Physics degree
The term physics study refers to the training for a bachelor's or master's degree in physics as well as the training of candidate teachers at a university or technical college . It is also used to designate those courses of study which award the title of Diplom - Physicist .
There were admission restrictions for physics courses only at a few universities in the current decade. General hurdles faced by universities for admission to further courses of study (master’s, doctorate ) are possible.
The dropout rate in physics studies is usually over 50%. According to the statistics of the German Physical Society , 5,000–6,000 new students began studying physics (diploma or teaching degree) in Germany in 1999. In 2005, after the then average study duration of 6 years, there were around 1,500 degrees in physics. This results in a dropout rate of around 70%. Approx. 30% of physics students drop out in the first two semesters. Currently (as of 2010) the number is around 7000 (including teaching) new students. The average duration of study is 11 semesters (diploma course) and 6 semesters in the bachelor course. Currently, 4.5 semesters are required to achieve the master’s degree.
This article can only give an overview of general structures and processes, as the exact process and content of the physics degree depends on the respective university.
The diploma course
Since the harmonization of the study programs in Europe through the Bologna process, the diploma course is only offered by a few universities, such as B. the TU Kaiserslautern offered.
The physics course in the diploma course is divided into a two-year basic course, which is followed by the main course after an intermediate examination called an intermediate examination. Experimental physics and theoretical physics as well as physical internships form the core of the training , plus lectures in mathematics and technical physics as well as non-physical elective subjects such as chemistry , astronomy or computer science .
In the Experimental Physics follows a basic course consisting of the fields of mechanics and thermodynamics , Electricity (incl. Vibrational and wave theory ) and optics and quantum physics which, Applied Physics with atomic , molecular and solid state physics .
The theoretical physics is usually classified as part of study into a cycle of four areas:
- Mechanics ( Newtonian mechanics , analytical mechanics , special relativity theory , Hamiltonian mechanics )
- Electrodynamics ( electro- and magnetostatics , solutions of Maxwell's equations , special relativity theory)
- Quantum Mechanics ( Schrodinger wave mechanics , Heisenberg matrix mechanics , Dirac notation , Broad theoretical atomic physics, Introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics )
- Thermodynamics and statistical physics ( thermodynamics , statistical physics, quantum statistics , many-particle theory )
Many universities offer a course lecture on the mechanics of the continua to supplement this classic canon . The general theory of relativity , quantum field theories , theoretical solid state physics and other areas are represented as special lectures at most universities, but are not part of the basic canon.
There is also a mostly 4-semester mathematics course consisting of “Fundamentals of Mathematics I and II” and “Higher Analysis I and II”. Contents of these courses are the basics of mathematics ( logic , set theory ), algebraic structures, linear algebra, matrix calculation , analytic and projective geometry , one and multi-dimensional differential calculus , generalized differential calculus on manifolds , integration theory in one and more dimensions, introduction to vector analysis and differential geometry , Introduction to function theory and complex analysis. The Higher Mathematics course is usually a bit more compact than the mathematical lectures on linear algebra and analysis, but the differences are minor in terms of content.
There are also minor subjects that vary greatly depending on the university, such as:
- Chemistry: Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry I
- Computer science: introductory events
- electronics
- astronomy
- Materials science
- Business Administration (BWL)
In the main course there are, in addition to the ongoing lectures in theoretical physics and the higher lectures in experimental physics (i.e. solid-state, nuclear and plasma physics), the advanced physics internship , the main subject and the minor in the main course or an alternative to the last two Elective courses I and II.
The aim of the advanced internship is to introduce the students closer to the modern methods of experimental physics, but also includes historically significant experiments from the time of the development of modern physics. The scope and content vary greatly depending on the university. In most cases, the students can specify a certain number of desired experiments from the existing experiments, which they would like to do in any case. The experiments offered are often supervised by the experimentally oriented chairs ; the offer then also reflects the research profile of the faculty. Most of the time, care is taken to ensure that the students get an overview of the breadth of research, i.e. not just complete experiments on nuclear physics. The scope of the experiments is naturally much larger than in the basic internship. Typical experiments in the advanced internship are, for example, the quantum Hall effect , the magneto-optical Kerr effect or scanning tunnel microscopy .
