Delft University of Technology - TU Delft
speciality:
Physics & Astronomy
What Is a Physics & Astronomy Degree?
Physics & Astronomy are two sciences with a big importance in the evolution of the world. The combination of the two creates a specialization through which students practice their logical, practical skills and explore the space of possibilities around them.
While physics is based on the analysis of energy, force, movement, and other elements that study the properties and structure of matter; astronomy, the subordinated of physics, aims at studying galaxies or constellations. More specifically, it refers to the study of the universe as a whole.
As a result of the specialisation presented, students often learn to develop scientific theories and models to explain the world’s properties, initiate scientific experiments and research, solve complex mathematical equations to analyze astronomical and physical data or develop computer softwares to analyze and model data.
Benefits of a Physics & Astronomy Degree
As a student of Physics & Astronomy, the skills developed include problem-solving, data analysis using modern technologies and software, creativity, critical thinking, logical thinking, the ability to present innovative ideas writing or speaking, teamwork.
At the same time, most students completing this specialisation continue their studies with graduate work in physics. Also, they can opt for another specialisation, such as computer science, medicine, radiation, law, meteorology, oceanography, teaching physics.
It is noticed that Physics & Astronomy does not limit students to work only in the field of physics. Moreover, it offers a large field of opportunities in jobs related to this science. The employment rate is very high among the graduates of Physics & Astronomy. They remain either in universities, research academies or in various scientific institutes for research and service development.
Physics & Astronomy Degree Structure
Most students who complete a degree in Physics & Astronomy have a Bachelor’s degree in Physics. They are highly appreciated on the labour market, as they have a much wider background in natural sciences and mathematics. Most courses include Classical and Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics and Linear Algebra or Statistics. It should be mentioned that the Bachelor studies last for 3 years. A Master’s programme is enough for those looking for research jobs for manufacturing or healthcare industries. These studies have a duration of 2 years.
It is important to know that a doctorate in Physics & Astronomy allows students to work in research, in academies or in various positions of industry researcher. At the same time, to be admitted to a Doctorate in Physics & Astronomy, students need to have math and computer science courses, as physicists and astronomers develop software for modelling and analyzing data. Often, these studies may take between 5 and 6 years. For those who do not want to continue their studies with a PhD, there are computer science courses, very useful for acquiring new knowledge.
During their undergraduate studies, students have the opportunity to attend internship programmes to work with skilled people in this profession and to better understand how they can apply the theoretical knowledge they learnt. There are various national or international astronomical societies, as well as physical societies that provide students with internship programmes.
4 Student Reviews
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Applied Physics02 Apr, 2019
StudentVery Good University sometimes overdemandingI would recommend the TUDelft but for some degrees, you definitely need more time than the official duration of the curriculum. The TUDelft also offers great extracurricular activities and supports them.
View moreProgramme: Applied PhysicsDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2019Campus: Delft -
Applied Physics13 Feb, 2019 StudentGood level
The level of the courses taught is very high, higher than at many other universities. Also there are lots of other extra-curricular activities provided so the students gain other, practical experience, such as the Nuna or Ecorunner dreamteams.
View moreProgramme: Applied PhysicsDegree: Bachelor'sCampus: Delft -
Applied Physics22 Dec, 2018 AnkitAwesome place for emerging science and technology
Its young students, as well as PhDs, are doing perfectly well and outstanding cutting-edge research. I highly recommend this university for those who want a good research platform and healthy life altogether.
View moreProgramme: Applied PhysicsDegree: PhDGraduation: 2022Campus: Delft -
Applied Physics03 Oct, 2018EugenioOpportunities, good study and social environment and quite some work
I study the master of Applied Physics at TU Delft. I would really recommend this university! I came here without any precise expectation, just to prove myself in a new environment and what I found is a very well organised university from various points of view.
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On the first hand, the first two weeks I came here were an “Introduction Programme” where you get used to the place and have a lot of social activities. I really appreciated this because it gave me the possibility, as an international student just arrived in the university, to get to know a lot of people and start making new friends. Furthermore, even throughout the year there are still a lot of social activities linked to the university (faculty pubs every week and even special events).
On the second hand, from an academic point of view, the university is full of opportunities, especially if you look actively for it. Of course from this point on I will mainly talk about my course. My faculty has a lot of contacts with companies and graduated people (I could meet various people that graduated in the past, and that let me to get an understanding of where I could end up after this studies), very good research facilities (there’s a clean room that, I’ve been told, is quite important at the european level) and a lot of extra-curricular events. Last but not least, all the staff (professors, PhDs, postdocs, student counsellor,…) are very friendly and available and I can’t stress enough how much that helps in your academic career.
It is, though, a quite demanding course that requires a lot of commitment and, depending on the person, can cause a lot of stress.Programme: Applied PhysicsGraduation: 2018Campus: Delft
