Program Overview

Quantum Universe Research School

The Quantum Universe Research School offers a graduate school for PhD students as part of the MIN Graduate Center (MINGZ) of Universit酹 Hamburg's Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences. The framework for the QURS graduate school is given by the academic regulations for doctoral degree coursework on the MIN Doctoral Program.

Curriculum

The QURS curriculum includes a range of academic and soft skill courses. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in research topics of the Center in Hamburg for Astro-, Mathematical and Particle Physics.

Core Courses

Core Courses are recommended from year 1, depending on the respective background of the doctoral candidates. They aim at providing QURS fellows with an overview of the six QURS research areas. The Core Courses include:

• Field Theory
• String Theory
• Mathematical Physics
• Theoretical and Experimental Particle Physics
• Cosmology, Astrophysics, Astroparticle Physics and Gravitational Physics
• Accelerator Physics

The accounted credit points (CP) correspond to those listed in STINE:

• C1: Quantum Field Theory I, Quantum Field Theory II, Quantum Mechanics II (8 CP each)
• C2: Introduction to Supersymmetry and Supergravity, Introduction to String Theory (6 CP each)
• C3: Mathematical Physics (module M-Math) (12 CP each)
• C4: Physics of the Standard Model, Phenomenology of Physics beyond the Standard Model, Experiments on Physics beyond the Standard Model, Advanced Particle Physics, Instrumentation and Analysis Methods, Particle Physics and the LHC (6 CP each)
• C5: General Theory of Relativity, Experimental Astroparticle Physics, Theoretical Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology, Cosmology (8 CP each)
• C6: Accelerator Physics I, Accelerator Physics I (5 CP each)

Advanced Courses

Advanced Courses are recommended from year 2. Although these courses are based on the Core Courses, a successful participation in these Advanced Courses is independent of the Core Courses. Advanced topics in Mathematical Physics are specific courses on different topics and duration. The Advanced Courses include:

• A1: Conformal Field Theory (3 CP)
• A2: String Theory (corresponding courses are offered as block courses)
• A3: Mathematical Physics (module M-Spez) (3 CP each)
• A4: Renormalization of spontaneously broken theories, Higgs Physics, Quantum Chromodynamics (3 CP each)
• A5: Gravitational-Wave Detection (8 CP)
• A6: Plasma Acceleration (8 CP)

Focus Courses

Focus Courses can be taken from year 1. The Focus Courses consist of two types of classes: a) block courses and b) special lectures series. The Focus Courses include:

• F1: Computer Algebra and Particle Physics (2.5 CP, 5 days)
• F2: String Steilkurs 1, String Steilkurs 2 (2.5 CP, 5 days)
• F3: PIER Graduate Week (up to 2 CP, 0.5 CP per attended course)
• F4: Quantum Universe Lectures (3 lectures) (0.5 CP)
• F5: External schools (e.g., summer schools, Helmholtz Schools etc.) (CP calculated case by case, typically 0.5 CP per full day)

Seminars

There are several seminars offered on a regular basis in mathematical physics, particle physics, and astrophysics. Given active participation, up to 6 CP can be awarded. The seminars include:

• QURS PhD Seminars: doctoral fellows give an overview of their research area/project, or important developments in the area.
• Presentations: doctoral fellows should give a presentation on their research at least once a year.

Teaching Experience

Teaching experience is very important for early career researchers pursuing a scientific career. Therefore, QURS encourages all doctoral fellows to teach exercise classes. Teaching experience will be credited for the Transcript of Records (TOR) as part of the skills section (1 teaching hour (LVS) = 1 CP).

Skills Courses

QURS offers a comprehensive set of skills courses organized by the PIER Education Platform (PEP) in a joint effort with several graduate programs on Campus Bahrenfeld. The skills courses include:

• PIER Education Platform (PEP)
• PIER Graduate Week (soft skills) (0.5 CP per soft skill course attended over 4 days)
• Hamburg Research Academy (HRA)
• MIN Graduate Center (MINGZ)
• University Career Center
• University HR Development Career Development Cycle
• DESY HR Development

Regulations for the QURS Transcript of Records

Under the following conditions, full members of QURS obtain a Transcript of Records (TOR) at the end of their doctoral program:

• At least 18 CP are collected over the PhD period.
• At least 12 CP of these are collected via academic lectures/scientific events.
• At least 3 CP and up to 6 CP of these are collected via teaching or skills courses.
• The advisory panel meetings have taken place and the panel reports are documented.

Attendence of lecture courses and locally offered skills courses is regularly documented via registration. The successful completion of external activities needs to be proven by certificates issued by the organizers or via a copy of the program and the list of participants.