Master's degree program in Physics
Red, green and blue organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a 2x2mm active surface for performance tests.
Welcome to the Master's degree program in Physics!
The consecutive Master's degree program in physics is offered at the TU Dresden since Winter Semester 2012/13. The program is organised into modules and the expected duration is 4 semesters. Students may start the program in either the winter or summer semester.
Physics is about figuring out what nature makes possible; Dresden provides you with new possibilities in life. Come and join TU Dresden’s international Master’s program “Physics”. © Fakultät Physik, TU Dresden; Film: Biermann-Jung Kommunikation & Film
The primary language of all physics seminars, lab courses, and physics lectures is English. Examinations in these courses can be taken in English or German. The language of the minor subjects is either English or German, including the respective exams, and is announced each semester in the catalogue of minors.
The aim of the Master course is a deepening of insights into relationships between different areas of physics and their relationship with neighboring disciplines. Students formulate, analyze and solve complex physical problems and tasks by combining their knowledge from different branches of physics.
Strukturen im klassischen Phasenraum chaotischer Systeme regeln wie Drehtüren in Abhängigkeit vom Quotienten Drehtürgröße zu Planckscher Zelle den Transport zwischen zwei Regionen.
In one of six fields of specialization, they acquire a complete overview of the established knowledge, new developments and unresolved issues. During the one-year research phase, students acquire the ability to become familiar with current physical problems, to develop and implement experimental or theoretical methods, to categorize results, and to draw conclusions for technical developments and the progress of science.
The following stengths in the organisation of the Master of Physics in Dresden warrant special mention:
- The broad selection of six different physics specialisations is organized by a flexible catalogue with emphasis on the research strengths of the department and features uniquely close contact with many neighboring external research institutions (Helmholtz, Max-Planck, Fraunhofer, Leibniz), as well as international research cooperation.
- The main physics modules discuss applications and summarize general concepts across different areas of physics. The Experimental Physics module covers common principles of solid state, molecular, atomic, nuclear, and particle physics and their various manifestations at different energy scales. The Theoretical Physics module combines various methods in theoretical physics into a theoretical description of physical phenomena that is as comprehensive as possible.
- Interdisciplinary studies are offered in cooperation with institutes in the natural sciences, with the faculties of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Philosophy, as well as with the central offices of ZIH and BIOTEC. The study of minor subjects in mathematics, bio-mathematics, chemistry, biology, molecular biology, computer science, philosophy, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, material science and economics guarantees a wide variety of ways to acquire fundamental understanding of problems in other scientific areas and the ability to work interdisciplinarily.
- The flexible beginning of the program in either semester each year allows for an easy transition to Dresden and simplifies the incorporation of a semester abroad. Especially the first summer semester can be used for study abroad without extending the duration of the program. Of course, it is also possible to spend an entire academic year abroad, e.g. for the one-year research phase.
- Flexible start of the one-year research phase (Research Practice and the Master's thesis) in the second year of study, not bound to a particular semester schedule, since the Research Practice module is offered continuously.
- The absence of graded assessments in the first semester allows for a period of adjustment and orientation in the physics specialisation area and the non-physics minor.
- The oral examinations in Experimental Physics, Theoretical Physics, and the specialisation area allow to account for individual focus areas.
The conditions and procedures for Application and Enrolment for the Master of Physics are collected in German language in the central Study Information System SInS for Physics Master and in English language in our page for international students.
The program start for a Master's is possible in both the winter and summer semesters. The first summer semester can be used for study abroad without extending the duration of the program. Of course, it is also possible to spend an entire academic year abroad, although you must expect to prolong your studies at least one semester in that case.
The Master's program in Physics at TU Dresden is divided into a one-year instructional phase and a one-year research phase. In the first two semesters, the students will receive instruction not only in their chosen specialisation area, but also in all branches of physics. The languages of instruction are German or English, depending on the chosen course; in all courses students can choose the language in which they take examinations. German students do not need proof of language skills. Independence is very important, even in the first two semesters.
In order to compensate for the strict division of the Bachelor's programme into individual modules, and to demonstrate the connections and similarities among topics previously presented, overview courses in experimental and theoretical physics are offered. The summer semester consists mainly of independent study, sometimes with instruction and the opportunity for discussion in seminar groups under the guidance of a university instructor. In addition, there is a non-physics supplement requirement, for which one can choose from a wide selection of courses offered at the TU Dresden.
However, the focus is the physics specialisation, which takes up half of the student's work time. The programme leaves plenty of time for specialisation beyond the minimum required. The specialisation areas offered are:
- Applied Solid State Physics and Photonics,
- Solid State and Material Physics
- Soft Condensed Matter and Biological Physics
- Particle and Nuclear Physics
- Theoretical Physics
To increase flexibility, graded examinations are delayed as much as possible, so it is possible to try out several specialisation areas and make a selection only once the first semester is underway.
In the third and fourth semesters, students complete the Research Practice module and their Master's thesis, which count for 60 ECTS points. The research practice should be viewed as the introductory/preparatory phase before the Master's thesis. A large selection of topics is offered both through the institutes at the TU as well as at external research institutions.
Course coordinators
© jb
Study Coordinator (teaching personnel): Prof. Dr. Arno Straessner
Send encrypted mail via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Visiting address:
Andreas-Schubert-Bau (ASB), A 106
01062 Dresden
Postal address:
TUD Dresden University of Technology
Studiendekan Physik
Fakultät Physik
01062 Dresden
© jb
Lisa Lehmann
student course coordinator
Send encrypted mail via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Academic Advisor
© jb
Visitor's address:
Recknagel-Bau
(ehemals Physikgebäude), D208
Office hours:
- Thursday:
- 14:00 - 16:00