Courses at Bachelor's level
The language of instruction in all courses at bachelor's level that are presented here is English.
Introductory courses to Physics
Four courses are included in the introductory module of the bachelor's programme in physics:
- Introduction to University Physics, with Mechanics, FYSA22
- Introduction to University Physics, with Electromagnetics, FYSA23
- Introduction to University Physics, with Optics, Waves and Quantum Physics, FYSA13
- Introduction to University Physics, with Thermodynamics, Climate and Experimental Methodology, FYSA14
During the spring semester, the courses are given in English. During the autumn semester, the courses are given in Swedish.
Newly admitted students to the bachelor programme in physics will be automatically admitted to these courses.
Scrol down for more information about the introductory courses.
Course is given: study period 1
Previous course code: FYSA12
The course in brief
The course is compulsory at the undergraduate level for a Bachelor of Science in Physics. It provides an introduction to university physics, as a basis for further studies in physics. Special emphasis is placed on basic mechanics as a foundation for other physics.
Course coordinators
Magnus Borgström (autumn)
Professor
Elizabeth Blackburn (spring)
Professor
Rikkert Frederix (spring)
Senior lecturer
Course is given: study period 1
Previous course code: FYSA12
The course in brief
The course is compulsory at the undergraduate level for a Bachelor of Science in Physics. It provides an introduction to university physics, as a basis for further studies in physics. Special emphasis is placed on electrical engineering as a foundation for other physics.
Course coordinators
Johan Zetterberg (autumn)
Senior lecturer
Jan Knudsen (autumn)
Senior lecturer
Christian Brackmann (spring)
Senior lecturer
Joachim Schnadt (spring)
Professor
Course is given: study period 2
The course in brief
The course is compulsory at the undergraduate level for a Bachelor of Science in Physics. It provides an introduction to university physics, as a basis for further studies in physics. The course aims to provide basic knowledge in optics, wave science and quantum physics, as well as their applications in research and society.
Course Coordinators
Elias Kristensson (autumn)
Vincent Hedberg (spring)
Pablo Villanueva Perez (spring)
Course is given: study period 2
The course in brief
The course is compulsory at the undergraduate level for a Bachelor of Science in Physics. It provides an introduction to university physics, as a basis for further studies in physics.
The course aims to provide basic knowledge in thermodynamics and the Earth's climate as well as practice in performing, interpreting and describing the results of physical experiments (experimental methodology).
Course coordinators
Anna-Lena Sahlberg (autumn)
Senior lecturer
Thi Kim Cuong Le (spring)
Associate senior lecturer
Basic courses – autumn semester, 1st study period
Course is given: study period 1, autumn.
The course in brief
The aim of this course is that you should learn classical mechanics starting from the principal least action with emphasis on symmetries and conservation laws as well as and special relativity with emphasis on relativistic kinematics. In the course you will learn how to use the Lagrange formalism, get an introduction to the Hamilton formalism, the use of constraints and Lagrange multipliers, a general treatment of the two-body problem and Kepler's laws, Lorentztransformations, four vectors and relativistic kinematics.
This course is mandatory only for bachelor students with the specialisation Theoretical physics.
Course website in Canvas
Course coordinator
Malin Sjödahl
Senior lecturer
Course is given: the entire autumn semester, 25% study pace
The course in brief
The course includes theory (3 credits) and a project (4.5 credits). The purpose of the theory part is to give course participants the opportunity to become acquainted with the terminology of gender studies, its subject and research. During the project, the goal is to give the student the opportunity to examine some part of their own education or teaching from a gender perspective.
The course is a result of a collaboration between Department of Physics, Science Faculty, Engineering Faculty and Center for Gender Studies.
Course website in Canvas
Course coordinator
Tomas Brage
Professor
Course is given: study period 1, autumn.
New course code from autumn 2025 (previously ASTB01).
Course website in Canvas
Course coordinator
Ross Church
Senior lecturer
Course is given: study period 1, autumn
The course in brief
This course covers broad programming aspects essential for scientists. The following will be addressed:
- Use of UNIX-based operating systems, such as Linux
- Overview of the use of programming in various scientific fields (Data analysis, simulation, etc.)