Additional lectures, exercises and seminars are taken in the main subject. At some universities the so-called main internship still exists. This is a half-year to one-year work at a chair - mostly half a day - in addition to the other scope of studies. Many universities have abolished this in order to shorten the duration of studies, in some places it still exists. The main subject is the subject in which the thesis is written. In principle, any subject that is represented by a chair at the faculty can be selected as a major, i.e. theoretical solid state physics, experimental solid state physics, experimental nuclear physics, etc., provided that these are represented at the faculty. In addition, there is often the possibility that chairs from other faculties, such as mathematics, electrical engineering, chemistry, biology, geosciences or medicine, have co-options with the physics faculty and can also offer specialist subjects such as biophysics , geophysics , laser technology , neuroinformatics or mathematical physics . In most cases, these subjects are minor subjects with the additional option of being able to write the thesis in these as well. Many faculties have regulated this through elective subjects, one of which must be located within the physics department, the other must have a meaningful connection with physics, but both can be chosen for the thesis.
Minor subjects are usually non-physics subjects from the university's offering that are intended to complement the physics degree in a meaningful way. Typical minor subjects are:
- Pure mathematics (e.g. partial differential equations , algebra , topology )
- numerical Mathematics
- IT (e.g. database systems, operating systems , parallel computing)
- Physical chemistry (e.g. reaction kinetics , spectroscopy methods )
- Inorganic chemistry (e.g. metallic reactions)
- Organic chemistry (e.g. polymer production, photochemistry )
- Material science (e.g. thin film systems , epitaxy )
- Electrical engineering (e.g. optoelectronics , high frequency technology)
- Biophysics (e.g. liquid spectroscopy)
- Computational Neuroscience (biophysical modeling of neurons or neural networks)
- Neuroinformatics (e.g. neural networks , robotics )
- Technical mechanics (e.g. continuum mechanics, statics )
- Geophysics (e.g. geomechanics, earthquake theory, structure of the earth)
- Philosophy (e.g. epistemology )
- Medical physics (e.g. biomedical measurement technology)
- Neurophysiology (e.g. nerve stimulation)
- Psychology (e.g. business psychology , education )
- Economics (e.g. financial mathematics, business administration , derivatives theory )
Bachelor and master courses
In principle, there is a structure of a 6-semester Bachelor and 4-semester Master’s degree. At the end of the bachelor's degree there is a short study project, the master's thesis usually lasts 9 to 12 months. In principle, the classic basic course in experimental physics through to atomic physics and the basics in theoretical physics (in the bachelor's degree) are also planned. Further lectures on experimental physics as well as theoretical physics are offered as so-called special lectures in the master's degree for the deepening of the areas, from which the students are usually free to choose, apart from a few restrictions. In the master’s program, students can then specialize in a certain area. On the one hand, this concerns the specialization in experimental physics or theoretical physics, and on the other hand, the sub-areas already mentioned above such as atomic, nucleus, solid-state or particle physics, etc.
Mathematics lectures are always included in the physics bachelor courses.
But there are deviations here. B. in Marburg a physics course with a focus on biology, which has lower theoretical parts. Thus, this course is not to be seen as a classic physics course.
Exemplary Bachelor's degree
There are no general schemes in which physics bachelors can be mapped. In terms of content, due to the need for accreditation of these courses, certain contents are binding, from which special courses such as " Technical Physics " or " Physics with a focus on biology " can, however, already differ. The actual scope of study is usually considerably larger, since the depth of this content is not specified and this performance does not exceed the specified framework, but merely corresponds to the broad consensus of the physicist community.
These contents are:
- Experimental physics
- Mechanics, vibrations and waves, acoustics, special theory of relativity
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Optics (basic features)
- Thermodynamics
- Atomic physics
- Nuclear and Particle Physics
- Theoretical physics
- Mechanics: Newtonian mechanics, analytical mechanics (Lagrange formalism), Galilei transformations, Hamilton function, special theory of relativity
- Electrodynamics: electrostatics, magnetostatics, electromagnetic waves, Maxwell's axioms
- Quantum mechanics: Schrödinger equation, Heisenberg uncertainty principle, wave functions, hydrogen atom, helium atom
- Thermodynamics and statistical physics: thermodynamics, quantum statistics, many-particle theory
- Mathematics (not in 2-subject Bachelor, e.g. the teacher training models)
- Analysis (differential and integral calculus in one and several dimensions, differential equations)
- Linear algebra (vector and matrix calculation)
- Differential geometry
(concrete or mostly abstract as in classic training)
This list initially applies to the one-subject Bachelor (Bachelor of Science) provided and partially introduced in physics, models for a Bachelor (of Arts) with 2 subjects, one of which may be physics, but are also being tested - in context with the models for graded teacher training. The models that have existed so far, however, with the exception of the mathematical part, roughly cover this canon.
