What does Gravitation Astroparticle Physics at the UvA have to offer me?

Gravitation Astroparticle Physics (GRAPPA) is a selective excellence 'track' or specialisation, within the UvA Master's programmes Physics and Astronomy and Astrophysics. It stands at at the intersection of theoretical physics, experimental (astro)particle physics and astrophysics.

Current GRAPPA research topics include:

• gravitational waves
• dark matter detection
• multi-messenger techniques (i.e. neutrinos, radio through gamma-ray signatures)
• particle acceleration in astrophysical sources
• cosmology
• beyond the Standard Model physics.

GRAPPA staff members are involved with several international research projects, such as:

• the ANTARES and KM3NeT neutrino telescopes
• the KamLAND reactor neutrino experiment
• the XENON dark matter experiment
• astroparticle-related experiments in the CERN-based ATLAS detector
• the Cherenkov Telescope Array
• existing and upcoming astrophysical facilities from the radio waves (e.g. LOFAR) through the X-rays (e.g. Chandra, XMM, LOFT).

Is Gravitation Astroparticle Physics at the UvA the study for me?

It is, if you:

• are ambitious

• are interested in cosmology and astroparticle physics

• are interested in fundamental research
• have thorough knowledge of quantum mechanics, calculus and electrodynamics
• are intrigued by both the subatomic scale (e.g. the Standard Model, particle interactions) and the largest scales (e.g. astrophysical objects, the Universe), and are particularly interested in combining the two to address some of the biggest puzzles in science
• have a theoretical or experimental background
• take pleasure in an international collaborative research environment.

GRAPPA/particle and GRAPPA/astro 

In effect, there are two GRAPPA tracks:

• GRAPPA/particle track (for MSc Physics students)
• GRAPPA/astro track (for MSc Astronomy and Astrophysics students)

These tracks contain all the same compulsory and elective courses. The difference lies in the general focus. MSc Physics students will generally choose more physics-related electives and a more physics-related thesis topic, whereas MSc A&A students will generally opt for more astronomy-related electives and a more astronomy-related thesis topic. 

In addition, the GRAPPA/particle track consists of two subtracks, which students choose between after the first semester:

• GRAPPA subtrack
• Particle subtrack

However, all GRAPPA students - regardless of the (sub)track they follow - belong to the same group.