Master Year 2 High Energy Physics

High-energy physics is devoted to the study of elementary blocks of matter and associated forces. This relies on particle collider experiments at very high energy or very large beam intensities, as well as highly sensitive detectors. These experimental devices give access to the laws of physics at very short distances. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC), launched in September 2008 at CERN, is the most spectacular example to date. The theoretical description of the laws of nature is based on mathematical theories characterized by their intrinsic simplicity and predictive power, and which incorporate the symmetries of physical phenomena.

The High-Energy Physics Master’s program offers comprehensive theoretical and experimental training in high-energy physics covering a wide range of fields and applications: particle physics, astroparticle physics, standard model of electroweak interactions and its extensions, strong interactions and quantum chromodynamics, tools and methods in experimental physics, general relativity, string theory and cosmology.

The second year of the Master’s program enables students to acquire advanced knowledge and build their research skills. The program offers an international track leading to a dual degree from two prestigious institutions, Institut Polytechnique de Paris and ETH Zürich. This dual degree curriculum has a common design drawing on a selection of courses from the two institutions.

Objectives

The two-year High Energy Physics Master’s program aims to: 

• Provide students with coherent theoretical and experimental training in high energy physics addressing a broad spectrum of fields and applications: particle physics, astroparticle physics, standard model of electroweak interactions and its extensions, strong interactions and quantum chromodynamics, tools and methods in experimental physics, general relativity, string theory and cosmology 
• Provide students with supervision from research professors recognized in their field of research 
• Master the following knowledge and skills:
  • fundamental knowledge and understanding of high energy physics
  • knowledge of standard methods and techniques
  • in-depth knowledge in at least one advanced field of research: theoretical physics or experimental physics
  • in-depth awareness of the interfaces between their field of specialization and other disciplines, in part, through interdisciplinary projects
• On graduation, students will be in a position to start a doctoral thesis or independent research activity in theoretical physics or experimental physics