"External" Final Theses or Research Phases in Physics Programs

There is the possibility to conduct an "external" thesis or "external" research phase. This means that a thesis or research phase will be worked on by one of the supervisors of the degree program and, in coordination with him/her, a thesis will be written at another university in Germany or abroad, at external research institutions, in a company or business, or the entire research phase will be completed there.

The possible supervisors for a thesis/research phase can be found in the respective registration form.

If a topic for a possible final thesis is suggested by an external person, this can only be implemented as a final thesis/research phase if a supervisor can be found who takes ownership of the topic and supervises it together with the external person. The relevant topic supervisor for the degree program in question is the supervisor.

For the Bachelor’s Colloquia regularly two supervisors with their respective students will be combined. Each of them action as second examiner of the colleague. Hence, for Bachelor’s Theses it is regularly not possible for an external co-supervisor to be appointed as second examiner.

If the external supervisor of a research phase/Master’s Thesis is by themselves able to take university exams e.g. as professor of another TUM department or a national or international university, the following is to be taken into account:

The second examiner is appointed by the examination board in charge. While appointing the second examiner, the examination board of M.Sc. Physics always assures that at least one of the two examiners comes from the core staff of the Physics Department (especially no secondary or honorary members, or university teacher at an external institute). This is mainly to ensure consistent quality of supervision and grading.

For this reason for M.Sc. Physics an external supervisor cannot be appointed second examiner if the thesis supervisor does not come from the fulltime teaching-staff of the Physics Department. If the external suggesting the topic shall later be suggested as second examiner, this is to be taken into account while searching for the thesis supervisor.

In the Master's degree program QST, the second examiner are to be chosen from the list of QST supervisors.

There are several legal issues with the assignment, supervison and writing of a scientific thesis in cooperation with an industrial enterprise. These need to be taken into concern by all the parties.

The Academic and Student Affairs Office: Legal Division and ZA5 Legal Office have compiled a information sheet with notes on theses with topics motivated from industrial enterprises and/or work in an industrial enterprise.