Content

In this course you learn how to develop defensive and offensive intellectual property (IP) strategies that support your business model(s) and competitive strategy. You develop an understanding of the different types of IP (patents, copyright, trademarks, trade secrets), and learn how to formulate closed and open IP strategies. Further, you learn how to build IP portfolios and how to extract value from (unused) IP. Finally, patent landscaping techniques are introduced and you learn how to formulate IP strategies for weak IPR environments.

Course material

Used Course Material
* A reader available through Ekonomika.

Toledo
* Toledo is being used for this learning activity to share readings, lecture slides, etc.

Format: more information

Students interactively acquire insights of strategic IP Management. Throughout the course the case study method is used complemented by plenary discussions. Students should come to class having individually read the cases mentioned under ‘Class preparation’ for each session. Students can use the preparatory questions to guide their individual reading of the case. No case reports are required.

Explanation

Features of the evaluation

The evaluation consists of a final exam and class participation.
* The written exam is a closed book exam and consists of open questions.
* The class participation consists of case and plenary discussions.

Determination of final grades

* The grades are determined by the lecturer as communicated via Toledo and stated in the examination schedule. The result is calculated and communicated as a whole number on a scale of 20.
* The final grade is a weighted score and consists of : the written exam which is graded and counts for 100%. The evaluation of class participation will lead to an adjustment varying from 0 to +2 points of the final grade.

Second examination opportunity

* The features of the evaluation and determination of grades are similar to those of the first examination opportunity, as described above.
* Due to the nature of the class participation (i.e. the case and plenary discussions), the grade attained at the first examination opportunity will be transferred to the second examination opportunity.

Information about retaking exams

See explanation for further examination regarding the second examination opportunity.

Content

This course discusses the importance and unique nature of intrapreneurship. We explain the processes firms use to create and select opportunities for new businesses by leveraging in-house and external ideas. Further we discuss how firms can create a context in which individuals are stimulated to act entrepreneurial. Finally, we explain how firms can design ambidextrous organizations in which entrepreneurial and existing activities coincide and mutually reinforce each other. Special attention is hereby given to the strategic role of corporate venturing.

Course material

Used Course Material
* A reader available through Ekonomika.

Toledo
* Toledo is being used for this learning activity to share readings, lecture slides, etc.

Format: more information

Students interactively acquire insights in the domain of intrapreneurship. Throughout the course the case study method is used complemented by plenary discussions. Students should come to class having individually read the cases mentioned under ‘Class preparation’ for each session. Students can use the preparatory questions to guide their individual reading of the case. No case reports are required.

Explanation

Features of the evaluation

The evaluation consists of a final exam and class participation.
* The written exam is a closed book exam and consists of open questions.
* The class participation consists of case and plenary discussions.

Determination of final grades

* The grades are determined by the lecturer as communicated via Toledo and stated in the examination schedule. The result is calculated and communicated as a whole number on a scale of 20.
* The final grade is a weighted score and consists of the: the writen exam which is graded and counts for 100%. The evaluation of class participation will lead to an adjustment varying from 0 to +2 points of the final grade.

Second examination opportunity

* The features of the evaluation and determination of grades are similar to those of the first examination opportunity, as described above.
* Due to the nature of the class participation, the grade attained at the first examination opportunity will be transferred to the second examination opportunity.

Information about retaking exams

See explanation for further information regarding the second examination opportunity.

Content

This course offers an overview of the main strategic decisions and organizational challenges involved in the process of exploiting a new business opportunity, from building to scaling a start-up. Drawing on recent advances in entrepreneurship theory and practice, the course focuses on the key approaches to successfully deal with these challenges.

Topics that will be discussed are, amongst others:

• Building the Founding Team
• Implementing the Business Opportunity
• The Lean Start-up Method
• Strategies for Growth
• Organizing for Growth
• Change Management 

Course material

Used Course Material
A reader with scholarly papers will be provided through Ekonomika.
Case studies.

Toledo
Toledo is being used for this learning activity.

Format: more information

Throughout the course the case study method is used complemented by plenary discussions and enriched by guest lecturers. Given the documented efficacy of active learning, case-discussion will play an important role in the course. Therefore, students should come to class having individually read the material assigned for each session. A set of learning questions will be provided to guide the individual reading of the case as well as the class discussion.

Explanation

FEATURES OF THE EVALUATION

• The evaluation consists of a final exam:
  • The written exam is a closed book exam and consists of open questions.

DETERMINATION OF FINAL GRADES:

• The grades are determined by the lecturer as communicated via Toledo and stated in the examination schedule. The result is calculated and communicated as a number on a scale of 20.
• The final grade is a weighted score and consists of the following components:
  • 90% on a written, closed book exam
  • 10% on in class permanent evaluation
• If the student does not participate in the written exam, the final grade of the course will be NA (not taken) for the whole course.                                                                                                                                                              

Information about retaking exams

The features of the evaluation and determination of grades are similar to those of the first examination opportunity.

Content

The lectures aim to let students acquire a profound insight in different models and approaches that aim to assess the future development and diffusion of technology and the translation into market/entrepreneurial opportunities. Both quantitative (forecasting) and qualitative approaches (scenario development) will be introduced and assessed. Specific attention will be paid to the role and modelling of contingencies (e.g. development paths of complementary technologies) and the inclusion of uncertainty/unpredictability.

The course also requires students to participate in a series of workshops and testimonials that highlight and discuss a number of technology trends that might unfold in markets/entrepreneurial opportunities in the foreseeable future. These seminars are given by (entrepreneurial) scientists and industry experts. Students are expected to attend and actively participate in these seminars.

Course material

Used Course Material

• Articles and literature
• Syllabus
• Lecture handouts

All material is made available through Toledo.

