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Master of Science in the field of Physics

Master of Science in the field of Physics

 

Target Students

The Department of Physics is offering a Taught Postgraduate Master of Science in the field of Physics. This is an innovative and well-designed MSc programme which aims to further equip university graduates with physics or related backgrounds for various career pathways and for coping with ever-evolving challenges. Our programme emphasizes a balanced and flexible approach, it provides students an opportunity to learn a wide range of advanced topics in theoretical, computational and experimental physics via taught courses and a capstone research project. Through the systematic postgraduate training in selective subject areas including astronomy, condensed matter physics, device and nano-physics, photonics and quantum information science, students can deepen and broaden their understanding of physics, and gain transferable skills for both fundamental research and career prospects.
 

I) Application
II) Fees
III) About the Programme
IV) Frequently Asked Questions
V) Enquiries

Poster Leaflet

For details, please visit the Faculty of Science website: https://www.scifac.hku.hk/prospective/tpg/Physics

I) Application

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the programme, you should have:
1. A Bachelor's degree with honours of this University, or an equivalent qualification;
2. A Bachelor's degree with honours in a relevant Science subject (e.g. Physics, Astronomy, Earth Sciences, Mathematics) or an Engineering discipline;
3. Prior knowledge in university-level electromagnetism, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics, university-level linear algebra and multi-variable calculus, basic statistics, and some computer programming experience (e.g coding in C++, Mathematica, Matlab or Python); and
4.  Applicants shall pass a qualifying examination if deemed necessary; and

5. Fulfil the University Entrance Requirements.

For 2023-24 intake:

Application opens on November 30, 2022. The closing dates for non-local and local applications are 12:00nn (GMT+8), April 28, 2023 and 12:00nn (GMT+8), June 30, 2023  respectively.  Applications can be submitted via our on-line application system here.  

For non-local students, they are advised to apply as early as possible to ensure completing all entry visa requirements prior to the commencement of the programme (It may take up to 3 months to process the entry visa).

II) Fees

Fees for 2023-24 intake:

The composition fee for the full-time programme for 2023-24 intake will be HK$180,000#. The fee shall be payable in two instalments over one year.

In addition, students are required to pay Caution Money (HK$350, refundable on graduation subject to no claims being made) and Graduation Fee (HK$350).

# Subject to approval

III) About the Programme

Programme Highlights

  • English as the medium of instruction
  • 1 year (full-time) 
  • Emphasizing a balanced and flexible approach, with a strong focus on catering to the academic and career aspiration of students, developing their own specialty in subject knowledge and technical skills
  • Solid education on theories, techniques and frontier developments in different sub-fields in physics including the five fields of specialization: astrophysics, computational physics, condensed matter physics, device and nanophysics, photonics and quantum information 
  • Highly valued by many employers for MSc degree holders in physics with advanced preparation in mathematics, laboratory skills, and programming
  • Promising employment opportunities, especially in the high-technology industry



A. Programme Structure
Regulations and Syllabuses*

To be eligible for the award of the MSc in the field of Physics, students shall complete at least 60 credits of courses. They must enroll in 2 courses (9 credits) of "compulsory courses" and take at least 42 credits of courses out of a broad range of "disciplinary electives". In addition, students must carry out a “capstone project” by enrolling in the 9-credit course PHYS8971. They are encouraged to approach faculty members in their areas of interest as soon as possible, in order to choose an appropriate project. 

* The Regulations and Syllabuses 2023-24 is subject to final approval.

Master of Science in the field of Physics
Compulsory Courses (9 credits)
PHYS8201 Basic research methods in physical science (6 credits)
PHYS8970 Physics seminar (3 credits)
Disciplinary Electives (42 credits) 
Take at least 42 credits from Lists A and B with at least 18 credits must be chosen from List A:
List A List B
PHYS8150 Computational physics and its contemporary applications (6 credits) PHYS8352 Quantum information
(6 credits)
PHYS8351 Graduate quantum mechanics
(6 credits)		 PHYS8551 Topics in solid state physics (6 credits)
PHYS8450 Graduate electromagnetic field theory
(6 credits)		 PHYS8552 Condensed matter physics (6 credits)
PHYS8550 Graduate statistical mechanics
(6 credits)		 PHYS8654 General relativity (6 credits)
PHYS8701 Physics experimental techniques
(6 credits)		 PHYS8656 Topics in astrophysics
(6 credits)
  PHYS8750 Nanophysics (6 credits)
  PHYS8751 Device physics (6 credits)
  PHYS8850 Topics in particle physics
(6 credits)
  PHYS8852 Photonics and metamaterials (6 credits)
  SPSC7007 Data analysis in space science (6 credits)
  SPSC7014 Big Data, AI and Machine Learning in space science (6 credits)
Capstone Requirement (9 credits)
PHYS8971 Capstone project (9 credits)

* Timetabling of courses may limit availability of some electives. The actual offering of such electives will be based on student demand.

IV) Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

V) Enquiries

Professor X.D. Cui (Programme Director)
Dr K.M. Lee (Co-Programme Director)
Department of Physics
Tel: (852) 2859 2361
Fax: (852) 2559 9152
Email: mscphy@hku.hk

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