Design and Structure of the Project
Our proposal is a 120 ECTS Master Course of 24 months’ duration. The Master is structured for all students in 5 modules and divided into 4 terms (semesters). A common basis of fundamental knowledge is given to all students during the first semester. A progressive specialization is then acquired through the choice of one out of three different paths, corresponding to experimental/large accelerators (EXP), theoretical (THEO), or applied/small accelerators (APP) focus.
The NucPhys Master program will start with an orientation week in the starting university, other consortium members and/or associated partners could be connected via a video conference. Coordinators of each Consortium university will welcome students and introduce the NucPhys program and the participating universities. This first step of networking among students provides the opportunity to exchange views, experiences, and plans with each other at a very early stage. Initial knowledge of students will be checked during the orientation week through a “Pilot Test” and online dedicated resources will be available for bridging possible gaps in order to assure the same starting point to all students.
Modules
Module 1: Basics nuclear physics and tools ( 24 ECTs for the first 3 intakes and 30 ECTs for the following ones)
Module 2: Advanced nuclear physics (48 ECTs for the first 3 intakes and 42 for the following ones), with three specialities (experimental, theory, applications)
Module 3: Common advanced course (common course on a selected topic every year, 6 ECTs)
Module 4: Internship (12 ECTs)
Module 5: Master Thesis (30 ECTs)
The contents of the modules are briefly described below:
Module 1: (BAS) will be devoted to the basic knowledge required on general Physics, and Complementary/Interdisciplinary courses adapted to the chosen path (notably atomic and plasma physics, quantum mechanics, computing and numerical methods, basic nuclear physics, basic lab in nuclear physics). These courses will be concentrated in the first semester, and include topics as Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Structure of Matter, Basic Nuclear Physics: theory and laboratory and Computing and Numerical Methods.
Module 2: allows students to follow 3 paths: Experimental/large accelerators (EXP), Theoretical (THEO), or Applied/small accelerators (APP). This module will give the specialized focus of the Master curriculum towards fundamental or applied nuclear physics. Fundamental physics includes either an experimental or a theoretical focus. Applied physics is especially focussed on biomedical applications, but also includes fundamentals in accelerators technology, archaeometry, monitoring of nuclear waste, and nuclear fusion plasma physics. The specialization is progressive, starting already in the first year and being finalized in the third semester. Topics include Nuclear Structure and Reactions, Nuclear Astrophysics, Weak and Strong Interactions, Collision Physics, Many Body Theory, Nuclear Physics Applications: Art, Materials, Nuclear Physics Applications: Radioprotection and Therapy, Metrology and Data Analysis, Experimental Nuclear Physics, Advanced Nuclear and Subnuclear Laboratory, and Accelerator Physics and advanced Instrumentation.
Module 3: (ADV): Selected topics with special invited lecturers to be held during two weeks in the third semester for all students in France. The choice of period and location is done to optimize the mobility scheme of the students (see below). Topics and lecturers will be selected every year for the next course in a co-organization with TALENT (6 ECTS).
Module 4: (INTERNSHIP) will be done in the third semester. It is dedicated to student individual internship (either experimental, theoretical or applied topics are accepted), which will take place in different institutional or industrial research centers, either in Caen (France) or in the country (Italy or Spain) where the fourth semester is spent, or in an associated center in a third country according to the chosen path and desired specialization. Students will be supported by internal (Consortium) and external (Associated Members) tutoring. The internships are programmed by the Universities in advance, so as to provide a real working experience, valuable for future job placement. A “Practice Oriented Day” is organized with the participation of representatives of the hosting Institutions, tutors and Consortium Coordinators, at the beginning of the third term in Caen, so as to present the Internships programs, to share the discussion on the work topics, aims and methods with students, and to consolidate the Consortium network.
Module 5: (THESIS) will include the initial steps to write a short project of Master Thesis which has to be approved by the Master Academic Committee and the conduction of a research work in theoretical, experimental or applied Nuclear Physics with the direction of one or more advisors from one or more Universities (works with coordinate tutors from two partner Universities, or from one University and one associated industrial/host institution, will be programed). This module includes the writing of the Master Thesis and the public defence of the achieved results. This defence will be at the common Master meeting organized every year and with a “Defence Committee” appointed by the Academic Commission of the Master (including academics of the Consortium, the associated members and/or external experts). In case of failure, an extra opportunity will be given to the student in his/her local University following the local rules for Master Thesis defence. In this case, the inclusion in the “Defence Committee” of an external member from other internal (Consortium) and external (Associated Members) institution is highly recommended.