Format: more information

• Lectures introduce theoretical concepts in the assessment of technologies, and allow for hands-on practice of techniques like technology modelling, growth modelling, scenario planning, ecosystem mapping, etc.
• Testimonial sessions by experts introduce recent technology trends and require the application of the concepts taught in the accompanying lecture.
• The group assignment (2nd semester) requires to apply the lecture concepts to a chosen technology (and demonstrate this through a report and in a final Q&A session), supported by coaching sessions.

Explanation

FEATURES OF THE EVALUATION

• The closed book exam at the end of the 1st semester (in the January exam period) assesses the extent to which the student has internalized the insights from the readings and lectures and is able to diagnose the relevancy of different forward-looking approaches (for technological developments); their consequences/limitations and  the implications for enacting entrepreneurial opportunities. The exam contains both open questions (essay questions) and multiple-choice questions (with penalty correction for guessing).
• The report and the related Q&A session assess the abilities of the students to apply different models and approaches to arrive at an informed ‘prediction’ on the translation of technological opportunities into entrepreneurial opportunities. During the Q&A session each group is invited separately and has to answer questions about their reports. The report and Q&A session are a group assignment, done in teams of +/- 4 students.
  • For the report the requirements and deadline will be determined by the lecturer and communicated via Toledo. The deadline will be situated before the start of the examination period at the end of the second semester.
  • The timing for the final Q&A session will communicated via Toledo and will take place before the start of the examination period at the end of the second semester, typically at the beginning of May.
• Participation in the lectures is assessed (this may also include the obligation to hand in written summary reports).

DETERMINATION OF FINAL GRADES

• The grades are determined by the lecturer as communicated via Toledo and stated in the examination schedule. The result is calculated and communicated as a number on a scale of 20.
• The final grade is a weighted score and consists of the following components: 50% on a written closed book exam, 40% on the report and Q&A-session, and 10% on participation in the lectures.
• If the student does not participate in the written exam, the final grade of the course will be NA (not taken) for the whole course.
• If the deadline for the report was not respected, the grade for that respective part will be a 0-grade, unless agreed otherwise by the lecturer. Changes in deadlines can only be considered in case of unexpected, severe, circumstances.
• If the student did not participate in the elaboration of the report, the grade will be NA (not taken) for the whole course..

Information about retaking exams

SECOND EXAMINATION OPPORTUNITY

The features of the evaluation and determination of grades differ between the first and the second examination opportunity.

The student retakes that part of the evaluation (written closed book exam or report) for which (s)he did not pass. The grade obtained at the first exam opportunity for the part the student did pass, will be transferred to the second exam opportunity.

If students did not pass for the group assignment (and did not pass overall), an individual trajectory for each student in the group will be determined.

Content

This component is designed to immerse students in the theory of entrepreneurship and new venture creation and address the trepidations of students who may consider becoming entrepreneurs at some point in their career.

Topics Covered in this Course:

• Entrepreneurship intro, idea generation;
• Feasibility study, business plan guidelines;
• Industry analysis, market analysis;
• Industry segmentation, target market selection;
• Marketing plan, business positioning;
• Team development;
• Operations, product development plan;
• Getting funding, financial statements.

Course material

Used Course Material:

• Barringer, B.R. & Ireland, R.D. (2012). Entrepreneurship: Successfully launching new ventures (4th edition). Harlow: Pearson Education Limited;
• Barringer, B.R. (2008). Preparing effective business plans: An entrepreneurial approach. Upper Saddle River (NJ): Prentice Hall;
• Jones-Evans, D. & Carter, S. (2012). Enterprise and small business: Principles, practice and policy (3rd edition). Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.

Recommended Reading:

• Debrulle, J., & Maes, J. (2014). The act of creating new value: Positioning the independent and corporate entrepreneurship domain. London: McGraw-Hill, available at: https://create.mheducation.com/shop/#/catalog/details/?isbn=9781308118390.

Toledo:

• Toledo is being used to share all necessary readings and lecture slides.

Language of instruction: more information

This course is taught in English. 

Format: more information

Students interactively acquire in-depth and advanced insights into the entrepreneurial process in a course that combines traditional lectures (Models and Ingredients) with a demanding field project (Development of a Business Plan).

Is also included in other courses

D0O37A : Entrepreneurship and New Business Development

Content

For this component, students participate in a group-based business plan writing exercise, accompanied by presentations on their group's progress.

Topics Covered in this Course:

• Idea generation and feasibility study;
• Industry analysis, market analysis;
• Industry segmentation, target market selection;
• Marketing plan, business positioning;
• Team development;
• Operations, product development plan;
• Getting funding, financial statements.

Course material

Used Course Material:

• Barringer, B.R. & Ireland, R.D. (2012). Entrepreneurship: Successfully launching new ventures (4th edition). Harlow: Pearson Education Limited;
• Barringer, B.R. (2008). Preparing effective business plans: An entrepreneurial approach. Upper Saddle River (NJ): Prentice Hall;
• Jones-Evans, D. & Carter, S. (2012). Enterprise and small business: Principles, practice and policy (3rd edition). Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.

Toledo:

• Toledo is being used to share all necessary readings, lecture slides, presentation guidelines, submit work, etc.

Language of instruction: more information

This course is taught in English. All presentations are delivered in English. 

Format: more information

Presentation - Project work

This course provides you with a profound understanding of the role, analytics, and process of business plan writing. Following the lectures ("Models and Ingredients"), students will engage in a group-based business-planning project and accompanying presentations. You will learn how to rigorously prepare for starting up a new business. As part of a small (approximately 6 students) and diverse team, you will develop an operational business plan aimed at either the creation of a new venture (NVC-track) or the development of new business for an established small to medium-sized firm (NBD-track). In both tracks, projects should pertain to a technology-intensive industry. You will engage in all steps of the entrepreneurial decision-making process (e.g., idea generation, feasibility analysis, industry study, market analysis, marketing plan, production plan, product development, and financial statements). Participants are expected to accumulate entrepreneurial knowledge and behaviors that support creative solutions and new value development.

