Graduate Studies

List of MSc Degrees and Tracks:

• MSc in Physics [1]
  • General Track. Research Fields: [2]
    • Interdisciplinary
    • Theoretical Condensed Matter
    • Astrophysics
    • Experimental Condensed Matter
    • Atomic, Molecular, and Optical
    • Biological and Soft Matter 
    • High Energy
  • Biophysics Track [3]
• MSc in Quantum Technology [4]

[1] General Compulsory courses for Biophysics and General Tracks are 203.2.4171 Advanced Statistical Mechanics 3.5 points and 3 Seminars 2 points overall (0.5 points each)

[2] Compulsory course for all research fields under General Track: 203.2.4121 Advanced Quantum Theory 1

[3] Head of MSc Program may approve of replacing 203.2.4171 Advanced Statistical Mechanics by an equivalent course.

[4] Compulsory courses:  203.2.4611 Experimental Methods of Quantum Materials or 203.2.5271 Experimental Methods for Quantum technology; and 3 Seminars.  

MSc in Physics, General Track

Admission

• A holder of an Israeli BSc in physics with an average grade not below 80 is admitted.
• A holder of Israeli BSc in related fields may be admitted provided he/she successfully completed the courses
  • "Analytical Mechanics"
  • "Electrodynamics 1"
  • "Quantum Theory 1"
  • "Quantum Theory 2"
  • "Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 1"
  • "Advanced Labs in Physics"
  The above courses should be part of the curriculum for a Physics Department, or can be equivalent courses from a related department. An average grade not below 75 is required.
• If some of the awarded grades in the courses are binary (pass or fail), the admission decision will be taken on a case-by-case basis by the admissions committee
• Foreign students are admitted based on their BSc grades and GRE physics. An advisor has to be selected before the beginning of the studies. More details are given at the Natural Sciences page for foreign students.
• It is possible to start studies in the fall semester or in the spring semester.

Requirements

• The duration of MSc studies is 2 years (4 semesters).
• Two general compulsory courses should be completed during the first two semesters of the studies.
• Each student is required to have an adviser before the start of the second semester of the student's studies. It is not allowed to continue studies without an adviser.
• Each student is required to submit a list of the courses he/she will have to complete (per track: Physics; BioPhysics; QST), together with the form of the adviser assignment. The courses are assigned according to the student's field of research. These courses are opened in a 2 year cycle, and students have to plan their semesters accordingly. The list should be signed also by the prospective adviser and approved by the departmental coordinator of graduate studies. The MSc teaching committee chairman is authorized to replace any compulsory course, specific to a research field category, with another course. The courses 203-2-4121 and 203-2-4171 cannot be replaced.
• Each student is required to submit a research proposal upon completion of the first year of studies, according to the format specified by the teaching committee.
• Each student is required to participate in a research seminar and the colloquium for at least three semesters. In special cases, a student can study, with the permission of the departmental coordinator of graduate studies, an additional course instead of participating in seminars and colloquium.
• Each student is required to present the results/achievements of his/her research in a "Summarizing seminar" during the 4th semester of the studies.
• Upon completion of the studies each student is required to submit a written thesis, which will be evaluated by referees and should be eventually defended in a final exam.
• Students who started their studies in 2024 are required to a total of 36 credit points: 2 credit points for seminars, 22 points for courses, and 12 credit points for the thesis.
• Students who started their studies before 2024 need to complete the requirments accorduring to their syllabus: https://physics.bgu.ac.il/SHNATON/Index.html
• The final grade is the weighted grade of the courses (40%), thesis (40%), and final exam (20%).
• The course "Tranining in Chemical and Biological Safety" 900-5-2002 is compulsory for each student working in a lab in each academic year.
• Each student has to take once the course "Prevention of sexual harassment: The Israeli Law and the University regulations" 900-5-5001.

MSc in Physics, Biophysics Track

Admission

• A BSc with the mean not less than 80 is required. A prospective student must find an adviser. Approval of the MSc teaching committee of the physics department of the Faculty of Natural Sciences is required. The MSc teaching committee of the physics department may impose additional requirements if the candidate lacks proper background.
• Biophysics track

