Programme Structure

In the astrophysics specialisation, you get access to observations from the world’s most powerful ground- and space-based telescopes. You learn about large-scale simulations, instrumentation, and theoretical astrophysical theories that describes galaxies and the structures in which they are embedded, exoplanets, and star and planet formation.

A specialisation in astrophysics enables you to build on your BSc degree and to build up the academic knowledge, analytical skills, and autonomy necessary to apply scientific theory and methodology in an astronomy context. You will be well qualified to work in private or public companies or organisations, both nationally and internationally, that require a high degree of expert knowledge in astronomy/astrophysics. You may also progress to a PhD programme. 

Study Track

It is a good idea to use your elective and restricted elective courses to design a study track that allows you to study a subject area in depth during the specialisation. You can follow a recommended study track in astrophysics – or you can customise your programme with a mixture of courses and projects relevant to you.

Read about the study track in astrophysics >>

The Astrophysics specialisation can be structured in four different ways, depending on the size of your thesis, and whether you start in September or February:

Programme Overview, Study Start September, Thesis 45 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 45 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start September, Thesis 60 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start February, Thesis 45 ECTS

Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 45 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start February, Thesis 60 ECTS

Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Restricted Elective Courses

Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description. 

• Astronomical Data Processing
• General Relativity and Cosmology
• Computational Astrophysics
• Exoplanets and Astrobiology
• Advanced Methods in Applied Statistics
• Gravitational Dynamics and Galaxy Formation
• Interstellar Medium and the Formation of Stars and Planets
• Fundaments of High-Energy Astrophysics and Particle Astrophysics

In the Biophysics specialisation, you learn how physics has formed our modern lives when it comes to medical treatments and understanding of how diseases spread. You learn about fundamental research to explore the secrets of life processes, and you work with cutting-edge technologies to explore physical processes within cells, DNA folding, cell mechanics, tissue engineering and structures in soft matter.

Graduates have an understanding of the physical characteristics of life's molecular building blocks. You have also learned to develop testable mathematical-physical models of how the individual parts interact to form working feedback systems.

Furthermore, you have built up a solid academic grounding in the border zone between physics and molecular biology, and insight into both biophysical and molecular biological experimental techniques e.g., single-molecule techniques and super-resolution microscopy.

Study Track

It is a good idea to use your elective and restricted elective courses to design a study track that allows you to study a subject area in depth during the specialisation. You can follow a recommended study track in biophysics – or you can customise your programme with a mixture of courses and projects relevant to you.

Read about the study track in biophysics >>

The Biophysics specialisation can be structured in four different ways, depending on the size of your thesis, and whether you start in September or February:

Programme Overview, Study Start September, Thesis 45 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 45 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start September, Thesis 60 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start February, Thesis 45 ECTS

Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 45 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start February, Thesis 60 ECTS

Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Restricted Elective Courses

Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description. 

• Complex Physics
• Applied Statistics: From Data to Results
• NMR Spectroscopy
• Physics of Nonequilibrium Systems
• Continuum Mechanics
• Experimental X-ray Physics
• Radioactive Isotopes and Ionizing Radiation
• Diffusive and Stochastic Processes
• Neutron Scattering
• Physics of Molecular Diseases

In the Computational Physics specialisation, you apply simulations and advanced data analysis to address the ever-increasing demand for optimized and systematic use of data and for predictive capacities.

You learn computational tools to search for optimal solutions, perform advanced simulations and use articifical intelligence, and how to apply these methods in climate science, astrophysics, industrial applications, forecasting, and in information technology.

You will use your physical understanding to develop advanced statistical methods and algorithms, and to work with simulation and data analysis on high scientific level. You learn a number of methods enabling you to find the physics behind the data.

The specialisation allows you to solve a wide range of problems numerically. You learn to choose the optimal solution method and evaluate the fidelity of the result.

Computation physics spans courses within e.g., machine learning and data management, parallel computing, distributed systems, and courses with a computational focus within a physics topic such as astrophysics, biophysics, or geophysics.

Study Track

It is a good idea to use your elective and restricted elective courses to design a study track that allows you to study a subject area in depth during the specialisation. You can follow a recommended study track in computational physics – or you can customise your programme with a mixture of courses and projects relevant to you.

Read about the study track in computational physics >>

The Computational Physics specialisation can be structured in four different ways, depending on the size of your thesis, and whether you start in September or February:

Programme Overview, Study Start September, Thesis 45 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 45 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start September, Thesis 60 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 45 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start February, Thesis 60 ECTS

Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Restricted Elective Courses

Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description. 