Master's degree
The Master of Science is a scientific degree that is equivalent to the classic diploma . However, the universities are very free in the design of the course, so that only the 9 to 12-month master's thesis, the setting of a focus subject and other events outside of the focus are standard. Even the question of whether the master’s program includes further developments in theoretical as well as experimental physics can no longer be answered universally; this is only the case in most models. In addition to the master’s degree in physics, there are also a number of specialized and interdisciplinary master’s courses (optical technology, materials science, etc.). There are only formal framework requirements for the scope and duration of the study.
For the universities of applied sciences, the changeover to the Bachelor-Master system will for the first time give their graduates the opportunity to gain admission to a doctorate and access to the higher service in public administration. For this purpose, this must have been explicitly stated in the accreditation.
In addition, there is also the Master of Education as an equivalent to the 1st state examination for teaching posts in model tests. The requirements of the respective national law are decisive here. In general, the following applies: There is a course in 2 subjects and education, subject didactics and core internship are components of the course.
Time spent studying
On average, students in both the bachelor's and diploma programs spend around 40 hours per week on their physics studies during the lecture period. However, the distribution around this mean value is very broad (with a standard deviation of ~ 10 hours / week) and does not take into account whether and in what time the students successfully complete their studies. In addition to the attendance time in lectures, exercises and internships, this effort includes the time for self-study, for solving the exercise sheets and for preparing for internship attempts. Typically, math and theoretical-physics exercise sheets each require a good 10 hours of processing time per week (empirical value from many student councils). The preparation and evaluation of experiments requires around 4–5 hours per experiment in the basic course, and around 30 hours each for advanced experiments in the diploma course (varies greatly).
Bachelor and Master courses are subject to the regulations of the ECTS , which theoretically contain strict requirements for the workload. Teacher training courses vary greatly in their workload. In particular, teaching post-specific lectures in theoretical physics reduce considerably. The frequent combination of physics and mathematics leads to a very high workload in the subject of mathematics anyway, compare studying mathematics .
Typical attendance times for various events
Lectures, exercises and internships typically have the following scope:
- Experimental physics (I to IV): 4 + 2 hours per week (lecture + exercise)
- Theoretical physics (I to IV or V): 4 + 2 hours per week
- Linear algebra (I or / and II): 4 + 2 hours per week each
- Analysis (I to III or IV): 4 + 2 hours per week each
- or higher mathematics (I to IV): each 6 + 2 hours per week
- Minor subject: 4 + 2 hours per week
- Higher experimental physics lectures (main course): 3 + 1–2 hours per week each
- Internship in basic studies: one to 2 afternoons per week (3 to 4 hours)
- Advanced internship: 1 lecture day per week (7-10 hours, deviations depending on the experiment)
- Seminars: 2–3 hours a week
- Specialization lectures: 3 hours per week
Weekly hours are to be understood as lecture blocks of 45 minutes each, time hours as full hours.
promotion
A doctorate can be taken at universities and technical colleges that offer this subject. Until now, doctorates have been available as so-called external doctorates, i.e. H. possible without enrollment for doctoral studies, as well as doctoral studies. Individual doctoral regulations can differ from this. Changes could be made here in the course of the Bologna Process .
The doctorate usually ends - depending on the examination regulations of the university's department - with the scientific doctoral degree Dr. rer. nat. off, but there are also Dr. phil. nat. as a conferred doctoral degree. In the course of internationalization, the Anglo-American Ph.D. ( Philosophiae Doctor ) awarded.
A doctorate in physics in Germany takes an average of four to four and a half years.
labour market
During their studies, physicists learn to apply a high-level mathematical-analytical way of thinking as well as to solve technical problems in practice. In addition, they mostly have extensive IT experience. Therefore, their uses in public service, industry and service companies are diverse:
- Universities and research institutions (Max Planck Institutes, Fraunhofer Institutes etc.) ask a small number of physics graduates.
- Schools increasingly need specialist physics teachers. For a number of years (around 2003), physicists have also had the opportunity to be employed in school as so-called lateral entrants or lateral entrants in many federal states. Due to the steadily falling birth rate and the introduction of the 8-year high school, however, a clear surplus of physics teachers should be recorded again in a few years.
- The software industry often asks physicists, their area of application is similar to that of computer scientists.
- The semiconductor industry needs physicists, especially solid-state and semiconductor physicists.
- The electronics industry uses physicists as well as electrical engineers.
- Energy suppliers employ physicists in various business areas.
