Worum geht's?

Der interdisziplinäre Masterstudiengang Optics & Photonics behandelt neben einer Vertiefung der ingenieur- und naturwissenschaftlichen Grundlagen die wichtigsten Anwendungsfelder der optischen Technologien. Er gehört zur „Karlsruhe School of Optics and Photonics“ (KSOP), die auch ein entsprechendes Promotionsprogramm anbietet. Der Zugang steht Absolventinnen und Absolventen verschiedener Disziplinen offen. Um die Unterschiede in den Herkunftsfächern auszugleichen, gibt es Anpassungskurse mit Themen aus dem Bachelorstudium. Wenn du dich schon mit Photonik befasst hast und in den optischen Technologien deinen Schwerpunkt setzen möchtest, ist dieser Masterstudiengang die richtige Wahl. Die Unterrichtssprache ist Englisch, und die Studierendenschaft ist international zusammengesetzt. Deshalb ist neben wissenschaftlicher Neugier auch interkulturelle Offenheit in diesem Studiengang wichtig.

Program structure

During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.

Der Studienplan besteht aus einem Pflichtbereich, einem Wahlpflichtbereich, einem Berufspraktikum und der Masterarbeit.

Die Pflichtfächer umfassen 62 Leistungspunkte (gemäß ECTS). Innerhalb der Fächer hast du teilweise Wahlmöglichkeiten auf Modulebene. Folgende Pflichtfächer sind zu belegen:

• Engineering Optics & Photonics: 8 LP
• Physical Optics & Photonics: 8 LP
• Advanced Optics & Photonics – Theory and Materials: 8 LP
• Advanced Optics & Photonics – Methods and Components: 10 LP
• Adjustment Courses: 8 LP
• Optics & Photonics Lab: 10 LP
• Seminar Course: 4 LP
• Überfachliche Qualifikationen: 6 LP

Im Wahlpflichtbereich suchst du dir eine Spezialisierung aus. Diese hat einen Umfang von 16 LP. Zur Verfügung stehen dir:

• Specialization - Photonic Materials and Devices
• Specialization - Quantum Optics & Spectroscopy
• Specialization - Biomedical Photonics
• Specialization - Optical Systems
• Specialization - Solar Energy

Die zur Auswahl stehenden Module und die Fächerzuordnung findest du im Modulhandbuch.

Berufspraktikum

Während des Masterstudiums ist ein mindestens achtwöchiges Berufspraktikum vorgesehen.  Dafür bewirbst du dich bei geeigneten Unternehmen oder öffentlichen Einrichtungen. Über das Praktikum wird ein Bericht verfasst und eine Kurzpräsentation gehalten. Ein gut geeigneter Zeitraum für das Praktikum ist am Ende des 2. und Anfang des 3. Semesters, aber auch später ist es möglich. Dem Berufspraktikum sind 12 LP zugeordnet.

Master's thesis

The degree program concludes with a master's thesis (30 CP). The master's thesis should demonstrate that you are able to work on a problem from your field of study independently and within a limited period of time using scientific methods. The maximum duration for the master's thesis is 6 months. You can choose the topic from the range of subjects offered by one of the institutes involved in teaching Optics & Photonics. You may also choose a topic from your internship or seminar course.

Characteristic features of Optics and Photonics M.Sc. at KIT

• international orientation through English-language teaching and students from all over the world
  
• future-oriented topics such as solar energy, new materials....
  
• integrated into current research and industrial applications
  
• highly interdisciplinary
  
• small degree program with good supervision and networking
  
• semester abroad possible without loss at partner universities of the EUROPHOTONICS program
  
• good career opportunities through industry partners, internships and KSOP doctoral program
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

Admission requirements for the master's degree program in Optics and Photonics are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a bachelor's degree or at least an equivalent degree in one of the following degree programs:
  • Optics & Photonics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Biology
  • Mathematics
  • Mechatronics and Computer Science
  or a related degree program with essentially the same content with a standard period of study of at least three years and a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements in the following areas:
  • Mathematics: 12 credit points
  • Physics: 12 credit points
• subject-related aptitude
  in addition to the above-mentioned admission requirements, the selection commission will assess your academic aptitude in a two-stage process. You must receive at least 105 points to prove your aptitude.
  1st stage:
  In the 1st stage, you must receive at least 70 points in order to receive an invitation to the second stage. The following points are awarded:
  • overall grade of the academic degree: max. 80 points
  • outstanding grade in mathematics: max. 5 points
  • university achievements in Optics and Photonics: max. 10 points
  • letter of motivation: max. 10 points
  • letter of recommendation from a professional supervisor: max. 10 points
  2nd stage:
  an interview is now conducted. The dates are usually announced two weeks before the interview and you will be invited in good time. The interview lasts approx. 30 minutes. You will receive points as follows:
  • presentation and discussion of an activity related to the subject Optics & Photonics: max. 20 points
  • extracurricular achievements related to the subject: max. 10 points
  • intercultural skills: max. 5 points

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Optics & Photonics, you need sufficient knowledge of the English language. Your English language skills must correspond to at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Proof of sufficient English language skills

The following is sufficient proof of your English language skills

• your Abitur certificate, if you have taken English for at least five years up to graduation and your final or average grade of the last two years of English lessons corresponds to at least the German grade 4 (sufficient) or at least 5 points or
• a degree from a university with English as the sole language of instruction and examination, whereby English must be the only and official language of the completed degree program noted in the diploma supplement, the transcript of records or the degree certificate
  

Otherwise, only the internationally recognized English tests listed in the KIT admission and enrollment regulations are accepted as proof. These are

• Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) with at least 90 points in the internet-based test or

• IELTS with an overall score of at least 6.5 and no section below 5.5 or

• University of Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or

• University of Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) or

• UNIcert at least level II

Please note:
Language certificates are extremely important application documents that can prevent your enrollment if you do not submit them on time. Therefore, check early on in the application process whether you have the necessary language certificates for your degree program and, if necessary, plan to take one of the language tests mentioned above. The deadline by which you must submit language certificates corresponds to the enrollment deadline stated in your admission offer. In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of this deadline. The extension can be granted until the start of the lecture period at the latest.

Additional contacts:

• Karlsruhe School of Optics and Photonics
• Academic advisor

• Course catalog current term
• Course catalog current term PDF (English)
• Archive of previous catalogs