Photonics (MSc) FH Münster University of Applied Sciences

Photonics is a collective term for all optical technologies. These technologies form the basis of many industrial processes. Here are a few examples:

• Lasers are used for cutting, drilling, ablation, and welding of materials from the nanoscale to processing centimetre-thick sheets of steel for building ships.
• Lithography is essential for producing computer chips in the semiconductor industry.
• Imaging systems such as tiny cameras for smartphones, high-resolution microscopes, and giant astronomical telescopes on ground and in space are well-known photonic technologies.
• Novel, not so well-known applications that rely on new sources of coherent light are optical atomic clocks or ultra-precise measurement techniques such as gravitational wave astronomy.
• Finally, photonics is essential for future quantum technologies, such as secure quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum computing.

These technologies have created a dynamically growing industry. Our degree programme is tailored to meet the requirements of industrial and academic research and development in all of the areas mentioned above.

The four-semester Photonics programme comprises five classes for each of the first three semesters. The fourth semester is devoted to the Master's thesis.

The classes cover fundamentals aspects (e.g. Theoretical Optics, Laser Physics, Wave Optics, Quantum Optics), system engineering (e.g. Optical System Design, Solid State Laser Design), and applications (e.g. Optical and Laser Measurement Techniques, Laser Materials Processing).

Our Master’s programme explores photonics in its entire breadth and depth, and not just as a specialisation. You will gain comprehensive training, preparing you perfectly for the high demand for experts in industry and research. The great successes achieved by our graduates on the job market is an indication that our concept works.

We offer you individual support. Class sizes in lectures, exercises and lab courses are small, meaning that questions can be answered and academic discussions can be held at all times. Due to the wide range of research projects undertaken in our labs, excellent technical equipment is available for your lab classes. Our professors have many industry contacts that often result in employment contracts for our graduates.

Complete details of the course organisation are available on the course website: https://www.fh-muenster.de/en/studiengaenge/photonics-master.

A Bachelor's degree in physics, optics, photonics, or electrical engineering is required. Please note that your Bachelor's programme must have provided you with a solid background in optics and physics. There will be a short interview at the beginning of your studies. In the interview, a professor will ask a few questions related to optics and physics. The professor will give you feedback on knowledge gaps and may recommend remedies, such as literature studies or additional classes.

Approximately 353 EUR per semester

Approximately 1,000 EUR per month

https://www.stw-muenster.de/en/accomodation/

FH Münster - University of Applied Sciences has a long tradition of education. Founded in 1971 following a merger of public and private schools of engineering and vocational training institutions, it is now one of Germany's largest and most successful institutions of its kind. The aim of FH Münster is to be the top address for practical education and research. Quality pervades all areas within the university and is the foundation upon which we build our excellent successes in teaching and research – we have the highest rate of third-party funding of any German university of applied sciences. It is the quality that inspires companies to enter into strategic alliances and partnerships with the university. All of these attributes characterise the image of this modern, high-performing, and student-oriented university.

FH Münster – University of Applied Sciences, with approx. 15,000 students and 13 departments / central research institutions, is located in Münster and in Steinfurt. Münster, the Westphalian city with around 320,000 inhabitants, is the ideal place to study, offering a wide range of leisure activities for more than 60,000 students enrolled at Münster's eight higher education institutions. In addition to many pubs, bistros, and bars, Münster also has numerous museums, theatres, and cinemas. A local recreation area around the Aasee is ideal for jogging and walking. Münster was the first city of its size to be awarded the title of the World's Most Liveable City and is regularly voted the bicycle capital of Germany. The following departments of FH Münster are located in Münster: the Münster School of Architecture, the Department of Civil Engineering, the Münster School of Design, the Department of Food – Nutrition – Facilities, the Münster Department of Health, the Department of Social Work, the Münster School of Business, and the Münster School of Vocational Education (IBL).

Around 5,000 students study at the Technology Campus Steinfurt. Embedded in Münsterland's park landscape, the tranquil district town of around 36,000 inhabitants presents itself as a business location with many medium-sized enterprises. The town also has lots of restaurants and pubs. Trains go from Burgsteinfurt station to Münster every hour. The journey takes around 40 minutes. The following departments of FH Münster are located in Steinfurt: the Department of Chemical Engineering, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Energy – Building Services – Environmental Engineering, the Department of Engineering Physics, and the Institute of Business Administration & Engineering.