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Physics (M.Sc./Joint Degree)

Features

The M.Sc. Physics is a research-oriented degree program that qualifies students for challenging activities in research and development and prepares them for a doctorate in physics. The Faculty of Physics is characterized by a broad and internationally renowned research spectrum in which students are involved at an early stage. Experience excellent research first-hand and become part of our almost 60 renowned research groups!

Name:
Physics
Degree:
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Option:
Full-time studies or Part-time studies
Teaching language:
German and English
Standard period of study:
4 semesters
Start of studies:
Winter- and summer semester
Admission:
open

Get to know us


Details (work in progress)

The following research foci are offered in Physics at Göttingen University.

The curriculum in astrophysics begins with an introductory course that covers astrophysical objects and structures all the way from planetary to cosmological scales. Advanced lectures and seminars offer deeper insights into observational, theoretical, and data analysis techniques, specializing in particular in planetary and stellar physics on the one hand as well as early and late-time cosmology on the other.

The geophysical branch of the education centers around a general introduction to geophysics and lectures on fluid dynamics for which the main domains of application are oceanic and atmospheric circulations together with magnetic field generation. These phenomena are governed by the same principles on Earth and other planets, so that the subject of "geophyiscal fluid dynamics" naturally encompasses other planets than Earth.

Core modules of the study focus:
  • Introduction to Astrophysics
  • Einführung in die Geophysik (in German)
  • Numerical fluid dynamics
  • Introduction to Cosmology
  • Introduction to General Relativity
  • Physics of Galaxies
  • Stellar Strucutre and Evolution
  • Physics of Stellar Atmospheres
  • Exoplanets
  • Origin of Solar Systems
More modules:
  • Active Galaxies
  • Geophysikalische Strömungsmechanik (in German)
  • Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Physics of the Interior of the Sun and Stars
  • Data Analysis in Astrophysics
  • Space Weather
  • Telescopes and Instrumentation
  • Solar System Science
  • Seminar Astro-/Geophysics
  • Lab Courses Astro-/Geophysics (including observations with institute telescopes)

Biophysics addresses one of the arguably most complex scientific problems ever: understanding life from a quantitative, predictive point of view. Rephrased more modestly, biophysics is concerned with the measurement, simulation and analytical understanding of biological matter on the level of molecules, cells or biological systems. Challenges are many: from phenomena of biomolecular interaction and self-assembly to active non-equilibrium processes and force generation in cells, from circuits of excitability and signaling to the formation of tissues, and the dynamics of populations. Close interdisciplinary interactions with life science and biomedical fields are for granted, but physics remains at the center of the field, in terms of statistical mechanics, optics, computer simulations, and a plethora of emerging new experimental techniques.

Core modules of the study focus:
  • Modern Experiment Methods of Biophysics
  • Optical measurement techniques
  • Processing of signals and measured data
  • Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience: Collective dynamics of biological neural Networks I + II
  • Advanced Computational Neuroscience
  • Introduction to biophysics
  • Active Matter
  • Statistical Biophysics
  • Dynamics of living systems
  • Nonlinear dynamics, time series analysis, and machine learning
  • Statistical Physics of Neural Networks and Learning
  • Seminar on current topics in theoretical biophysics
  • Dynamics and self-organization in physics and biology
More modules:
  • Aktuelle Themen der Strömungsmechanik
  • Biomedical Imaging
  • Synchrotron and Free-Electron Laser Radiation
  • X-ray physics
  • Machine learning paper club
  • Strömungsmechanisches Seminar
  • Kompressible Strömungen
  • Modern Image Processing
  • Nonlinear dynamics, time series analysis, and machine learning
  • Seminar on Living Matter Physics
  • Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience: Collective dynamics of biological neural Networks I + II
  • Theoretical Biofluid Mechanics

The physics of condensed matter differs enormously from that of free particles, because of the complex interactions experienced by the building blocks of matter. This has generated new physics questions right at the forefront of current research, both within universities and in industry, ranging from strong electronic correlations and the emergent behaviour arising from nano-structuring to questions concerning the production and use of complex materials.

Solid state physics starts from an atomic scale picture and generally requires a quantum mechanical description of a many-body system. Materials physicssits at the interface of physics, chemistry and materials science and investigates fundamental correlations between the micro-structure of any given material and its resulting properties. The trend towards nano-structured, complex materials requires a broad skill set across both fields. The masters stream in solid state and materials physics reflects this; while standard solid state lectures are offered in most universities, the combination with materials physics that Göttingen offers provides a rare advantage.

Research in this area in Göttinger is carried out within four research groups, an Emmy Noether research group and a junior research group, including in total around 15 postdoctoral researchers; research activities centre on high energy and ion beam physics. The high energy group is involved in several large experiments both in data analysis and detector development. Data from the ATLAS-Detector at the LHC at CERN (Geneva) are being evaluated with the aim of finding signatures of supersymmetry and further support for the Higgs boson, as well as advanced research into top quarks. Data from the D0-experiment at the Tevatron accelerator at Fermilab (Chicago) . are also being used for this purpose. In addition, the group contributes to the development of new detectors for accelerators, including the planned International Linear Collider (ILC), the upgrade of the Belle-experiment, and a pixel detector for further development of the ATLAS-detector. As the data analysis aspects of the research require substantial computing power, the group also works on Grid Computing and has a strong involvement in the Göttingen Grid-Resource-Centre GöGrid.

