Physics

© Fachrichtung Physik

Physics is the origin of all natural sciences. Through experimentation and precise observation, it attempts to understand the laws of nature, to map them into mathematical models and to make use of the knowledge gained. Physics determines our everyday life by laying the foundations for modern technological developments. Physics spans the world of the very largest in astronomy to the world of the smallest elementary particles, from synthetic materials in solid-state physics and materials science to living systems in biophysics and medical physics.

In addition to its diverse subject matter, modern physics is defined by its methods. Experimental physics traces relationships through specific experiments and measurements. State-of-the-art equipment is often used or even newly developed for this purpose. Theoretical physics establishes models formulated with the language of mathematics and examines them for their consequences and predictions. The most powerful computers available are often used for these investigations. Both subfields of physics are interconnected and depend on close cooperation. For all of physics, discovering new things and learning to understand the laws of nature is exciting and challenging!

 
Bachelor Physics

The physics program leading to the degree "Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)" pursues the goal of familiarizing students with the fundamental interactions and the associated basic properties of matter. Students learn to formulate physical phenomena as mathematical laws and to verify them experimentally. Following the bachelor's degree, most students go on to study for a master's degree. Important note: All courses of the B.Sc. program in physics are taught in German language! In contrast, however, the Master program is offered in English.

In the theoretical-physical training, the subfields of classical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics and statistical physics are introduced and supplemented by a series of basic mathematical lectures.

In the experimental part of the training, a comprehensive overview of physical phenomena and the underlying laws is given. The subfields covered include mechanics, electrodyanmics, thermodynamics, optics, atomic and quantum physics, solid state physics, and nuclear and elementary particle physics. Another important goal is to introduce students to the key role of experiments, which serve to verify theoretical predictions on the one hand and to develop physical laws and new questions on the other.

The education is complemented by an elective block , in which on the one hand interdisciplinary and on the other hand advanced physical contents are offered. In this area, a targeted preparation for the start of a career can also take place within the framework of an industrial internship. A stay abroad during your studies can broaden your horizon considerably. After prior consultation, achievements made abroad can be recognized. The EU supports a stay abroad through the ERASMUS program.

The bachelor's degree in physics thus provides the basis both for an early, practice-oriented career in industry and business and for a more scientifically oriented education within the framework of a consecutive master's degree program with a specialization in one of our research foci. The main research areas of Saarbrücken Physics are biophysics, nanostructures and quantum technologies.

Master Physics

Physics (national and international) (Master, consecutive)

The study of physics in the research-oriented Master's program, with the degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.), provides students with in-depth technical knowledge, skills and methods that enable them to work independently in science, to come up with innovative ideas, to critically classify scientific findings and to act responsibly.

Students receive a sound education in physics as well as an insight into the content and methods of neighboring sciences. The education in the Master's program includes modules in theoretical and experimental physics. Connections to neighboring disciplines or applications of physics in engineering or life sciences or in medicine are established through the non-physics elective. Interdisciplinary key qualifications and content are also taught as part of the program, e.g. an introduction to the planning and coordination of scientific projects or training in skills for the comprehensible communication of scientific findings.

In the first year of study, advanced concepts of solid state physics and atomic physics are taught in the experimental part of the course (module 'Experimental Physics V') as well as the application of modern experimental methods in the advanced practical course IIa.
Furthermore, students can set a personal focus by choosing a specialization: In the specialization Theoretical Physics, advanced concepts of quantum physics are taught in the theoretical physics course (module 'Theoretical Physics V'). In the experimental physics specialization, advanced concepts of quantum physics are taught to a reduced extent in the theoretical-physical training (module 'Theoretical Physics Ve') and an extended practical course is offered (module 'Physics. Practical Course for Advanced Students IIb').

The second year of the Master's program can be characterized as a research phase. In the third semester, students are specifically prepared to carry out the Master's thesis, which is the final stage of the program.

The Master's program prepares physicists for the fields of activity in industry, research institutions and public institutions. Due to the very broad-based education within the physics program, graduates have a wide range of options for starting their careers. Overall, the job market situation can be rated as very favorable. The fields of employment include the area of research/development with a focus on natural and engineering sciences, e.g. biotechnology, environmental technology, energy technology, optics technology and medical technology, the area of universities and research institutions as well as the service sector, e.g. for strategic management consulting. Likewise, the field of information technology is an important part of the job market for physicists.

It is also possible to spend part or all of your studies at the partner universities as part of a cooperation program. More information about this program can be found here.

Teaching Physics

The subject physics can be chosen as a general education subject for the teaching profession at vocational schools (LAB), for the teaching profession for lower secondary schools and upper secondary schools (LS1 + 2) as well as for lower secondary schools (LS1).

In their teaching, physics teachers arouse students' curiosity about physics and its applications and focus their teaching on the development of students' personalities. Teachers convey basic results and introduce students to typical methods of physics. Students are expected to develop a sense of the applicability and strength of physical methods in solving technical problems, in answering questions from the other sciences, and in understanding everyday phenomena.

As part of the compulsory courses, content in experimental physics and theoretical physics is studied in the specialized scientific part of the program.

In the elective part, these studies can be deepened and selected modules from mathematics, computer science and chemistry can be studied.

In addition to the subject-specific studies, the teacher training program includes subject-specific didactic and practical school studies.

International Physics / DFL study program

Integrated tri-national (DEU-FRA-LUX) program of physics:

 

The three universities of Nancy, Luxembourg and Saarbrücken offer integrated courses of study in physics - the Franco-German-Luxembourgian course of study in physics as a bachelor's degree and as a master's degree. "Integrated" in this context means that students spend one year each during their studies at the respective university and thus a stay abroad. The content taught at each university is thus coordinated through the overall program, complementing each other perfectly to provide a complete physics education. "Integrated" also means that the students form a group of Germans, French or other EU countries, which stays together the whole time. Thus, there is a direct exchange with students from abroad.

This means that there is not only a professional but also a linguistic and cultural exchange between neighboring European countries.

Participating students thus have the opportunity, without extending the duration of their studies and within the framework of their physics studies, to acquire language competence in the partner language in an international group of students, to get to know the culture of the neighboring countries and, last but not least, to obtain the qualifying professional degrees of all participating universities. Thus, after the third year, a trinational bachelor's degree certificate is awarded, which includes the full degree at all three universities.

Homepage of the integrated tri-national (DEU-FRA-LUX) program

BACHELOR study program:

Study plan

MASTER study program:

Study plan

If you would like to apply for the international master's program in physics, please contact the program officer.