Master's degree program in Physics

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 standard period of study is 4 semesters. You may start the program in either the winter semester or the summer semester.

Goals, objectives and strengths of the Master's program

• The aim of the Master course is to gain insight into relationships between different areas of physics and into their connections to neighboring scientific disciplines.
• You will formulate, analyze and solve complex physical problems and tasks by combining your knowledge from different branches of physics.
• The study program offers 5 specialisation areas and a strong connection to physics research during a 1-year research phase including a Master thesis.

© Fakultät Physik, TU Dresden

Structure of the Master's program

• The standard period of study is 4 semesters.
• The program starts in the Winter semester and in the Summer semester.
• 5 physics spezialisation areas 
  • Applied Solid State Physics and Photonics,
  • Solid State and Material Physics
  • Soft Condensed Matter and Biological Physics
  • Particle and Nuclear Physics
  • Theoretical Physics
• Two compulsory modules „Experimental Physics“ and „Theoretical Physics“ impart key concepts of physics: in lectures and tutorials you will connect different areas of physics, like atomic and molecular physics, solid state physics, and nuclear and particle physics, as well as concepts and methods of theoretical physics.
• Advanced scientific seminar on modern physics topics.
• Non-physics supplementary courses (non-physics minors) from 12 scientific domains: Mathematics, Biomathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Molecular Biology, Computer Science, Philosophy, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Economics, Business Administration
• Possibility to study abroad e.g. in the first summer semester
• 1 year research phase with Scientific Studies and Master's thesis: The module Scientific Studies is the introduction and preparation to the research project of the Master thesis. This module and the Master thesis deal with a common, overarching research topic.

Primary language of instruction is English

• 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.

Examined assessments

• Modules Experimental Physics and Theoretical Physics: oral exams
• Advanced Scientific Seminar and Scientific Studies: scientific presentations
• Specialization Physics: oral exam and a collection of written assignments (e.g. lab protocols)
• Non-physics supplementary courses: different types of assessments, depending on the courses selected
• Written Master‘s thesis

Admission requirements and other general requirements

• University degree (e.g. Bachelor of Science) in Physics, or a degree in Physics at an officially recognized vocational academy, or a University degree or an academy degree in a closely related subject
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of Experimental Physics and Theoretical Physics and of the related mathematical methods equivalent to the content of the Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the TU Dresden, in particular a well-grounded knowledge
  • of the fundamentals of Experimental Physics in the area of mechanics, electromagnetism, heat and thermodynamics, quantum physics, atomic and molecular physics, solid state physics or nuclear physics or particle physics
  • of the fundamentals of Theoretical Physics in the area of theoretical mechanics, electrodynamics, statistical physics and thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics, as well as
  • physics laboratory training, and
  • mathematical training
• Proficiency in English at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, proven by
  • a certificate of general or subject-specific university entrance qualification with a basic or advanced course in English (or comparable levels), or
  • a certificate for admission to higher education completed in English or a higher education graduation certificate (e.g. a Bachelor’s degree) completed in English, or
  • the score obtained in an internationally offered English test (e.g. IELTS: 6.0, online TOEFL: 75, UNIcert II).
• Organizational skills, autonomy and motivation to pursue the multi-option Master’s study program in Physics at TU Dresden

Physics landscape of Dresden

• Research topics are an integral part of the Master’s study program
• 5 research institutes at the Department of Physics
• Many external physics research institutes, e.g. Institutes of the Max Planck Society and of the Leibnitz Society, Frauenhofer Institutes, and a Helmholtz Institute.
• Cross-disciplinary connections to other fields of science at TU Dresden, for example to computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, philosophy, as well as to central institutions like the High Performance Computing Center ZIH or the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB) .
• Numerous options for internships, scientific studies and Master's thesis topics

Support, training and other offers

• Mentoring program of the Student Council of the Department of Physics
• Student Advisory Services at the Department and centrally at TU Dresden
• Study Success Program
• Language courses, writing courses, and other soft-skill courses,
• Career service
• University sport program
• and more

Application, enrolment and formal study documents

The conditions and procedures for application and enrolment for the Master’s program in Physics are collected in the central Study Information System (SInS) for Physics Master. Formal information about the admission requirements, the study program, module descriptions, study plan, and assessment regulations can be found in the study documents.

General information can also be found on our page for international students and the DAAD “International Programmes” portal on the Physics Master's Programme Dresden.

Starting your Master Studies

At the beginning of every winter and summer term, a Welcome and Information Event for the M.Sc. program in Physics and for all other study programs is organized by the Department of Physics.

Course coordinators

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Name

Study Coordinator (teaching personnel): Prof. Dr. Arno Straessner

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Address work

Visiting address:

Andreas-Schubert-Bau (ASB), A 106

01062 Dresden

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Address postal

Postal address:

TUD Dresden University of Technology Studiendekan Physik
Fakultät Physik

01062 Dresden

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Name

Antonia Bähr

student course coordinator

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Academic advisor

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Name

Dr. Mathias Dörr

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Visitor's address:

Recknagel-Bau
(ehemals Physikgebäude), D208

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Office hours:

Thursday:

14:00 - 16:00