Courses / Course

Please see the departmental website for the current research interests of staff www.maynoothuniversity.ie/experimental-physics/our-research

Dr Neil Trappe
Submillimetre astronomy

Dr Créidhe O’Sullivan
Cosmic Microwave Background Astronomy

Dr Marcin Lukasz Gradziel
Computational and experimental validation of terahertz optics

Dr Emma Whelan
Star and planet formation

Dr Colm Bracken
Superconducting detectors, feeds, and readouts for astronomy

Dr James McGrath
Fundamental and applied research focusing on indoor aerosol dynamics, air quality and building ventilation. 

Dr Patrick Kavanagh
The matter cycle in galaxies

First-class or upper second-class (2.1) honours undergraduate degree in Physics, or equivalent.

Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.

Minimum English language requirements:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants..

Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

Online application only www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity

PAC Code
MHL02 Full-time

Prospective students must contact an appropriate member of staff to agree a research topic before applying through the PAC system.

The following information should be forwarded to PAC, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway or uploaded to your online application form:

Certified copies of all official transcripts of results for all non-Maynooth University qualifications listed MUST accompany the application. Failure to do so will delay your application being processed. Non-Maynooth University students are asked to provide two academic references and a copy of birth certificate or valid passport.

All students will be registered onto a Structured PhD Programme.  Students need to pass a certain number of credits in support modules, in addition to successful completion and examination of the thesis. The student’s original research as presented in the thesis is the sole means of assessment for the award of the degree.

PhD students must take a minimum of 30 credits in support modules (15 in transferable modules and 15 in subject specific modules) and not exceed 90 credits in support modules over the duration of their Structured PhD programme.

Duration: 4 years full-time

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually. Please check periodically for updates.

