Testimonials
Curious about what it's like to study the Bachelor's Physics and Astronomy? Read about the experiences of students, teachers and alumni below. What's the atmosphere like, what drives teachers and where will you end up?
Testimonials of students
You can pick a unique programme!
- Previous education
- Gymnasium (Bernardinuscollege)
- Programme
- Physics and Astronomy
- Study start date
- Study end date
Bachelor’s student Isa Vervuurt is studying Physics and Astronomy at Radboud University.
Why did you choose Radboud University?
The Radboud campus had a cosy, snug atmosphere. This really appealed to me. Furthermore, Radboud has a lot of electives, in my case I filled this with maths subjects. So you can pick a unique programme!
How did you experience the transition from high school to university? How did the university/programme assist you with this transition?
Physics at university is very different from high school. Fortunately, there are some tutors who help, by explaining the material in an accessible way.
What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?
I really like the theoretical aspect of the course. You go in search of the most fundamental way to describe events. For this, you need a lot of mathematics. This makes it challenging, but mostly a lot of fun!
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
The atmosphere is very good and informal. Everyone (lecturers, senior-year and fellow students) is happy to help you because of this. Because of this, you don't have to be afraid if you don't understand something the first time.
What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?
After my Bachelor's, I want to do an in-depth Master's. This will probably be the Particle and Astrophysics Master's in Nijmegen.
Are you involved with the study association of your programme? If so, in what way?
Yes, I did a board year in the study association. I am still active and can be found at activities every week!
What do you like about Nijmegen?
Nijmegen is a small city, I come from a village and therefore I like this. Also, you can be on campus, in town or at a friend's house in 15 minutes by bike.
Did you visit any information meetings at the campus before you signed up for your studies? Did you find them useful and why?
I attended the open day and experience day. Especially the experience day gave me a good idea of the atmosphere in the programme.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
Choose an education where you feel welcome. Don't be afraid that you are not good enough at something, you can always learn it, as long as you like it!
Testimonials of teachers and researchers
In astronomy, there is a lot we don't know. It's precisely this aspect that makes it exciting for me.
- Programme
- Physics and Astronomy
Astronomer Gijs Nelemans is a professor at Radboud University Nijmegen. He conducts research, teaches, supervises PhD students, and coordinates the scientific contribution to the space project LISA.
“When people think of an astronomer, they often imagine a passionate scientist, peering through his telescope, unravelling the secrets of the infinite space,” says Gijs Nelemans with a laugh. “Pure romance. The reality is that I direct my gaze at the starry sky through a computer screen. And that starry sky I look at is made up of data that I interpret.”
Gijs Nelemans comes from a 'teaching nest,' and physics was his favourite subject in high school. “I saw a career as a physics teacher as very appealing. After high school, I went to the university in Utrecht. There, I pursued a combined study of physics and astronomy. Soon, I found astronomy much more interesting.”
Unknown and Exciting Territory
“Astronomy is the application of physics in space. In physics, we already know a lot. And what we suspect and want to prove can typically be investigated in a controlled environment through experiments,” explains Nelemans.
“In astronomy, there is a lot we don't know. It's precisely this aspect that makes it exciting for me. You are stepping over a boundary in knowledge, working in unknown territory.”
Research on Binary Stars
After his Master's in Utrecht, Gijs Nelemans completed his PhD in Amsterdam, followed by a postdoc in Cambridge and at Radboud University. He has been working here since 2006. In 2017, he was appointed Professor of Gravitational Wave Astrophysics.
“I research binary stars. A binary star consists of two stars that orbit around a single centre of gravity. There are countless binary stars in the universe. Not all these stars are the same. By comparing them, we want to chart the evolution of these stars – how they form, how they exchange mass, what that does to the environment, and how they sometimes explode.”
Building Computer Models
“I haven't looked through a telescope in years,” says Gijs Nelemans. “For my research, I use data from scientists who do collect data through telescopic observations. This data forms the basis for building computer models. Through such a model, you try to find out what you don't yet know.”
The European LISA Project
In astronomy, very finely tuned equipment measures what happens in space, for example, through light and radio waves.
“In the LISA project, we will also collect information, but in a completely different way. From space, we will measure so-called gravitational waves, allowing us to study many objects, including binary stars, uniquely. This can be beautifully used to test the models.”
Making New Discoveries
LISA is a European project. The acronym stands for Laser Interferometer Space Antenna. “From 2035, three spacecraft will fly around the sun, trailing behind Earth. By continuously measuring their distances from each other with laser beams, they will capture gravitational waves from the universe. It's a new technique. With LISA, we expect to make many new discoveries.”
Scientific Research
Gijs Nelemans is one of the coordinators in Europe, reaching out to scientists to participate in the project. What we concretely gain from LISA is a question he often gets.
“It’s purely scientific, discovering what you don’t yet know. At the same time, it’s a huge challenge for technological companies to design and build such spacecraft. These technologies will eventually find their applications in other fields.”
This interview first appeared on TechGelderland. Original text: Huub Luijten. Photos: Linda Verweij.
I have always had a fascination for exact sciences because I wanted to understand the world.
- Nationality
- Nederlandse
- Programme
- Physics and Astronomy
Marijke Haverkorn is Professor - Astrophysics at Radboud University Nijmegen.