- Overview of common programming languages such as C ++ and Java
- Basic concepts of object-oriented software design
- Basic Software Engineering with a language (C ++), use of Standard software construction tools in a UNIX-based environment, such as Linux (Gmake, gcc)
- Practical exercises in data analysis and simulation
- Basic methods for software development in cooperation with others
- Redistributed data processing
How to apply
Course website in Canvas
Course coordinator
Oxana Smirnova
Senior lecturer
Course is given: study period 1, autumn
New course code from autumn 2025 (previously MAXC11).
The course in brief
In the course you will learn about different types of accelerators for the production of photons and neutrons for research.
You will learn about methods of producing photons with highly relativistic electron beams in combination with special magnets called undulators and the method of producing neutrons by letting a relativistic proton beam hit a target.
You will also learn about the experimental stations, the experimental methods, and the different kinds of research that can be carried out with neutrons and photons.
Course website in Canvas
Course coordinator
Francesca Curbis
Senior lecturer
Course is given: study period 1, autumn.
The course in brief
The purpose of this course is to provide fundamental knowledge about fabrication and characterization of semiconductor devices on the nanometer scale. The focus is set on modern materials and processing techniques with nanotechnology as a main theme. Most of the processes are general and are applied in traditional Si based IC technology as well as in advanced III-V technology and MEMS/NEMS fabrication.
Course coordinator
Claes Thelander
Senior lecturer
Course is given: study period 1, both autumn and spring semester.
The course in brief
The student will learn how central concepts in solid-state physics can be applied to model physical effects. Examples of the course content are:
- Chemical bonding in solids
- Crystal Structure and diffraction
- Lattice vibrations and phonons
- Band structure, metals, semiconductors, and insulators with applications
- Magnetism
- A brief survey of superconductivity.
Read more about the course Solid State Physics on Canvas.
Course responsible
Claudio Verdozzi
Senior lecturer
Other courses
The course is given at quarter speed every term and is a distance learning course.
The course in brief
In this course, you will practise writing correct and articulate English in academic genres. You will practise reflecting on and producing academic texts and work on practical grammar adapted to academic writing. In addition, you will learn how to manage sources and reference them correctly.
Syllabus, schedule and more:
Course coordinator
The Centre of Languages and Literature give the course.
Basic courses – autumn semester, 2nd study period
Course is given: study period 2, autumn semester
Previous course code: ASTC01
The course in brief
This multi-diciplinary course treats the question of life in the universe. Where can life have developed? Must it be on a planet similar to Earth? How does life on a planet develop and evolve? Under what extreme circumstances can life persist? We discuss these and similar questions from physical, biological and social perspectives.
In the course we treat methods to find and explore planets around other stars (exoplanets) and the search for intelligent life in the universe. We also discuss any consequences, philosophical and other, in the event of discovering intelligent life in the universe.
Course website in Canvas
Course responsible
Jens Hoeijmakers
Associate senior lecturer
Course is given: period 2, autumn semester
The course in brief
This is an introductory course in quantum mechanics. You will start with a brief historical background and discuss the basic ideas and postulates of quantum theory. Schrödingers wave equation will then be introduced and you will learn how to solve it for potentials in one dimension, such as wells and barriers. This is followed by concepts and formalism of operators, observables and measurements in quantum mechanics.
The course ends by discussing the quantum model for an harmonic oscillator and introducing the hydrogen atom as a basic example of "round", three dimensional quantum mechanics.
Read more about the course Basic Quantum Mechanics on Canvas.
Course coordinator
Peter Samuelsson
Professor
Course is given: study period 2, both autumn and spring semester.
Previous course code: FYTB13
The course in brief
The aim of this course is that you should learn electromagnetism based on Maxwell's equations and the Lorentz force. In the course you will learn how to apply and solve Maxwell's equations, the potential formulation, how to treat polarisation and magnetisation phenomena, energy transport, boundary conditions, and electromagnetic waves. You will also learn some basic vector analysis and related integral theorems needed to solve electromagnetic problems.