- Banks use physicists both in the IT area and because of their mathematical training to analyze exchange rate risks.
- Insurance companies employ physicists in the IT field as well as actuaries, since the actuarial equations are structurally identical to certain physical equations.
- Some management consultancies value physicists' thinking and analytical skills and hire them too.
Employment opportunities at banks, insurance companies and large companies in the electrical industry are usually only available for those physicists who have a degree that is well above the average and who can demonstrate additional qualifications (e.g. programming experience).
After a flood of physicists in the nineties, there is now a somewhat greater demand for physics graduates. According to an old study from 2011, the chances of getting a job in industry are to be classified as poor for Bachelor graduates in physics. However, the study is not representative and there is no more recent data on how the relationship between employers and Bachelor graduates has developed in recent years. The switch to bachelor's and master's degrees has not significantly shortened the duration of studies in physics, especially since doctorates have become increasingly important in the labor market for physicists over the past two decades.
Acquiring additional qualifications in addition to studying or doing a doctorate can prove to be an advantage, since studying physics only prepares you for the job market to a limited extent.
Teacher training
The teaching degree is in principle dependent on the federal state, but at least the high school or secondary level II teaching degree is quite similar nationwide. In principle, two subjects and educational science are studied, in a ratio of 1st subject: 2nd subject: educational science of 2: 2: 1.
High school teaching post
In a few countries, physics can only be studied in combination with mathematics , but in most cases it can be freely combined, e.g. with chemistry, philosophy, geography but also e.g. B. Spanish or German. In the event that physics is not combined with mathematics, some universities require additional proof of performance in mathematics, otherwise mathematics is not part of the course, and there is no minor in the form of a diploma minor.
The course lectures in experimental physics and the basic physics internship are usually the same for graduate and teacher training students; the number of experiments in the internship is usually somewhat reduced. The higher experimental lectures, on the other hand, are only intended as a specialization option for the examination in many teacher training courses. The compulsory canon usually ends with atomic and molecular physics, which is, however, a mandatory part of the course in all countries (however, in contrast to the diploma course, it is sometimes part of the main course, for example in North Rhine-Westphalia).
In theoretical physics , mechanics including special relativity, electrodynamics and quantum mechanics as well as an overview of thermodynamics are provided. Most universities offer special theory lectures for student teachers with less mathematical complexity, others only split off part of quantum mechanics and replace it with a "crash course" in statistical physics. As a rule, the theoretical physics for student teachers consists of 3 course lectures in mechanics, electrodynamics and quantum mechanics / thermodynamics.
There are also lectures and / or seminars in the field of physics didactics . Together with the school internships, these should provide a certain preparation for the placement aspect of the teaching profession. The offer in the field of didactics is very different depending on the university (even in the same federal state). At some universities, active didactic research takes place, while other universities have given the didactic chairs very little priority. Before starting a teacher training course, it is advisable to obtain information on this topic from various offices (e.g. student advisory service , student council , didactics chair).
In addition to traditional training, there are pilot projects for Bachelor and Master’s courses, e. B. at the University of Bochum .
Other teaching posts
Since the school system differs greatly from state to state, the teacher training regulations differ accordingly. In Baden-Württemberg, for example, prospective secondary school teachers are not trained at universities, but at universities of teacher education ; in North Rhine-Westphalia this teaching post is combined with that of the primary level to form his teaching post at elementary, secondary and secondary schools , although natural sciences / physics Hauptschule and Realschulen can only be studied with a focus - at elementary schools this counts as subject teaching , a natural science focus. The training of teachers in NRW takes place in principle at universities.
In principle, the teaching degree is regulated by state law.
Individual evidence
- ↑ G. Nienhaus: Almost 10000 new registrations , In: Physik Journal , August / September 2010, p. 27ff
- ↑ a b TU Kaiserslautern: Study Guide 2016/2017 . September 2016, p. 8–29 ( uni-kl.de [PDF; accessed March 31, 2018]).
- ↑ Students in the bachelor's degree in 2009. (PDF) Results of the 19th social survey by the German Student Union carried out by the HIS University Information System. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on November 20, 2011 .
- ^ DPG study: The doctorate in physics in Germany
- ↑ Dr. Oliver Koppel: Physicists at work - labor market development, possible applications and demographics. (PDF) In: https://www.dpg-physik.de/ . German Physical Society , January 2010, accessed on May 23, 2019 .
- ↑ FAZ: Physicist Study: Industry does not like Bachelor
- ^ Labor market for physicists: Einstein's heirs . Peter Ilg, Spiegel Online. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
