Educational Process

Important points in the learning process carried out include:

1. Characteristics of the learning process, consisting of interactive, holistic, integrative, scientific, contextual, thematic, effective, collaborative, and student-centered characteristics;
2. Learning process planning, compiled for each subject and presented in the semester learning program and activity plan (SLPAP);
3. Implementation of the learning process, each subject is carried out according to the SLPAP with the characteristics of each subject; and
4. Student learning load, one credit is equivalent to 170 (one hundred and seventy) minutes of learning activities per week per semester. Semester is a unit of time for effective learning activities for 16 (sixteen) weeks.

In learning, each Master study program is given the freedom to design, determine, organize, evaluate and develop learning methods which essentially have the following characteristics:

1. Able to develop logical, critical, systematic, and creative thinking through scientific research, creation of designs or works of art in the fields of science and technology that pays attention to and applies humanities values ​​according to their fields of expertise, compiles scientific conceptions and study results based on rules, procedures, and scientific ethics in the form of a thesis or other equivalent form, and uploaded on the university’s website, as well as papers that have been published in accredited scientific journals or accepted in international journals;
2. Able to carry out academic validation or studies according to their field of expertise in solving problems in the relevant community or industry through the development of their knowledge and expertise;
3. Able to compile ideas, thoughts, and scientific arguments responsibly and based on academic ethics, and communicate them through the media to the academic community and the wider community;
4. Able to identify the scientific field that is the object of his research and position it into a research map developed through an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary approach;
5. Able to make decisions in the context of solving problems in the development of science and technology that pays attention to and applies the values ​​of the humanities based on analytical or experimental studies of information and data;
6. Able to manage, develop and maintain networks with colleagues, peers within the institution and the wider research community;
7. Able to increase learning capacity independently; and
8. Able to document, store, secure, and rediscover research data in order to ensure validity and prevent plagiarism.

All lecturers who support the Masters study program must hold a Doctorate in a relevant field and have a minimum functional position of Lecturer.

Learning Methods

Learning in the master’s Physics UGM is carried out through classroom learning using the learning method recommended by the university, namely STAR – Student Teacher Aesthetic Role-sharing. This learning method is designed so that: (a) discussion forums and active communication between lecturers and students are formed; (b) facilities for improving skills and scientific insight; and (c) forum for developing inspiration and scientific ideas for students, in the implementation of lectures in class, practice in the laboratory and the field, and independent assignments.

For research-based students, most lectures are carried out in a non-classical manner, but a minimum of six credits (from compulsory courses) are carried out classically with a blended learning method. The implementation of compulsory course learning for research-based students is as follows:

1. Two credits of compulsory courses in Research Methodology are carried out non-classically by the thesis supervisor.
2. Two of the following five compulsory courses, namely: Physics Mathematics, Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, and Electrodynamics, must be carried out in classically blended learning. The rest is carried out in a non-classical manner.
3. Classical lectures can be carried out through blended learning which is a learning method by combining face-to-face interaction without using a network and indirect face-to-face using information technology media by interacting in the network.
4. The determination of compulsory courses that are carried out classically blended learning and non-classically is carried out during research-based prospective student eligibility meetings.

Assessment Methods

Exams are one of the methods of student assessment when taking a course. Exams are held periodically, both scheduled and unscheduled, and may consist of Midterm Exams (abbreviated as UTS in Bahasa) and Final Exams (abbreviated as UAS in Bahasa). The midterm exam is held at least once a semester, either on a scheduled or unscheduled basis, while the Final Exam is held on a scheduled basis at the end of the semester. In addition to the two exams above, student assessment data can also come from various components such as assignments, questions, answers, quizzes, tests, and others during lectures. The final grade for a course is determined based on all the assessment data obtained from the various assessment activities above by giving a certain weight to each of the grade data.

If the student is unable to take the scheduled exam due to urgent circumstances, the student can request the holding of a follow-up/special exam. These urgent circumstances include being affected by natural disasters, becoming an ambassador of the nation/university/faculty, being sick (required letter recommendation from doctor/hospital), and rules for the Practice Work schedule on the provisions of the receiving Company that cannot be changed. Apart from these urgent circumstances, the study program will not hold officially scheduled follow-up exams, and the completeness of the assessment of these students are left entirely to the policy of the lecturer who teaches the course.

If the student has not passed a course or wants to improve the value of a course that has been taken, the student can repeat taking the course. There is no limit to the number of repetitions taken in a course, and the grade used for final graduation is the best score.

The final score in each course is expressed by a letter value corresponding to the following number values: A (4.0), A- (3.75), A / B (3.5), B + (3.25), B (3.0), B- (2.75), B / C 2.5), C + (2.25), C (2.5), C- (1.75), C / D (1.5), D + (1.25), D (1), and E (0). Completion of courses for master’s programs is at least C.

