Applied Physics
Degree awarded: Master of Science in Engineering (MSc)
Workload: 120 ECTS
Language of instruction: English
Duration: 2 years
Pre-Requisites: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in natural sciences or technical sciences (material science, environmental mechanics, engineering mathematics)
Tuition fees and scholarships: 1 ECTS = 55 EUR. Nominal study load per 1 year = 60 ECTS/€3300, 8 tuition fee waiver scholarships available that guarantee free studies. Detailed information about the scholarship is available here
Master´s program in Applied Physics is aimed for those who are interested in innovative engineering in research intensive companies. The program provides interdisciplinary education covering engineering, physics, mathematics, physical oceanography and atmospheric physics bridging the gap between theoretical science and practical engineering. Students can choose between two main specialties.
A non-exhaustive list of internship places and topics for graduation projects for both specialties is available HERE
Studies cover topics required for engineers working in science based industry: scientific computing, mathematical modelling, mechanics of continua, fluid dynamics, quantum mechanics. One can choose between a wide range of elective courses covering both theoretical and practical areas, e.g. applied mathematics, computer simulations, experimental solid state physics, turbulence, particle physics, photoelasticity etc.
The range of graduation project topics supervised by outstanding specialists is even wider; a few to mention are: solitonics (Prof. Andrus Salupere), inverse problems in applied mathematics (Prof. Jaan Janno), turbulence and turbulent mixing (Prof. Jaan Kalda), experimental solid state physics incl. solar cells (Prof. Jüri Krustok), photoelasticity (internship in the world-leading company GlasStress), cosmology, high energy physics and material science (internship in National Institute of Chemical and Biological Phyics), econophysics (internship in Swedbank).
The specialty of physical oceanography and atmospheric physics aims to give a fundamental and broad understanding of the physical processes in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and of the driving forces of Earth’s climate, in general. The students are familiarized with the modern methods and tools of environmental sciences, such as monitoring equipment and networks, remote sensing and numerical modelling. In addition, the students have an opportunity of studying complementing disciplines of environmental biology and chemistry, preparing them thereby for an interdisciplinary research. The courses in the curriculum help students to develop professional skills to counter environmental challenges across the world (climate change, severe weather, eutrophication, ocean acidification, coastal erosion). The theoretical studies are backed up by exercises and practical work using the modern research infrastructure of the Department of Marine Systems. An essential part of the curriculum is devoted to showing how to reach and preserve a healthy and natural environment on Earth, and to promoting sustainable development of our society.
Program graduates are distinguished by their versatility – the master program provides a systematic knowledge of natural sciences creating thereby a broad and solid basis for lifelong learning. They can work in different research and development institutions, companies and services whose main activities are related to physics, mathematics, oceanography and/or meteorology.
Specialty of Physics and Mathematics
The graduates of the program have skills sought for in various professions, such as engineers or project managers in high-tech startup companies or well-established companies in the field of energy, nanotechnology, material sciences, data mining, measuring laboratories, applied mathematics, quantitative finance etc. Graduated students can also work in research projects related to physics and mathematics.
Specialty of Oceanography and Meteorology
The need for researchers and engineers with the knowledge of atmospheric and ocean physics together with skills of modern methods of monitoring and modelling has substantially increased. The sphere of potential applications is vast involving fields of climate change, meteorology, oceanography, space sciences. The researchers and engineers are needed in governmental institutions like national weather service, naval administration or environmental ministry or ministry of transportation, research institutes and universities, and nowadays increasingly in private sector, as well. International cooperation in atmospheric and oceanic sciences has been instrumental in the success and advances of these knowledge areas. International cooperation organizations e.g. World Meteorological Organization and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or intergovernmental institutions e.g. European Centre of Medium Range Weather Forecasting, European Space Agency or EUMETSAT are truly interesting and forefront job opportunities.
1. Teaching staff has the latest high-level experience and know-how.
2. Students can make their projects and master’s thesis in modern laboratories, for instance in the ones developing solar cells, semiconductor materials, photoelasticity etc.
3. Internship in Swedbank is available for students opting for econophysics.
4. Tallinn University of Technology collaborates with National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics where students with interest in scientific research are welcome to work on their master’s thesis. Key research programmes are available HERE
5. Students can be involved in measurement campaigns in the Baltic Sea using modern equipment on the board of the Tallinn University of Technology’s research vessel “Salme” or cooperate with the national weather service using their data for research and analysis.
6. Theoretical studies are connected to practices in marine, weather and climate modelling using analytical and numerical models of circulation, waves and biogeochemistry.
7. Students participating in the development of regional observation methods for the marine parameters of the Baltic Sea have access to the satellite imagery acquired via cooperation with the European Space Agency.
8. Students can learn how to use, and have access to operational weather and marine monitoring and forecasting services.
Prof. Jüri Elken has oceanographic field work experience from 1000 days of expeditions in the Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea. He is also deeply involved in numerical modelling of various aspects of sea dynamics.
