Bachelor of Science in Physics and Astronomy

Studying physics and astronomy is particularly suited for people in possession of a unique talent, i.e. that of combining practical ingenuity (setting up and interpreting experiments) with abstract reasoning (mathematics). Physics aims to describe and understand the behaviour of material systems under a variety of conditions.

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Bachelor's Programme

3 year 180 credits

Faculty of Sciences

Dutch

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About the programme

Programme summary

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Off to a good start

Postgraduate studies

First year

(version 10 )

Course schedule 1st semester Course schedule 2nd semester

1 General Courses

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Programming	1	sem 1	nl	Peter Dawyndt	6

Mechanics	1	sem 1	nl	Matthieu Boone	6

Mathematical Structures and Functions	1	sem 1	nl	Maarten Baes	5

Linear Algebra	1	sem 1	nl	Anneleen De Schepper	4

Chemistry	1	sem 1	nl	Zeger Hens	5

Stars and Planets	1	sem 2	nl	Sven De Rijcke	6

Electricity and Magnetism	1	sem 2	nl	Bartel Van Waeyenberge	5

Waves and Optics	1	sem 2	nl	Henk Vrielinck	5

Vector Analysis	1	sem 2	nl	Hans Vernaeve	6

Theoretical Mechanics	1	sem 2	nl	Dimitri Van Neck	6

Physics and Astronomy Laboratory 1	1	year	nl	Natalie Jachowicz	6

Second year

(version 10 )

Course schedule 1st semester Course schedule 2nd semester

1 General Courses

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Python for Scientists	2	sem 1	en	Jonathan Leliaert	5

Statistics and Data Processing	2	sem 1	nl	Arjen van der Wel	6

Vector and Function Spaces	2	sem 1	nl	Jutho Haegeman	5

Quantum Mechanics 1	2	sem 1	nl	Jan Ryckebusch	6

Thermal Physics	2	sem 2	nl	Natalie Jachowicz	6

Galaxies	2	sem 2	nl	Ilse De Looze	6

Materials Physics	2	sem 2	nl	Diederik Depla	5

Relativity and Electromagnetism	2	sem 2	en	Archisman Ghosh	6

Groups and Representations	2	sem 2	nl	Frank Verstraete	4

Physics and Astronomy Laboratory 2	2	year	nl	Bartel Van Waeyenberge	6

2 Elective Courses

Subscribe to 1 track from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Students who have followed the Educational Track, can enter directly into the educational master's programme.

2.1 Physics and Astronomy Track

Subscribe to 15 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.1.1 Elective Courses Physics and Astronomy

Course	Ref	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Introductory Biophysics		sem 1	en	Nele Vandersickel	6

Thin Films and Surface Physics		sem 1	nl	Diederik Depla	6

Physics for Citizens	UKV	sem 1	nl	Philippe Smet	4

Electronics		sem 2	nl	Dirk Poelman	6

Project Work		year	nl	Bartel Van Waeyenberge	3

2.1.2 Elective Courses UGent

Subscribe to no more than 15 credit units from the bachelor's pogrammes offered by UGent. The course units are preferably chosen from the course units offered by the Faculty of Sciences and / or the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. The course 'Powerful Learning Environments' from the educational track can also be chosen here. At most 6 credits can be chosen from cours units offered by other faculties.

2.2 Educational Track

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Powerful Learning Environments		2	sem 1	nl	Bram De Wever	6

Third year

(version 10 )

Course schedule 1st semester Course schedule 2nd semester

1 General Courses

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Quantum Mechanics 2	3	sem 1	nl	Dimitri Van Neck	6

Complex Analysis	3	sem 1	nl	Nele Vandersickel	4

Statistical Physics	3	sem 1	nl	Jan Ryckebusch	6

Structure of the Universe	3	sem 1	nl	Arjen van der Wel	6

Research Skills	3	sem 1	nl	Matthieu Boone	3

Atomic and Molecular Physics	3	sem 2	nl	Jonas Joos	5

Solid State Physics	3	sem 2	nl	Christophe Detavernier	6

Nuclear Physics	3	sem 2	en	Natalie Jachowicz	4

Elementary Particle Physics	3	sem 2	en	Didar Dobur	4

Bachelor's Project Physics and Astronomy	3	sem 2	nl	Christophe Detavernier	6

2 Elective Courses

Subscribe to 1 track from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Students who have followed the Educational Track, can enter directly into the educational master's programme.

