Program Overview

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Physics M.Sc.

Key Info

Basic Information

• Degree: Master of Science
• Start of Studies: Winter Semester, Summer Semester
• Standard Period of Studies: 4 semesters
• ECTS Credits: 120
• Language: English

Admission Requirements

• First university degree, required qualifications according to the examination regulations
• Proficiency in English

Admission to First Semester

• Open (No NC)

Admission to Higher Semesters

• Open (No NC)

Dates and Deadlines

• Overview

Program Description

The RWTH Aachen University offers a novel international Master’s program in physics. Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to flexibly choose a desired course of study falling either into the research direction of Particle and Astroparticle Physics or Condensed Matter Physics, with an experimental or a theoretical focus. The large physics department in Aachen, comprising of 11 research institutes, provides a rich variety of basic and specialised Master’s courses and an opportunity to participate in top-quality research at one of the best technical universities in Germany.

RWTH Aachen University is a world-renowned institution in the international community of particle physicists, both in theoretical and experimental fields. Our institutes are involved in the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva, at which the last sought-after elementary particle of the standard model was discovered, the Higgs-Boson. Questions from astroparticle physics and cosmology are also answered through involvement in the AMS experiment on the International Space Station.

The research groups in the Department of Physics have strong international networks. For this reason, the international experience of our graduates is very important to us. We happily support stays abroad; however, work with international research groups during Master theses also offers diverse opportunities for international experiences. Furthermore, the international physics Master course of study is held in English.

As a technical university, RWTH Aachen offers physics students in particular many possibilities to get to know interdisciplinary topics in engineering. This is illustrated in the Master's specialization fields nanoelectronics and Quantum Technology, which are offered together with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. The DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology, or the Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Technology are also collaborators.

Overall, physics studies in Aachen offer graduates a great deal, that prepares them outstandingly for later professional challenges, whether they be in basic research or in industry.

Degree Content

The international Master's program in Physics is a two-year program. The first year consists of lectures, seminars, and lab courses. The second year is dedicated to an individual research project.

The international Master’s curriculum is organized along six different tracks:

• Experimental Particle Physics
• Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology
• Quantum Field Theory and Gauge Theories
• Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Nanoelectronics
• Quantum Technology
• Condensed Matter Theory

For each track, the first year of Master’s studies has several mandatory courses as well as elective courses. The elective courses can be chosen from the many specialisation courses offered by the department of Physics in Aachen, researchers at the research center in Jülich, as well as elective courses from other related Master’s programs (biophysics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, laser technology, material science, etc.). An overview of these courses is available in the Course Module Catalogue. The available specialised courses can vary from term-to-term or year-to-year. The curriculum is set up to offer maximum flexibility and allows students to select courses which prepare them to achieve the research goals of the second Master's year.

At the end of the first year of studies, students choose a Master's thesis supervisor in one of the institutes. During the second year, the students will complete a Master's thesis research project. The precise form of the project depends on the research topic and is developed together with the responsible supervisor. In the last semester, the students complete their Master's thesis work, write up their Master’s thesis, and give a presentation about their research project (Master's defense colloquium).

Subsidiary Subjects

Courses from other Master´s programs can be selected to specialise in one of the following subsidiary subjects:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Economics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Biophysics
• Chemistry
• Energy Technology
• Computer Science
• Geophysics
• Crystallography
• Laser Technology
• Aerospace Technology
• Mathematics
• Patent System
• Philosophy
• Technical Acoustics
• Process Technology
• Electronic Materials
• Physics of Materials Some of these courses are not taught in English.

Study Abroad

The Department of Physics maintains research and teaching collaborations with a number of European and non-European universities. Stays abroad in the shape of internships and study abroad are highly recommended. It is possible to complete one or two semesters abroad at one of our numerous European partner universities during the first academic year as part of the ERASMUS program.

Laboratory Courses and Research Projects

The laboratory courses take place in special laboratories of the physics department, which offer an excellent up-to-date equipment. The courses of the first year of study provide the qualification for the research project of the second year of study. The results of this research project are described and presented in the Master’s thesis. The research project can be chosen from one of the current research fields in the department of physics, the Forschungszentrum Jülich, or another institute of RWTH Aachen University.

Prerequisites

Academic Prerequisites

In order to be sufficiently qualified for the Master’s course in Physics, the student applicant must have acquired a fundamental education in physics with knowledge as it is acquired in a regular Bachelor’s program in physics. The specific requirements can be found in the examination regulations of the Master’s program. The decision on the admission of the candidates is taken by the board of examiners.

Language Prerequisites

The Master’s program in physics is an international program. Courses are taught in English language. Student applicants who have not obtained their academic qualification at an English-language institution or who are not English native speakers must prove sufficient fluency in English.

Detailed Information

You can find more information about the prerequisites on the department´s website.

Graduate Records Examination (GRE)

Applicants with a nationality of a country outside the EU/EEA are required to submit the results of a GRE Subject Test in physics. The GRE Subject Test is conducted several times a year. Alternatively, we also accept the GRE General Test, which is offered more frequently.

Career Prospects

Detailed information on career perspectives can be found at the website of the German Physical Society.

Module Handbook and Examination Regulations

The module handbook provides a description of all modules of a degree program and offers a comprehensive insight into the program contents. The examination regulations are comprised of legally binding provisions on learning objectives, prerequisites for study, the course structure and processes, and examination procedures.

Faculty

The Master course of study in Physics is offered by the Department of Physics in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Academic Advising

• Advising and Services for School Students and Prospective Students
• Advising for Students
• Departmental Academic Advisors
• Student Councils Within Faculties
• Advice & Assistance

Formalities

• Legal Information for Starting Studies in the First Core Semester
• Legal Information for Starting Studies in Higher Core Semesters

Information before Beginning Studies

• Bridge Courses
• First-Year Orientation

International Prospective Students

International students are welcome to apply for the Master’s program in Physics. The program is designed to be international, and courses are taught in English. International students can find more information about the application process and requirements on the department’s website.