• Complex Physics
• Advanced Quantum Mechanics
• Biophysics of Cells and Single Molecules
• Earth and Climate Physics
• Theoretical Astrophysics
• Applied Statistics: From Data to Results
• Computational Astrophysics
• Dynamical Models in Molecular Biology
• Continuum Mechanics
• Signal and Image Processing
• Advanced Methods in Applied Statistics
• High Performance Parallel Computing
• Applied Machine Learning
• Diffusive and Stochastic Processes
• Advanced Computational Geophysics
• Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics

In the Earth and Climate Physics specialisation, you study the fundamental physical processes that formed the Earth, and you learn about ice and climate research that pioneer our understanding of the Earth’s climate system.

You learn about complex climate system models, how Earth observations data are analyzed to study climate change, the structure of Earth and planets, and how to apply the knowledge in support of the green transition of our society.

Earth and Climate Physics students choose courses and thesis topics in areas including:

• the physical, chemical, and dynamic processes in the atmosphere, oceans, ice caps, and the climate system in general, as well as their history and mutual interactions
• analysis of ice cores in order to understand the history of the Earth's climate and its change
• the Earth's internal structure and gravitational field
• the development of mathematical methods for analysing geophysical data
• surface processes, mineralogy, and the climate on Mars
• studies of moons and other terrestrial planets in the solar system.

Geophysicists often gain international experience during their MSc programme or thesis, either directly by studying abroad or by participating in the department's international networks. Geophysics research is very international, and the department is part of several international projects, including deep-drilling projects in Greenland and Antarctica, Earth-orbit satellites, and space missions to Mars.

In order to promote interdisciplinary working methods and approaches, the demands placed on the specialisation in geophysics are flexible. The specialisation forms the basis for a variety of jobs in research, teaching, and communications.

Study Tracks

It is a good idea to use your elective and restricted elective courses to design a study track that allows you to study a subject area in depth during the specialisation. You can choose between two recommended study tracks:

• Climate Dynamics
• Geophysical Data and Simulations

However, you can also customise your programme with a mixture of courses and projects relevant to you.

The Earth and Climate Physics specialisation can be structured in four different ways, depending on the size of your thesis, and whether you start in September or February:

Programme Overview, Study Start September, Thesis 45 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 45 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start September, Thesis 60 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start February, Thesis 45 ECTS

Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 45 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start February, Thesis 60 ECTS

Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Restricted Elective Courses

Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description. 

• Paleo-Climatology
• Scientific Computing
• Climate Models and Observations
• Applied Statistics : From Data to Results
• Continuum Mechanics
• Climate Change Mechanisms and Tipping Points
• Exoplanets and Astrobiology
• Advanced Computational Geophysics
• Computational Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics

In the physics of complex systems specialisation, you learn the most advanced concepts and numerical methods needed to understand phenomena arising from interaction of many components, which requires approaching the system as a whole. Examples from the emerging field of complex physics range from quantum phase transition, development of new materials, self-organized behaviour in biological or physical systems, and financial market modelling.

The first course on the specialisation is "Complex Physics", where you learn to describe and analyze non-linear complex systems and physical phenomena using simple quantitative computer-based models.

The specialisation can be structured in four different ways, depending on the size of your thesis, and whether you start in September or February:

Programme Overview, Study Start September, Thesis 45 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 7.5 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 52.5 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

Programme Overview, Study Start September, Thesis 60 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 7.5 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 37.5 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 7.5 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 52.5 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

Programme Overview, Study Start February, Thesis 60 ECTS

Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>

Compulsory courses: 7.5 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 37.5 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Restricted Elective Courses

Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description. 

• Scientific Computing
• Advanced Quantum Mechanics
• Biophysics of Cells and Single Molecules
• Earth and Climate Physics
• Theoretical Astrophysics
• Inverse Problems
• Applied Statistics: From Data to Results
• Computational Astrophysics
• Condensed Matter Experiments
• Dynamical Models in Molecular Biology
• Condensed Matter Theory 1
• Climate Models and Observations
• Condensed Matter Physics 2
• Physics Implementation of Quantum Information Systems
• Observational Astrophysics
• Experimental X-ray Physics
• Continuum Mechanics
• Climate Change Mechanisms and Tipping Points
• Physics of Nonequilibrium Systems
• Gravitational Dynamics and Galaxy Formation
• Quantum Nanoelectronics
• Condensed Matter Theory 2
• Advanced Methods in Applied Statistics
• Diffusive and Stochastic Processes
• Neutron Scattering
• Physics of Molecular Diseases
• Computational Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics
• Advanced Computational Geophysics
• The Interstellar Medium and the Formation of Stars and Planets
• Applied Machine Learning

In quantum physics, you study the fascinating world of physics ranging from the small scales of elementary particles to the vast dimensions of the universe.