The course is mandatory for students at the bachelor programme in physics.
Course website in Canvas
Course coordinators
Korinna Zapp (autumn)
Senior lecturer
Rikkert Frederix (spring)
Senior lecturer
Course is given: study period 2, autumn.
Previous course code: ASTA33
The course in brief
In this course, you will learn about the properties of the Milky Way and galaxies of different kinds regarding structure, chemical evolution and the interplay between stars and the interstellar medium. You will learn methods for determining distances and masses. The course also includes subjects such as: dark matter, the Hubble law and the expansion of the Universe, observations and model descriptions of active galectic nuclei in particular quasars, the mass density and geometry of the Universe, nuclear synthesis in the early Universe, cosmological background radiation, and dark energy.
Course website in Canvas
Course coordinator
Thomas Bensby
Senior lecturer
Course is given: study period 2, autumn.
The course in brief
The aim of this course is to develop an understanding of the most important materials analysis tools for nanostructures - to understand how each technique works, what information it can give an how to interpret the information. The focus is on techniques that give morphological, structural and composition information.
At present the course is divided into two parts: the first and larger cover electron microscopy analysis, including both SEM and TEM and associated methods. Topics include fundamental principles in electron microscopy; imaging and how to understand and interpret images; electron diffraction principles, interpretation and acquisition; and compositional analysis in electron microscopy using X-ray and electron energy-loss spectroscopy.
The second part of the course introduces surface analysis techniques, with emphasis on the benefits and uses of different types of techniques, and how to interpret the results.
Read more about the course Materials Analysis at the Nanoscale on Canvas.
Course coordinator
Reine Wallenberg
Professor
Course is given: study period 2, autumn semester
The course in brief
The course provides you with an opportunity to practice the use of mathematical and numerical methods, and to study problems in classical physics. Special focus is placed on the complex Fourier transform and on differential equations, with applications to different systems.
Course responsible
Andreas Wacker
Professor
Basic courses – spring semester, 1st study period
Course is given: study period 1, spring semester
The course in brief
This course will give you fundamental knowledge of the structure of atoms and molecules and their interactions with electromagnetic radiation. The course illustrates the role of quantum mechanics as the fundamental theory for the description of the microscopic world.
In the experimental part you will work with modern spectroscopic techniques. We also want to show atomic physics as a very large, active and wide research area in Lund.
The course will also train your problem-solving skill and your ability to write scientific reports.
Read more about the course Atomic and Molecular Physics, FYSB24, on Canvas.
Course coordinator
Tomas Brage
Professor
Course is given: study period 1, spring
The course in brief
This course will introduce you to the essence of statistical mechanics, starting from a microscopic description of matter. The central concept of entropy is introduced, a connection with thermodynamical quantities is established, and paradigmatic systems such as the ideal (quantum and classical) gases are studied.
The overall topic is truly fascinating, since it shows in a beautiful way how what we experience in everyday life naturally emerges from the behaviour of matter down at the fundamental space, time, and energy scales.
Read more abou the course Basic Statistical Physics and Quantum Statistics, FYSB23, on Canvas.
Course coordinator
Erik van Loon
Associate senior lecturer
Course is given: study period 1, spring (from 2025, study period 1)
The course in brief
The course covers basic questions about what constitutes science and the scientific method; what are the differences between true science and pseudoscience, from charlatanism and fraud; the relationship between faith and reason, religion and science; anthropocentricity and gender perspectives in science; and the connection between natural science and other creative activities such as painting, sculpture and composition.
Course website in Canvas
Course responsible
Leif Lönnblad
Professor
Course is given in 25% study pace during the entire spring semester
The course in brief
The aim of the course is that the student, on completion of the course, should have acquired an introduction to a gender perspective on physics with a focus on the research and education of the university level.
Apply to the course
You will find the application details, course description and prerequisites for the course at Lund University's central web pages. Please note that you might need to visit the Swedish website to see if the course is open for application.