Year 1

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS Research degrees in Experimental Physics are based on original research work, which may involve laboratory investigations and/or computational studies.  This research is carried out under the supervision of an experienced researcher.  In addition, valuable transferable skills are developed through flexible support modules, as part of Maynooth University's structured PhD programme.  Closing date Research applications are generally accepted at any time Commences September (or other agreed time) Notes: All students should consult with their supervisor before registering for modules. This is especially important in the first year of your research studies as not all modules are suitable for Year 1 students. Modules with a FM or GST prefix are managed by the Research Development Office. Please consult with your supervisor before registering for these modules. Students who wish to register for FM and GST modules in semester 2 must contact the MU Research Skills Development Programme rsdp@mu.ie. EP900 - EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS Credits: n/a Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory ACADEMIC WRITING MODULE GST3 5 2 ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SKILLS (PUBLICATION) FM809 5 Year-Long ADVANCED SUMMER SCHOOL IN PHYSICS (MAJOR) EP815 5 S ADVANCED SUMMER SCHOOL IN PHYSICS (MINOR) EP812 2.5 S ADVANCED TECHNICAL COURSE EP813 2.5 S COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS EP408 5 1 CONFERENCE ORGANISATION FM801 5 Year-Long DEVICE PHYSICS EP409 5 2 ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY:RESEARCH, PRACTICE AND REFLECTION. FM804 5 Year-Long ETHICS AND ACADEMIC PRACTICE FOR RESEARCH STUDENTS GST15 5 Year-Long EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY ALPACH SUMMER SCHOOL EP811 5 S EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS SEMINAR SERIES EP802 5 Year-Long FINDING INFORMATION FOR YOUR RESEARCH GST2 5 Year-Long GRANT MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE GST8 5 Year-Long INNOVATION AND RESEARCH COMMERCIALISATION GST10 5 2 INSTRUMENTATION AND COMPUTER INTERFACING EP403 5 1 MEASUREMENT CAMPAIGN AT INTERNATIONAL PARTNER LABORATORY EP814 2.5 Year-Long ORAL PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH WORK AT A CONFERENCE, MEETING OR WORKSHOP (ADVANCED SPECIALIST) EP805 5 Year-Long OUTREACH & COMMUNICATION FM805 5 Year-Long POSTER PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH WORK AT A CONFERENCE, MEETING OR WORKSHOP (ADVANCED SPECIALIST) EP806 2.5 Year-Long PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN POSTGRADUATE TEACHING & LEARNING : TUTORS & DEMONSTRATORS CTL1 5 1 PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN POSTGRADUATE TEACHING & LEARNING : TUTORS & DEMONSTRATORS CTL1X 5 2 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYABILITY GST1 5 Year-Long PROFESSIONAL SKILLS - THESIS COMPLETION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT GST11 5 2 RESEARCH FUNDING APPLICATION GST13 5 1 STATISTICS & DATA ANALYSIS EP404 5 2 TEACHING PRACTICE IN EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS EP804 5 Year-Long TECHNICAL SKILLS IN EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS EP801 2.5 1 WORK-BASED PLACEMENT FM802 5 Year-Long EPJI9 - EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS (JOINT INTERNAL PHD) Credits: n/a Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory ACADEMIC WRITING MODULE GST3 5 2 ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SKILLS (PUBLICATION) FM809 5 Year-Long ADVANCED SUMMER SCHOOL IN PHYSICS (MAJOR) EP815 5 S ADVANCED SUMMER SCHOOL IN PHYSICS (MINOR) EP812 2.5 S ADVANCED TECHNICAL COURSE EP813 2.5 S COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS EP408 5 1 CONFERENCE ORGANISATION FM801 5 Year-Long DEVICE PHYSICS EP409 5 2 ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY:RESEARCH, PRACTICE AND REFLECTION. FM804 5 Year-Long ETHICS AND ACADEMIC PRACTICE FOR RESEARCH STUDENTS GST15 5 Year-Long EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY ALPACH SUMMER SCHOOL EP811 5 S EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS SEMINAR SERIES EP802 5 Year-Long FINDING INFORMATION FOR YOUR RESEARCH GST2 5 Year-Long GRANT MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE GST8 5 Year-Long INNOVATION AND RESEARCH COMMERCIALISATION GST10 5 2 INSTRUMENTATION AND COMPUTER INTERFACING EP403 5 1 MEASUREMENT CAMPAIGN AT INTERNATIONAL PARTNER LABORATORY EP814 2.5 Year-Long ORAL PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH WORK AT A CONFERENCE, MEETING OR WORKSHOP (ADVANCED SPECIALIST) EP805 5 Year-Long OUTREACH & COMMUNICATION FM805 5 Year-Long POSTER PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH WORK AT A CONFERENCE, MEETING OR WORKSHOP (ADVANCED SPECIALIST) EP806 2.5 Year-Long PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN POSTGRADUATE TEACHING & LEARNING : TUTORS & DEMONSTRATORS CTL1 5 1 PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN POSTGRADUATE TEACHING & LEARNING : TUTORS & DEMONSTRATORS CTL1X 5 2 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYABILITY GST1 5 Year-Long PROFESSIONAL SKILLS - THESIS COMPLETION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT GST11 5 2 RESEARCH FUNDING APPLICATION GST13 5 1 STATISTICS & DATA ANALYSIS EP404 5 2 TEACHING PRACTICE IN EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS EP804 5 Year-Long TECHNICAL SKILLS IN EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS EP801 2.5 1 WORK-BASED PLACEMENT FM802 5 Year-Long

PAC Admission Coordinator Dr Marcin Lukasz Gradziel
Tel +353 1 708 3641
Fax +353 1 708 3313
Email physics.department@mu.ie
Website https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/experimental-physics
Address Department of Experimental Physics,Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare

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During the course of their studies research students at the Department of Experimental Physics develop expertise in specialized areas of experimental physics, computational physics or astrophysics. Research work in Experimental Physics also develops a range of ancillary skills – in the areas of problem-solving, computational modelling, system analysis, and technical communication. 

This blend of Physics and transferable skills means that Physics graduates are highly sought after by employers not only in a wide range of traditional high-technology industries such as microelectronics, telecommunication, software engineering or medical physics, but also in an even wider range of areas where advanced numeracy is a distinct advantage – such as scientific civil service, finance or climate science.  Students pursuing research in astrophysics also might consider areas specifically requiring astrophysicists such as space science, or satellite and deep space communications. 

A PhD degree is also generally a prerequisite for careers in academia and industrial research.

For further information on Postgraduate options please go to the Graduate Studies site