To keep up with an exceptionally fast development of new technologies powering current industrial transformations, there is an increasing demand for experts who can develop materials exhibiting new functionalities to solve fundamental problems in the areas ranging from new types of electronic devices to alternative energy sources. Having in mind that most of these new, and desired, technologies are based on combination of nanotechnology, photonics and organic electronics research aided by modern computational methods and synchrotron radiation-based analytical techniques, the Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology (AM&N) master program offers 4-semester research-inspired teaching covering all of these issues using state-of-the-art research facilities at the Faculty of Physics and the National Synchrotron Radiation Centre SOLARIS located on the new campus of the Jagiellonian University.

The 4-semester AM&N program consists of 1210 hours of teaching which is divided into two main parts: 325 hours of lectures connected with 255 hours of laboratories and 90 hours of classes, and 330 hours of laboratory research on a given master thesis project connected with 150 hours of seminars covering presentation and discussion of the data. In addition, during the first two semesters we provide 60 hours of English course to enhance language skills during the first months of the project.

Currently, there is a strong demand for people with a background in new/advanced materials and nanotechnology which are based on physics, chemistry and materials engineering. Graduates with such knowledge are sought by institutions carrying out scientific, fundamental and applied research, as well as companies dealing with advanced technologies, specifically the R&D and diagnostic facilities of the industry, laboratories of quality control, pharmaceutical, chemical, electronic, plastics and other industries based on the advanced materials. Ensuring an adequate number of such graduates is an important development factor of the economy in the area of advanced technologies.

The launch of the Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology course has initiated a new branch of educational activities at the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science of the Jagiellonian University responding to the current civilization challenges. Such challenges include the needs of building new types of electronic devices or renewable energy sources.

A graduate of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology studies will:

• have broad knowledge of new materials and fundamentals of nanotechnology, as well as experience that allows him/her to navigate the world of advanced materials, devices and systems;
• deeply understand and analyze typical and unusual problems of synthesis, structure and properties of advanced materials and nanomaterials and devices based on these materials (with taking into account nanoscale effects) from an interdisciplinary point of view;
• be able to independently operate advanced research equipment and conduct material tests using this the equipment;
• have a good command of English;
• demonstrate proficiency in the use and operation of IT systems and specialist computer programs and have the ability to take creative initiatives on advanced materials and nanotechnology;
• have the ability to work with people and know the basics of team leadership;
• have ingrained habits of acting autonomously, critical evaluation of results, responsibility for the work performed, and continuing education and professional development.

Program duration: 2 years 
Number of semesters: 4 (year I – winter and summer semester, year II – winter and summer semester)
Language of the Curriculum: English
Number of ECTS points required for graduation: 121
The total number of instruction hours required for graduation: 1210
Professional title granted to the graduates: magister (MSc)

The program is composed of:

• obligatory courses (83 ECTS points), including specialization courses and physical laboratories, gradual laboratory, courses in humanities and social sciences, two diploma seminars, a foreign language course, practice in health and safety training. 
• facultative courses (38 ECTS points), including: specialized facultative courses as well as electronics and computer laboratories.

The study program does not include internship. To graduate, the student is required to prepare and submit a thesis and to pass the diploma exam. The student works on his/her thesis under the thesis supervisor guidance. 

SEMESTER 1 (winter), total 300 hours = 225 O *) + 75 F **), ECTS: 31 ( 23 O + 8 F)
*) O – Obligatory courses, **) F – Facultative courses

The student works on his/her diploma thesis under the supervision of a scientific supervisor. The thesis should propose a solution to a given scientific problem and include the results of research obtained by the student in the field of advanced materials and nanotechnology. The student prepares a written thesis according to the rules applicable at the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science. The student may take the final exam when he/she meets the requirements set in “Regulations for the First-Cycle, Second-Cycle and Long-Cycle Magister Programs of Study”. 

The Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science has a new building located on the modern Campus of the 600th Anniversary of the Jagiellonian University Revival (a long-term government investment completed in 2018) in the neighborhood of strategic national scientific investments, including the SOLARIS synchrotron. The building includes lecture halls with demonstration facilities for the basics of physics and nanotechnology, computer labs with the necessary software, rooms for lectures and exercises with audio-visual equipment, specialist research laboratories. The faculty library is well equipped with basic textbooks, advanced monographs, publications and scientific journals. The library also has space for independent student work. Students can use the computer network - stationary in the laboratories and mobile - throughout the Faculty. Through the network, students have access to huge collections of literature and software available for Jagiellonian University employees and students. Students can also use the student software licenses, including Microsoft, Mathematica, Statistica, Origin.

Tuition fees are: 17 000 PLN/year (approx. 4 200 USD/year).

For the best students a scholarship will be granted for the whole academic year. A ranking list of the best candidates will be created at the stage of recruitment based on the results of interviews.