Requirements

• The duration of MSc studies is 2 years (4 semesters).
• Compulsory courses (as listed in any of the specified tracks).
• Elective courses of Physics / partner department per adviser approval.
• Students who started their studies in 2024 are required to a total of 36 credit points: 2 credit points for seminars, 22 points for courses, and 12 credit points for the thesis.
• Students who started their studies before 2024 need to complete the requirments accorduring to their syllabus: https://physics.bgu.ac.il/SHNATON/Index.html
• The seminar in Soft and Biological Matter Physics 203-2-5401 is the mandatory seminar.
• Each student is required to submit a research proposal upon completion of the first year of studies, according to the format specified by the teaching committee.
• Each student is required to present the results/achievements of his/her research in a "Summarizing seminar" during the 4th semester of the studies.
• Upon completion of the studies each student is required to submit a written thesis, which will be evaluated by referees and should be eventually defended in a final exam.
• The final grade is the weighted grade of the courses (40%), thesis (40%), and final exam (20%).
• The course "Tranining in Chemical and Biological Safety" 900-5-2002 is compulsory for each student working in a lab in each academic year.
• Each student has to take once the course "Prevention of sexual harassment: The Israeli Law and the University regulations" 900-5-5001.

MSc in Quantum Technology

Admission

• The admission policy will be based on the prerequisite of the courses per-track. Students need to find a prospective supervisor for their master's thesis, and get his or her approval in written as part of the admission process. A student can be admitted to any of the tracks listed below, only per the approval of the prospective adviser. Holders of the relevant BSc in Engineering Sciences may be admitted to the program without completions. 
  • Atomic quantum technology and quantum information track

Requirements

• The duration of MSc studies is 2 years (4 semesters).
• Compulsory courses (as listed in any of the specified tracks).
• Elective courses of Physics / partner department per adviser approval.
• Students who started their studies in 2024 are required to a total of 36 credit points: 2 credit points for seminars, 22 points for courses, and 12 credit points for the thesis.
• Students who started their studies before 2024 need to complete the requirments accorduring to their syllabus: https://physics.bgu.ac.il/SHNATON/Index.html
• Each student is required to submit a research proposal upon completion of the first year of studies, according to the format specified by the teaching committee.
• Each student is required to present the results/achievements of his/her research in a "Summarizing seminar" during the 4th semester of the studies.
• Upon completion of the studies each student is required to submit a written thesis, which will be evaluated by referees and should be eventually defended in a final exam.
• The final grade is the weighted grade of the courses (40%), thesis (40%), and final exam (20%).
• The course "Tranining in Chemical and Biological Safety" 900-5-2002 is compulsory for each student working in a lab in each academic year.
• Each student has to take once the course "Prevention of sexual harassment: The Israeli Law and the University regulations" 900-5-5001.

PhD studies

Admission

• Registration and admission are administered by the Kreitman School
• Admission criteria:
  • MSc average grade not less than 85 (or proper equivalent for foreign students).
  • MSc thesis grade not less than 90 (or proper equivalent for foreign students).
  • Preliminary agreement of the prospective adviser.
• Applicants who have not fulfilled the above regular admission requirements, will still be considered by the departmental committee for graduate studies.

Requirements

• The duration of PhD studies is 4 years (8 semesters).
• A candidate must submit a research proposal upon completion of the first year of his/her studies.
• A supervising committee is assigned which will review the research proposal and examine the candidate in an oral presentation of the research proposal.
• Upon approval of the research proposal the status of the candidate is changed to "research student".
• The supervising committee will evaluate the student's progress each year and decide on the continuation of the studies.
• During his/her studies each student must register for the department colloquium for at least six semesters, and to one of the research seminars for at least three semesters.
• Upon completion of the studies a written thesis should be submitted.
• The thesis is reviewed by anonymous referees. The reviews are the basis for the decision of final PhD award.
• For additional information see The Kreitman school of Advanced Graduate Studies

Combined Track

• It is possible to continue MSc research toward PhD studies within a combined track, in accordance with the regulations of the Kreitman School.
• The decision about the transition to the combined track should be made during the 4 semesters of MSc studies.
• The necessary conditions of acceptance to the combined track are:
  • The candidate completed all compulsory courses.
  • The candidate completed at least 20 credit points.
  • The mean grade of the candidate is at least 85.
  • The candidate has submitted his/her research proposal
  • The candidate's request is supported by his/her MSc adviser.
• The candidate must present his/her work at a seminar and submit his/her PhD research proposal before the end of 4 semesters of MSc studies.
• The research proposal for the combined track should include a summary of the MSc research performed by the candidate which has been done up to the beginning of the combined track. The 15 page limit does not apply.
• At the candidacy exam the committee considers this summary as a "MSc thesis". The candidate's entitlement to MSc degree is approved on the basis of this summary. Once the research proposal is approved, the candidate's status changes to "research student".

Updated on March 5, 2024
Updated by Aviv, Ina (inaviv)
Created on June 11, 2022
Created by Cohen, Doron (dcohen)