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SECTION DE PHYSIQUE

Higher Education in Physics in Switzerland. March 6, 2009. Martin Pohl Président de la Section de Physique Université de Genève. SECTION DE PHYSIQUE. Science in Switzerland : investment et impact. Source : Nature, juillet 2004. Source : Physik Journal novembre 2008.

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SECTION DE PHYSIQUE

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  1. Higher Education in Physics in Switzerland March 6, 2009 Martin Pohl Président de la Section de Physique Université de Genève SECTION DE PHYSIQUE

  2. Science in Switzerland : investment et impact Source : Nature, juillet 2004 Source : Physik Journal novembre 2008

  3. Impact de la production scientifique Amsterdam • Cambridge • Edinburgh • Freiburg • Genève • Heidelberg • Helsinki • Karolinska • Leiden • Leuven UCL (London) • Lund • Milano • LMU München • Oxford • PMC Paris • Paris-Sud • ULP Strasbourg • Utrecht • Zürich Mean LERU Source : LERU and CWTS (Uni Leiden/NL) Impact of scientific production compared to other research Universities, per domain. e.g. UniGE

  4. Student statistics for 2007/08 Total number of physics students 2007/8: 2180 (constant since many years) of which are women 399 18% of which have foreign nationality 808 37% Total number of physics PhD students 724 of which are women 154 21% Total number of particle physics experimental PhD students 89 Recent example: +16% new science students in 2008 at UniGe New peak or sustained growth? UniGe :

  5. The Bologna System: Constructs a European space of higher education: • Mutual recognition of university degrees: bachelor, master, PhD • Free exchange of students between participating universities • System of ECTS credits for courses, obligatory evaluation • Simplifies process of equivalences when one changes university • ERASMUS program encourages this exchange Swiss Universities participate in the Bologna system basically since its creation

  6. Studying physics in Switzerland I • Bachelor in physics – 3 years • Mathematics: Analysis, algebra, informatics • Basic Physics: Mechanics, electrodynamics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, statistics • Introductory courses: Particles, solid state, astrophysics • Optional and lab courses Master in physics – 2 years Careers: Informatics, finance, scientific journalism etc. • Small number of students, complete palette of specialties • Excellent student/teacher ratio • Exceptionally good support, personal relations • Frontier research

  7. Studying physics in Switzerland II Master in physics – 2 years Orientations - Particle physics - Condensed matter physics - Theoretical physics - Applied physics - Astronomy and astrophysics Personal project, embedded in a research group • Specialized courses • Optional courses • Lab courses Careers: Research, teaching, industry, management, finance, medical applications, meteorology, climatology, energy, environment etc.

  8. Studying physics in Switzerland III Master in physics – 2 years from local university or any other University participating in the Bologna system or equivalent • PhD – 3 to 5 years • Specialized courses • Individual research project • Integrated in a research group • Publication of results • Participation in teaching • Master of Advanced Studies • Professionalizing • Typically 2years • Tailored course program • Individual research project Careers: Research, teaching, industry, management, finance, medical applications, meteorology, climatology, energy, environment etc.

  9. Project: Cooperation in doctoral studies • UniGe+EPFL • Local programs • 3ème cycle • UniBe • Local program • UniZh • Local program • ETHZ • Local program ProDoc AM of CHIPP : Particle Physics in the LHC Era • CERN • School of Physics • HCP summer school • Academic training • CHIPP • Coordination • CHIPP School • Specialized courses • PSI • Zuoz Summer School

  10. Awaken scientific interest: PhysiScope • 190 m2 conceived by TSR: • a seminar room • an adjacent laboratory • invite secondary school classes • modern audio-visuel tools • attractive shows worked out in collaboration with school teachers • transmit enthousiasm • Numerous hands-on experiments • Installation cost ~1.1 MChf • Inaugurated in October 2008 • 1000th visitor in January 2009

  11. Enhance physics teaching in secondary education • Regular fresh-up summer courses for physics teachers • Organised on Cantonal level (like school system) • Few chairs for Didactics of Science: • Geneva (Physics, Life Science) • Basel (Physics) • Fribourg (Science) Important for sustainable development

  12. Conclusions: • Switzerland is an excellent place to do science • Switzerland is an excellent place to study physics • Bologna system implemented early • Unusually large fraction of doctoral students • Action to federate teaching at PhD level • Action towards young people, school teachers and general public • Action to attract even more foreign (master) students

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