Learning outcomes - Master in Physics

Observe and understand the physical reality of the world around him.her, understand it, explain it and model it, these are the challenges that the student enroled in the Master [120] in Physics is preparing to meet. This programme aims to develop mastery of the fundamental laws and essential tools of today's physics, with a focus that allows entering the world of research or industry (reasearch focus), the world of education (training focus) or the hospital environment (specialized focus on medical physics). It leads to the acquisition of skills such as the ability to analyze a physical problem, the ability of abstraction and modeling, the rigor in reasoning and expression, the autonomy and the ability to communicate, including in English.

At the end of his.her training at the Faculty of Sciences, the student will have acquired the disciplinary and cross-disciplinary knowledge, and skills needed to perform numerous professional activities. His.her modeling and in-depth understanding of phenomena, his.her liking for research and his.her scientific rigor will be sought not only in scientific professions (research, development, teaching, etc.), but also more generally in the current and future Society.

On successful completion of this programme, each student is able to :

1. Master and use in depth the specialized knowledges of physics.

1.1 Formulate the fundamental concepts of current physical theories, highlighting their main ideas, and link these theories together.
1.2 Identify and apply physical theories to solve a problem.
1.3 Know and use adequately the principles of experimental physics : measurements, their uncertainties, measuring instruments and their calibration, the processing of data by computer tools.
1.4 Explain and design a measurement method and implement it.
1.5 Model complex systems and predict their evolution using numerical methods, including computer simulations.
1.6 Retrace the historical evolution of physical concepts and recognize the role of physics in various parts of the body of knowledge and culture.

2. Demonstrate methodological, technical and practical skills useful for solving problems in physics.

2.1 Choose, knowing their limitations, a method and tools to solve a novel problem in physics.
2.2 Design and use instruments to measure or study a physical system.
2.3 Properly handle computer tools to help solve problems in physics, while knowing the limitations of these tools.
2.4 Design algorithms adapted to the problems addressed and translate them into computer programmes.
2.5 Apply adequate tools, both basic and more advanced, to model complex physical systems and solve specific problems in physics application fields.

3. Apply a scientific approach and reasoning, and identify, using an inductive or deductive approach, the unifying aspects of different situations and experiences.

3.1 Evaluate the simplicity, clarity, rigor, originality of a scientific reasoning, and identify any flaws.
3.2 Develop or adapt a physical reasoning and formalize it.
3.3 Argue the validity of a scientific result and adapt its argumentation to various audiences.
3.4 Show the analogies between different problems in physics, in order to apply known solutions to new problems.

4. Build new knowledge and research related to issues in one or more areas of current physics.

4.1 Develop an autonomous physical intuition by anticipating expected results and verifying consistency with existing results.
4.2 Analyze a research problem and select the appropriate tools to study it in a thorough and original way.

5. Learn and act autonomously to continue training in an independent way.

5.1 Search in the physical literature for sources and assess their relevance.
5.2 Read and interpret an advanced physics text and relate it to acquired knowledge.
5.3 Acquire new scientific and technical skills.
5.4 Judge autonomously the relevance of a scientific approach and the interest of a physical theory.

6. Work in a team and collaborate with students and professionals in other disciplinary fields to achieve common goals and produce results.

6.1 Share knowledge and methods.
6.2 Identify individual and collective goals and responsibilities, and work in accordance with these roles.
6.3 Manage, individually and as a team, a major project in all its aspects.
6.4 Evaluate your performance as an individual and team member, and evaluate the performance of others.
6.5 Recognize and respect the views and opinions of team members.

7. Communicate effectively in French and English (C1 CEFR level) and in a way that is appropriate for the intended audience

7.1 Write scientific texts in accordance with the conventions and specific rules of the discipline.
7.2 Structure an oral presentation and bring out the key elements of the subject.
7.3 Distinguish the objectives, methods and concepts of the theme presented.
7.4 Adapt the presentation to the level of expertise of the interlocutors.
7.5 Use a variety of media and computer tools to communicate (explain, write, publish) concepts and physical results.
7.6 Discuss with colleagues from other disciplines.

.8. If he.she chooses the research training, actively address a research theme.

8.1 Achieve a level of expertise in a chosen field of contemporary physics.
8.2 Deepen a subject beyond current knowledge.

9. If he.she chooses the specialized focus on medical physics, practice the profession of physicist in the hospital environment.

9.1 Identify and apply the imaging and treatment techniques specific to physicists in the hospital environment.
9.2 Intervene in a clinical setting.
9.3 Undertake basic and clinical research.

10. If he.she chooses the teaching focus, mobilize the necessary skills to effectively start the profession of teacher in physics in high schools, and be able to evolve positively there.

10.1. Intervene in school context, in partnership with different actors.
10.2. Teach in authentic and varied situations.
10.3. Exercise a reflexive glance and to project him.her.self in a logic of continuous development.

For more details, consult the Aggregation of Upper Secondary Education (Physical Sciences).

The contribution of each teaching unit to the programme’s reference for learning outcomes can be found in the document "Through which teaching units the skills of the programme's reference system are developed and mastered by the student?".

The document is accessible by means of identification with the global UCLouvain identifier by clicking PHYS2A