Regulations regarding assessment methods that apply to regular programs and research-based programs. There are several additional assessment rules specifically for elective courses of research-based physics master’s programs, as follows:

1. Assessment for Research I, II, and III courses is carried out through student presentations in monitoring seminars. The seminar presentation schedule for Research I, II, and III courses are in the middle of the semester (in the midterm exam period) and at the end of the semester (in the final exam period). Students who take Research I, II, and III courses can choose their presentations to be carried out in one of the two-time schedules that have been provided.
2. Monitoring seminars for Research I, II, and III was attended by academic supervisors/ thesis supervisors, relevant KBK representative lecturers, and study program administrators and could be attended by general students.
3. The assessment of courses in the monitoring seminars for Research I is carried out by a team of examiners appointed by the study program, consisting of academic supervisors/thesis supervisors and lecturers representing the relevant KBK.
4. The assessment of courses in the monitoring seminars for Research II and III is carried out by academic supervisors/thesis supervisors.
5. The assessment of National Seminars and International Seminars is carried out based on the completeness of national/international seminar requirements and presentation manuscripts in national/international seminars by academic supervisors/thesis supervisors.
6. The assessment of the Scientific Publication A course is carried out after the publication manuscript is complete and accepted for submission by the editor of the intended reputable international journal, with evidence submitted and will be processed for review. The assessment of the Scientific Publication A course is carried out based on the completeness of the requirements for a manuscript draft of international publications.
7. The assessment of the Scientific Publication B course is carried out after the publication manuscript is accepted for publication, with proof of acceptance for publication by a reputable international journal. The assessment of scientific publication course B is carried out based on the completeness of publication requirements in reputable international journals.

1 (one) SKS in the learning process in the form of lectures, responses, or tutorials, consisting of:

• Face-to-face activities 50 (fifty) minutes per week for 1 semester;
• Structured assignment activities of 60 (sixty) minutes per week for 1 semester; and
• 60 (sixty) minutes of independent activities per week for 1 semester.

1 (one) SKS in the learning process in the form of seminars or other similar forms, consisting of:

• Face-to-face activities 100 (one hundred) minutes per week for 1 semester, and
• 70 (seventy) minutes of independent activities per week for 1 semester.

1 (one) credit in the learning process in the form of practicum, studio practice, workshop practice, field practice, research, community service, and/or other similar learning processes, equivalent to 170 (one hundred and seventy) minutes per week for 1 semester.

The period and study load for the implementation of the Masters education program at FMIPA UGM refers to Permenristekdikti Number 44 of 2015 and the Rector’s Regulation of Gadjah Mada University Number 11 of 2016, and Permendikbud Number 3/2020 concerning SN-Dikti, namely:

1. The curriculum is designed so that students complete master’s studies within 2 (two) years.
2. If within 2 (two) years the student has not been able to complete the study, then the student is given the opportunity to extend the study for 1 (one) semester after receiving a recommendation from the thesis supervisor. The study period can be extended for the next 1 (one) semester accompanied by a statement that is approved by the thesis supervisor that in the next 1 (one) semester students can complete their studies.
   After evaluation by the study program manager, the first warning letter (SP 1) will be given at the end of semester 4, SP 2 at the beginning of semester 6 and SP 3 at the beginning of semester 8.
3. If within 4 (four) years the student has not been able to complete the study, the student must resign from the Masters study program of FMIPA UGM.

The number of study loads that must be taken by a Master student at FMIPA UGM is a minimum of 40 credits, which consists of compulsory subjects, elective courses and theses. The student study load for each semester is determined at the beginning of the semester in consultation with the Academic Advisory Lecturer (DPA) by considering the success of the previous semester’s studies. The specified study load can be fulfilled by taking compulsory courses or elective courses by taking into account the fulfillment of prerequisite courses.

In the study load of a Masters student every semester, it is necessary to determine by considering two factors, namely the individual ability of the student concerned and the average study time a day. If a student is considered to be able to work normally for 6-8 hours during the day plus 2 hours at night, then in one week or 5 working days students can work for 48-60 hours. For the first semester, the study load for Masters students is between 15-20 credits. The IP in the first 1 (one) semester is used to determine the study load that can be taken by the next semester (semester 2) and so on according to the following table.

Each study program may set more stringent requirements than those mentioned above. The types of courses that must be taken by students are determined by each study program. Especially for students participating in the Double/Dual Degree Program, they are allowed to take a maximum of 20 credits of courses and 8 credits of Thesis since the first semester.

For each Masters student, an Academic Supervisor (DPA) is assigned. DPA is a lecturer who plays a role in providing guidance to students who become his guidance so that they are fluent in planning studies each semester. At the beginning of each semester, students need to consult with DPA to get academic guidance regarding filling out the Course Selection Sheets (KRS). In addition, students can consult DPA at any time to resolve various academic-related problems. The KRS contains all the courses that students will take for one semester, in accordance with applicable regulations. Academic supervisors are proposed by the study program and determined by the faculty.

In addition to DPA, each Masters student has 1 or 2 Thesis Advisory Lecturers (DPT), who play a role in providing guidance to students who become their guidance related to thesis preparation. Guidance starts from determining the title of the thesis, preparing proposals, conducting research, processing data, compiling publication manuscripts, compiling theses and preparing thesis exams. Each student is provided with a logbook to record all research activities carried out. All thesis supervisors must hold a doctorate in a relevant field with a minimum functional position of lector (Law Number 12 of 2012). The thesis supervisor is proposed by the study program and determined by the faculty.

The residency requirement for Master students is one year after the first registration. Every Master’s student who for some reason cannot participate in educational activities for one semester is required to apply for an academic leave permit with the knowledge of the DPA/thesis supervisor before the lecture in the current semester begins. Students who do not take part in educational activities without permission for academic leave will still be considered for their study period and are still required to pay UKT.

Students can apply for academic leave with acceptable reasons after carrying out educational activities for the first year starting from the time they are registered as Master students at FMIPA UGM. Academic leave is given for 1 (one) semester and can be extended for the next 1 (one) semester. The total length of academic leave for Master students is 2 (two) semesters.