The high-ranking quantum physics programme at The Niels Bohr Institute provides you with knowledge and skills to describe space-time and elementary particles as well as macroscopic and microscopic phenomena in quantum and soft matter, and it prepares you to apply your knowledge in modern quantum technology.

The specialisation begins with a course in advanced quantum mechanics. The course provides excellent opportunities for going deeper into a specific branch of physics.

Study Tracks

It is a good idea to use your elective and restricted elective courses to design a study track that allows you to study a subject area in depth during the specialisation. You can follow a recommended study track within these fields:

• Condensed Matter Experiments
• Condensed Matter Theory
• High Energy Theory and Cosmology
• High Energy Physics
• Quantum Optics

However, you can also customise your programme with a mixture of courses and projects which are relevant to you.

The Quantum Physics specialisation can be structured in four different ways, depending on the size of you thesis, and whether you start in September or February:

Programme Overview, Study Start September, Thesis 45 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 7.5 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 52.5 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start September, Thesis 60 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 7.5 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 37.5 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start February, Thesis 45 ECTS

Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>

Compulsory courses: 7.5 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 52.5 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start February, Thesis 60 ECTS

Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>

Compulsory courses: 7.5 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 37.5 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Restricted Elective Courses

Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description.

• Complex Physics
• Scientific Computing
• Elementary Particle Physics
• General Relativity and Cosmology
• Condensed Matter Physics 2
• Applied Statistics: From Data to Results
• Condensed Matter Theory 1
• Condensed Matter Experiments
• Modern Particle Physics
• Physics Implementation of Quantum Information Systems
• Quantum Optics
• Experimental X-ray Physics
• Condensed Matter Theory 2
• Nanophysics 1 – Quantum Nanoelectronics
• Quantum Field Theory 1
• Advanced Methods in Applied Statistics
• Modern Methods for Particle Scattering
• Advanced Quantum Optics and Photonics
• Neutron Scattering
• Fundaments of High-Energy Astrophysics and Particle Astrophysics
• Introduction to String Theory 
• Applied Machine Learning

You can study physics with a minor subject if you want to acquire the competences to teach or disseminate both subjects. This enables you to teach in Danish upper secondary schools.

Furthermore, you will be qualified to work within other kinds of teaching and communication, or you can find jobs in a wide range of areas – for instance, in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, or financial industry, in high-tech or software companies, or with research and development in sustainable technical solutions. You will also have the prerequisites for further studies e.g., a PhD programme.

See the full description of the admission requirements, as well as the knowledge, competences, and skills you obtain in the curriculum for Physics with a Minor Subject.

The programme can be structured in different ways depending on whether your minor subject is within or outside the field of science, and whether you start in September or February. The tables below show the recommended academic progression in all cases:

Programme Overview, Study Start in September, Minor Subject Within the Field of Science

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Minor subject: 45 ECTS
Master's thesis: 30 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start in September, Minor Subject Outside the Field of Science

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Minor subject: 75 ECTS
Master's thesis: 30 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start in February, Minor Subject Within the Field of Science

Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Minor subject: 45 ECTS
Master's thesis: 30 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Programme Overview, Study Start in February, Minor Subject Outside the Field of Science

Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Minor subject: 75 ECTS
Master's thesis: 30 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Restricted Elective Courses

Choose your restricted elective courses from the lists below. Click on each course for a detailed description. PLEASE NOTE: The course lists are subject to revision. An updated version will be published in the beginning of March 2024.

You must choose courses worth up to 7.5 ECTS from this list, if you did not pass them as part of your BSc programme:

• Astronomiens fundament

Choose your remaining restricted elective courses from this list:

• Advanced Quantum Mechanics
• Theoretical Astrophysics
• Earth and Climate Physics
• Biophysics of Cells and Single Molecules
• Scientific Computing
• General Relativity and Cosmology
• Complex Physics
• Inverse Problems
• Applied Statistics: From Data to Results
• Elementary Particle Physics
• Turbulence
• Computational Astrophysics
• Condensed Matter Experiments
• Experimental X-ray Physics
• Continuum Mechanics
• Neutron Scattering
• Diffusive and Stochastic processes