Master’s Program Quantum Science & Technology

In the Quantum Science & Technology program students learn to directly translate current results from research and development in science (e. g. Physics, Chemistry), Mathematics and Engineering (e. g. informatics, electrical engineering) into applications, such as quantum sensors, quantum algorithms, and quantum computers, which exploit quantum phenomena – especially superposition and entanglement.

Curriculum

The first year of this interdisciplinary Master’s program focuses mainly on fundamental introductory lectures and lab courses, while the second year focuses on the research within the framework of the Master’s thesis.

1. and 2. Semester - Study Phase

During the study phase, students attend mandatory courses and, additionally, some courses chosen from the catalog of elective courses. Important: one of the two mandatory modules (NAT3034 & NAT3035) must be taken in the 1st semester and it is strongly recommended to take both mandatory modules in the 1st semester. The elective subjects cover selected topics from the research area Quantum Science & Technology and prepare students for engaging in current research, uniquely reflecting the broad research activity of the cooperating universities TUM and LMU. A scientifically-oriented lab course and a general-education subject round off the profile of this Master’s program.

The program comprises two mandatory modules:

One of the two mandatory modules must be passed by the end of the 2nd semester. The teaching sessions are offered in the winter semester and there will be a repeat exam in the summer semester.

Teaching sessions take usually place close to the subway stations "Universität" and "Garching Forschungszentrum".

Master’s students of the interdisciplinary program Quantum Science & Technology can choose courses for their focus area out of an extensive and dynamic catalog, covering nearly all research topics pursued at the LMU and TUM and affiliated institutions. Students can specialize in the following areas:

  • Experimental Quantum Science & Technology
  • Theoretical Quantum Science & Technology

The two focus areas are intended to help you with subject-specific orientation. However, you can freely choose lectures from both areas regardless of the choice of focus area. From the third elective modules cataloge "QST Special Topics" students are might inlcude one of the modules mentioned there to be included in the curriculum. The course catalog will be updated before the beginning of the academic year.

For the QST Master’s program you have to earn 30 CP (ECTS) in the focus areas. You may choose freely over all focus areas. To ensure a broad coverage of topics a consultation by a mentor is required (documented by signature on the mentoring form).

The advanced lab course offers the opportunity to undertake complex physics experiments in our research institutes already during your studies.

Within the Master's program QST 6 CP have to be achieved from the FOPRA. In doing so at least two credits must be earned from each of the two focus areas (experimental/theory). The assignment to the respective focus area can be seen in the table with the experiments (Ex = experimental / TH = theory).

We recommend to do the FOPRA in your second semester (SS).

The current offer of FOPRA experiments can be found here:

Semester 3 and 4 - Research Phase

The research phase brings the students in direct contact with current Physics research topics from the specific scientific area of the degree program. After a period of vocational adjustment (Master’s seminar and Master’s training) students work on their own research project for the Master’s thesis. An intense supervision during the whole research phase is assured by the large number of senior scientists at the campus Garching and students benefit from the excellent research environment with a broad national and international research network.

To the scope of the one year research phase (60 ECTS) belong firstly, the development of the necessary special knowledge within a cutting-edge research line (Master's seminar) and secondly, the acquisition of the corresponding experimental or theoretical skills (Master's work experience), that are necessary for the following realization of the research project within the frame of the Master's thesis. Each of these steps conforms a module, the Master's seminar and the Master's work experience. Both modules belong intrinsically together and account in total for 30 ECTS. Subsequently, the independent research project can be carried out as part of the Master's thesis, which corresponding module comprises 30 ECTS. The research phase is completed with the Master's colloquium, the defense of the Master's thesis, within this module.

During the research phase, the fulfillment of an independent scientific work is tightly connected with the acquisition of additional skills, such as project management, team work as well as the depiction and presentation of scientific results.

  • Scientific work in own field of study
  • Literature research and professional specialization
  • The module is examined by a laboratory assignment in form of a pass/fail requirement

  • Scientific work in own field of study
  • Methodology and project planning
  • The module is examined by a laboratory assignment in form of a pass/fail requirement

  • Scientific work in own field of study
  • Independent research project
  • The module comprises the practical and/or theoretical treatment of a scientific topic, resulting in a thesis (type of assessment: research paper, 70%), and its oral presentation within the Master’s Colloquium (30%).