Core elective and elective modules

In addition to the research seminar and the Master's thesis, a total of 16 ECTS must be selected from a block of core elective modules, listed below. Depending on the area of the Master's thesis, various combinations of core electives are recommended to ensure optimal preparation for the thesis. However, especially with a shorter Master's thesis totalling 30 ECTS credits, it is possible to attend a broader range of advanced lectures. 

The elective area remaining after the core elective lectures can also be filled with other core elective modules.  The module PHY 403 (Master Thesis Proposal) is particularly recommended if you envisage a research career.

Master's modules in physics from all areas of physics offered by ETH and UZH are also permitted.

The core electives and the elective modules are discussed in the learning agreement with the director of the study programme (Prof. Christof Aegerter) at the beginning of the study programme and fixed with the supervisor of the Master's thesis or the director of the Master's study programme before the start of the Master's thesis. Suitable combinations for the different areas (and sub-areas thereof) as well as possible elective modules are listed below.                                                                          

For a Master's thesis in the area of condensed matter, the core elective modules PHY401 and PHY411 are recommended.
Elective modules focusing on condensed matter (offered by UZH):

• PHY 212 Festkörperphysik II
• PHY 420 Electronspectroscopy
• PHY 425 Modern Optics and Microscopy
• PHY 426 Laser Matter Interaction
• PHY 427 Electron microscopy lectures
• PHY 432 Physics with Muons: From Atomic Physics to Solid State Physics
• PHY 434 Nanomagnetism and Spintronics
• PHY 435 Introducing Photons, Neutrons and Muons for Materials Characterisation
• PHY 522 Computational Quantum Physics
• PHY 523 Unconventional Superconductivity
• PHY 541 Introduction to Disordered and Random Systems
• PHY 585 Principles of X-ray and Neutron Scattering
• CHE 437 Surface and Interface Science
• PHY 542 Geometry and Topology in Condensed Matter Physics
• PHY 576 Topological condensed matter physics

For a Master's thesis in the area of particle physics, the core elective modules PHY451 and PHY452 are recommended.
Elective modules focusing on particle physics (offered by UZH):

• PHY 213 Kern- und Teilchenphysik II
• PHY 551 Quantenfeldtheorie I
• PHY 552 Quantum Field Theory II
• PHY 563 The Standard Model and Beyond
• PHY 462 Particle physics experiment at PSI
• PHY 432 Physics with Muons: From Atomic Physics to Solid State Physics
• PHY 585 Principles of X-ray and Neutron Scattering
• PHY 579 Special Topics in Particle Theory
• PHY 578 Effective Field Theories for Particle Physics
• PHY 461 Experimentelle Methoden und Instrumente der Teilchenphysik
• PHY 564 QCD and Scattering Amplitudes

For a Master's thesis in the area of experimental astroparticle physics, the core elective modules PHY451 und PHY473 are recommended.
Elective modules focusing on astroparticle physics (offered by UZH):

• AST 511 General Relativity
• AST 512 Theoretical Astrophysics
• AST 513 Physical Cosmology
• PHY 519 Applications of General Relativity in Astrophysics and Cosmology
• PHY 461 Experimentelle Methoden und Instrumente der Teilchenphysik
• PHY 585 Principles of X-ray and Neutron Scattering
• PHY 563 The Standard Model and Beyond

For a Master's thesis in the area of astrophysics, the core elective modules AST512 and AST514 are recommended.
Elective modules focusing on astrophysics (offered by UZH):

• AST 511 General Relativity

• AST 513 Physical Cosmology

• PHY 473 Introduction to Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology

• ESC 204 Computational Methods for Radiative Transfer

• PHY 519 Applications of General Relativity in Astrophysics and Cosmology

• ESC 411 Computational Science I

• PHY 551 Quantum Field Theory I

• ESS 427 Planetary Geochemistry

For a Master's thesis in the area of cosmology, the core elective modules AST511 and AST513 are recommended.
Elective modules focusing on cosmology (offered by UZH):

• AST 512 Theoretical Astrophysics
• AST 514 Planetary Formation
• PHY 473 Introduction to Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology
• ESC 204 Computational Methods for Radiative Transfer
• PHY 519 Applications of General Relativity in Astrophysics and Cosmology
• ESC 411 Computational Science I
• PHY 551 Quantum Field Theory I
• ESS 427 Planetary Geochemistry

For a Master's thesis in the area of biological physics, the core elective modules PHY352, PHY425 und PHY431 are recommended.
Elective modules focusing on biological physics (offered by UZH):

• BIO 330 Modelling in Biology

• PHY 474 Advanced Topics in Medical Imaging

• ESC 204 Computational Methods for Radiative Transfer

• PHY 426 Laser Matter Interaction

• PHY 427 Electron microscopy lectures

• PHY 252 Computergestütztes Experimentieren

• PHY 253 Computergestütztes Experimentieren II

For a Master's thesis in the area of medical physics, the core elective modules PHY361, PHY475 und PHY471 are recommended.
Elective modules focusing on medical physics (offered by UZH):

• PHY425 Modern Optics and Microscopy

• PHY 474 Advanced Topics in Medical Imaging

• ESC 204 Computational Methods for Radiative Transfer

• PHY 426 Laser Matter Interaction

• PHY 427 Electron microscopy lectures

For a Master's thesis in the area of theoretical physics, the core elective modules PHY411, PHY452 und AST511 are recommended.
Elective modules focusing on theoretical physics (offered by UZH):

• PHY 351 Quantenmechanik II

• PHY 522 Computational Quantum Physics

• PHY 523 Unconventional Superconductivity

• PHY 541 Introduction to Disordered and Random Systems

• PHY 542 Geometry and Topology in Condensed Matter Physics

• PHY 576 Topological condensed matter physics

• PHY 551 Quantum Field Theory I

• PHY 552 Quantum Field Theory II

• PHY 563 The Standard Model and Beyond

• PHY 564 QCD and Scattering Amplitudes

• PHY 579 Special Topics in Particle Theory

• PHY 578 Effective Field Theories for Particle Physics

• AST 512 Theoretical Astrophysics

• AST 513 Physical Cosmology

• PHY 519 Applications of General Relativity in Astrophysics and Cosmology