International MSc in Physics of Life, Light and Matter

Beginning with winter term 2015/16, the focus of our international master program will be pointed at the physics of life, light, and matter. It  is taught solely in English. Rostock University has a policy of constantly enhancing its international diversity.

Prospective master students are expected to come from

• Germany
  
  
• Europe
  
  
• non-european countries.

The research-oriented study requires a Bachelor degree in physics, for further requirements, see Admission. Besides the formal requirements we invite you to take our self assessment test in order to get an idea about the background we expect you to have.

The program focusses on the physics at the interface between life sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The students are enabled to do research in areas which aim to control material and system properties on a microscopic or molecular level. Examples are the functionalization of biological, chemical or physical systems, and the control of light-matter interactions.

Language: English throughout. Should you enjoy to learn the German language, you also have the possibility to attend courses in German, but there is no obligation.

Duration: 4 semesters = 2 years. Program starts annually in October. (Please submit your application by August 1).

Structure: The study program consists of compulsory, compulsory elective, and elective modules.

In the first two semesters, the students get acquainted with advanced scientific concepts and methods of physics. Compulsory modules are Molecular and Cellular Biophysics, Foundations of LLM Research, and Life-Light-Matter-Research lab course. Among the compulsory elective modules one should study at least three of the following modules: Atoms and Clusters, Fundamentals of Photonics, Molecular physics, Nonlinear Optics and Spectroscopy, Simulations Methods of Molecular Biophysics, and Surface Science and Nanostructures. Beside these modules there is an array of complementary modules: Analysis of structure and dynamics of nanostructured materials, Computational many-particle physics, Fundamentals of quantum optics, Nanotechnology in materials´ synthesis, Physics and technology of optical fibers, Quantum optics of macroscopic systems, and Semiconductor optics.

Electives can be chosen from the courses  offered at our Sciences and Engineerings faculties, and beyond. 

During the third semester, the students acquire in the modules In-depth knowledge acquisition and Method training special knowledge and get  acquainted with modern experimental and theoretical methods, respectively, in order to be prepared to perform their own research project.

The master thesis with a scientific topic of current interest is completed in the fourth semester under guidance of experienced scientists of the Institut of Physics or from scientific groups belonging to the Department „Science and Technology of Life, Light, and Matter“ of the university‘s Interdisciplinary Faculty.

Degree: The successful student is awarded the degree of a Master of Science. Enjoy the benefit of quality teaching and a reputed degree "Made in Germany".

Is there more beyond? Absolutely. More than half of our international program's graduates have stayed on to pursue a doctoral degree. There are no academic or administrative obstacles hindering the transition.

Cost: There is no tuition fee. It is a tradition in Germany that education is considered a common good that should be accessible to all. The German taxpayer subsidizes the cost of universities.