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Advancing Physics Education in Switzerland: Impact and Investment

Explore the impact of scientific production in Swiss universities, focusing on physics education and career opportunities in Switzerland. Discover the structure of physics studies, from bachelor to PhD levels, and the diverse career paths available for physics graduates. Learn about initiatives promoting physics education, such as the PhysiScope project, summer schools, and courses for secondary education teachers.

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Advancing Physics Education in Switzerland: Impact and Investment

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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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