Physics
What is the difference between matter and antimatter? How can you conduct an experiment to check whether a wave is transverse? And what is thermal efficiency? If you are interested in these questions, this is the programme for you!
Light scattering
Programme content
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.
Digital discovery tour with free app: How about a little puzzle to learn more about studying Physics at the University of Jena? Click here for our interactive discovery tour app.
Structure
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:
- Astronomy and astrophysics
- Solid-state physics and materials science
- Gravitational and quantum theory
- Optics and photonics
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.
How might your degree programme shape up?
| 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) |
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| Mathematics | Linear Algebra and Analytical Geometry I – BSc Physics (8 ECTS) |
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| Analysis I – BSc Physics (8 ECTS) |
Analysis II – BSc Physics (8 ECTS) |
Analysis III – BSc Physics (8 ECTS) |
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| Required elective modules in Physics1 | Required elective module in Physics (4 ECTS) |
Required elective module in Physics (4 ECTS) |
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| 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) |
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| 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
Why study in Jena?
- Flexible enrolment: You can choose to start your Physics studies in the winter semester or summer semester.
- Ideal studying conditions: Thanks to our excellent student-teacher ratio at the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, you will always be in close contact with our teaching staff and benefit from a range of support options, including bridging courses, tutorials, and courses to help you prepare for examinations. And as we want our new students to feel comfortable and find their feet right from the start, we provide more information on the organization of our degree programmes and the University of Jena during the Study Orientation Days at the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy.
- Active student representatives: Our student representatives actively speak up for students and organize an exciting range of extracurricular activities.
- Excellent teaching: The Faculty of Physics and Astronomy always does well in teaching evaluationsExternal link. Why’s that? It’s simple: We offer an excellent student-teacher ratio, a diverse range of courses, and provide academic support when it really matters.
- Close cooperation: The Faculty of Physics and Astronomy has extremely close ties to various institutions such as the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision EngineeringExternal link, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic TechnologyExternal link, the Helmholtz Institute JenaExternal link and the Tautenburg Observatory of the Free State of ThuringiaExternal link.
- Research focus: The Faculty of Physics and Astronomy conducts research in various key areas, including optics / quantum electronicsExternal link, solid-state physics / materials scienceExternal link, gravitational and quantum theoryExternal link and astronomy / astrophysicsExternal link.
- A world of possibilities: Experience our international flair! Our University appeals to students and researchers from all over the world and helps to shape Jena’s character as a cosmopolitan city that is fit for the future – it’s the perfect place for international studentsmp4, 57 mb · de.
- Adventures abroad: We have a global network of partner universities, including Delft University (Netherlands), the University of Bordeaux (France) and Osaka University (Japan). Our bachelor’s programme is so flexible that you can easily fit a semester abroad into your study plan.
- Smooth progression: After graduating from the bachelor’s programme, you can immediately pursue a master’s degree in Physics, Photonics or Medical Photonics.
A look behind the scenes
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Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena) Physics and moreYou 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.
What can you do after your studies?
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:
- Research facilities and institutions of higher education
- Research and development for regional and national companies
- Energy sector
- Medical engineering
- IT / software development, data analysis
- Insurance and banking
- Business consulting
- Patenting
What are we looking for in prospective students?
- An interest in scientific topics
- A solid grounding in school-level mathematics
- English proficiency
- An interest in logic puzzles
- Creativity
- Curiosity and a desire to experiment
- Teamwork skills are a great advantage
Admission requirements
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University entrance qualification
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.
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Language requirements
Admission and language requirements for applicants of foreign nationality and without German Abitur: www.uni-jena.de/en/study-orientation-international
Contacts
Prof. Martin Ammon (Academic Advisor)
Max-Wien-Platz 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Office for Student Affairs and Examinations
Student Council for the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
Max-Wien-Platz 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Central Student Advisory Service
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).
Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb
Student Service Centre
University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
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