Master of Science in Physics

Overview The Master’s programme is a research-focused curriculum in advanced areas of both fundamental and applied physics. It is designed to be highly flexible so you can tailor your studies to your scientific interests, gaining deeper theoretical knowledge and practical research skills. Instruction is in English, and the programme emphasizes hands-on or theoretical work within active departmental research groups.

First-year structure In the first year you build a specialist profile by selecting courses in two physics subject areas from the department’s topical offerings: Materials Physics; Nano and Quantum Technologies; Nonlinear Physics; Nuclear and Particle Physics; Photonics and Magnonics; and Physics of Solid-State Nanosystems. These options mirror the department’s broad research activities. Alongside the physics modules you study an interdisciplinary subject — examples include biophysics, computer science, geophysics, mathematics or philosophy. If your German is limited, you may instead take “German as a Foreign Language” as your interdisciplinary course.

Second-year research and completion The second year is devoted to an independent research project within one of the department’s research groups. Projects may be experimentally oriented or theoretically oriented; through this work you acquire in-depth knowledge and practical command of the methods relevant to your chosen field. The programme is completed by writing a Master’s thesis and presenting your results in an oral seminar talk.

Program requirements (academic/structural)

• Select two physics subjects from: Materials Physics; Nano and Quantum Technologies; Nonlinear Physics; Nuclear and Particle Physics; Photonics and Magnonics; Physics of Solid-State Nanosystems.
• Choose an interdisciplinary subject (e.g., biophysics, computer science, geophysics, mathematics, philosophy).
• Students with limited German may choose “German as a Foreign Language” as their interdisciplinary course.
• Complete an independent research project in a departmental research group (experimental or theoretical).
• Submit a Master’s thesis and deliver an oral seminar presentation of your research results.

Curriculum overview

In the first year you follow a mix of lectures, hands-on laboratory classes, and theoretical and experimental exercises taught in small learning groups, complemented by seminars. You build your program by choosing three modules: two from specialised physics fields and one interdisciplinary subject. These are rounded out by an "Elective Studies in Physics" module that lets you pick additional courses from the department’s offerings to tailor the curriculum to your interests.

The second year is focused on independent research. You join one of the department’s research groups and carry out a supervised research project that culminates in the Master’s thesis. The research phase is organised as two consecutive modules: “Professional Specialisation and Project Design” in the third semester, which prepares you to plan and frame your investigation, followed by the fourth-semester Master’s thesis during which you execute the project and present the results.

As a graduate you will have gained advanced theoretical knowledge and practical experimental skills, experience in designing and conducting independent research, and competence in scientific communication and teamwork. The structure emphasises small-group learning and close supervision by active researchers, giving you direct exposure to current research questions and preparing you for doctoral study or careers in research, development, and technology.

Key components and requirements

• First-year coursework includes lectures, lab courses, theoretical and experimental exercises in small groups, and seminars
• Choose three modules: two specialised physics fields + one interdisciplinary subject
• Additional module: Elective Studies in Physics — freely select courses from the department to match your interests
• Second year devoted to an independent research project within a departmental research group
• Research project split into two modules:
  • Professional Specialisation and Project Design (3rd semester)
  • Master’s thesis (4th semester), supervised by department scientists

Graduates develop in-depth theoretical and practical research skills that prepare them for doctoral studies (PhD) or research positions within universities and research institutes. The combination of specialised physics knowledge, experimental/theoretical training and interdisciplinary competence is also suited to technical and development roles in industry sectors that rely on advanced physics expertise.

Additionally, the programme’s emphasis on independent project work and scientific communication equips graduates for roles in engineering, technology development, data-intensive sectors, and science-related positions where problem-solving and research experience are required.