Dr. Aarne Männik is a developer of atmospheric numerical weather prediction and climate models. He is specialist of high resolution modelling and mesoscale systems and has a substantial experience of high performance computing and operational numerical weather prediction. He applies a regional climate model to study climate and a numerical weather prediction model to study weather systems in the Baltic Sea region.
Prof. Urmas Raudsepp Research on functioning of marine physical and biogeochemical system using numerical modelling and remote sensing.
Prof Urmas Lips is an expert in physical oceanography focusing on the role of meso- and submesoscale processes in mixing, transport, and energy transfer, as well as phytoplankton dynamics. He has long experience in leading research cruises and applying novel autonomous systems for research and operational tasks in the Baltic Sea.
Prof Jaan Janno's research is focused on mathematical analysis and development of methods of solving inverse and ill-posed problems, incl. problems to determine properties of physical media and materials. He has published a scientific monograph and articles in several prestigious journals of applied mathematics, e.g. Inverse Problems, Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications. He is a member of an editorial board of an international journal Mathematical Modelling and Analysis. In 2012 he obtained a national science award in exact sciences.
Prof Jaan Kalda is President of European Physics Olympiads, member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, author of Study Guides for IPhO. Research interests include turbulence and mixing, statistical physics, and interdisciplinary applications of physics. Publications include many papers in high-impact journals, such as Physical Review Letters, New Journal of Physics, Europhysics Letters, etc.
Prof Jüri Krustok’s research interests include physics of solar cell materials and solar cells, photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy, 2D atomic crystals- growth and characterization, different types of modulation spectroscopy and point defects in semiconductors.
The 2 year (120 ECTS) curriculum comprises the following modules:
Specialisation: Physics and Mathematics
- Entrepreneurship (6 ECTS)
- Core Studies (30 ECTS)
- Physics and Mathematics I (24 ECTS)
- Physics and Mathematics II (24 ECTS)
- Free Choice Courses (6 ECTS)
- Graduation Thesis (30 ECTS)
Specialisation: Oceanography and Meteorology
- Entrepreneurship (6 ECTS)
- Core Studies (30 ECTS)
- Oceanography and Meteorology I (30 ECTS)
- Oceanography and Meteorology II (18 ECTS)
- Free Choice Courses (6 ECTS)
- Graduation Thesis (30 ECTS)
Please pay attention as this programme you are applying for, has specific prerequisites:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in natural sciences or technical fields;
- CV;
- Motivation letter;
- Online interview - will be conducted to candidates who have passed preliminary evaluation.
Motivation letter
For each programme you apply to, an individual motivation letter must be inserted.
Please include following:
- Why do you choose Applied Physics program?
- Which specification do you plan to choose (Physics and Mathematics or Oceanography and Meteorology)?
- Your previous experience in physics, mathematics, oceanography and meteorology (previous work and study experiences, participation in various projects etc) and your roll.
- Ideas for topics of master’s thesis.
- Your future academic and career goals.
PS! It is important to properly cite any sources (quotations, publications, ideas which are not your own etc.) used in your motivation letter, because to do otherwise would be plagiarism and result in disqualification.
Online interview
The aim of interview is to understand candidate’s knowledge about physics, mathematics, oceanography and meteorology, academic potential and motivation for studying. Questions are composed based on the submitted motivation letter. Also the candidate has to answer questions and solve problems about physics, mathematics, oceanography and meteorology. Additionally questions can include studying in Tallinn University of Technology, candidate’s hobbies and general horizon of knowledges.The length of an interview varies between 10-20 minutes and will be conducted by the specialists in the programme you have applied for.
Grading scale:
Motivation letter max. 30 points
List of earlier passed courses about physics, mathematics, oceanography and meteorology and grades max. 20 points
Online interview max. 50 points
Candidate must collect at least 51 points to get admission to TTÜ.
For general admission requirements please visit the How to apply? section.
Fees
The following is an estimation based on 2018/2019 fees:
Nominal study load for 1st year is 60 ECTS. 1 ECTS = 55 EUR. Cost: 3300 EUR.
Non-EU students must pay in advance for 60 ECTS (yearly load) before starting their studies.
Waiver
A tuition-fee waiver is a non-monetary scholarship granted automatically to the best ranked candidates, according to the points earned in the course of admission. There is no separate application required. Decisions are made based on the DreamApply application. The scholarship is awarded for the whole study period. Recipients of the scholarships are required to study full-time, i.e. with a workload of at least 60 ECTS per year. If the student starts studying part-time, they will lose their tuition-fee waiver and will start paying for their studies.
ScholarshipPlease check here for scholarship options.
Inquiries regarding the study programme
physicsstudy at ttu dot ee
Head of the Programme
Assoc. Prof Raavo Josepson
E-mail: raavo dot josepson at ttu dot ee
Phone: (+372) 620 3008
Student counsellor
Ms. Maarja Märss
E-mail: maarja dot marss at ttu dot ee
Phone: (+372) 620 2997
Contact a Student Ambassador!