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What knowledge is required for participation in an Introductory course?

The Introductory level course is designed for laboratory staff with some practical experience in accelerators, accelerator equipment manufacturers and university students (from last-year bachelor level to Ph.D.) who wish to learn about accelerator science and technology. The course focuses on various aspects of beam dynamics and the underlying accelerator systems. Discussion sessions and tutorials consolidate key topics. Course programme overview can be found here >>

What knowledge is required for participation in an Advanced course?

The Advanced Accelerator Physics course is a follow-up of the Introductory level course and is composed of core lectures on accelerator physics in the mornings and a practical course (14-16 hours of hands-on tuition) in the afternoons.The ideal participants should have completed the CAS Introductory course (or equivalent) or had several years of accelerator physics experience to profit fully. As this course introduces advanced and contemporary concepts, knowledge of classical mechanics, electrodynamics, as well as mathematics for physics or engineering at the university entrance level is expected.

The participants will select one afternoon course from the three proposed.  For the afternoon courses, the basic idea is that the participants select a topic for which they have no or very little preliminary knowledge. This should allow the participants to discover and get training in a new field of accelerator physics.  A series of seminars and tutorials will complete the programme. Course programme overview can be found here >>

Do I need a visa ?

Whether or not you need a visa depends on your nationality and the country in which the school will be held. If you are not sure that you have the right to travel to the country in question, we suggest that you contact an embassy of your country of nationality, or a similar authority.

What should I do if I need a visa to attend a CAS school?

One of the documents required for a visa application is an invitation letter. Once you are accepted and have completed all necessary documentation, including payment, please contact the CAS secretariat to obtain your invitation letter. 

The visa application process varies depending on the country you are planning to visit. Generally, you will need to visit the website of the embassy or consulate of the destination country in your home country to find information about visa requirements and application procedures.

How long does it take to obtain a visa?

Visa processing times can vary significantly. To determine the optimal timing for your application submission, please check the processing times provided by the embassy or consulate of the destination country.

How do I apply to attend a school?

Due to high demand, we often receive more applications than available spots. Applying early increases your chances of securing a place.

For each school, you will find a link to the Indico site where you can register. You will find a link to a registration form. During the registration process, you’ll need to provide a CV and a letter of reference. These documents help us assess your suitability for the course.

After submitting your registration form, we'll evaluate your profile. If accepted, you'll receive an acceptance letter containing additional details and instructions on how to finalise your registration.

What information should be in letter of reference?

You should ask your supervisor, or someone else who knows your professional situation, to write a letter in support of your application. This should include a short summary of your recent professional history and should make a case for why you should attend this particular school.

How can I let CAS know about special dietary requirements?

There is a field on the online registration form where this can be mentioned.

Is it possible to attend only part of a school?

Each school is conceived as a full course and it is strongly recommended to attend all of it. Only in exceptional circumstances do we consider partial attendance and in these cases you will have to pay the full fee.

Can I bring an accompanying person?

We expect CAS participants to concentrate on the course fully. In addition to a demanding lecture program and associated coursework, CAS attendees are expected to work together on course problems outside of the scheduled program. Mixing and networking with other students is also an important career benefit.

So, we consider that an accompanying partner is incompatible with the course objectives and do not support this.

Can I get a confirmation that I have attended a school?

Yes. Please ask the CAS secretariat who will provide a certificate of attendance after the completion of the school.

What should I do if I have to cancel an accepted application?

Please contact the CAS secretariat as soon as possible. If the cancellation is due to medical reasons, a full reimbursement can be made if medical documents are provided. If the cancellation is due to other reasons, a partial reimbursement may be possible, depending on a number of factors.

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CH-1211 Geneva 23,
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