Physics (Master)

From quantum to space physics

The four-semester Master’s programme will qualify you to work efficiently and independently in physics research as well as to solve complex problems in the modern world of technology and economics.

This requires both specialised knowledge and skills in strategical and practical thinking.

In particular, the Master’s programme introduces students to the interface between basic and applied research, an educational goal an institute of technology is particularly predestined for.

During your studies, you can choose from six areas of specialisation. You will have to select three of them to set the focus of your studies according to your interests:

• nanosystems

• collective phenomena

• quantum matter

• extraterrestrial physics

• astrophysics and planetology

• geophysics

Two thematic areas in focus

• quantum physics and technology

• space physics and technology

In the Quantum Physics and Technology profile, you will learn to investigate the physical foundations of modern technologies and build a bridge to their application. This gives rise to diverse links to topics in engineering science, offering studies with a strong interdisciplinary approach.

These links focus in particular on the areas of transport and information technology and precision metrology, which are strongly represented at TU Braunschweig.

In the Space Physics and Technology profile, you turn your attention to physical processes on the large space and time scales. The spectrum of topics ranges from the search for raw materials to questions about the origins of planetary magnetic fields to how our planetary system was formed and beyond.

This profile also offers interdisciplinary and application-oriented training. In this way, you acquire the necessary competence to successfully solve problems at the interface with the engineering sciences.

By choosing physical and non-physical elective modules (especially from electrical engineering and information technology, but also from other engineering and natural science subjects), you can develop a personal profile and acquire individual skills that will enable you to work in your profession.

The Master’s programme is also open to graduates with a Bachelor’s degree from other disciplines, e.g. mathematics, electrical engineering, computer science and mechanical engineering, if they can prove their aptitude through appropriate academic achievements.

Those who have gained experience abroad and speak a foreign language are particularly sought after by the economy. Today, large companies operate globally, research projects are carried out in international teams and specialised literature is written in English. It is therefore important that you take advantage of your studies to gain experience abroad and to professionalise your foreign language skills.

Within the framework of our international university partnerships, we offer you many opportunities to study abroad.:

• Europe: with universities in, for example, Scandinavia, Southern and Eastern Europe

• North America: with universities in the USA and Canada

• South America: with universities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico

• Asia: with universities in India, China, Japan and South Korea

Studying abroad [in German only] 

You can use the self-assessment of TU Braunschweig: Fit4TUis a computer-assisted questionnaire to assess your own expectations as well as the knowledge and skills needed for the degree programme.

Understanding the world of “physis”, the inanimate nature, investigating its phenomena and solving its mysteries—that is the objective of physics. If you enjoy logical thinking and like dealing with problems from a mathematical point of view, you certainly have good prerequisites for studying physics.

Indicators may be your school grades in physics and mathematics, although you do not necessarily have to have taken advanced courses in these subjects. What is important is whether you enjoyed studying these subjects in school.

In addition to enthusiasm for the subject, you also need to be able to concentrate and demonstrate stamina during your studies. Especially in experimental physics, you will need to be accurate and patient as well as skilled in handling technical equipment.

Knowledge of English is required in the Master’s programme at the latest, as most of the specialised literature is published in English. Basic knowledge is sufficient in order to read and understand it. In view of advancing globalisation in business and technology, however, English is becoming more and more important.

If you would therefore like to perfect your language skills, you can take advantage of in-house courses at the TU Language Centre, which are offered at various levels of difficulty—by the way, not only in English, but in around 15 languages.

Physicists are at home in all fields where, in addition to a high degree of abstraction, it is also necessary to be able to break down problems into smaller pieces which can be solved more easily and to make them more understandable in order to arrive at practical solutions. In industry and business, physicists are playing a decisive role in the development of new products and technologies.

Studying at TU Braunschweig means that you can acquire specialised knowledge by taking elective modules in physics and other fields. This way, you will develop individual skills needed for your future career.

These days, you can find jobs not only in research institutions or in industry, but also, for example, in public authorities (e.g. in radiation protection), in organisation assessment or in business consultancy. Innovations in science and technology are continuously opening up new career opportunities.