study content

In the first three semesters of the course, physics is taught intensively in all its technical breadth. The sub-areas taught include mechanics, thermodynamics, electrodynamics, optics as well as atomic, nuclear and solid state physics. The important secondary subjects of mathematics, chemistry and computer science also take up a lot of space in the first three semesters. In this way, a comprehensive professional foundation is laid on which the students build in the further course of their studies.

After the basics have been learned, the students are devoted to various pollution directions, which are mainly four to six in semesters. The specialists include the technical look, laser technology, material science, measurement technology as well as simulation and microcomputer technology. Also in the fourth to sixth semester, the students have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of Elective modules those who best meet their personal interests. In this way, you can optimally prepare for a later professional activity.

Working independently in the laboratory is very important in both of the study sections described so far. Through the practical, experimental work, the students acquire important skills for their future professional life. At the same time, they deepen their social skills because they work in groups in the laboratory. Other non-technical skills are also valued during the course. In this way, the students learn the basics of law and economics, and they are trained in work and presentation techniques.

The course concludes with the seventh semester, which is reserved for the internship and the bachelor thesis. In the internship, the students get to know a specific professional field intensively and gain important professional experience. The bachelor thesis is usually carried out in close cooperation with a company.

Optional focus on optics

The Applied Physics course can do both with as well as without Focus on optics be studied.

For the Focus on optics Count certain compartments from the Elective area such as "Basics of Image Processing" and "Laser application". If you choose the focus of optics, Elective modules with an optics cover in the extent of 25 credit points must be occupied. In addition, an optical topic must be processed in the practical phase and in the bachelor thesis.

Without a choice of focus can be freely selected from the rich Elective offer and edit a topic in the practical phase as well as in the bachelor thesis that best suits your own inclinations and later professional plans.

At the time of enrollment, it is not yet necessary to decide whether you want to major in optics. First from the fourth semester the Elective subjects are to be occupied, so that until then there is enough time to orient themselves.

study programme

The courses are listed below. The numbers indicate for each semester how many credit points are provided in the respective subject. There are 210 in total credit points to acquire.

The detailed study programme can be found in module manual.

Dual study variant (IS+I)

Study and industrial practice (IS+I) is a dual study model of the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen at the Friedberg Study. The focus is on the close integration of industrial practice in a partner company with the events in the course of applied physics. Due to balanced, alternating phases at the THM and in the partner company, theory and practice are optimally linked. In this way, the ideal career entry is prepared - mostly directly in the partner company. The special support of the dual IS+I-students at the THM with many offers enables good and quick degree as a Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.). IS+I has been a study variant for decades in various Degree Courses n at the THM with well over 100 partner companies and many successful graduates.

The advantages for IS+I students:

• IS+I combines a broad study of applied physics with professional experience in operational practice.
• IS+I enables direct use of the learned theory in projects in the company and thus motivates them throughout their studies.
• IS+I is a study model in which some of the study achievements in the partner company can be provided. This relieves the learning phases at the university.
• IS+I guarantees financial security over the entire period of study.
• IS+I promotes an above -average study success with regard to a short study period and a very good final grade through a wide range of offers.
• IS+I conveys general skills for personal development.
• IS+I offers a secure introduction to professional life.

You can find all further information on the Page of the dual study variants.

perspectives

How to use a laser for a 3D printer? How can materials be analyzed with a scanning electron microscope? These are typical questions in applied physics.

Applied physics aims to make the findings of physics practically usable in order to solve technical problems. Since physics forms the basis of both the natural sciences and engineering, it fulfills an important bridging function. The students of applied physics are trained in an interdisciplinary manner and are therefore able to work together with scientists and engineers from a wide variety of disciplines. The graduates of Applied Physics are therefore sought-after generalists with excellent employment prospects in a wide range of industries, ranging from the automotive and electronics industries to the optical industry and biotechnology.

Within the various sectors, the graduates of applied physics carry out a large number of varied activities:

• Carrying out physical experiments in research and development departments
• Computer-aided evaluation and analysis of measurement results
• Analysis and simulation of technical systems using mathematical models
• Implementation of physical research results in operational and industrial practice
• Development of new measuring, testing and manufacturing processes
• Design, calculation, construction and commissioning of physical-technical devices
• Monitoring and testing of partial and finished products in industry (quality control)
• Sales and customer service

specialties

Graduates of the course can be employed in various specialist areas. Some are presented here:

laser technology

Laser technology finds a variety of industrial applications in a wide variety of areas. The fields of application include non-destructive material testing and quality control, high-precision, non-contact measurement of mechanical variables, environmental analysis, process engineering, communication technology and material processing. Concrete examples of use include the qualitative testing of aircraft spoilers in production as well as the deformation and vibration analysis of stressed components, the measurement of currents and emissions, the optical storage, processing and transmission of data, the finishing of surfaces and the cutting, soldering and welding of a wide variety Materials.

materials science

Materials science has long since established itself as a separate subject in Germany. Originally, it was assigned either to mechanical engineering under the name of materials science as an engineering subject or to solid state physics and chemistry as an applied specialization. A large number of different materials (also gases and liquids) are used in industrial applications today, each of which has defined properties and has been optimized for its intended use, for example as high-performance materials. Since the areas of traffic engineering, energy technology, information technology, environmental technology, recycling, medical and biotechnology as well as the leisure industry require new or further developed materials that can only be produced and used sensibly with the appropriate special knowledge, the range of work fields for graduates of Applied Physics is very wide very diverse in this area.

computational physics

Computer physics is the combination of mathematics, physics and computer science. Since powerful computing systems have become available, computer physics has established itself as a third pillar alongside theoretical physics and experimental physics. Computer simulation can be used to solve problems that, due to their complexity, cannot be described using simple mathematical relationships. In addition, computer simulations allow a deep insight into complex technical systems, which are often difficult to access with measurement technology. Finally, computer simulations can help reduce the need for extremely expensive experiments. The computer simulation is used, among other things, in the areas of flow and combustion technology, vibration analysis, acoustics, optics, robotics, vehicle dynamics, satellite technology and biophysics. Because the students of Applied Physics are trained intensively in the basic subjects of mathematics, physics and computer science, they are excellently prepared for the use of computer simulations in their jobs.

physics camp

The physics camp is a special offer for first-year students. The new students spend a weekend in nature in a relaxed atmosphere and have the opportunity to get to know each other. Guided by lecturers and students from higher semesters, the newcomers learn how to carry out physical measurements and how to present their results in the group.

free field test

Physical experiments do not only have to take place in the laboratory. Students of Applied Physics are conducting an outdoor experiment on the important topic of renewable energies. Who can heat up a water sample to the highest possible temperature with the help of the sun?

matriculation