Physics is in every movement – it is all around us! This science explains numerous everyday phenomena. Physicists explore the laws of nature, their individual building blocks, and the forces at work. And now that The Big Bang Theory has become a television hit, everyone knows what you might do for a living after graduating with a degree in Physics. The ability to analyse and model effects and processes will make you a sought-after specialist in many areas of business and in the high-tech industry.
Jena has a proud history in this field. Thanks to a number of pioneering findings over the centuries from scientists such as Ernst Abbe and Carl Zeiss, the city has developed into a physics hub. However, we would be doing Jena a disservice if we said that its physics exploits were limited just to optics. For example, our city has a long tradition in experimental solid-state physics and has made important findings, especially in low-temperature and semiconductor physics. Thanks to our networking with numerous non-university institutes, your education will always include a range of cutting-edge research topics. And that’s not all… You will be able to actively shape this research from the third semester onwards.
In addition to the core curriculum in mathematical and physical courses, a wide range of laboratory practicals are an integral part of the syllabus. The degree programme mainly revolves around theoretical physics and experimental physics. But let’s be honest – where else should you specialize in the field of optics, for example, if not in Jena, following in the footsteps of Zeiss, Abbe and Schott? During your studies, you will acquire in-depth knowledge of these disciplines in keeping with the specific research profile of the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy. However, you will also be able to set your own focus on other fields such as astronomy and astrophysics, solid-state physics and materials science or gravitational and quantum theory.
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Laboratory at the Institute of Solid State Physics
Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)A bachelor’s degree is the first professional qualification that can be obtained at a university. The standard length of the programme is six semesters, and different types of courses are offered for each module (e.g. seminars, lectures or practical classes).
If you opt for a single-subject bachelor’s programme in ‘Physics’, your education will be focused on one subject comprising 180 ECTS credits (1 ECTS credit = 30 hours of attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations).
Our degree programme in ‘Physics’ consists of the sub-areas of theoretical physics and experimental physics, as well as the relevant laboratory practicals. You will also cover the necessary mathematical concepts in the first three semesters. You will then have a free choice of required elective modules – popular fields include Astronomy, the Theory of Relativity, Biophysics, Computer Science, Chemistry and Measurement Technology. During your studies, you will be able to set your own focus on the following research topics:
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, our students tend to enrol on our master’s programme in ‘Physics’, which builds on the topics covered up to that point.
By the way: There is a mathematics bridging course to help you prepare for your studies. We strongly advise all students to attend.
| 1st semester | 2nd semester | 3rd semester | 4th semester | 5th semester | 6th semester | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical training | Basic Physics Lab I (4 ECTS) |
Basic Physics Lab II (4 ECTS) |
Basic Physics Lab III (4 ECTS) |
Advanced Physics Lab I (6 ECTS) |
Advanced Physics Lab II (6 ECTS) |
|
| Experimental Physics | Experimental Physics I: Mechanics / Thermodynamics (8 ECTS) |
Experimental Physics II: Electrodynamics / Optics (8 ECTS) |
Atomic and Molecular Physics I (8 ECTS) |
Optics and Waves (8 ECTS) |
Solid-State Physics (8 ECTS) |
|
| Theoretical Physics | Theoretical Mechanics (8 ECTS) |
Electrodynamics (8 ECTS) |
Quantum Theory (8 ECTS) |
Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (8 ECTS) |
||
| Overarching Content |
Mathematical Methods of Physics (4 ECTS) |
Computational Physics I (4 ECTS) |
Seminar (4 ECTS) |
|||
| Mathematics | Linear Algebra and Analytical Geometry I – BSc Physics (8 ECTS) |
|||||
| Analysis I – BSc Physics (8 ECTS) |
Analysis II – BSc Physics (8 ECTS) |
Analysis III – BSc Physics (8 ECTS) |
||||
| Required elective modules in Physics1 | Required elective module in Physics (4 ECTS) |
Required elective module in Physics (4 ECTS) |
||||
| Required elective modules in any subject2 | Required elective module in any subject (12 ECTS) |
Required elective module in any subject (4 ECTS) | Required elective module in any subject (4 ECTS) |
|||
| Bachelor’s dissertation | Bachelor’s dissertation (12 ECTS) |
Abbreviations: ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (credit points)
1 Two of the following four Physics modules have to be taken: Introduction to Astronomy, Relativistic Physics, Nuclei and Particles, and Atomic and Molecular Physics II.
2 Here you have a free choice from the range of modules offered by faculties at Friedrich Schiller University Jena. You can also choose Physics modules. Languages can only be credited to a limited extent; please contact the Examinations Office for advice.
You can find more detailed information in the module catalogue for the degree programme.External link
You will be able to expand your range of courses from the third semester onwards. You might like to delve into Biophysics, Astronomy, Computer Science or Philosophy – and you can even learn various languages. And do you know what the best thing is? You can also gain experience in research and teaching.
Career opportunities:
Physics is an exciting, demanding and fulfilling degree programme that opens up a wide range of excellent career prospects in the following areas:
A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.
More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.
Admission and language requirements for applicants of foreign nationality and without German Abitur: www.uni-jena.de/en/study-orientation-international
Please submit an up-to-date and complete CV in tabular form. Please provide full details regarding your schooling and academic education to date. You can find more information hereExternal link.
Please upload the school certificate confirming your university entrance qualification to our application portal. You can find more information hereExternal link.
Please upload transcripts of records for all previous periods of study and degrees, as well as, if applicable, your degree certificate, to the portal.
Proof of sufficient German proficiency must be provided for all German-language degree programmes. The following certificates are recognized as proof of proficiency by Friedrich Schiller University Jena:
Please note: We strongly recommend that you submit the required proof of German proficiency at the time of your application.
If you do not yet have the required language certificate, you may apply for our DSH course starting from German level B1. This course ensures optimal language preparation and also gives you the opportunity to get to know Jena while benefiting from student status.
A translation into German or English must be submitted for every application document that was not originally issued in German or English. These translations must be prepared by an authorized translation office.
Applicants with university degrees from India, Vietnam, or the People’s Republic of China must submit an APS certificate.
Applicants from the following countries must provide proof of their university entrance examination:
Max-Wien-Platz 1
07743 Jena
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Max-Wien-Platz 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Max-Wien-Platz 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.
Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).
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University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
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Opening hours:
Information Desk (UHG; Room E0.65)
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)
You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.
Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)
Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena
University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link