The business plan is the most demanding course component. It is in the business plan that you can show what you have learned from the course. It requires extensive field research, creativity, and critical thinking.

Explanation

Features of the Evaluation:

• A written exam assesses the extent to which the student has internalized the key insights from the course material that were studied to prepare for the lectures and that will be applied in the business plan. Questions will be in the format of single-answer, multiple-choice, with correction for guessing. Further details about the grading of the multiple-choice questions will be explained during the lectures and can be found on the Toledo page;
• The course involves the full development of an operational business plan as well as multiple intermediate presentations throughout the year;
• The business plan and presentations should reflect that you can adequately apply the different entrepreneurial concepts presented in class;
• Upon completion of the business plan, students have to indicate the extent to which their team members (peers) have contributed to the final result of the manuscript and its presentations (= peer assessment);
• For the business plan exercise, the terms of delivery and deadlines will be determined by the lecturer (titularis) and communicated via the Toledo page;
• The date of the (final) business plan presentation(s) will be determined by the lecturer (titularis) and communicated via the Toledo page. The presentations will take place before the examination period.

Determination of the Final Grades:

• The grades are determined by the lecturer (titularis) as communicated via the Toledo page and stated in the examination schedule. The final grade is calculated and communicated as an integer on a scale of 20;
• The final grade is a weighted score and consists of the following components:
  • 30% on a written closed-book exam in the form of multiple-choice questions, organized in the January examination period (with correction for guessing);
  • 50% on the final business plan;
  • 20% on the business plan presentations.
• Peer evaluation may trigger a correction up to 20% of the grade of the business plan;
• If the set deadlines for the business plan exercise were not respected, the final grade will be “NA” (not taken) for the whole course;
• If the student does not participate in the development of the business plan, the final grade will be “NA” (not taken) for the whole course;
• If the student does not participate in the exam, the final grade will be “NA” (not taken) for the whole course;
• Student attendance and participation in the business plan presentations are required for successful completion of the whole course.

Second Examination Opportunity:

• At the second exam opportunity, the final grade is based on:
  • 30% on a written closed-book exam in the form of multiple-choice questions (with correction for guessing);
  • 50% on an individual assignment (for students who failed the business plan component);
  • 20% on the business plan presentations.
• Students who passed the exam do not have to retake the exam. The grade obtained at the first exam opportunity will therefore be transferred to the second exam opportunity;
• Students who have passed the business plan cannot retake that component. For them, the results already obtained at the first exam opportunity will be transferred to the second exam opportunity;
• Students who failed the business plan, cannot retake the business plan exercise but are required to complete an individual, written assignment;
• Due to the nature of the business plan presentations, this part of the evaluation cannot be retaken. The grade obtained at the first exam opportunity for this part will therefore be transferred to the second exam opportunity.

Information about retaking exams

See ‘Explanation’ for further information regarding the second examination opportunity.

Inhoud

Totale belasting van dit opo bedraagt gemiddeld 75 uur.

Academische component:

Tijdens een introductie wordt een brainstorm gehouden over de relatie tussen het service learning project en een opleiding Wetenschappen. Tijdens het terugkommoment wordt deze relatie duidelijker geëxpliciteerd aan de hand van de uitwisseling van de persoonlijke ervaringen van de studenten. Door deelname aan het service learning project zal de student het belang van bepaalde theoretische aspecten die in de opleiding aan bod komen, bijvoorbeeld rond duurzaamheid, beter begrijpen door de verankering ervan in de dagelijkse praktijk zelf vast te stellen.

• De student krijgt tijdens de introductie inleidend inzicht in theoretische kaders omtrent technologie en maatschappij, duurzaamheid en kwetsbaarheid algemeen (vanuit interdisciplinair perspectief).
• Tijdens de introductie wordt de essentie van ‘reflectie’ onderwezen en geoefend. Een praktijkdagboek wordt opgestart.

De studenten krijgen ter voorbereiding op het terugkommoment een tekst te lezen en integreren deze tijdens de dialoog van het terugkommoment. Deze tekst handelt over bepaalde visies op wetenschap en maatschappij die oriënterend kunnen zijn voor de keuzes die gemaakt worden, zowel op maatschappelijk vlak als op individueel vlak wat de inzet en het engagement van de wetenschapper betreft (honest broker, ethiek, mensbeeld, human scale development).

Praktijkcomponent:

• Kennisname van bestaande organisaties en initiatieven in het veld, gericht op de doelgroepen.
• (Passieve) observatie ter inleving in de situatie.
• Actieve, dienstverlenende participatie in de door de student gekozen organisatie, gericht op de met de organisatie afgesproken doelen.

Reflectiecomponent:

• De student dient vooraleer het ISP kan worden goedgekeurd, een voorstel van project in bij het docententeam waarbij ook de concrete stageplanning is uitgewerkt (periode, organisatie, tentatieve dienstverlenende doelen en gedetailleerde belasting).
• Gedurende de activiteiten houdt de student een dagboek bij in het ePF om concrete ervaringen te noteren.
• Eerste Reflectie in het ePF in samenspraak met de stagebegeleider, via terugkoppeling vanuit observatie naar de leeractiviteiten die zullen nodig zijn om de stage-doelen van de student en de organisatie te realiseren – Deze reflectie krijgt vormende feedback van het docententeam
• Tweede Reflectie in het ePF: Individuele reflectie via terugkoppeling vanuit de actieve stage naar de theoretische kaders - Deze reflectie krijgt vormende feedback van het docententeam.
• Terugkommoment - Afsluitende reflectie (deel van eindevaluatie): 10’ presentatie en verdere dialoog met het docententeam, de lokale begeleider en medestudenten over wat de student op welke vlakken heeft ervaren en geleerd, integratie van de aangeleverde visietekst, explicitering van de link tussen de opleiding en service learning.

