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

Martin Pohl SECTION DE PHYSIQUE Science in Switzerland : investment et impact Source : Nature, juillet 2004 Source : Physik Journal novembre 2008

Martin Pohl SECTION DE PHYSIQUE Impact of scientific production compared to other research Universities, per domain. Source : LERU and CWTS (Uni Leiden/NL) Impact de la production scientifique Mean LERU e.g. UniGE 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

Martin Pohl SECTION DE PHYSIQUE Student statistics for 2007/08 Recent example: +16% new science students in 2008 at UniGe New peak or sustained growth? Total number of physics students 2007/8: 2180 (constant since many years) of which are women 39918% of which have foreign nationality 80837% Total number of physics PhD students 724 of which are women 15421% Total number of particle physics experimental PhD students 89 UniGe :

Martin Pohl SECTION DE PHYSIQUE The Bologna System: Constructs a European space of higher education: Mutual recognition of university degrees: bachelor, master, PhDMutual recognition of university degrees: bachelor, master, PhD Free exchange of students between participating universitiesFree exchange of students between participating universities System of ECTS credits for courses, obligatory evaluationSystem of ECTS credits for courses, obligatory evaluation Simplifies process of equivalences when one changes universitySimplifies process of equivalences when one changes university ERASMUS program encourages this exchangeERASMUS program encourages this exchange Swiss Universities participate in the Bologna system basically since its creation

Martin Pohl SECTION DE PHYSIQUE Studying physics in Switzerland I Bachelor in physics – 3 years  Mathematics:Analysis, algebra, informatics  Basic Physics:Mechanics, electrodynamics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, statistics quantum mechanics, statistics  Introductory courses:Particles, solid state, astrophysics  Optional and lab courses Bachelor in physics – 3 years  Mathematics:Analysis, algebra, informatics  Basic Physics:Mechanics, electrodynamics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, statistics 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

Martin Pohl SECTION DE PHYSIQUE Master in physics – 2 years Orientations - Particle physics - Condensed matter physics - Condensed matter physics - Theoretical physics - Theoretical physics - Applied physics - Applied physics - Astronomy and astrophysics - Astronomy and astrophysics Personal project, embedded in a research group Master in physics – 2 years Orientations - Particle physics - Condensed matter physics - Condensed matter physics - Theoretical physics - Theoretical physics - Applied physics - Applied physics - Astronomy and astrophysics - 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. Studying physics in Switzerland II

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

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

Martin Pohl SECTION DE PHYSIQUE Awaken scientific interest: PhysiScope 190 m 2 conceived by TSR: a seminar rooma seminar room an adjacent laboratoryan adjacent laboratory invite secondary school classesinvite secondary school classes modern audio-visuel toolsmodern audio-visuel tools attractive shows worked out in collaboration with school teachersattractive shows worked out in collaboration with school teachers transmit enthousiasmtransmit enthousiasm Numerous hands-on experiments Installation cost ~1.1 MChf Inaugurated in October th visitor in January 2009

Martin Pohl SECTION DE PHYSIQUE Enhance physics teaching in secondary education Regular fresh-up summer courses for physics teachersRegular fresh-up summer courses for physics teachers Organised on Cantonal level (like school system)Organised on Cantonal level (like school system) Few chairs for Didactics of Science:Few chairs for Didactics of Science: –Geneva (Physics, Life Science) –Basel (Physics) –Fribourg (Science) Important for sustainable development development

Martin Pohl SECTION DE PHYSIQUE Conclusions: Switzerland is an excellent place to do scienceSwitzerland is an excellent place to do science Switzerland is an excellent place to study physicsSwitzerland is an excellent place to study physics Bologna system implemented earlyBologna system implemented early Unusually large fraction of doctoral studentsUnusually large fraction of doctoral students Action to federate teaching at PhD levelAction to federate teaching at PhD level Action towards young people, school teachers and general publicAction towards young people, school teachers and general public Action to attract even more foreign (master) studentsAction to attract even more foreign (master) students