International Master, Physics of Complex Systems

A collaborative programme between ICTP and an international consortium

The aim of the International Master in Physics of Complex Systems is to shape professionals and/or potential researchers to be able to jointly apply knowledge and methodologies from modern physics, applied mathematics, information engineering and computational biology to the analysis, modeling and simulation of complex systems.

ICTP cooperates with SISSA Trieste, Politecnico di Torino University and a consortium involving Universities Pierre & Marie Curie (Paris 6), Paris Diderot (Paris 7), Paris-Sud (Paris 11) and the École Normale Supérieure at Cachan in providing education to graduate students from developing countries on the Physics of Complex Systems, leading to a Laurea Magistralis degree.

The Laurea Magistralis degree can be compared to an advanced master in physics or in astrophysics in the Anglo-Saxon system, or to the last two years of the New European Educational System as fixed by the Bologna-Sorbonne agreement.

The Courses

The programme is organized in three semesters:

• a first semester in Trieste (at SISSA and ICTP);
• a second semester in Torino at the Politecnico di Torino University;
• a third semester in Paris at a consortium involving Universities Pierre & Marie Curie (Paris 6), Paris Diderot (Paris 7), Paris-Sud (Paris 11) and the École Normale Supérieure at Cachan.

Finally, a fourth semester is devoted to a European multidisciplinary Spring School--where students can choose between various short courses--and to a research stage.

More details on the courses may be found on the Politecnico website (here and here) and on the The Programme is open to young, qualified graduates from all countries that are members of the United Nations, UNESCO or IAEA. The minimum qualification for applicants is a degree equivalent to a BSc (but an MSc is preferrable) in physics, mathematics, or information engineering. The selection of candidates will be based on their university record and academic recommendations. Fluency in both spoken and written English is required..

Courses are taught in English and each are followed by an examination. Upon successful completion of the entire study plan, the students will obtain the "Laurea Magistralis" from the Politecnico di Torino. The participants may also be required to take part in ongoing activities of ICTP.