Physics

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: German English
Deadline: Jul 15, 2024
StudyQA ranking:3023 Duration:2 years
In the two basic courses Experimental Physics and Theoretical Physics, students deepen and widen their skills to pose, analyse and solve complex experimental and theoretical problems by combining different concepts and methods from various fields of physics.
As an example, common strategies are presented for studying the properties of physical systems via their structure and excitation on various length and energy scales ranging from particle and nuclear physics via molecular physics to solid state physics.
The focus of the Master's programme in physics at the TU Dresden lies on its specialisation programme. In one of six specialisation areas, students obtain an overview of today's state of knowledge and important recent developments, learn about open questions and reach the forefront of research. Specialisation areas are Applied Solid State Physics and Photonics, Electronic Properties of Solids, Structure of Condensed Matter, Soft Condensed Matter and Biological Physics, Particle and Nuclear Physics, and Theoretical Physics.
In the first six months of a one-year-long research phase, which comprises the second half of the two-year programme, students learn how to apply their physics knowledge to solve a scientific problem in one of the six specialisation areas. In the last six months they use these scientific working skills for their own scientific research in their Master's thesis.
Finally, in the non-physics minor, selected topics from a neighbouring field are presented, creating a basic understanding of problems in another field of science and the ability to carry out interdisciplinary work. Students can choose between several topics from the fields of mathematics, biomathematics, biology, molecular biology, chemistry, informatics, materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and philosophy.

Educational organisation

First year:
1) Experimental Physics (two semesters)
lecture : exercise class : seminar : individual studies = 3:1:1:3
2) Theoretical Physics (two semesters)
lecture : exercise class : seminar : individual studies = 3:1:1:3
3) Specialisation Courses (two semesters)
lecture : exercise class : seminar/lab/individual studies = 9:3:4
4) Specialised Seminar (one semester)
seminar : individual studies = 2:1
5) Non-Physics Minor (two semesters)
lecture : exercise class/seminar/lab = 6:2
(Numbers give the time of course attendance in hours/week summed up over the semesters, e.g. three hours/week lecture and one hour/week other formats in each of two semesters gives 6:2.)

Second year:
1) Research practice (six months)
2) Master's thesis (six months)

For most modules, both English and German choices are offered. For the two modules Experimental Physics and Theoretical Physics, in which the lectures are taught in German only, both English and German exercise classes and seminars are offered. Free choice of English or German language is possible for each exam and for the Master's thesis.

Study abroad unit(s)

Optional, recommended study-abroad window is the summer semester of the first year.

Forms of assessment

The final grade of the Master's degree is calculated from five assessments as follows:
1) Experimental Physics (oral exam, 13 ECTS credits): 13%
2) Theoretical Physics (oral exam, 13 ECTS credits): 13%
3) Specialisation Course (oral exam, 15 ECTS credits): 26%
4) Master's Thesis (written thesis, 30 ECTS credits): 35%
5) Non-Physics Minor (mixed exam forms, 13 ECTS credits): 13%
A further six ECTS credits are to be collected by a pass/fail oral presentation in the specialised seminar and 30 ECTS credits are gained by a pass/fail oral defence of six months of research practice.

Course objectives

Students deepen their scientific knowledge and widen their views about relationships within physics and between physics and neighbouring disciplines. They deepen and widen their skills to pose, analyse and solve complex experimental and theoretical problems by combining different concepts and methods from various fields of physics. In one of six specialisation areas they gain an overview of today's state of knowledge and important recent developments, and learn about open questions.
In a one-year-long research phase comprising the second half of the two-year programme, they acquire scientific working skills and reach the forefront of international physics research in their specialisation area. They acquire the skill to study cutting-edge physical problems and to design and carry out experiments or theoretical calculations. They thoroughly analyse and discuss the results from various aspects and draw conclusions about their importance and their relation to the progress of science and to technical innovations.
At the same time, they see the relations to nearby disciplines, understand their importance and are able to benefit from them.

Language requirements

Without proof of sufficient knowledge of English, applicants must provide proof of their German skills at DSH-2 or TestDaF 4 level.
In the case of proven English language proficiency at levels IELTS 6.0, TOEIC 850, TOEFL iBT 94 or similar, as an English native speaker or with an English-language Bachelor of Science, reduced admission requirements for the German language are applicable, e.g. DSH-1 or TestDaF 3, corresponding to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference. Other German language certificates or several years of proven successful German at a secondary school can be accepted as equivalent after individual review of the documents.
For international students who want to acquire better German language competencies, courses are offered in an optional preparatory semester as part of a tutorial programme at the TU Dresden International Office.

Required DSH / TestDaF

Yes

Academic requirements

Bachelor's degree in Physics
(On request, a Bachelor of Science in related fields such as biophysics or nanoscience if the education in physics and mathematics is equivalent to that of the Bachelor of Physics.)

Enrolment fees

The enrolment fee is currently about 260 EUR per semester and includes a semester ticket, which entitles students to use public transport in and around Dresden and regional trains within the federal state of Saxony. Additionally, it offers benefits (e.g. price reductions) for many cultural and leisure activities in Dresden.

Costs of living

The cost of living varies according to personal needs and preferences. However, about 700 EUR per month represents an average budget for a student in Dresden, including expenses for accommodation, food, items of everyday life, and insurance.
(This figure is relatively low compared to other big German cities.)

Job opportunities

Several university institutes and nearby research institutes offer student assistant positions for support work in teaching and research.

Funding opportunities within the university

The university has a scholarship programme for excellent students within the framework of the German "Deutschlandstipendien", a stipend of 300 EUR per month. Selection criteria are, amongst others, outstanding academic performance and commitment, and openness and curiosity about meeting and exchanging ideas with people from other university departments.
https://tu-dresden.de/studium/rund_ums_studium/foerderung-und-finanzierung/deutschlandstipendium

Arrival support

The university provides counselling via e-mail and personal appointments regarding all matters related to arrival and living in Dresden, guided campus tours, and welcome receptions to which new students are invited to meet other students and professors.
For PhD students and researchers, the Welcome Center also provides additional support services concerning visa issues, finding suitable accommodation, etc.

Services and support for international students

TU Dresden International Office offers a tutor network that helps new international students organise their studies. All international freshers are invited to an introduction day at the beginning of their first semester, on which they will also meet their tutors.
Furthermore, the International Office's cultural office and various student initiatives provide a plethora of social and cultural activities each semester (guided city tours, trips in the region and to other cities in Germany or neighbouring countries, language tandems, etc.).

Accommodation

It is quite easy to find accommodation in Dresden. Accommodation is available either via the Studentenwerk Dresden or on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student residence is approx. 250 EUR.
Private housing can be found online. We recommend moving into a hall of residence at the beginning of your stay in Dresden and later find a place on the private market or in a shared apartment, known in German as a "Wohngemeinschaft".
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Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 3.55 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 3.55 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 15, 2025 StudyQA ranking: 4878