Are you a current student? For the programme of this academic year, check the course guide.

Curriculum of Quantum Matter

The Master’s specialisation in Quantum Matter (previously called Physics of Molecules and Materials) has a course load of 120 EC (two years) and is organised along six compulsory courses, supplemented by specialisation electives and free electives. The biggest part of your Master's specialisation is formed by your internship and thesis. 

About this study curriculum

The course overview is an indication of the study programme of the academic year 2024-2025. Are you a current student, please consult the online course guide for your course overview.

Please note: The current name of the programme is Physics of Molecules and Materials and will change to Quantum Matter in the academic year of 2024-2025. In the course guide for current students, you will only find the name of Physics of Molecules and Materials.

COURSE GUIDE

Course overview

The list below illustrates the basic organisation of the Master's specialisation in Quantum Matter:

  • Compulsory courses (23 EC)
  • Elective courses (24 EC)
  • Free electives (13 EC)
  • Master's thesis (60 EC)

The compulsory courses form the core of the specialisation. They consist of four Quantum Matter courses, a Philosophy course and a Professional preparation course. They are supplemented by a set of specialisation electives, that you can choose from a list of selected courses. In addition, you’re also allowed to follow a few courses at any faculty or university you want. These ‘free electives’ give you the chance to specialise even further, or broaden your programme as you find fitting.

You can also choose to do the synergy track Computational and Data Science. You can find more information about this track at the bottom of this page.

Total EC
120 EC
Compulsory courses
P1
P2
P3
P4
3 EC
6 EC
6 EC
3 EC
2 EC

Choose one Philosophy course:

Minimum 3 EC, maximum 6 EC
6 EC
3 EC
Elective courses
P1
P2
P3
P4
3 EC
6 EC
3 EC
3 EC
3 EC
6 EC
3 EC
3 EC
3 EC
6 EC
6 EC
3 EC
6 EC
6 EC
3 EC
3 EC
2 EC

You need to choose at least 24 EC worth of electives from this list. Part of your elective course programme can take the form of a synergy track in Computational and Data Science. You can find more information about this synergy track at the bottom of this page.

Free electives
P1
P2
P3
P4
Free electives
13 EC

Free electives can be chosen from any other specialisation or programme, not necessarily within Physics and Astronomy. Or have a look at the atoms and molecular physics Bachelor's courses. 

Thesis & research
P1
P2
P3
P4
60 EC

The kind of molecules or materials that you’ll study during your internship – and the experimental or theoretical methods that you’ll use – is up to you. You can perform research at the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM).

Find molecular physics internships

As our research groups have close collaborations with companies, it’s also possible to choose an external location for your internship. Former students, for example, have worked at Philips, NXP and SKF. If you would rather go abroad, we’ll help you to find a suitable possibility, using our network. You can for example apply for a grant to perform an internship at the Max Planck Gesellschaft, one of the world's most renowned research institutes.

Specialisations