General Information

Physics is the key to understanding nature – it is the basis for all forward-looking technologies. To learn physics means to acquire the ability to understand and utilise the natural laws that dominate our physical world, in addition to the fascination that students feel when they persevere until a problem is analysed and solved. Physics studies at the BTU Cottbus provide students with all the necessary tools. Beginning with basic training in physics and its methods, as well as active participation in experiments. Students learn to dissect highly complex problems into manageable models, then to analyse them and reach a solution. They need to learn how to persevere in order to independently identify theoretical, experimental and even technical solutions to essential, real-life questions.

Physics at the BTU Cottbus

The Physics programme is characterised by an excellent teacher-student ratio. Students have close contacts with their professors and teaching staff, which assures an excellent learning atmosphere.

Since the winter semester 2007/2008, the BTU’s Physics programme operates under the consecutive Bachelor/Master system.

This guarantees that students will receive recognition by other European universities for their academic performance at the BTU Cottbus. Moreover, the Bachelor/Master programme promotes rapid completion of a degree in the framework of a prescribed study duration of 6 semesters for a Bachelor degree, and 4 semesters for a Masters.

Structure and Content of the Bachelor Programme in Physics

The Bachelor programme Physics comprises four-semesters of foundation courses, followed by two semesters of advanced courses.

Foundation courses give student an overview of the broad spectrum of physics-related subjects such as mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, in addition to atomic, molecular, sold and particle physics. Moreover, students also take part internships that conduct experiments in the aforementioned subjects, thereby gaining initial experience in practical experimental methods. Foundation courses also introduce students to the subjects of chemistry, mathematics and computer science.

In the advanced courses, students broaden their knowledge on the basis of their own their interests and abilities. Lectures (and modules) deal with the entire spectrum of topics dealt with by the Chairs of the Institute of Physics and Chemistry. These are subdivided into experimental/applied blocks of physics, experimental solid physics, applied chemistry, and a theoretical block computational physics and solid physics theory.

In addition to an advanced internship, the advanced course phase also features a working internship, in which students can put into practice, supplement and consolidate their acquired knowledge through work experience in a typical professional field. Undergraduates also have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the various concrete fields that physicists address and have the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge to practical use though project work.

Under the supervision of advisors from the Institute for Physics and Chemistry, students in their last semester of advanced courses author a Bachelor’s Thesis, which amounts to a "mini research project". The BTU confers a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) to students who successfully complete this course.

A detailed overview of the Bachelor Programme in Physics is provided in the Study and Examination Regulations  (Studien- und Prüfungsordnung), which also includes a Recommended Course Schedule.

The Physics Bachelor programme prepares undergraduates to work as a physicist in commerce and industry, scientific research institutes and public administration. Physicists have career opportunities in broad professional areas that extend beyond their own specialisation to related scientific and other disciplines. It is thus the aim of the Bachelor programme to impart a basic understanding of physics in terms of the most important methods needed to analyse and solve scientific problems and to develop models, thereby providing students with general analytical capabilities.

The Bachelor is the first professionally qualifying degree according to international standards. It qualifies students for a professional activity or admission to a Master programme.

Courses start in winter semester.

To make the transition to university studies a bit easier, the Institute offers a two-week preparatory course prior to the start of winter semester lectures. This serves to refresh prospective students’ school knowledge of chemistry, mathematics, and physics.

In the context of its Bachelor programmes, the BTU Cottbus offers a double degree together with the TU Poznan. After just seven semesters, undergraduates can obtain both a Bachelor of Science from the BTU, in addition to a Bachelor of Engineering from the TU Poznan. Students are required to spend two semesters at the TU Poznan in the context of their Bachelor studies. Click  here for more information.

Further information: www.physik.tu-cottbus.de/physik/index.html

Prof. Dr. J Reif
LG10, Zimmer 137
Tel: 69-3185
 Reif[at]tu-cottbus.de

Prof. Dr. G. Seibold
LG10, Zimmer 226b
Tel: 69-3006
 goetz[at]physik.tu-cottbus.de