Тhе MSc programme Nuclear and Particle Physics – I (3 terms) aims to prepare highly qualified specialists in the field of nuclear physics, particle physics, radiation physics. After successful graduation the students will have knowledge and skills to perform fundamental and applied scientific research, development of experimental equipment, as well as routine measurements in the laboratories.

The successful candidate should have a BSc degree in physics. If the candidate does not have sufficient relevant background (at least 180 lecture hours or 15 ECTS credits in subjects in the field of nuclear and particle physics), he/she should attend additional courses during the MSc study.

During the first two semesters students should attend elective lecture courses (at least 300 hours per semester, equivalent to 30 ECTS) and successfully take exams. At least 4 of the lecture courses should be chosen from the list of obligatory courses. One course from another MSc programme (Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, Nuclear Energy and Technology or Medical Physics) can be chosen as well. The total number of courses for the first and the second semester should be at least 10. The third semester is foreseen for research work under supervision of senior tutors, MSc thesis preparation and participation in scientific seminars (30 ECTS in total).

The working language is English.

Every lecture course ends with an exam to evaluate the knowledge. The form of the exam is specific for the given course and is described in the annotation of the course. The MSc study finishes with a MSc thesis defense which gives 15 ECTS. The defenses are scheduled twice per year – in the period February-March and June-July.

The highest quality of education is ensured by a multimedia center and two libraries as well as several laboratories: Particle Physics Laboratory, GRID Technology and Particle Physics Laboratory, Experimental Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Nuclear Electronics Laboratory, Laboratory for Computer Simulations of Physical Processes, Dosimetry and Radiation Protection Laboratory, Educational Biophysical Laboratory, Biomembranes, Biosensors and Biophysics of the Biomembranes Laboratory.

Tutors are involved in research in the field of: particle physics, nuclear physics, radioecology, natural radioactivity and metrology of ionizing radiation, simulation of physical processes.

The graduates in Nuclear and Particle Physics can find further realization in:

• scientific institutes and laboratories for fundamental research in the field of nuclear and particle physics;
• scientific and applied laboratories which use nuclear methods and technologies; nuclear power plants; radiochemical laboratories; laboratories for dosimetry, radiation protection and radioecology; laboratories for medical equipment R&D.
• Our MSc students have already found jobs and have a successful career at:
• JINR (Joint Institute for Nuclear Research) – international research center situated in Dubna (Russia)
• CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), situated near Geneva on the Swiss-French border
• USA: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab); University of Chicago, Northwestern University (Evanston), University of Cincinnati, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University
• Germany – Darmstadt (GSI), University of Mainz, DESY-Zeuthen, Berlin, Hamburg (HERA)
• United Kingdom (UK) – University of Manchester, University of Bristol
• Italy, The Netherlands, France, Switzerland – University of Geneva
• Founder and owner of Yantel enterprise (USA) for electronics for cosmic research is a colleague of ours. He has helped us in the development and modernization of our Nuclear Electronics Laboratory.

The above list of research centres, universities, enterprises, etc. represents just a part of the institutions at which we have partners and we are collaborating with. The MSc students have the opportunity to work in these centres and to gain experience and qualification there.

The Master‘s program starts in the winter semester (state-subsidized training and paid training). Applicants for paid form of study are classified without an examination, with the average success of the higher education diploma (the success must be no less than good). Students applying for state-subsidy should pass an entrance examination in physics. The exam is the same as the one for the MSc program tought in Bulgarian. 

The Master of Science program in Nuclear and Particle Physics – II is foreseen for specialists with Bachelor degree in physics and knowledge in nuclear and particle physics (according to the academical record). The aim of the program is to prepare highly qualified specialists in the field of nuclear, particle and radiation physics.

Depending of their previous knowledge in physics (testified by diploma or academical record) and after a decision of the Head of the Master program, the students should attend some of the courses from the Bachelor program in physics at the Faculty of Physics. These courses are not less than 375 hours (30 credits) and should be attended during first and second semester of the program and before the basic courses of the program. At least 180 hours (15 credits) are specializing courses in the field of Nuclear and particle physics from the Bachelor program. The goal is to accumulate in total 1350 hours (120 credits) from the physical courses of the previous BSc education and the attended physical courses from the Bachelor program at the Faculty of physics.

During the MSc program third and fourth semester, the students should listen to courses and to take exams on eligible subjects (see the content of the study plan) corresponding to at least 300 hours per semester (30 credits per semester). An advantage of the MSc program in Nuclear and Particle Physics is that during third and fourth semester there are no mandatory courses and all the courses are eligible. The education is performed mainly by tutors from Atomic Physics Department of the Faculty of Physics. At least 4 subjects among the eligible subjects should be from group one. One of the eligible courses could be a course from one of the following MSc programs: Theoretical and mathematical physics, Nuclear energetics and nuclear technology or Medical physics. The total number of the courses, selected by the student, for the two semesters should be at less 10. The fifth semester is dedicated to research work (under the supervision of a tutor), writing of a diploma thesis and participation in scientific seminars (30 credits in total).

The working language is English.

Every lecture course ends with an exam to evaluate the knowledge. The form of the exam is specific for the given course and is described in the annotation of the course. The MSc study finishes with a MSc thesis defense which gives 15 ECTS. The defenses are scheduled twice per year – in the period February-March and June-July.

The highest quality of education is ensured by a multimedia center and two libraries as well as several laboratories: Particle Physics Laboratory, GRID Technology and Particle Physics Laboratory, Experimental Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Nuclear Electronics Laboratory, Laboratory for Computer Simulations of Physical Processes, Dosimetry and Radiation Protection Laboratory, Educational Biophysical Laboratory, Biomembranes, Biosensors and Biophysics of the Biomembranes Laboratory.

Tutors are involved in research in the field of: particle physics, nuclear physics, radioecology, natural radioactivity and metrology of ionizing radiation, simulation of physical processes.

The graduates in Nuclear and Particle Physics can find further realization in:

• scientific institutes and laboratories for fundamental research in the field of nuclear and particle physics;
• scientific and applied laboratories which use nuclear methods and technologies; nuclear power plants; radiochemical laboratories; laboratories for dosimetry, radiation protection and radioecology; laboratories for medical equipment R&D.

The program starts in the winter semester. Candidates for state-subsidized training and in paid form are accepted. Applicants for paid form of study are classified without an examination, with the average success of the higher education diploma (the success must be no less than good). Students applying for state-subsidy should pass an entrance examination in physics. The exam is the same as the one for the MSc program tought in Bulgarian.

• Our MSc students have already found jobs and have a successful career at:
• JINR (Joint Institute for Nuclear Research) – international research center situated in Dubna (Russia)
• CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), situated near Geneva on the Swiss-French border
• USA: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab); University of Chicago, Northwestern University (Evanston), University of Cincinnati, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University
• Germany – Darmstadt (GSI), University of Mainz, DESY-Zeuthen, Berlin, Hamburg (HERA)
• United Kingdom (UK) – University of Manchester, University of Bristol
• Italy, The Netherlands, France, Switzerland – University of Geneva
• Founder and owner of Yantel enterprise (USA) for electronics for cosmic research is a colleague of ours. He has helped us in the development and modernization of our Nuclear Electronics Laboratory.

The above list of research centres, universities, enterprises, etc. represents just a part of the institutions at which we have partners and we are collaborating with. The MSc students have the opportunity to work in these centres and to gain experience and qualification there.