Toelichting

De evaluatie gebeurt door het docententeam op basis van een gesprek (presentatie) en het ePF dat de student samenstelt. Dit ePF brengt volgende elementen naar voor:

-het maatschappelijk engagement van de student (dagboek) en de beoordeling door de stagebegeleider in de partnerorganisatie en de begeleidende docent (procesevaluatie - beoordeling omvat volgende criteria: aanwezigheid, tijdigheid, inzet, respectvolle houding, waardevolle inbreng, heldere communicatie)

-de kwaliteit van reflecties en verslagen (individueel – verslag en self-assessment)

Bepaling van het eindresultaat

Het opleidingsonderdeel wordt beoordeeld door het docententeam met inbreng van de partnerorganisatie, zoals meegedeeld via Toledo.

EEen negatieve beoordeling voor de praktijkcomponent resulteert automatisch in een fail voor het hele opo.

Het resultaat wordt bekendgemaakt als een pass/fail.
 

Toelichting bij herkansen

Het ePF kan herwerkt worden om kwaliteitsvoller de gevraagde elementen te illustreren.  Na een negatief oordeel voor de praktijkcomponent is geen herkansing mogelijk.

Content

• Brief review of General Relativity

• Theory of Gravitational Waves

• Generation of Gravitational Waves

• Sources of Gravitational Waves

• Gravitational-wave Detectors

• Gravitaitonal-wave Data Analysis

Course material

• Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy: An Introduction to Theory, Experiment and Data iAnalysis; Jolien D. E. Creighton & Warren G. Anderson; Wiley

• Gravitational Waves (Vol I & II); Michele Maggiore; Oxford University Press

Explanation

The final project consist of an extended assignment done and presented alone or in groups.

Information about retaking exams

The points from the take-home tasks, if any, will be transferred to the second exam period. Only the regular examination can be repeated.

Content

Chapter 1: Physical base:
• 1.1 Origin of the radioactivity
• 1.2 The radioactive source
• 1.3 The radioactive radiation
• 14. Other types of nuclear radiation
• 1.5. Radiation interaction

Chapter II: Biological base:
• 2.1 Deterministic effects
• 2.2 Stochastic effects

Chapter III: Dosimetric quantities:
• 3.1 The (absorbed) Dose
• 3.2 The equivalent dose

Chapter IV: The icrp, the euratom, the belgian legislation:
• 4.1 Recommendations of the ICRP
• 4.2 The EURATOM guidelines
• 4.3 The Belgian legislation

Chapter V: Radioprotection with external radiation:
• 5.1 General principles of dose reduction
• 5.2 Radioprotection of external radiation with photons
• 5.3 Radioprotection of external radiation with b-particles
• 5.4 Radioprotection of external radiation with a-particles

Chapter VI: Radioprotection of internal infections:
• 6.1 General principles of dose reduction
• 6.2 Classes of laboratories
• 6.3 Precautions
• 6.4 Policy with contamination within a laboratory
• 6.5 Monitoring of contamination and personne
• 6.6 The followdose HT,50
• 6.7 Determination of the recorded activity

Course material

Syllabus
Slides, transparencies, courseware
Toledo / e-platform
Articles and literature
The students also get a task on which they have to report.
 

Is also included in other courses

G0S41A : Stralingsbescherming

Content

• Chapter I: International Institutions
UNSCEAR
ICRP
Other international institutions: ICRU, IAEA, IRPA, BVS

• Appendix:
Survey of nuclear nuclear tests
The ICRP lung model and its applications to decay products of radon
New ICRP model Digestive system

• Chapter II: European Union
Guidelines basic standards
Medical guidelines

• Chapter III: Organisation and regulation in Belgium
Administrative organization of radiation protection:
- Survey of the involved institutions: FANC-Recognized institutions
- Practical organization of radiation protection: Physical and medical control
- Regulation: ARBIS
Exposure to ionizing radiation in Belgium
Other national institutions:
- NIRAS
- Fund for occupational desease
NNuclear emergency/disaster plan

• Appendix:
NORM in the Belgian phosphate industry
The Chernobyl accident
 

Course material

Syllabus
Slides, transparencies, courseware
Toledo / e-platform
Articles and literature
 

Explanation

1st semester: exam of Part A
2nd semester: exam of Part B
 

Content

Theoretical concepts from general histology
- Anatomy and histology special
- The 'Musculoskeletal System "
- Osteology
- Joints
- Muscles
- Angiology - circulatory
- The blood
- Splanchnology (digestive, respiratory, kidney, endocrine glands)
- The Nervous System
- The propagation
Practical sessions
Illustrations of the structures described in the theory on the basis of slides and scale models

Course material

Handbook
Course text
Presentation software
Examples

Content

1. Theory of light, light matter interaction, with an emphasis on fluorescence
2. The Light Microscope: history and evolution, components of a compound microscope

Light microscopy
- The optical components of compound microscope and their functions/operations
- The physics of light and glass
- Forming and maintaining optical resolution with these lenses
- Proper(Kohler) bright field illumination
- Principles of sample preparation for light microscopy
- Theory of image formation, diffraction-limited resolution
- Optical aberrations and their correction
- Illumination and image forming techniques:
     * Brightfield Optics
     * Oblique Illumination Techniques
     * Imaging of Phase Objects
     * Polarization Optics
     * Fluorescence Microscopy
     * Probes for fluorescence microscopy
     * Confocal Microscopy
     * Single molecule microscopy and applications in biology
     * FCS and applications in biology, FRET and its applications
-  Labeling and labeling strategies
-  DNA sequencing with emphasis on single molecule optical approaches
-  Non-linear microscopy: Multi-photon excitation, Second Harmonic Imaging, different Raman microscopy schemes
  - New microscopies to improve resolution: STED, structured light microscopy, PALM/STORM, SOFI, expansion microscopy and eventual new modalities
-  Image recording, processing, and analysis