- Physics and gender, MNXB03, at lu.se (in Swedish)
- Physics and gender, MNXB03, at lunduniversity.lu.se (in English)
Course coordinator
Tomas Brage
Professor
Course is given: study period 1, spring
The course in brief
The course deals with fundamental areas in radiation and plasma physics necessary for the understanding of the radiation emanating from the outer parts (atmospheres) of stars. Astronomical observations cover the electromagnetic spectrum from X-rays to microwaves.
Course website in Canvas
Course coordinator
Nils Ryde
Professor
Course is given: study period 1, both autumn and spring semester.
The course in brief
The student will learn how central concepts in solid-state physics can be applied to model physical effects. Examples of the course content are:
- Chemical bonding in solids
- Crystal Structure and diffraction
- Lattice vibrations and phonons
- Band structure, metals, semiconductors, and insulators with applications
- Magnetism
- A brief survey of superconductivity.
Read more about the course Solid State Physics on Canvas.
Course syllabus
Link to the course syllabus for Solid State Physics, FYSC23.
Schedule
Upcoming schedule for the course Solid State Physics, FYSC23, in the schedule software TimeEdit.
Course responsible
Claudio Verdozzi
Senior lecturer
Basic courses – spring semester, 2nd study period
Course is given: study period 2, both autumn and spring semester.
Previous course code: FYTB13
The course in brief
The aim of this course is that you should learn electromagnetism based on Maxwell's equations and the Lorentz force. In the course you will learn how to apply and solve Maxwell's equations, the potential formulation, how to treat polarisation and magnetisation phenomena, energy transport, boundary conditions, and electromagnetic waves. You will also learn some basic vector analysis and related integral theorems needed to solve electromagnetic problems.
The course is mandatory for students at the bachelor programme in physics.
Course website in Canvas
Course coordinators
Korinna Zapp (autumn)
Senior lecturer
Rikkert Frederix (spring)
Senior lecturer
Johan Rathsman
Senior lecturer
Course is given: study period 2, spring
The course in brief
The course covers basic vector analysis and fluid dynamics, with focus on large systems and fluids in rotating systems. Examples and applications are mainly picked from meteorology and astronomy.
Course website in Canvas
Course coordinator
Oscar Agertz
Senior lecturer
Course is given: study period 2, spring.
New course code from spring 2026: FYSD31.
The course in brief
This course aims at providing the basics for understanding combustion phenomena. This includes thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, ignition, fluid dynamics and the formation of pollutants. From the knowledge in these areas it is possible to reach an understanding for energy related and environmental problems connected to real life combustion.
Read more about the course Fundamental Combustion on the online learning tool Canvas.
Course syllabus
Link to course syllabus for Fundamental Combustion, FYSD11.
Schedule
Latest schedule for the course Fundamental Combustion, FYSD11 in the schedule software TimeEdit.
Course coordinator
Alexander Konnov
Professor
Course is given: study period 2, spring
The course in brief
In the course you will develop an understanding of the atomic nucleus based on macroscopic and microscopic models. Assessing success and limitations of various models used to describe the many facets of atomic nuclei as well as their excitations and decays is a key learning outcome of the course. Generic quantum mechanical concepts are being exemplified on behalf of atomic nuclei.
Supported by the experimental part, you will understand the origin and relevance of nuclear radiation and detection in science and society. This part is supported by lectures on ongoing research topics in basic or applied nuclear physics in Lund.
Read more about the course Nuclear physics on Canvas.
How to apply
Course coordinator
Luis Sarmiento Pico
Senior lecturer
Course is given: study period 2, spring
The course in brief
The overall goal of the course is to give you a broad perspective of the field and to highlight some surprising and intriguing aspects of particle physics such as anti-matter, neutrino oscillations, quark confinement, and the Higgs mechanism. At the end of the course, there is the chance to visit the international particle physics laboratory DESY in Hamburg. The visit will be guided by scientists working at the laboratory and will show some real-life examples of particle physics research.
Read more about the course Particle Physics, Cosmology and Accelerators, FYSC24, on Canvas.
How to apply
Course coordinator
Christian Bierlich
Researcher