What equations govern the motion of molecules inside living systems? How do cells produce and distribute energy to survive? Why do tissues bend and fold into specific shapes during development, and how can we measure the forces at work inside cells and tissues? This programme trains you to tackle these kinds of questions by applying the quantitative tools and conceptual frameworks of physics to biological systems. It is an international Master of Science taught in English that bridges physics, biology, chemistry and medicine to address real-world problems.
You will study phenomena ranging from protein folding and cellular signalling to morphogenesis and tissue mechanics, and learn how to translate biological questions into mathematical and computational models. The curriculum emphasises both theory and experiment, so you will be exposed to computational modelling, laboratory techniques, and methods for measuring mechanical and energetic processes in living matter. The field’s applications span modelling of disease dynamics to engineering novel tissues, offering career paths in academia, industry and interdisciplinary research.
Teaching combines hands-on lab courses and lab rotations with programming workshops and a research-oriented Master’s thesis, giving you practical experience in current biophysics methods and the chance to contribute to active research projects.
Curriculum overview
This master's program builds a strong foundation in the physical principles underlying living systems while combining experimental, theoretical and computational training. In the first semester you study core subjects such as biophysics, polymer physics, physical and biological chemistry, molecular cell biology and experimental design. From the start you’ll balance lectures with hands-on laboratory practicals and computational biology projects so you learn both the concepts and the techniques used to probe biological matter.
In the second semester the focus shifts to dynamic and multiscale descriptions of living systems: stochastic processes, continuum descriptions of living matter, mechanobiology, the physics of molecular machines, and cell and tissue biology. At the end of this semester you choose one of three specialisations—Experimental Biological Physics, Theoretical Biological Physics or Nanobiotechnology—with each track offering tailored electives to deepen subject-specific skills. The third semester extends advanced theory (pattern formation, active matter) and specialist courses while you begin a substantial lab project that can either expand your experimental/theoretical repertoire or serve as a springboard for your thesis. The fourth semester is devoted entirely to the Master’s thesis, which is embedded in active research groups associated with the Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life (PoL) and partner centres such as B CUBE, BIOTEC and CRTD; there are also opportunities to work in other TU Dresden departments or with external partners.
Key learning outcomes
Program structure and core components
You should hold a Bachelor's degree, a Diploma, or an equivalent international qualification in a discipline that provides a strong quantitative and physics-oriented foundation. Typical accepted fields include physics, biophysics, applied mathematics, engineering (especially nanotechnology), or quantitative biology — or any closely related subject, provided you have a solid background in physics.
Applicants must also demonstrate specific subject knowledge and language ability. Required academic preparation includes core physics and mathematics topics, plus basic chemistry and biology. A good command of English is required — check the program’s official information for accepted tests and minimum scores.
Winter Semester (International)
31 May 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 May 2026
Graduates are well prepared for PhD programmes and research careers in academia and research institutions (including Fraunhofer, Max Planck and Leibniz institutes) due to the programme’s strong emphasis on experimental lab work, modelling and quantitative methods. The close links to research clusters and hands-on thesis projects facilitate transitions into doctoral positions and postdoctoral roles in biophysics, developmental biology, and soft-matter/active-matter research.
Outside academia, alumni can enter R&D roles in biotechnology, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and nanotechnology, or pursue positions in computational biology, biostatistics/data science, and engineering-related industry sectors. The programme’s interdisciplinary and quantitative training also suits careers in scientific consultancy, technology transfer, and innovation-driven startups.
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