Light Microscopy selected readings:
Murphy, D.B., Fundamentals of Light Microscopy and Electronic Imaging. 2001, New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Molecular Expressions web site at the Florida State University

Course material

Slides/handouts

Recommended papers, recommended websites

Books

Format: more information

Guest lecture - Presentation

Content

See content lecture

Course material

Announcements and handouts distributed via Toledo

Format: more information

• Exercises aiming for deepening insight in the theoretical aspects of the course
• Hands-on experience with microscopy
• A presentation and discussion of a recent publication related to microscopy. The students can select the publication from a list provided in Toledo.

• If, for reasons of force majeure, the faculty decides that the hands-on microcopy sessions cannot be organized, they will be replaced by recorded demonstration sessions (most probably  Blackboard collaborate). The impact of this decision will be explained on Toledo. The assessment of the course will then be based on the remaining components (exam and presentation, respectively 1-16/16 and 1-4/4)

Explanation

Practical course and presentation together count for 4 out of 20 points. The remaining 16 points can be gained during the exam.

The course is aiming for insight, not reproducing the course material.

If, for reasons of force majeure, the faculty decides that the preparation time for an oral exam must be limited to less than an hour, the oral exam will be replaced by a written exam. The impact of this decision will be explained on Toledo.

Information about retaking exams

Practicum and presentation can not be retaken and hence points remain identical for practicum and presentation

Content

• Conformations & Thermodynamics of polymers solutions
• Dynamics of unentangled polymers
• Dynamics of entangled polymers
• Thermal Properties of polymers
• Mechanical Properties of polymers and polymer materials

Course material

On Toledo are provided:
ƒ- Lecture Notes & Presentations
ƒ- Assignment Notes & Presentations
ƒ- Literature materials

Format: more information

- In a set of short introductory lectures the lecturer provides lecture notes and assignment notes that introduce the topic(s) that you must present/report in subsequent lectures organized by the students. In addition the lecturer provides study material to facilitate your study of the topic (no extra reference material needed, unless you like to check a reference in the references)
 

- The student studies the provided materials to get understanding, explain and answer the questions posed in the assignment, creates presentation/report on the knowledge required to explain and understand the assignment (theory, experiments, examples, exercises,…) .
 

- The student provides presentations in electronic form and presents (part of) the presentation during presentation sessions. The presentations are discussed with all students following the course. Hence, presence is required during the presentation sessions.

Explanation

See Toledo for details on the evaluation.

Information about retaking exams

see course page on Toledo

Content

*

A review of special relativistic kinematics is given using time-space diagrams and the principle of stationary action in point mechanics.  Electromagnetic interactions are also considered.
The mathematical tool that is needed to describe curved spaces (Riemannian geometry) is introduced in terms of concrete surfaces.  The main goal is to express physical laws in terms of tensors.
Einsteins theory of gravitation is introduced and compared with both non-relativistic theory of gravitation and relativistic electromagnetism.
The predictions of Einstein's theory that led to its first experimental verifications are given as a first application.  More applications such as black holes and the big bang model are considered.
Finally,  some time is spent on hot topics such as gravitational waves, or a more extensive treatment of black holes, or cosmology.
Contact with real life will be made trough a forum and a project.

Course material

Handboek: Spacetime and Geometry: An introduction to General
Relativity, Sean M. Carroll

Explanation

The exam is closed-book, but the students will be provided with a formula-sheet.  A part of the evaluation will also be based on take-home tasks. Students can use course material, references and computer help for the take-home assignments.

Information about retaking exams

There is no home-task.

The grades from the home-task during the year will also be taken into account for the resit.

Explanation

Questions to be answered orally. Preparation allowed. Notes are accepted. Questions cover full chapters of the course. 
Open book; the student will be evaluated on his/her global understanding of different subjects treated in the course.

Content

- Introduction to basics of non-linear dynamics, fixed point analysis, two dimensional flow.

- Examples from gene regulatory networks: motifs, negative and positive autoregulation, bistable switch, feed forward loop.

- Oscillations in non-linear systems: Lotka-Volterra model, Limit cycles, Brusselator, Repressilator, Goodwin oscillator, Models of circadian clocks.

- Synchronization: Winfree model, Kuramoto model

- Patterns formation: examples and models from Physics and Biology.

Course material

U. Alon, "An introduction to Systems Biology" (Chapman and Hall/CRC, 2007)
S. Strogatz, "Nonlinear dynamics and chaos" (Perseus Books Group, 2000)
C. P. Fall et al. (editors) "Computational Cell Biology" (Springer, 2005)
J. D. Murray, "Mathematical Biology. I: An Introduction" (Springer, 2003)
J. D. Murray, "Mathematical Biology. II: Spatial Models and Biomedical Applications" (Springer, 2003)

Content

- The multipole expansion in gravitation and in electromagnetism
- The electric monopole term
- The magnetic dipole moment and interaction
- The electric quadrupole moment and interaction 
- Combined interactions
- Radiation and spin-orientation
- Time evolution of a perturbed ensemble of oriented nuclei
- Experimental methods for measuring magnetic dipole and electrisch quadrupole interactions with applications in nuclear- and solid state physics

Course material

Course notes:   "Hyperfine Interactions and their applications in nuclear solid state physics", M. Rots and S. Cottenier

Papers:  "Nuclear magnetic and quadrupole moments for nuclear structure research on exotic nuclei" (chapters 3,4,5) G. Neyens, Reports on Progress in Physics 66, 633-689 (2003) and erratum p. 1251
                "Nuclear Moments", R. Neugart and G. Neyens, Lecture Notes in Physics 700, 135-189 (2006)
Articles on Toledo

Presentation files.
Toledo

Language of instruction: more information

The language of the lectures is English.  Dutch-speaking students can take the exam in Dutch if preferred.