2.1 Physics and Astronomy Track

Subscribe to 15 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.1.1 Elective Courses Physics and Astronomy

Course	Ref	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Introductory Biophysics		sem 1	en	Nele Vandersickel	6

Thin Films and Surface Physics		sem 1	nl	Diederik Depla	6

Physics for Citizens	UKV	sem 1	nl	Philippe Smet	4

Electronics		sem 2	nl	Dirk Poelman	6

Project Work		year	nl	Bartel Van Waeyenberge	3

2.1.2 Elective Courses UGent

2.2 Educational Track

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Teaching Methodology: Sciences	3	year	nl	Katrien Strubbe	6

Reference Internship: Sciences	3	year	nl	Katrien Strubbe	3

Full programme

(version 10 )

Print

1 General Courses 165

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Programming	1	sem 1	nl	Peter Dawyndt	6

Mechanics	1	sem 1	nl	Matthieu Boone	6

Mathematical Structures and Functions	1	sem 1	nl	Maarten Baes	5

Linear Algebra	1	sem 1	nl	Anneleen De Schepper	4

Chemistry	1	sem 1	nl	Zeger Hens	5

Stars and Planets	1	sem 2	nl	Sven De Rijcke	6

Electricity and Magnetism	1	sem 2	nl	Bartel Van Waeyenberge	5

Waves and Optics	1	sem 2	nl	Henk Vrielinck	5

Vector Analysis	1	sem 2	nl	Hans Vernaeve	6

Theoretical Mechanics	1	sem 2	nl	Dimitri Van Neck	6

Physics and Astronomy Laboratory 1	1	year	nl	Natalie Jachowicz	6

Python for Scientists	2	sem 1	en	Jonathan Leliaert	5

Statistics and Data Processing	2	sem 1	nl	Arjen van der Wel	6

Vector and Function Spaces	2	sem 1	nl	Jutho Haegeman	5

Quantum Mechanics 1	2	sem 1	nl	Jan Ryckebusch	6

Thermal Physics	2	sem 2	nl	Natalie Jachowicz	6

Galaxies	2	sem 2	nl	Ilse De Looze	6

Materials Physics	2	sem 2	nl	Diederik Depla	5

Relativity and Electromagnetism	2	sem 2	en	Archisman Ghosh	6

Groups and Representations	2	sem 2	nl	Frank Verstraete	4

Physics and Astronomy Laboratory 2	2	year	nl	Bartel Van Waeyenberge	6

Quantum Mechanics 2	3	sem 1	nl	Dimitri Van Neck	6

Complex Analysis	3	sem 1	nl	Nele Vandersickel	4

Statistical Physics	3	sem 1	nl	Jan Ryckebusch	6

Structure of the Universe	3	sem 1	nl	Arjen van der Wel	6

Research Skills	3	sem 1	nl	Matthieu Boone	3

Atomic and Molecular Physics	3	sem 2	nl	Jonas Joos	5

Solid State Physics	3	sem 2	nl	Christophe Detavernier	6

Nuclear Physics	3	sem 2	en	Natalie Jachowicz	4

Elementary Particle Physics	3	sem 2	en	Didar Dobur	4

Bachelor's Project Physics and Astronomy	3	sem 2	nl	Christophe Detavernier	6

2 Elective Courses 15

Subscribe to 1 track from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Students who have followed the Educational Track, can enter directly into the educational master's programme.

2.1 Physics and Astronomy Track

15

Subscribe to 15 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.1.1 Elective Courses Physics and Astronomy

Course	Ref	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Introductory Biophysics		sem 1	en	Nele Vandersickel	6

Thin Films and Surface Physics		sem 1	nl	Diederik Depla	6

Physics for Citizens	UKV	sem 1	nl	Philippe Smet	4

Electronics		sem 2	nl	Dirk Poelman	6

Project Work		year	nl	Bartel Van Waeyenberge	3

2.1.2 Elective Courses UGent

2.2 Educational Track

15

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Powerful Learning Environments	2	sem 1	nl	Bram De Wever	6

Teaching Methodology: Sciences	3	year	nl	Katrien Strubbe	6

Reference Internship: Sciences	3	year	nl	Katrien Strubbe	3

Full programme

(version 9 - re-enrol only)

Print

1 General Courses 162

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Mechanics	1	sem 1	nl	Matthieu Boone	6

