International Physics Studies Programme (Honours) Leipzig University

Knowledge of the physical world has been imparted to students of Leipzig University since it was founded in 1409. In 1557, the first professorship of physics in Leipzig was created and in 1871, one of the first chairs for geography in Germany was set up at Leipzig University. In the 20th century, physics in Leipzig flourished with researchers such as Otto Wiener, Ludwig Boltzmann, Werner Heisenberg or Gustav Hertz. Today the subject physics is offered in German and English. More than 1,700 students from about 40 countries are working towards the coveted degrees at the Faculty of Physics and Earth Sciences.

This Bachelor's course is a traditional university education in physics. The aim of the Bachelor of Science course in Physics is to provide international and German students with a basic scientific understanding. Fundamental courses in experimental physics, theoretical physics and mathematics given in English language provide an overview over the whole spectrum of topics in the field of physics. Laboratory courses introduce to the basics of measurement in physics.

Choosing advanced specialisation courses from a catalogue of state-of-the-art physical research, you will be enabled to develop and follow your own interests, which you may further pursue in a Master’s programme. A range of topics outside physics, including chemistry, informatics and languages, complete the Bachelor's course. The programme is concluded by a first research project, which is documented in the BSc thesis.

Overview of topics covered in our course programme:

• Experimental Physics
• Mathematics
• Theoretical Physics
• Physical Modelling and General Physics labs
• Advanced Physics lab course and Project lab

In graduating in the BSc IPSP (Honours) programme, you will acquire fundamental competences in physics, measurement technology and applied mathematics. This guarantees a head start in the job market, which presents rapidly changing challenges to graduates. Due to the acquirement of analytical research competences and prob­lem solving strategies during their studies, physicists are often sought after even in areas quite unrelated to physics, e.g. in management consultancies. However, with a successful Bachelor's degree in Physics, you will be invited to continue your education in the form of Master's studies in Physics or in a related subject.

The course contents are taught in single, organisationally independent units (modules). Modules contain clearly defined areas of knowledge that have a factual or thematic relationship. Modules might contain various teaching units, e.g. lectures (L), seminars (S) or laboratories (P) and are concluded by a final exam. Modules are rated by their teaching load in credit points (CP); one credit point corresponds to an average working load of 30 hours.

The core of the study programme comprises several subjects:

• Experimental Physics (Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat, Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Atomic Physics, Molecular Physics, Soft Matter and Solid State Physics)
• General and Advanced Laboratory Courses, Introduction to Python programming
• Mathematics (Linear Algebra, Advanced Differential and Integral Calculus, Sequences and Series, Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations)
• Theoretical Physics (Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Field Theory, Special Relativity, Thermodynamics, Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Physics)

The remaining credit points are awarded for the specialisation courses in topical physics areas, in the non-physics electives (language courses, chemistry, informatics, external internship), for the advanced seminar and for the Bachelor's thesis.

You can specialise in the following areas of physics:

• Semiconductor Physics, Materials Science,
• Photonics and Quantum Technology,
• Soft and Active Matter, Biophysics,
• Spin Resonance and Magnetism,
• Black Holes and Cosmology, Relativity,
• Quantum Statistics, Quantum Field Theory,
• Theoretical Condensed Matter,
• Non-Linear Dynamics,
• Astrophysics

An indispensable tool of physics is mathematics. Therefore, the participation in a preparation course in mathematics is highly recommended, but it is not compulsory. The course is usually held in the last two weeks of September.

There are possibilities to do internships at:

• Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering
• Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences 
• Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ 
• Helmholtz Centre Dresden Rossendorf (HZDR) Research Size Leipzig
• Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research

The general or subject-oriented matriculation standard (12 years of school attendance) is necessary for admission. Further certificates have to be acknowledged by the responsible and officially recognised administration. Extended school courses in mathematics and/or physics are recommended, but not obligatory.

Check the uni-assist database to see whether your certificate qualifies you for admission to German universities: https://www.uni-assist.de/en/tools/check-university-admission/.

Information on important additional country-specific requirements is also given.

Recommended skills: The main reason for studying physics ought to be a love of the subject. After the first lecture, students soon realise that physics at university level is a different matter to school physics: the degree programme involves logical thinking, self-organised independent learning and a precise method of working. Other necessary skills are the perseverance and patience required to complete weekly problem sheets. In addition, creativity and capacity for teamwork are also very useful.

312.30 EUR

About 900–1,000 EUR per month

There is the possibility of finding student positions with a wage of up to 556 EUR per month. Starting in the third semester, the department might employ students for homework corrections, programming, specific laboratory work, and tutorials.

https://www.uni-leipzig.de/studium/beratungs-und-serviceangebote/career-service/

Student halls of residence run by the "Studentenwerk Leipzig" (https://www.studentenwerk-leipzig.de/en/housing/our-student-halls-residence), shared apartments, accommodation services and real estate agencies