Format: more information

The ex-cathedra lectures are limited on purpose, in orde to have time for explaining the main and known problems.  The emphasize of this course is on an independent study of the course contents, using the available material, and with weekly organized discussion sessions related to well-prepared topics.  After some introduction session(s), in order to set the scene, the weekly lectures start with short presentations by students on a particular chapter (or part of a chapter). Based on this the discussion on difficult aspects is started.  Additional information can also be given, were appropriate.

Dates, topics and speakers are decided at the start of the semester.

Part of the evaluation is on these presentations and on the discussion following them (active involvement)

Explanation

Information about retaking exams

The second examination chance in August/September is of a similar type as the first one.  Results obtained for evaluations during the semester are transferred.

Content

Optional, depending on previous knowledge: Atomic and molecular physics:

• Quantum mechanical description of atoms and molecules
• Atoms in magnetic and electric fields

Spectroscopic techniques

• Spectroscopy of "inner electrons"
• Optical spectroscopy
• Radio frequency spectroscopy

Lasers:

• Basic principles
• Coherence
• Resonators and mode structure
• Selection of state of the art laser systems: e.g. gas lasers, solid state lasers, tunable lasers, pulsed lasers, high power lasers, free electron lasers
• Non-linear optical phenomena

Laser spectroscopy:

• Basic priciples
• Doppler-limited techniques
• High resolution laser spectroscopy
• Time resolved and ultrafast spectroscopy

Capita selecta laser spectroscopic applications

Course material

• "Laser Physics", S. Hooker and C. Webb, (Oxford)
• "Laser Spectroscopy", W. Demtröder (various editions)
• textbooks on atomic and molecular physics
• selected research papers

Format: more information

The lectures include:

• interactive introductory lectures
• student presentations
• group discussions including Q&A on student tasks

Explanation

The evaluation is based on two assignments: (i) paper describing a laser spectroscopy technique, and (ii) presentation on a recently published laser spectroscopic study. Both assignments are presented during the lectures followed by group session with question and answer. Part of the evaluation is based on peer assessment.

Information about retaking exams

Since the teaching style and the evaluation both require active participation of peers (reading papers of fellow students, attending seminars presented by fellow students, Q&A, peer assessment), it is not possible to organize a resit evaluation.

Only in case of ‘force majeur’, there will be the opportunity to hand in the assignments under a modified form.

Content

1. Introduction: realistic and effective interactions

2. Second quantization

3. Mean field approaches

4. The BCS method

5. Beyond mean field techniques: correlations, configuration mixing, density functionals

6. Pairing

Course material

Copies of handbooks, transparencies and notes.

Content

1. The independent-particle model:

- the shell model and simple configurations

- applications of the shell-model e.g. (p,2p) reactions, the structure of 18O, magnetic moments in the extreme single-particle model

2. A relativistic model of the atomic nucleus

3. The deformed shell model: the Nilsson model

Course material

R. Casten: "Nuclear Models from a Simple Perspective", Oxford University Press
S.V. Nilsson, I. Ragnarsson: "Shapes and Shells in Nuclear Sructure", Cambridge University Press

Content

A few selected articles in the  recent literature have to be studied.
Different topics in theoretical physics are treated, varying from year to year:
see http://itf.fys.kuleuven.be/php/capita/.

Course material

Articles and literature
Multimedia
Toledo / e-platform

Content

Mathematical development of quantum mechanics and perturbation theory: Operator theory in
Hilbert spaces, analytic perturbation of isolated spectra, scattering theory for continuous spectra.

Mathematical foundations of statistical mechanics: probability measures on spin systems, ergodicity,
mixing, variational principles, Gibbs states and DLR equations.

Modern topics in quantum statistical mechanics: entanglement, quantum phase transitions, matrix product states.

Course material

The books by Reed and Simon on Mathematical Physics will be used as reference works. Additional
material will be suggested if necessary.

Information about retaking exams

The grade for the permanent evaluation and/or presentation is carried over (there will be no new evaluation for these). For the written and oral exam, there will be a second chance and this will be analogous to the first exam.

Content

- Introductory notes
     Classification: elemental, homogenous, and heterogeneous semiconductors; layered structures
- Material properties; specific preparation and handling methods
- Band structure of semiconductors
     General aspects; symmetry properties of crystal structures; density of states; tight binding approximation; k.p method
- Defects and defect states; Homogenous semiconductors
     Classification; doping; electrons and holes; deep defects; degenerate and non-degenerate semiconductors
- Statistics
     Equilibrium occupation of levels for different parameters
-  Dynamics of electrons and holes; charge transport
     Effective mass, relaxation time approximation, mobility, conductivity, drift transport, Hall effect, scattering and relaxation, recombination, Boltzmann transport equation
- Surface phenomena; Fermi level pinning; space charge layer
- Phonons
     Phonon dispersion relations: oscillation models; electron-phonon interactions
- Photons
     Photon-induced electron transitions; emission, absorption, scattering
- Non-homogeneous semiconductors
      Diffusive transport; p-n junction; LED; band diagram
- Quantum effects
     Quantum dots, tunneling, …
- Semiconductors as key enabling technology for sustainable development: Economic, ecological, societal and cultural aspects: Power generation (photovoltaics, thermoelectric energy "scavenging"...), optimizatioin of power management, lightening and displays, sensors for industry, envirinnment, and healthcare.

