Master's Degree in Physics of the Universe: Cosmology, Astrophysics, Particles and Astroparticles 2025–2026

The recommended admission profile for this Master’s program corresponds to graduates with a solid background in physics and mathematics, which may include degree holders in Physics or university studies in the fields of engineering or science.

The Master’s Academic Committee has established the admission criteria and will apply them in accordance with the principles of equality, merit, and ability in the event that the number of applicants exceeds the number of available places. To determine the order of priority, an admission score will be calculated for each applicant based on the following weighted criteria: academic record (70%) and previous degree (30%).

Candidates whose native language is neither Spanish nor English must provide proof of a B2 level or equivalent proficiency in these languages, in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

A professional with the ability to begin a Doctoral Thesis, pursue other specialized studies, and/or join research teams as a researcher or qualified technician in the fields of Cosmology, Astrophysics, Particles, and Astroparticles.

Research profile. Graduates acquire specialized and advanced training that qualifies them to begin a PhD in the field of Physics and Astronomy, or to engage in scientific research activities carried out in the public sector or in R&D&I divisions of the private sector.

Technical profile as a software and data analysis expert, qualified to work in a wide variety of industries and environments: information technology (IT), data and analytics companies, healthcare, financial institutions, marketing and advertising, energy and the environment, artificial intelligence and machine learning, public agencies, etc.

Technical profile as an expert in instrumentation and technology, qualified to work in areas such as particle physics, astrophysics and astronomy, nuclear medicine, medical imaging, nuclear technologies, materials science research, security and defense, the environment, geophysical exploration, medical physics, etc.

Teaching and outreach profile, enabling career paths in teaching, content creation, museums and science centers, media, science communication, outreach, etc.

This program is situated in a highly specialized and constantly evolving professional and social environment, closely linked to the advancement of scientific knowledge, technological innovation, and advanced data analysis. It is primarily framed within the fields of Cosmology, Astrophysics, Particle Physics, and Astroparticle Physics—strategic disciplines both for fundamental research and for technological progress and the transfer of knowledge to society.

From a professional perspective, the program is integrated into the ecosystem of scientific and technological research, encompassing universities, national and international research centers, large-scale scientific infrastructures, public research organizations, and R&D&I departments within the private sector. It also connects with knowledge-intensive productive sectors such as information technology, data science, artificial intelligence, advanced instrumentation, energy, healthcare, and the technology industry, where the skills acquired are in high demand.

On a social level, this program contributes to the training of highly qualified professionals capable of addressing complex problems through critical thinking, data analysis, and the use of advanced technologies. In addition, it promotes science communication and education, strengthening society’s scientific culture and fostering the transfer of knowledge from basic research to applications with social, economic, and technological impact.

Overall, the professional and social environment of this program is characterized by its interdisciplinary, international, and innovation-oriented nature, positioning it at the intersection of fundamental science, technological development, and the strategic needs of a knowledge-based society.

The training provided by the Master’s Degree offers advanced and specialized learning in the fields of High Energy Physics, Cosmology, Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Astroparticles, supported by a unique and excellent research environment. Students acquire cutting-edge knowledge thanks to the participation of leading researchers and technologists from the Centro de Astropartículas y Física de Altas Energías, the Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc, and the Centro de Física del Cosmos de Aragón, institutions with recognized national and international prestige. This context guarantees rigorous, up-to-date training that is clearly differentiated from other similar degrees.

Throughout the Master’s program, students learn the theoretical and experimental foundations underlying the disciplines covered, as well as the methodologies and techniques currently used in advanced scientific research. The different courses have been designed so that students acquire both practical and conceptual skills that enable them to operate confidently in research and technological development environments.

In particular, students learn to:

• Use advanced computational techniques and tools for modeling, numerical simulation, and scientific data analysis.
• Analyze, process, and interpret experimental data from experiments and observations, applying appropriate statistical and computational methods.
• Pose, formulate, and solve complex theoretical problems, developing physical models and performing advanced calculations.
• Understand and handle the main instruments, detectors, and experimental methodologies used in particle physics, astrophysics, and astroparticles.
• Develop scientific software projects and work collaboratively in multidisciplinary environments.
• Delve into a specific research topic, becoming familiar with the scientific literature, the latest advances, and current research lines in the field.

This training enables students to understand and actively participate in high-level research projects, as well as to acquire a critical and comprehensive view of the disciplines studied.