The "Theoretical Physics" stream offers a broad-based curriculum covering the whole range of theoretical physics, both classical and quantum, and a spectrum of methods from analytical calculations to advanced computational approaches. Core courses include Advanced Statistical Mechanics, Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Methods of Computational Physics and a project-based module on Advanced Computational Physics. A broad range of additional advanced modules bring students up to the edge of current research. A further special feature are modules emphasizing methodological connections, such as a seminar on Classical-quantum connections in theoretical physics.

Core modules of the study focus:
  • Advanced Quantum Mechanics
  • Advanced Statistical Physics
  • Methods of Computational Physics
  • Advanced Computational Physics
  • Classical-quantum connections in theoretical physics
  • Current Topics in Theoretical Physics
  • Introduction to Solid State Theory
  • Quantum Field Theory
  • Physics with Fluctuating Paths
More modules:
  • Advanced Solid State Theory
  • Hands-on Density Functional Theory
  • Quantum Information Theory
  • Dynamics on networks
  • Introduction to Statistical Machine Learning
  • SIntroduction to String Theory 2
  • String Theory II
  • Soft Matter and Polymers
  • Theoretical Neuroscience II

More Details


Admission Requirements

Previous education

Bachelor's degree in Physics or in related subject with at least three years of study and at least 180 Credits:

Language Requirements

Applicants must provide proof of English and/or German skills as outlined below.

  • Applicants whose native language is not English must provide English proficiency according to CEFR B.2.2
  • Applicants whose native language is not German and who neither meet a German university entrance qualification nor have acquired their bachelor degree at a German university, must provide proof of their German proficiency according to DSH Level 2
  • Proof of German skills are not necessary for applicants whose native language is English or who provide English proficiency according to CEFR B2 and German proficiency according to DSH Level 2

Application Deadline

Applicants from the EU

  • June, 15th for the following winter semester
  • December, 1st for the following summer

Applicants from outside of the EU

  • April, 15th for the following winter semester
  • October, 15th for the following summer

Required documents (mandatory upload in the application portal)

Applicants from the EU

  • CV (german or english)
  • Bachelor Degree Certificate including Transcript of Records (german or english) If you don't have finished your Bachelor yet but already received 150 Credits you have to upload only your Transcript of Records (including your Grade average).
  • If you do/did not graduate from a German university, you must upload a grading scheme of your university.
  • Language Certificate(s): English B2 and German: C1 OR English C1. The Language Certificate(s) could be handed in later (but at the latest at time of enrollment).
      If indicated:
    • confirmation of scholarship,
    • exchange semester abroad,
    • internship,
    • apprenticeship,
    • participation in a research project or
    • board-activity.

Applicants from outside of the EU

  • CV (german or english)
  • Bachelor Degree Certificate in a certified copy in english or german. If you don't have finished your Bachelor yet but already received 150 Credits you can hand in a Transcript of Records (including your Grade average).
  • If you do/did not graduate from a German university, you must upload a grading scheme of your university.
  • If your university do not use the credit point system, you must upload a programme pathway.
  • Verified result of the GRE Physics test, please use the DI Code 4056 and indicate our institution as a score recipient.
  • Language Certificate(s): English B2 and German: C1 OR English C1. The Language Certificate(s) could be handed in later (but at the latest at time of enrollment).

Testimonials

Platzhalter 100 Pixel männlich
“I chose to come to Göttingen because they have a research oriented program where I could study particle physics. A great part is that the program is in English, so you can experience Germany without worrying whether your German is good enough to understand your courses.
This also applies to the city, which is very international. The city also has a nice size, it has everything you need, but it is still easy to get around and the city doesn’t feel too crammed.”

R. Riksted, First Semester M.Sc. Physics

Katharina Priebe
“The special feature of Göttingen is the variety of physical subjects. When I started studying physics here, I was sure I would specialize in particle or astrophysics.
During my studies, I had the opportunity to realize that solid-state physics was much more fun. And because of the great research group in this area I’m also doing my PhD here in Göttingen.”

K. Priebe, Graduate Masterstudent in Physics


Our campus


Your studies


Contact

Questions on programme

Dr. Richard Vink

Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1
Room: B01.132
37077 Göttingen

Phone: +49 551 39 25030

E-Mail: rvink1@gwdg.de

Hybrid consultation

Fri, 10.30 am - 11.30 am (personal consultation)

by agreement virtual consultation room

During the lecture-free period, the student advisory service takes place only by prior appointment.

Student counceling

Dr. Yvonne Lips

Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1
Room: B.01.133
37077 Göttingen

Phone: +49 551 39 26833

E-Mail: yvonne.lips@phys.uni-goettingen.de

Opening hours Dean of Studies Office

Monday - Thursday: 9 am – 4 pm
Friday: 9 am - 1pm (Lips: Home-Office)
If you should not find us personally during this time, you can reach us by telephone or by email.