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

Image: Designed by freepik / freepik.com

Key facts

Degree: Bachelor of Science
Admission restriction: without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration: 6 Semesters
Credits/ECTS: 180
Teaching language: German
Tuition fee: None
Semester contribution: € 272,65
Start of studies: Winter semester, Summer semester
Part-time possible: Yes
Institution: Faculty of Physics and Astronomy

Application & Deadlines

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)
Mathematics	Linear Algebra and Analytical Geometry I – BSc Physics (8 ECTS)
Mathematics	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

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 Engineering External 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 electronics, solid-state physics / materials science, gravitational and quantum theory and astronomy / astrophysics.
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

Image: Fachschaftsrat der Physikalisch-Astronomischen Fakultät

Fantastic supportExternal linkde

You can master the intellectually challenging study of Physics – with bridging courses, tutorials and lots more activities such as courses to help you prepare for examinations. Our student representatives are there for you!

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

Postgraduate master’s programmes at our University

Physics Master of Science
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
Photonics Master of Science
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
Medical Photonics Master of Science
- Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Science
- Medical school
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
Materials Sciences Master of Science
- Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Science
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
Chemistry of Materials Master of Science
- Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Science

All degree programmes

Downloads and links for the degree programme

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

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.
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

Max-Wien-Platz 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

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: Zoom – Video chat 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:
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

International Office - International students

University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

incoming@uni-jena.de

Physics

Programme content

Structure

How might your degree programme shape up?

Why study in Jena?

A look behind the scenes

What can you do after your studies?

Postgraduate master’s programmes at our University

Downloads and links for the degree programme

What are we looking for in prospective students?

Admission requirements

Contacts

Additional services