Course material

Syllabus lecturer
Copies of transparencies or presentation software files
Example material
             Text book:  P. Y. Yu en M. Cardona, Fundamentals of Semiconductors (Springer, Berlin, 2001), 3rd edition
 

Language of instruction: more information

The course is taught in Dutch, but sufficient attention is paid to the need to acquire the international English terminology related to semiconductors.
 

Format: more information

The course is instructed with continuous attention for stimulating instructor/student interaction through questioning/feed back, with the aim to enhance insight and promote critical analysis.

Lecturing is accompanied with a selection of practical demonstrations.

Additional tasks
 

Explanation

Description of evaluation:

Typically, the exam is comprised of 3/4 questions, with inclusion of a short problem to be solved.

Information about retaking exams

There is the possiblity for another examination during the programmed (August/September) re-examination period.
 

Content

Scalar field theory and its symmetries
The Dirac field
Clifford algebras and spinors
The Maxwell and Yang-Mills gauge fields
The free Rarita-Schwinger field
N=1 global supersymmetry in 4 dimensions
Differential geometry
The first and second order formulations of general relativity
N=1 pure supergravity in 4 dimensions
D=11 supergravity
General gauge theory
Survey of supergravities
 

Course material

"Supergravity", D.Z. Freedman and A. Van Proeyen, Cambridge Univ. Press, 2012, ISBN 978-0-521-19401-3
 

Explanation

The students study an article or a text with questions or exercises.
They provide a text showing that they made calculations, and present
their work for the other students. The evaluation is made on the basis
of the text and the presentation.
 

Content

The topics covered in the class will include:
1. Functional methods and the path integral
2. Symmetries and Ward identities
3. Anomalies
4. Renormalization and renormalization group flow
5. Non-Abelian gauge fields
6. Solitons, instantons and kinks
7. An introduction to supersymmetry
The class is aimed at advanced Master students with interest in modern theoretical physics.

Course material

The instructor will provide lecture notes for the material covered in class. The
following books may be used as supplementary study and review material

• Anthony Zee, “Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell"
• Mark Srednicki, “Quantum Field Theory"
• Michael Peskin and Dan Schroeder, “An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory"
• Sidney Coleman, “Aspects of Symmetry"

Content

The master thesis consists of research under supervision of a staff member the department, and with help from a research group.  Preferably the subject is connected to the specialties of the department, but other subjects with a physical character outside the department are possible, after agreement from the POC Fysica. Students integrate in their research group of interest for several months (this also counts as the internship in a modern research laboratory) and participate in the research, including seminars, workshops, study work, and, last but not least, execution of specific experiments and/or calculations.  A report (master thesis) has to be written and a presentation has to be held.

Master's thesis topic: validity period

If the supervisor, at the end of the 3rd examination period of the second stage, finds that insufficient progress is made, this will be discussed with the student. The chairman of the programme committee will be informed. It may be possible that in that case the choice of the topic lapses and that a new topic must be chosen. Reasons for the cancellation of the topic may be because :

• during the academic year in which the master's thesis is included in the ISP the student has worked, without legitimate reasons, too limited on the master's thesis research, or practical arrangements or agreements have not been fulfilled, so that the master's thesis could not be completed
• the supervisor can not offer the topic in a next academic year (eg the research topic is finished / stopped, guidance will no longer be possible in the research team when needed.

Students need to submit a certificate on Information Literacy in Toledo in order to pass this course. The certificate on Information Literacy can be obtained through the Toledo Community “Scientific Integrity at the Faculty of Science”.
 

Course material

Professional specialized literature and books.

Explanation

The evaluation consists of the assessment of both process and product (form and content; manuscript and defense). Four quotes are given: one by the promotor, one of each of two readers and one for the defense. The relative weight of these four quotations is 10:3:3:4. Each quotation is determined by means of the facultary assessment roster and appreciation scale. Additional information on the evaluation of the master's thesis is to be found on the faculty website.

In order to succeed the master’s thesis, the student must obtain a credit for the supervisor apart, the average of the results of the readers taken together (taking into account the rounding rules) and the defence apart. If for one or more of these components this is not the case, the maximum score will be 9/20.

For passing this course students have to upload an information skills certificate in Toledo. This certificate can be obtained in the Toledo community “Scientific integrity at the Faculty of Science”. Obtaining and submitting the information skills certificate is evaluated by ‘pass/fail’. A student with a ‘fail’ for the certificate, obtains a ‘fail’ for the course, that is converted to a non-tolerable fail. This means that students cannot pass the course and cannot use tolerance credits, if they have not obtained and submitted the certificate.”

Content

The internship must deal with a topic different from the Master thesis subject and be performed in a different research group. During the research internship the student can get acquaintance with different aspects of research: literature study, state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical techniques, writing a research proposal, data analysis and interpretation, reporting. The student will be a full member of the research group and participates as such to the group’s activities (meetings, brainstorming sessions). In this way the students obtain an in-depth research experience that prepares them for a career in a research environment in industry, major research institutes or academia. The students will spend the equivalent of 10 weeks in the laboratory or research unit.

Only students that have passed all exams of the first year’s Master studies are allowed to take this course. The final approval for starting the internship will be given after the July deliberation in case the student passes all exams or after the September deliberation.

Application procedure:

The students will be informed about the ongoing research in the different research teams of the Department of Physics and Astronomy during the first semester of the first master year (similar to the presentation of the Ms thesis subjects). During the second semester they should contact potential internship supervisors to obtain further details. The students have to motivate their choice for a specific internship during/after an interview with the internship supervisor (head or senior member of a research group where the students plan to perform their research internship). Based on the interview, the head of the research group can accept or decline the request. In case of acceptance the head of the research group assigns a project (in most cases this will be ongoing research) and a mentor (day-to-day supervision, in most cases a PhD student or post-doc). In consultation with the internship supervisor, the student fills out the application form that can be obtained from the course coordinator (contact via e-mail) and submits it to the research internship coordinator before May 31. The student can also propose a subject in a research group outside of the department or in an industrial R&D division. In this case a local academic supervisor will be identified to help the student to look for such opportunities and the suggested topic, place and supervisor have to be approved by the research internship coordinator.

