The 2nd cycle degree programme in Physics has free access. Students wishing to enrol must possess a 1st cycle three-year degree or other appropriate qualification obtained abroad, and must pass an interview to verify their personal knowledge and skills.
Students may also enrol on a part-time basis.
The knowledge required for admission to the 2nd cycle degree programme in Physics includes:
- General knowledge of basic mathematics and numerical calculus (mathematical analysis; numerical analysis; geometry) and basic chemistry
- General knowledge of basic physics (classic physics: mechanics, thermodynamics and fluid physics, electro-magnetism; classic physics laboratory; data acquisition techniques and statistical processing of experimental data)
- General knowledge of theoretical and mathematical physics (mathematical models for physics; analytical mechanics; introduction to quantum physics)
- General knowledge of matter physics (introduction to matter structure)
- Sound knowledge of written and spoken English.
The curricular requirements for admission, the suitability of personal competencies and skills and the motivation of all candidates will be assessed by a specifically appointed board, in the methods laid down in the teaching regulations of the 2nd cycle degree programme in Physics and in the annual call for admissions.

The Master’s Degree Programme in Physics has no limited access. The curricular requirements, the level of personal background, and motivation of all applicants are assessed by a Board specifically appointed based on modes detailed in the call for applications. In particular, students wishing to enrol must first meet the following requirements: a) holding a 1 ̊ level degree in the Class of Physical Sciences and Technologies (Class 25 DM 509/99 or Class L-30 DM 270/04) or other degree obtained abroad, recognized as suitable according to current regulations. b) applicants with a degree belonging to other classes must have obtained at least 90 ECTS credits in the following scientific-disciplinary sectors MAT/*, FIS/*, CHIM/*, INF/01, ING-INF/05, GEO/10, GEO/11, GEO/12, of which at least 50 in FIS/* sectors or in other scientific-disciplinary teachings, the content of which is deemed compatible with one of the FIS/* sectors.
An individual interview in English follows the verification of curricular requirements, aimed at checking the personal preparation and motivation of the candidate to undertake the Master’s Degree Programme. If the academic background is deemed not fully suitable and needs being integrated, specific curricular integrations will be indicated that shall be complied with based on the modalities defined by the board in charge and under the terms established, in any case by the enrolment deadline. Please refer to the call for applications for detailed information on test topics.

Physicist (master graduate)
Master graduates in Physics:
- apply highly specialised knowledge of physics, part of which are state-of-the art in the work or study field;
- assess the issues relating to the interface between physics and biology, physics and science of materials, with a critical awareness gained in an interdisciplinary field;
- apply skills of theoretical and numerical modelling, aimed at finding the solution to issues that are necessary to research and/or innovation;
- are able to manage and transform complex work or study contexts, also thanks to their expertise of team work;
- collaborate to the transfer of knowledge for innovation, and technological transfer.
- participate in the design/realisation of laboratories and industrial installations for the production and transformation of materials, in the development of products, processes and applications of emerging technologies (nanotechnologies, for example).

Physicist (master graduate)
- S/he observes and measures the physical properties, the events and any changes, and documents and records them in a systematic and reliable way;
- S/he processes and analyses the data resulting from the laboratory observations and measurements, and relates them to appropriate theories;
- S/he processes the solution of various scientific and technological issues, by applying his/her own knowledge on the basic and advanced physical area in specific sectors, such as nanotechnologies;
- S/he carries out research activities, control activities of industrial processes and analysis activity in public and private companies;
- S/he is able to design and make teaching tools and materials for several applications;
- S/he carries out professional activities in the field of technological applications at industrial level;
- S/he participates also at managerial level in the activity of public and private research centres, carrying out modelling and analysis activities and related IT-physical implications.
- The training received allows students to access the training programme of the PhD and Specialisation schools (Medical and healthcare physics, TFA for teaching).

Physicist (master graduate)
- Universities and public and private research entities.
- National and Regional Agencies for the safeguard or Cultural Heritage and the Environment, and for the study and prevention of risks
- Laboratories for quality certification of industrial production
- Centres for data processing and modelling
- Companies with a high technological content
- Banks and financial consulting institutions
- Laboratories of measurements in the industrial and R&D field

The contents of the teachings of the Modern physical area and the Physical area of in-depth studies and interdisciplinarity that are common to all programmes are aimed to provide an advanced knowledge of the fundamentals of theoretical physics (relativity, theory of fields, advanced theoretical methods), to further explore mathematical physics and IT (numeric calculation, linear and not-linear dynamic systems, computing methods and programming languages), and to deal with the specialist topics that are most relevant to modern physics (physics of fundamental interactions, properties of condensed matter, nanoscale physics and biophysics, physics of complex systems).

