Master of Science in Physics (International Physics)

In the Master's degree course in Physics, students can choose between three specialisations: With the General Physics specialisation, any modules from the course catalogue can be selected. This specialisation offers the opportunity to specialise according to your own preferences. While the course of study contains advanced general lectures about experimental and theoretical physics that leave all options for subsequent career paths open, many of the specialised compulsory elective courses focus on computational physics and materials science, with a particular focus on the optoelectronic properties of micro- and nano-structures (i.e., their fabrication, characterisation, spectroscopic properties, device applications, and theoretical simulation). The Photonic Quantum Technologies specialisation offers an in-depth insight into the highly topical field of quantum technologies, including the courses in Quantum Optics, Quantum Computing and Quantum Information Technology. The PhoQS (Institute for Photonic Quantum Systems) offers excellent research conditions for the course and beyond. The focus area in Optoelectronics, Materials, Devices offers a specialisation in the extremely relevant field of optoelectronic semiconductor elements, optics and photonics. With this specialisation, you will be ideally qualified for demanding tasks in research and industry. The respective specialisation is noted on the degree certificate. In the first two semesters, you will attend lectures in theoretical and experimental physics as well as seminars. There is a compulsory course in advanced quantum mechanics in the first semester, but most other courses during this phase are elective courses and can be chosen according to your interests and desired specialisation. The lectures are accompanied by practical classes in which experiments are performed and/or theoretical exercises in which solutions to physics problems are worked out and presented by the students. In addition, you will learn to develop a scientific topic based on existing literature and present it to your fellow students in two seminars. In addition, there are two courses on technical English, which expand subject-related English skills and promote the necessary communication skills for study, research and work. In your second year, you will join one of the research groups within the department and work on a supervised individual research project that will form the basis for your Master's thesis. The special skills and knowledge required for the project are acquired during a preparatory phase in the third semester. After completion of the research project, the written thesis will be submitted at the end of the fourth semester. Usually, the thesis work is defended in a colloquium, which consists of a presentation followed by questions. Course objectives Degree holders have a deep understanding of the fundamentals of physics and have the qualifications for independent scientific work in research and technology. The special expertise in quantum technologies, optoelectronics, materials science, and/or computational physics (depending on the choice of specialisation), represents a key advantage for employment in the optics and electronics industry or in relevant academic institutions. The degree also qualifies graduates to enter PhD programmes in Paderborn or elsewhere. PDF Download