Physics and Science-Based Business

Specialisation of: Physics
Degree: Master of Science in Physics
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 2 years
Start date: Flexible, for international students preferably September or February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60202
Share |

This combination of science and business will both train you as a researcher in Physics and prepare you for going into industry and business. In close co-operation with senior research staff, you will do your own research project in the Leiden Institute of Physics. Courses on theory and experimentation on the frontier of Science will further enhance your knowledge. In a networked and case-based programme on management, business and entrepreneurship you will learn about running science-driven companies and exploiting business opportunities created in research. Your newly acquired knowledge and skills you will apply and enhance further in a company internship or business assignment.

Programme

In this 2-year programme – 20 months net study time – you will spend between about 10 and 13 months on Physics and 7 to 10 months on business. There is ample opportunity to tailor the programme to your own preferences.

In Physics you will do a 7 month’s research project in a research group of the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION). In addition you spend 3 to 6 months on coursework related to your research topic.

In your business programme, you spend between 3 and 6 months on business courses. You can choose between courses with emphasis on business in established, science-based companies and courses on business venturing and technopreneurship, focusing in particular on creating new business from discoveries and inventions in science research. Your knowledge of business in combination with your science skills you will apply and further develop in a 4 to 6 months’ business internship or assignment.

Some of the business courses you can also do as electives should you choose one of the research specializations of the master programme in Physics.
For an up to date course overview of Physics, see the study guide
More detailed information on the full SBB programme can be found at the SBB website.

Photo Physics 2

Prof. Beenakker

“We regard master’s students as fully-fledged researchers.”

“Physics requires skills which are not so readily available. You have to like solving problems and you have to like Maths. My experience has been that anyone who studies physics soon becomes fascinated by the subject. Almost all bachelor’s graduates take a master’s, and many carry on to take a PhD.

Leiden University has a cast-iron reputation as a research university. Two physics lecturers have received the Spinoza prize, the highest award for science in the Netherlands. Leiden is a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU).

We regard master’s students as fully-fledged researchers. They have their own working space and play a full part in the business of conducting science. What I enjoy most about my work is when I am working together with students on a research project, in the traditional master/apprentice role. A student comes here to learn about scientific research; I am the coach. This fits well within our teams, which have a maximum of six people.

As a theoretical physicist, I like unravelling problems, but I like it even more when students do it. I see students develop into mature scientists. It fascinates me, and I find it very rewarding. All our lecturers are researchers at heart. We take our students very seriously.”