Also through the possible activation of different curricula, the structure of the Master’s Degree Programme in Physics ensures both a wide base that is common to all students, and the opportunity to customise their individual training programme by choosing appropriate optional teachings offered as an alternative, aimed at a more in-depth training of master graduates in fields related to the research activities carried out at the University, or in collaboration with other research centres (basic or applied) of excellence, including modern theoretical physics, physics of matter and applied physics, with specific focus on the properties of materials and nanoscale devices, experimental routine and frontier physics and inter-disciplinary techniques. The choice of subject fields and the width of their credit range is aimed at offering students the opportunity to update their curricula by modelling the choice of the most specialist teachings in line with the development of the research activities and the job opportunities.

The training for scientific research includes the development of an original thesis on a specific project to be developed under the supervision of a professor of the University. The training objectives that are specific for the thesis concern the ability to find, consult, and use the scientific bibliography on international journals, acquire experimental data and analyse them in a critical perspective, write and present orally top quality and highly complex scientific reports on original research topics.

Master graduates must be able to present in English their research or the results of a bibliographic research to an audience of both specialists and laymen.

The written and oral communication skills gained will be verified through the assessment of the final thesis, that shall be drawn up in writing by the student at the end of the study programme and presented orally through a public seminar before a specific board.

Master graduates must:
- Be able to design experimental and/or theoretical procedures aimed at improving the existing results;
- Be skilled to work with a high level of independence and be able to work in an interdisciplinary group;
- Be able to set a priority order for the actions to be carried out and plan their work;
- Be able to understand the issues that society raises to the profession (of physicist) and understand the ethical characteristics of research and the professional activity in physics, as well as their responsibility in protecting the public health and the environment;
- Be able to develop a personal sense of responsibility by freely choosing the optional courses.

The acquisition of the independent judgement is assessed through the evaluation of the teachings included in the student’s individual study plan and the assessment of the level of independence and ability to work in a team during the research activities carried out when preparing the Thesis.

Master graduates must be able to do searches and use the related physical and technical literature available in English, as well as other sources of information that is relevant for the development of the research and technical projects.
Master graduates are encouraged to stay informed on the new developments and methods, and they must be able to deal with new fields through an independent study.

The acquisition of the independent learning skills is assessed by passing the examination tests of most of the teachings and drawing the final research thesis, which require students to read scientific texts and bibliography in a foreign language, and the personal exploration of issues that are not dealt with in the common teaching activities.

Area of Modern Physics
- Graduates will be familiar with the most important areas of physics, and will gain a good understanding of the most important theories of physics, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of modern physics;
- Graduates will gain an understanding of the nature and the means of research in physics.

The knowledge and the understanding abilities listed above will be verified upon passing the subject examinations relating to the area of Modern Physics.


Area of Physics: in-depth studies and interdisciplinarity
- Graduates will understand the most commonly used mathematical and numerical methods;
- Graduates will know a scientific programming environment;
- Graduates will have a good knowledge of the state-of-the-art in fields of physics based on the chosen in-depth study (for example, physics of fundamental interactions or structure of matter);
- Graduates will have knowledge of the state-of-the-art of topics interfacing with similar scientific subjects (mathematical physics, physical chemistry, biophysics, science of materials and nanoscience).

The acquisition of the knowledge and the understanding abilities listed above will be verified upon passing the examinations of the curricular subjects provided in the student’s individual study programme, many of which include getting in touch with the results of the current research activities.

Area of Modern Physics
- Graduates will gain critical thinking skills to build physical models;
- Graduates will be able to clearly evaluate the orders of magnitude in situations that are physically different but show analogies, thus allowing for the use of known solutions in new issues;
- Graduates will be able to adapt existing models to new experimental data;
- Graduates will be able to contribute to the design of experimental and/or theoretical procedures for solving recurring issues in university or industrial research;
- Graduates will be familiar with the most important experimental methods and will be able to carry out experiments independently, as well as describe, analyse, and critically evaluate experimental data.

The acquisition of the ability to apply the knowledge and understanding abilities listed above will be verified through numerical or laboratory practical exercised and the development of project within the teaching courses relating to the area of Modern Physics, and by passing the relevant examinations.


Area of Physics: in-depth studies and interdisciplinarity
- Graduates will be able to develop a professional flexibility through the free choice of the optional courses within the curriculum options available;
- Graduates will be able to master the use of the most common mathematical and numerical methods;
- Graduates will be able to perform calculations independently even when small or big computers are needed, including the development of software programmes;
- Graduates will be able to contribute to the design of experimental and/or theoretical procedures for solving recurring issues in university or industrial research.

The acquisition of the ability to apply the knowledge and understanding abilities listed above will be verified through numerical and IT practical exercised, and the development of project within the in-depth teachings and by passing the relevant examinations.