved by an external examiner prior to being sent to the student.
The answer to the thesis assignment must be submitted for assessment and is included in the thesis examination.
As a general rule, the thesis report must be prepared in Danish or English. In all cases, an English summary must be included. The title of the thesis must appear in Danish and English in preparation for the Master's degree diploma, which is issued in Danish and English. During the period in which they write their thesis, students are affiliated with a main supervisor appointed by the Department of Physics and Astronomy. All academic staff with permanent appointments at the Faculty of Science can act as main supervisors. Students can be affiliated with a project supervisor in addition to the main supervisor. The project supervisor can be a member of the academic staff at Aarhus University, another public sector research institution or a private sector research institution/company. In such circumstances, an agreement is drawn up in which the distribution of work between the two supervisors is specified in such a way that the main supervisor ensures that the thesis complies with the applicable norms for theses carried out at the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The main supervisor has the formal responsibility for providing academic guidance for the student during the course of writing the thesis, and must take part in the final examination. The thesis can be completed in groups, provided the main supervisor approves. As regards a group thesis, the thesis report must state which consecutive sections the individual student is responsible for.
Thesis contract
A contract is drawn up between the student and the main supervisor on commencement of the thesis.
This contract is prepared on a special form and must include:
Name of the student
For group thesis, name(s) of the other students in the group
Main supervisor
Project supervisor, if applicable
Statement of the task involved in the thesis
Credits (ECTS)
Starting date for the thesis
Submission date for the thesis
Supervision plan
Need for resources
Publication rights
The main supervisor is responsible for making sure that the approved thesis can be completed within the agreed time. The contract is signed by the student and the main supervisor and submitted to the director of studies or deputy, who must approve the statement of the task, the supervision plan and the deadline for submission. This deadline can only be changed if unusual circumstances arise that affect the student. If the deadline for submitting the thesis is exceeded, the student is registered as having attempted an examination.
An application for an examination takes place when the thesis contract is entered into. It is not possible to cancel an examination.
If the student does not submit the thesis by the appointed time and thus fails, an altered statement of the task is approved within the same subject, and a new submission deadline of three months is determined. If the student does not submit the thesis within the new deadline and thus fails, a third examination attempt is possible in accordance with the same regulations that apply for the second attempt. The statement of the task and the deadline for the second and third examination attempts must be approved by the director of studies. The statement of the task must make allowance for the fact that extra time is provided for the thesis.
To ensure compliance with the deadline for submission, the director of studies or deputy can decide in certain circumstances that the thesis must be completed with a thesis assignment.
Thesis examination
The thesis is concluded with an individual examination after submission of the thesis report or thesis assignment. The thesis examination consists of a lecture within a selected topic associated with the subject area of the thesis, followed by an oral examination within the topic area of the thesis. The subject of the lecture is agreed between the main supervisor, the project supervisor, if applicable, and the external examiner, and is submitted to the student 7 days prior to the examination. The oral examination must be based on the prepared thesis report or the answer to the thesis assignment, as well as the lecture. One and a half hours are set aside for the thesis examination, divided into 45 minutes for each of the two parts of the examination.
The topic area of the thesis is restricted to the literature used, as stated in the reference list for the thesis report or the answer to the thesis assignment.
One single combined mark is awarded in accordance with the Danish 7-point grading scale for the thesis report/answer to the thesis assignment, lecture and subsequent oral examination. The student's written expression skills must be included in the assessment. An external censor participates in the examination.
The title of the thesis appears in Danish and English on the Master's degree diploma.
The thesis examination must take place at Aarhus University.
The thesis examination must be held no later than two months after submission of the thesis report or answer to the thesis assignment.
20.4 Use of computers at examinations
A computer can be used for text processing purposes at written examinations if stated in the course description (the method of examination will be described as a computer examination). For further information (in Danish only), see www.au.dk/da/eksamen/pc.
A computer can also be indicated as permitted material at written examinations, e.g. as a pocket calculator or as a note reference tool. It should be noted that, in such cases, a computer can only be used for the mentioned purposes – i.e. not for text processing, printing or submission. The assignment is written by hand. The conditions for use of a computer in this manner are available at www.science.au.dk/eksamen.
20.5 Project-oriented training
Project-oriented training in private sector companies and institutions can form part of the Master's degree programme. The project agreement and formulation are subject to prior approval by the Board of Studies, which also decides on the method of examination for the project-oriented training.
(21) Exemptions
In exceptional circumstances, the Board of Studies can grant exemptions from the rules set out in the academic regulations.
An application for exemption must be submitted to the Board of Studies. If another authority has the power to grant an exemption, the Board of Studies forwards the application to the appropriate authority (e.g. the dean, rector or ministry). An application for exemption must be made in writing, stating reasons, and be submitted as soon as possible. For the application to be processed immediately, it must include a precise account of the regulation from which exemption is sought, and what such exemption is intended to achieve (e.g. permission to use special aids, extension of examination time, postponement of time limits). Documentation for the unusual conditions that justify exemption must be enclosed with the application. Normally, no importance is attached to such conditions, unless they are documented.
(22) Appeals and complaints
Complaints regarding matters governed by the academic regulations must be submitted to the Board of Studies. It is a prerequisite for immediate processing that the complaint is made in writing, stating reasons.
Complaints regarding examinations, including examination results, must be submitted to the dean. Students are recommended to contact a supervisor before submitting a complaint. A complaint must be specific and submitted in writing, stating reasons.
The complaint must be addressed to:
The Dean of the Faculty of Science
Ny Munkegade, Building 1521
DK-8000 Aarhus C
The complaint must reach the Faculty of Science no later than 14 days after publication of the examination results.
See also www.au.dk/da/eksamen for university rules and examination guidelines (available in Danish only).
(23) Guidelines for degree programme rules
Acts and executive orders relating to education are available in the electronic rules and regulations of Aarhus University at http://www.au.dk/?id=245687&L=1/index.html.
(24) Study plan and student guidance
The study programme for the Master's degree is individually planned under the supervision of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The study programme must be approved by the relevant director of studies prior to commencement of the degree.
Follow-up of the approved study programme takes place at half-yearly status discussions between the student and the Department of Physics and Astronomy.