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Marijke Haverkorn, researcher and lecturer in the Astronomy department. After studying Astronomy in Utrecht, I obtained my PhD in Leiden, followed by six years working abroad, including in the United States and Australia. I then returned to the Netherlands for a position at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON). I have been working here since 2011. My research focuses on how stars form from interstellar gas clouds, with particular attention to the influence of magnetic fields on this process. I teach Physics and Astronomy courses, including Mechanics for first-year students and Molecules in Space for third-year students.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
My choice for this field stems from a lifelong fascination with exact sciences, driven by my desire to understand the world. Astronomy particularly attracted me because of its exotic phenomena: curved spaces, exploding stars, and black holes! Fascinating is that these phenomena can be described using the same mathematical and physical principles that we use for everyday phenomena. Today, I find astronomy captivating because of the broad application of various physical principles and the fascinating cosmic phenomena, but also because of the international community and collaboration with passionate colleagues.
What are you currently researching?
My research focuses on the formation of stars from gigantic, turbulent gas clouds that contain magnetic fields. Unlike on Earth, where magnetic fields are barely noticeable in daily life, they have a significant influence in these clouds: they act like elastic bands. They therefore affect how these clouds move and consequently how stars form. I use optical and radio telescopes to map these magnetic fields, to better understand their role in star formation.
What advice do you have for students who are making their study choices?
Choose what you find interesting! And if you're still unsure: visit open days and talk to current students, study advisors, and lecturers to learn more about what different studies entail.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
What I value most about working with students is their new, fresh perspective on topics, both in research and in teaching. I enjoy hearing and discussing students' ideas and ways of thinking; even when they're not (entirely) correct, this often leads to interesting discussions and new directions for improving my research or teaching.
My research into black holes stems from wanting to understand nature.
- Programme
- Physics and Astronomy
Badri Krishnan, born in India, has been working at Radboud University Nijmegen since 2021 as a professor of High Energy Physics. He conducts mathematical research into black holes. He does this together with PhD candidate Ariadna Ribes Metidieri from Spain. Together, they're investigating the shape of black holes. 'Our data present a significant challenge for improving data science.'
Krishnan had always been interested in physics and engineering. 'For me, the trigger to conduct research into black holes was wanting to understand nature. And to do that, we need advanced technology and mathematics.'
The shape of black holes
According to Krishnan, space consists of black holes. A black hole swallows everything around it and never gives anything back.
'Actually, a black hole is like a normal star, but without gravity. Another difference is that you'll burn if you get close to a star – you'll instantly turn into black spaghetti! A black hole, on the other hand, will swallow you.'
Krishnan and Ribes Metidieri's research concerns the question of what the shape of a black hole is. 'Using highly sensitive instruments that collect data, we've detected movements in the vicinity of a black hole. From those signals, we learn more about the shape of black holes', Krishnan explains.
'The signals also show us that we've come very close – around 100 kilometres – to a black hole. The first signal we received was in 2015. We then discovered two black holes that are thirty times larger than the sun. In 2019, we subsequently discovered an even heavier black hole.'
Importance of this research
The research is a quest to understand nature, says Krishnan. 'Events are taking place in a galaxy billions of light-years away from here. The fact that somewhere in the universe two black holes have collided has no impact on events on Earth. However, these events do explain our place in the universe.'
'On the other hand, our research has a very important impact on our society and science. Gravitational wave detectors, for example, use one of the world's largest ultra-high vacuum systems as well as one of the most stable high-power lasers.'
The data present a significant challenge for improving data science. Developing these technologies and thereby improving the technological capabilities of our companies is crucial for our future and for maintaining our position in a highly competitive world.'
Professor of High Energy Physics
Krishnan's interest in physics and technology began early. He completed his Physics and Engineering degree in the US. He then lived in Germany for 20 years, where he worked as a researcher and staff member at the Max Planck Institute.
Krishnan has been Professor of High Energy Physics at Radboud University since 2021, where he researches black holes.
Interest in galaxies
PhD candidate Ariadna Ribes Metidieri finds black holes beautiful and mysterious. 'Black holes have a great deal of structure and we still don't fully understand them.'
She has a background in mathematics and physics. Her interest began early: 'My grandmother used to have lots of encyclopaedias. One of them was about galaxies. I absolutely devoured those texts and they led me to physics.'
Like listening to a symphony
Ribes Metidieri also researches how black holes absorb things and what information can be extracted from those observations.
'For instance, we've discovered that the horizon is more structured and complex than we think. When two black holes merge, they form a new black hole. You can compare it to the ringing of a bell or listening to a symphony. At first, it's very complicated, but later it becomes increasingly straightforward.'
Krishnan adds: 'A gravitational wave signal doesn't resemble a camera image so much as an audio signal. Imagine you're blindfolded at a concert or symphony and have to determine which instruments you're hearing. A musically trained person can distinguish a violin, piano, cello or trombone and might even identify which instruments are out of tune.'
'In a similar way, once we understand the gravitational wave signal from a black hole, we can work out which tones are present in the signal and which tones deviate from what we'd expect from a black hole, based on Einstein's theories.'
Contributing in many ways
Conducting research into black holes offers exciting opportunities and challenges. It requires knowledge of high-performance computing, data science, machine learning, AI, engineering and mathematics.
Krishnan concludes: 'So if you really want to make a contribution, there are many ways to do so here at Radboud University.'
This article previously appeared on TechGelderland.nl. Photos: Erik van 't Hullenaar