Photonics

The international MSc in Photonics course offered by the Abbe School of Photonics (ASP) is based on a long tradition of education in optics at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. A significant benefit of the programme is that it is embedded in the modern research environment of the Abbe Center of Photonics (ACP), integrating 13 institutes of the FSU Jena, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, the Centre for Innovation Competence "Ultra Optics", the Helmholtz Institute Jena as well as a number of prominent industrial partners.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVL4_psaQCk

The MSc Photonics is part of a full-scale education programme of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena specialising in optics and photonics, starting at undergraduate level (BSc in Physics), continuing at Master's level, and culminating in a structured doctoral programme.
The ASP Master's degree programme is rooted in the European educational system and was funded by the Erasmus Mundus scheme of the European Union. Accordingly, the MSc Photonics course of study was jointly designed by leading centres of optics education in Europe: Delft University of Technology, Imperial College London, Université Paris-Sud, the University of Eastern Finland in Joensuu, and the Warsaw University of Technology. In addition, ASP incorporated the transatlantic education programme (MILMI - Master International in Laser, Material Sciences, and Interaction) together with the Université de Bordeaux, the University of Central Florida, and Clemson University (South Carolina). To date, and in agreement with the sustainability criteria of the European Union, these partnerships have translated into individual agreements and still grant a highly facilitated mobility for ASP students - both incoming and outgoing.

Course contents:
Fundamentals of Optics and Materials:
Ray optics, wave optics, electromagnetic optics, wave propagation, guided waves, light-matter interaction, non-linear optics, quantum optics

Optical Devices and Systems:
Lens design & instruments, metrology, optical sensors, optical communications subsystems, laser devices, laser systems, opto-electronics devices

Imaging:
Imaging systems, statistical signal and image processing

Practical training:
Hands-on research experience in state-of-the-art optics laboratories of the university and, in particular, in industry

New Frontiers in Optics:

• Advanced sources (quantum dots laser, petawatt/femtosecond/megajoule lasers, quantum cascade lasers, fibre lasers, XUV)
• Optical systems (3D metrology, remote sensing, advances in optical fabrication, adaptive optics, optomechanical design)
• Biophotonics (fluorescence sensors, optical tweezers, laser diagnostics and surgery)
• Nanophotonics (metamaterials, photonic crystals, sub-wavelength structures, plasmonics)
• Telecommunications (optical fibres, optical active components and optical signal processing)

Educational organisation

The curriculum includes a combination of lectures, seminars, labs, tutorials, internships, research projects, and summer workshops. The ECTS system allows students to make individual choices according to the programme guidelines. The programme combines in-class learning with practical learning elements.

• First semester: Fundamentals and Adjustment
• Second semester: Fundamentals and Specialisation, Internship
• Third semester: Specialisation and Research
• Fourth semester: Research (Master's Thesis)

Internships

Three internships at scientific partner institutes or at optical companies (Jenoptik, Osram, Philips, Schott, Trumpf, Zeiss, etc.) are a vital part of the curriculum.

Forms of assessment

• Written and oral exams
• Project reports
• Master's thesis

Course objectives

Students are trained for technical or scientific positions in an academic or industrial environment using optics or specialising in optics. PhD studies are a natural extension of the course.

Language requirements

We accept TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS as proof of language proficiency. A German "Abitur" in English is also accepted.
Native speakers and those who have completed their former academic degree in English are not required to provide additional proof of English language competency.

Academic requirements

Applicants should have a BSc or BEng comprising significant exposure to physics and optics fundamentals. Other criteria that are taken into account include awards, external references, details of earlier projects, and proof of English proficiency.

Enrolment fees

The semester fee covers the cost of student services and the student self-government in Jena. It amounts to approx. 200 EUR per semester.
The fee also includes a semester ticket for free public transportation.

Costs of living

We recommend that you budget at least 600 EUR per month for accommodation and food. For books, we recommend that you budget a further 50 EUR per semester.

Job opportunities

Job opportunities as student assistants are available.

Funding opportunities within the university

At the Abbe School of Photonics, about 10 Master's degree programme scholarships per year are available for highly qualified foreign applicants. Scholarships include a stipend of 800 EUR per month.
http://www.asp.uni-jena.de/Master_s+Degree+Program/M_Sc_+Photonics/Scholarships.html

Arrival support

The ASP Coordination Team offers personal support at any stage of the application, before and upon arrival as well as during the course of study.

• Student mentors assist incoming students
• Pre-session intensive German language course (four weeks)
• Orientation week and pre-session courses (Maths and Physics)

Services and support for international students

At the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the International Office assists all international students and can direct them to the department responsible for answering any questions they may have. The University of Jena has ERASMUS agreements with more than 200 European partners and 30 bilateral agreements with partners in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, the USA, Canada, and Japan. The university has 2,200 international students from 85 countries.
There is a comprehensive programme of counselling, administrative support, language courses, and tutoring for incoming students. The International Office also arranges accommodation for students who come to Jena on exchange or scholarship programmes.
Student mentors assist incoming students by meeting them at the train station, showing them to their rooms, introducing them to the university and its facilities, familiarising them with the city of Jena, introducing them to student life, and helping them with their paperwork. Student associations and groups offer a wide variety of joint activities and events, tandem language courses, concerts, excursions, etc., to help the international students to feel welcome and integrated. The Language Centre offers German language courses at several different levels.

Accommodation

Accommodation in student residences is available. Please apply at the "Studentenwerk Thüringen" (http://www.stw-thueringen.de).
For further information, please visit our website at: http://www.stw-thueringen.de/english/housing/wohnen.html.

You can also look for single or shared private accommodation on your own. There are numerous information boards with accommodation offers in the buildings of the university. However, please note that the availability of private accommodation in Jena is rather limited.