Master program Physics (Nuclear, Particle, and Astrophysics)
The Master's degree programme in Physics (Nuclear, Particle and Astrophysics) is a two-year graduate program taught in German, designed to give students an insight into current research trends and new developments in nuclear, particle and astrophysics.
Specialization Areas
Students can specialize in one or more areas of their choice:
- Particle and astrophysics -- including topics as astrophysics, astroparticle physics, high energy neutrino astronomy
- Experimental nuclear physics -- including topics as particle detectors, applications in interdisciplinary research, ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions
- Experimental particle physics -- including topics as testing the Standard Model, highest energy particle colliders, modern detectors, data analysis and Monte Carlo methods
- Theoretical particle physics -- including topics as group theory, quantum field theory, quantum chromodynamics
A mentor can give you advice in choosing the specific courses. If you are interested in a given research area, it may be helpful to choose a mentor working in it (e.g. see the lecturers of the courses).
Typical Study Program
The study program of the first year of studies can be organized individually. The following study programs show examples of how the first year of the Master's degree program Nuclear, Particle and Astrophysics could look like.
Particle and Astrophysics
Students with great interest in the link between particle- and astrophysics could e.g. choose:
| Modules | Cycle | CP |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical physics | ||
| PH1002 Quantenmechanik 2 | W | 10 |
| Special courses KTA | ||
| PH2058 Introduction to Astrophysics | W | 5 |
| PH2073 Astroparticle Physics 1 | W | 5 |
| PH2074 Astroparticle Physics 2 | S | 5 |
| PH2151 High Energy Neutrino Astronomy | S | 5 |
| Special courses non-KTA | ||
| Counseling by mentor | 10 | |
| Student seminar, advanced lab course and non-physics courses | ||
| Counseling by mentor | 4 + 6 + 8 | |
Experimental Nuclear Physics
Students with great interest in experimental nuclear physics could e.g. choose:
| Modules | Cycle | CP |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical physics | ||
| PH1002 Quantenmechanik 2 | W | 10 |
| Special courses KTA | ||
| PH2062 Teilchendetektoren: Theorie und Anwendungen | W/S | 10 |
| PH2097 Application of Methods of Nuclear Physics in Interdisciplinary Research 1 | W | 5 |
| PH2190 Ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions | S | 5 |
| Special courses non-KTA | ||
| Counseling by mentor | 10 | |
| Student seminar, advanced lab course and non-physics courses | ||
| Counseling by mentor | 4 + 6 + 8 | |
Experimental Particle Physics
Students with great interest in experimental particle physics could e.g. choose:
| Modules | Cycle | CP |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical physics | ||
| PH1002 Quantenmechanik 2 | W | 10 |
| Special courses KTA | ||
| PH2044 Tests des Standardmodells der Teilchenphysik 1 | W | 5 |
| PH2045 Tests des Standardmodells der Teilchenphysik 2 | S | 5 |
| PH2081 Teilchenphysik mit kosmischen und mit erdgebundenen Beschleunigern | W | 5 |
| PH2193 Moderne Detektoren für die Kern- und Teilchenphysik | S | 5 |
| Special courses non-KTA | ||
| Counseling by mentor | 10 | |
| Student seminar, advanced lab course and non-physics courses | ||
| Counseling by mentor | 4 + 6 + 8 | |
Theoretical Particle Physics
Students with great interest in theoretical physics could e.g. choose:
| Modules | Cycle | CP |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical physics | ||
| PH1005 Theoretical Particle Physics | S | 10 |
| Special courses KTA | ||
| PH2040 Relativität, Teilchen und Felder | S | 10 |
| PH2041 Quantum Field Theory | W | 10 |
| Special courses non-KTA | ||
| Counseling by mentor | 10 | |
| Student seminar, advanced lab course and non-physics courses | ||
| Counseling by mentor | 4 + 6 + 8 | |
Principles of Plasma Physics
| Modules | Cycle | CP |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical Physics | ||
| PH2040 Relativity, Particles and Fields | SS | 10 |
| Special Courses | ||
| PH2035 Plasma Physics 1 | WS | 5 |
| PH2036 Plasma Physics 2 | SS | 5 |
| PH2196 Fusion Research | SS | 5 |
| PH2037 Introduction to Magneto Hydrodynamics – Ideal Plasma Effects | WS | 5 |
| PH1003 Continuum Mechanics | WS | 10 |
| PH2175 Turbulence in neutral Fluids und Plasmas | WS | 5 |
| PH2233 Applied Plasma Physics: Large Vortices (Zonal Flows and Other Structures) in Fusion Reactors, Jupiter, Climate and Astrophysics | SS | 5 |
| Student Seminar | ||
| PH1326 Plasmaphysics and Fusion Research | WS/SS | 4 |
| or | ||
| PH1376 Seminar Plasma Physics | WS/SS | 4 |
| Advanced Lab Course and Non-Physics Elective Courses | ||
| Counseling by mentor | 6 + 8 | |
Individual Study Program
| Modules | Cycle | CP |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical physics | ||
| Catalog, Counseling by mentor | 10 | |
| Special courses KTA | ||
| Catalog, Counseling by mentor | 20 | |
| Special courses non-KTA | ||
| Catalog, Counseling by mentor | 10 | |
| Student seminar | ||
| Catalog, Counseling by mentor | 4 | |
| Advanced lab course | ||
| Catalog, Counseling by mentor | 6 | |
| Non-physics courses | ||
| Catalog, Counseling by mentor | 8 | |
Direct Track into the Ph. D. program
Talented students can continue the Master's research phase seamlessly with a doctoral project, speeding up their academic career. Already during their research phase these students may join the Department Graduate Center Physics and participate in the program of TUM Graduate School.
The "Direct Track" combines the advantages of the traditional model with the speed of a "Fast Track" – without the disadvantages like a (formally) missing Master’s degree.