Waves and Optics	1				6

Electricity and Magnetism	1				6

Introduction to Theoretical Physics	1	sem 2	nl	Dimitri Van Neck	6

Physics Laboratory 1	1				6

Analysis I	1			Jasson Vindas Diaz	6

Analysis II	1				6

Linear Algebra and Geometry I	1			Anneleen De Schepper	6

Programming	1	sem 1	nl	Peter Dawyndt	6

Chemistry	1			Kristof Van Hecke	6

Quantum Mechanics 1	2	sem 1	nl	Jan Ryckebusch	6

Thermal Physics	2	sem 2	nl	Natalie Jachowicz	6

Electromagnetism	2	sem 2	nl	Jutho Haegeman	6

Material Physics	2	sem 2	nl	Diederik Depla	6

Physics Laboratory 2	2	sem 2	nl	Bartel Van Waeyenberge	6

Statistics and Data Processing	2	sem 1	nl	Arjen van der Wel	6

Mathematical Methods in Physics	2	sem 1	nl	Nele Vandersickel	6

Introduction to Astronomy	2	sem 2	nl	Sven De Rijcke	6

Extragalactic Astronomy	2	sem 2	nl	Maarten Baes	6

Quantum Mechanics 2	3	sem 1	nl	Dimitri Van Neck	6

Theory of Relativity	3	sem 1	nl	Karel Van Acoleyen	6

Statistical Physics 1	3	sem 1	nl	Jan Ryckebusch	6

Introduction to Atomic and Molecular Physics	3	sem 2	nl	Jonas Joos	6

Solid State Physics	3	sem 2	nl	Christophe Detavernier	6

Subatomic Physics 1	3	sem 2	en	Didar Dobur	6

Physics of Galaxies	3	sem 1	nl	Sven De Rijcke	6

Bachelorproject	3	sem 2	nl	Christophe Detavernier	6

2 Elective Courses 18

Subscribe to 1 module from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Students who have followed the Educational Track, can enter directly into the educational master's programme.

2.1 Physics and Astronomy Track

18

Subscribe to 18 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.1.1 Elective Courses Physics and Astronomy

Subscribe to no more than 18 credit units from the following list, distributed over the first standard learning path as follows:

no more than 6 credit units in year 2,
no more than 12 credit units in year 3.

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Electronics	2	sem 2	nl	Dirk Poelman	6

Thin Films and Surface Physics	3	sem 1	nl	Diederik Depla	6

Introductory Biophysics	3				6

2.1.2 Elective Courses UGent

Subscribe to no more than 18 credit units from the bachelor's pogrammes offered by UGent. The course units are preferably chosen from the course units offered by the Faculty of Sciences and / or the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. The course 'Powerful Learning Environments' from the educational track can also be chosen here. At most 6 credits can be chosen from cours units offered by other faculties. The course units are distributed over the first standard learning path as follows:

6 credit units in year 2,
no more than 12 credit units in year 3.

2.2 Educational Track

18

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Powerful Learning Environments	2	sem 1	nl	Bram De Wever	6

Teaching Methodology: Sciences	3	year	nl	Katrien Strubbe	6

Reference Internship: Sciences	3	year	nl	Katrien Strubbe	3

2.2.1 Elective Courses UGent

Subscribe to 3 credit units from the module 'Physics and Astronomy' or from the bachelor's programmes offered by Ghent University (preferably offered by the Faculty of Sciences and / or the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture).

Learning outcomes

Competence field 1: Competence in one or more scientific disciplines

Have knowledge of the physical and astronomical key concepts and basic methods and have the ability to apply these at an adequate level of abstraction.
Have a thorough basic knowledge and usage of classical physical and astronomical domains such as mechanics, waves and optics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermic and static physics, theory of relativity, solid state physics, subatomic physics, atomic and molecular physics, extragalactic and galactic astronomy.
Have an insight into relevant historical developments in physical and astronomical research.
Have extensive basic knowledge and practical know-how of mathematics when solving physical and astronomical problems.
Have knowledge of standard techniques and models of physics and astronomy and the ability to use them within the relevant application domains.
Possess ICT skills needed for physics and astronomy: programming, the ability to work with graphical software, scientific word processing (LaTeX), packages for statistical data processing and computer algebra.

Competence field 2: Scientific competence

Possess the physical way of thinking, i.e. to strongly believe that every physical theory needs to be reality tested. Therefore having the ability to plan and execute a measurement on your own, process the data of the measurement in a rigorous way and critically interpret them.
Have the ability to independently analyse complex physical and astronomical problems and verify them against existing models and insights.
Make use of classical and modern scientific sources in a critical manner with attention for a correct and a complete citation of the reference.
Have the ability to select, schematize and process data in a structured way.
Have the ability to independently understand and process physical and astronomical subject-specific literature (this includes scientific English).

Competence field 3: Intellectual competence

Have the ability to think conceptually, analytically, systematically and in a problem-solving way at different levels of abstraction.
Possess the physical and astronomical methodology and possess an analytical way of thinking in order to plan, finalise and potentially adapt complex processes.
Organize learning experiences and understand, plan and evaluate the personal learning process, and adjust when necessary.
Demonstrate accuracy, physical intuition, creativity and critical reflection.
Possess the necessary theoretical insights and methodological skills to be able to take on a connecting master’s programme at national and international universities.
Have knowledge of the study and/or work possibilities connected to the Bachelor of Physics and the ability to make a well thought-out choice.

Competence field 4: Competence in collaboration and communication

Have the ability to use the physical and astronomical terminology (also in English).
Have the ability to systematically execute complex tasks in a group.
Have the ability to report both written and orally on projects relevant to physics and astronomy.

Competence field 5: Competence in social responsibility

Pay attention to business aspects of physics.
Understand the cultural, ethical and societal aspects of physics and astronomy.