Physics

Student experiences

"For me, cosmology is the perfect specialization within Physics and Astronomy. There are two very big theories in physics, from which – as far as we know – all the others are derived: the quantum field theory and the relativity theory. To explain physical phenomena, you usually need only one of these. But cosmology is such a huge challenge, as it is one of the few branches of physics in which you need both theories at the same time. This programme really offers me all the challenges I was looking for.” Gideon Koekoek, Master’s student in Physics

“During the final stages of my studies at the Physics of Complex Systems section, I took up a student placement with a leading research group at the University of Chicago. There I was taught all about the chemical synthesis of quantum dots: tiny crystal beads, only about 10 millionths of a millimetre in size, which we wanted to use at VU University Amsterdam for fluorescence microscopy. At the time, only a couple of labs in the whole world had mastered this technique. I received excellent supervision from a Chinese PhD student. And not only on the academic side. He also arranged a good place for me to live, and we saw a lot of the country together. We are still in touch. He is even planning to come to Amsterdam. A fine follow-up to a useful and instructive placement.” Joost van Mameren, Physics graduate