The program also includes a clear international and bilingual orientation, allowing students to develop academic and scientific skills in both Spanish and English, the standard language of scientific communication. In addition, the Master’s combines face-to-face teaching with online resources, facilitating flexible learning adapted to students’ needs while maintaining academic rigor and direct interaction with faculty.

As a result of this training process, students acquire the knowledge, skills, and competences necessary to continue their education through a Doctoral Thesis or to join research teams as researchers or qualified technicians in the fields of Cosmology, Astrophysics, Particle Physics, and Astroparticle Physics.

KNOWLEDGE

CO_01 Describe cutting-edge research lines in cosmology, astrophysics, particle physics, and astroparticles.

CO_02 Identify the major centers and facilities where this type of research is carried out, in order to gain a global and up-to-date view of research in these fields.

CO_03 Review major experiments and international collaborations in this research area.

CO_04 Thoroughly explore the fundamental theories that explain the evolution of the universe, the structure of astrophysical objects, and the nature of subatomic particles.

CO_05 Review cosmological models, stellar dynamics, and the fundamental interactions between particles.

CO_06 Identify the instrumentation used in cosmology, astrophysics, and particle physics: space telescopes, gravitational wave detectors, particle detectors, and the associated electronics.

CO_07 Discuss the experimental techniques used in this field to detect and identify signals obtained from instrumentation.

CO_08 Review the mathematical tools that enable the formulation of concepts, principles, theories, or models studied in cosmology, astrophysics, and particle physics.

CO_09 Understand the statistical methods required for the analysis and interpretation of data obtained from experiments or simulations within the scope of the degree.

CO_10 Identify the computational tools used for theory development, data processing, or simulations.

SKILLS

HA_01 Select the appropriate theory to explain observations and make predictions in cosmology, astrophysics, and particle physics.

HA_02 Solve problems in particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology by appropriately choosing the theoretical framework, identifying relevant concepts, and synthesizing new ias and techniques.

HA_03 Build simple mathematical and/or computational models to explain current observations in cosmology, astrophysics, and particle physics, and attempt to make predictions.

HA_04 Apply statistical and computational techniques to the analysis of data obtained from astrophysical and cosmological observations or from particle physics and astroparticle experiments.

HA_05 Use the most common computational techniques and tools for modeling, simulation, and data analysis in this type of research.

HA_06 Apply observational and instrumental techniques to experimental work in cosmology, astrophysics, particle physics, and astroparticles.

COMPETENCES

These competences correspond to the project entitled Sello 1+5 Unizar:

CP_01 Democratic values and sustainability. Develop a commitment to the society in which we live so that it may thrive through the dimensions of democratic values and sustainability, as embodied in the global framework that defines it at any given time.

CP_02 Teamwork. Actively collaborate with a group of people to achieve a common goal by combining different talents.

CP_03 Critical thinking. Reason reflectively about a topic, being able to deliberate on its validity by subjecting one’s own and others’ convictions to debate.

CP_04 Emotional intelligence. Understand and regulate one’s own emotions and those of others in order to interact and participate effectively and constructively in social and professional life.

CP_05 Innovation and creativity. Design and carry out a new task or project in a different way, using creativity and curiosity to add value with an entrepreneurial attitude.

CP_06 Lifelong self-learning. Use learning on a continuous basis and develop autonomous and flexible learning strategies throughout life in order to be part of an active, motivated, and integrated citizenry, fostering employability improvement or personal development.

In addition, the following are included as degree-specific competences:

CP_07 Communication. Communicate the results of scientific work, orally or in writing, in Spanish or English, to either specialized or general audiences, in a clear and unambiguous manner.

CP_08 Independent work. Organize, plan, and carry out scientific-technical work autonomously.

The Master’s program is aimed at graduates in Physics and related fields and covers a wide range of areas, such as dark matter detection, dark matter modeling in galaxies, axion physics, neutrino physics, gauge theories, and phenomenology of the Standard Model and beyond. It also includes practical activities at the LSC and the CEFCA.

The curriculum combines theoretical, experimental, and instrumental knowledge required for the training of scientists and technologists in fields such as high-energy physics, cosmology, astronomy, astrophysics, and astroparticle physics, as well as the instruments needed for this research. It is adapted not only to students’ preferences but also to their prior experience and academic background from degrees in Physics, Science, or Engineering. The program consists of 60 ECTS credits distributed as follows:

15 compulsory ECTS (one 6-ECTS course and one 9-ECTS course)

30 optional ECTS (chosen from a total offering of 6 courses, including the interdisciplinary one)

15 ECTS for the Master’s Thesis

Compulsory courses (annual):

• Current Topics in Cosmology, Astrophysics, and Particle Physics (6 ECTS)
  
• Methods and Techniques in Cosmology, Astrophysics, and Particle Physics (9 ECTS)

Optional subjects, consisting of two semester-long courses of 6 ECTS each:

• Cosmology and Gravitation
  
• Particle Physics
  
• Astroparticle Physics
  
• Astrophysics
  
• Technology and Instrumentation

It is not necessary to take both courses within a given area: course selection is made by individual course, not by area.