Format: more information

The student participates in the ongoing research activities of the research team and therefore a full time presence in the team is required. With the research internship supervisor the presence is detailed in the portfolio/logbook, taking into account the other activities of the student (typically up to 12 ECTS) during this semester.
After obtaining approval from the coordinator and a mutual agreement between the student and internship supervisor, the internship can start during the summer break and lasts for a period of 10 weeks (full-time) or the equivalent spread over more weeks in case of none full-time.
Students who cannot be present due to illness or other, need to inform their supervisor as well as the research internship coordinator as soon as possible and provide a written proof

Explanation

The internship should finish before the Christmas holiday of master year 2 (end of semester 3).
An internship report (10 pg max) will be drafted by the trainee and handed in at the latest 3 weeks after the end of the internship to the internship supervisor.
The internship supervisor and daily supervisor have 1 week time to read the reports and give comments. The final version will be send by the trainee to the internship supervisor, the daily supervisor and the coordinators of the course at least two weeks before the final presentation/exam.
During the January examination period (end of third semester) a presentation (10 minutes max.) will be given by the candidate in the presence of the course coordinators and possibly the internship supervisor and daily supervisors.
An evaluation roster will be filled by the internship supervisor, the student and the course coordinators. Based on these rosters a global score will be given by the course coordinators.
If a student has not been sufficiently participating in the research teams activities a score of NA will be given, as described in the OER (Education and Exam rules).

Information about retaking exams

Content

Research method modules to be selected (will be yearly updated and may depend on availability)
1) thin film deposition (sputtering, thermal evaporation, molecular beam epitaxy, …)
2) lithography methods (UV, electron beam, ion beam, x-ray, …)
3) Rutherford backscattering and ion implantation techniques
4) diffraction and scattering methods (x-rays, electrons, neutrons)
5) advanced optical microscopy (fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, ultrahigh resolution
microscopy)
6) electron microscopy (SEM, TEM)
7) scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy techniques
8) cryogenic techniques (He4, He3-, mixing cryostats, …)
9) pulsed magnetic fields
10) magnetometry (SQUID, vibrating sample magnetometry, MOKE, …)
11) calorimetric methods, thermometry and phase transitions
12) infrared and Raman spectroscopy
13) mass spectrometry
14) XPS (x-ray photoemission spectroscopy) and EDX (energy dispersive x-ray analysis)
15) dielectric spectroscopy
16) electron spin resonance and nuclear spin resonance
17) piezoelectric and thermoelectric effects and their applications (e.g. microgravimetry)
18) research methods in polymer physics
19) research methods in liquid crystal physics
20) electronic and thermal bio-analytical sensors
21) photothermal methods
22) photoacoustic methods
23) acoustical methods
24) optogenetics

Course material

Lecture slides, possible supplementary materials (e.g. video tutorials) and related literature (articles, review papers, selected book chapters), laboratory manuals.

Format: more information

During the first week of the semester, the students select 3 modules from the list below under the guidance of the coordinator. Each module corresponds with 2 ECTS. The 12 weeks of the semester are subdivided in 3 sections of 4 weeks during which the students work on a respective module. Students work in teams of two (exceptions are possible).

Every module consist of the following elements:
a) introduction lecture to the topic by an expert (5% of time).
b) self study based on the introductory lecture, appended with 2 to 3 additional sources of information such as selected book chapters, scientific publications or review articles (35% of time).
c) execution of an experiment closely related to the topic; experimental work using the available
advanced research infrastructure; data analysis and interpretation (45% of time).
d) preparation of a presentation on the topic 10% of time.
e) a presentation session with presentation of the chosen research method and work to fellow students
(30 minutes including discussion) and obligatory attendance with active participation at the presentation session. 5% of time.

Explanation

The efforts and attitude of the student during the preparation and practical experiments in the laboratory
is taken into account for evaluating the score on the presentation/written report.

Information about retaking exams

Submission of a written report on the modules for which the performance during the first evaluation was not sufficient.

Content

1. The Expanding Universe

• Kinematics and dynamics of expanding universe (cosmic evolution, Hubble-Lemaître law, Friedmann-Lemaître eqs)
• Propagation of light and horizons (geodesics, conformal diagrams, luminosity, redshift, distance)
• composition of the universe, status cosmological observations

2. The Early Hot Universe

• Thermal history
• Cosmological nucleosynthesis

3. Structure formation

• Gravitational Instability in Newtonian theory (Jeans theory)
• Gravitational Instability in General Relativity (cosmological perturbation theory, halo formation,…)

4. Inflation

• Three puzzles (flatness, horizon, monopoles)
• Slow-roll inflation
• Inflation as origin of cosmological fluctuations

5. Anisotropies in the Microwave Sky

• Generalities
• Temperature fluctuations: scalar and tensor modes
• Polarization
• Observations

6. Quantum cosmology: which universe and why?

• Hartle-Hawking no boundary wave function of the universe
• Holographic Cosmology

7. Stochastic gravitational wave backgrounds of cosmological origin

Course material

• Textbook `Modern Cosmology’ (S. Dodelson);
• lecture notes Daniel Baumann;
• part of textbook Michele maggiore on Gravitational Waves

Format: more information

The lectures will be complemented by excercises on the topics that have been covered in the lectures.

Explanation

During the semester the students will be evaluated through take-home tasks, for which they can earn points that will be taken into account in the final score.

Information about retaking exams

The points from the take-home tasks will be transferred to the second exam period.

Only the regular examination can be repeated.