Each student may choose to participate in an interdisciplinary learning pathway that allows them to select from a defined number of subjects from other university Master’s degree programs offered due to their relevance to the degree being pursued. This approach is described in detail in the document “Interdisciplinary Learning at the University of Zaragoza”. There is a 6-ECTS interdisciplinary course specifically designed for this purpose

Courses

The Degree is promoted by professors and researchers from CAPA, belonging to the Department of Theoretical Physics of UNIZAR (Areas of Atomic, Molecular and Nuclear Physics, Theoretical Physics, Astronomy, and Astrophysics), with the collaboration of the Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc (LSC) and the Centro de Física del Cosmos de Aragón (CEFCA). As a result, the program has a faculty composed entirely of PhD holders who may participate in teaching, supervise external internships, and direct Master’s Theses. The current faculty staff for the degree is made up of teaching and research personnel from the following categories:

• 13 tenured academic staff, with a similar number of Associate Professors (Profesor Titular de Universidad, 7) and Full Professors (Catedrático de Universidad, 6). On average, the total number of officially recognized six-year research periods (sexenios) awarded to these professors is 5 for Full Professors and 4 for Associate Professors. Teaching experience exceeds 20 years for most of them, with more than 5 five-year teaching periods (quinquenios) in the case of Full Professors and more than 4 for Associate Professors.
• 4 non-tenured academic staff, Permanent Contract Professors with an excellent research curriculum and teaching experience.
• 1 Emeritus Professor.
  
• 4 researcher–professors holding a PhD (Ramón y Cajal or Beatriz Galindo programs), most of them accredited for permanent academic positions or in the process of obtaining such accreditation, and in several cases undergoing stabilization processes.

In addition, the program benefits from collaborations with:

• 10 Scientific Researchers and technical staff (UNIZAR, LABAC, LSC, CEFCA), including PhD holders and engineers, for teaching activities and supervision of projects.
• 10 early-career researchers in training, who participate in software-related activities and laboratory work.

The teaching and research experience of the Master’s faculty is supported by their curricula, publications, and research projects, all of which are directly aligned with the objectives and learning outcomes pursued by the program.

Research Experience

The curricula and number of recognized research periods (sexenios) of each faculty member, as well as their membership in the Research Groups of Excellence of the Government of Aragón (Grupo de física nuclear y astropartículas (E27_17R), Grupo teórico de física de altas energías (E21_17R), and Astrofísica con grandes cartografiados (E16-17R)), demonstrate the high research quality of the teaching staff. This is reflected in more than 700 articles published in high-impact journals over the last 10 years, with an average h-index of around 30, in research lines directly related to the Degree:

• Direct detection of Dark Matter
• Dark matter modeling in galaxies
• Axion physics: theory and detection
• Neutrino physics: double beta decay and neutrino mass
• Radioactivity and low-background techniques
• Development of new particle detectors
• Lattice gauge theories
• Applications of field theory to quantum information and topological materials
• Phenomenology of the Standard Model and new physics beyond the SM
• Theory and phenomenology of quantum gravity
• Cosmology and Galaxy Evolution

Management Experience

In addition, these professors and researchers participate actively in university management, organize and attend scientific conferences, serve on committees and panels of research agencies, take part (in some cases as leaders) in research projects and networks, have received awards and distinctions, and carry out knowledge transfer and outreach activities.

Teaching Experience

From a teaching perspective, the faculty has many years of experience at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, being responsible for numerous courses taught at the Faculty of Sciences, as well as for supervising Bachelor’s Theses, Master’s Theses, and Doctoral Dissertations.

In addition to undergraduate and master’s courses, in recent years they have supervised approximately 120 Bachelor’s Theses since the 2013/2014 academic year, more than 35 Master’s Theses since the 2012/2013 academic year, and nearly 30 Doctoral Theses since 2003.

As part of a strong commitment to quality, there is extensive involvement in teaching innovation projects and faculty training courses, as well as participation in Quality Assessment and Quality Assurance Committees for various degree programs within the Faculty. Overall, students give a very positive evaluation of the teaching staff.