With the English-language bachelor's course of study International Physics Studies Program (Honours) – in short B. Sc. IPSP (Honours) – you will obtain a first degree qualifying for a profession within eight semesters. The bachelor's course of study covers all important areas of modern experimental and theoretical physics and a sound mathematical education. You acquire basic knowledge of physical measurement processes in experiments that you carry out in laboratories. You complete your studies with a 23-week bachelor's thesis.
The contents presented here refer to our four-year bachelor's course of study B. Sc. IPSP (Honours). In this form, the study plan applies to students who began their studies in winter semester 2022/23 or later.
Attention: For applications from winter semester 2025/26 on, proof of knowledge of the German language at the level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference is required.
In our commitment to diversity, we welcome people of all backgrounds and cultures. We are particularly proud of the fact that more than 1500 students from 38 countries are currently studying in our German and international courses. For an international faculty like ours, diversity and inclusion are important resources for incorporating multifaceted approaches and ways of thinking into innovative teaching and research. We are therefore committed to cosmopolitan coexistence, where everyone is welcome regardless of origin, gender and religion.
Online Self Assessment (OSA)
To support your choice of study, there is an Online Self Assessment (OSA) for the Bachelor International Physics Studies Program (Honours). With this self-test you can check your expectations, skills and interests and receive detailed feedback on how well the course suits you.
We recommend using the Online Self Assessment (OSA) for the B. Sc. IPSP (Honours) before your application.
Structure of the Course of Study
In the first semesters, you will learn basic experiments and theories and deepen your mathematical knowledge. Then there is a stronger focus on modern physics. This includes lectures on atomic and molecular physics, solid state physics, quantum mechanics and statistical physics. In the final phase you develop your individual specialization by chosing from a wide range of physics elective modules.
| Modules | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Sem. | TP 1 – Classical Mechanics 1 | EP 1 – Mechanics | Mathematics 1 | Elective Area 2 | |
| 2nd Sem. | TP 2 – Electrodynamics 1 | EP 2 – Thermo- and Electrodynamics | Introduction to Computer-based Physical Modelling | Mathematics 2 | |
| 3rd Sem. | TP 3 – Classical Mechanics 2 and Electrodynamics 2 | EP 3 – Electromagnetic Waves and Foundations of Quantum Physics | General Physics Laboratory 1 | Mathematics 3 | |
| 4th Sem. | TP 4 – Quantum Mechanics | EP 4 – Atomic and Molecular Physics | General Physics Laboratory 2 | Order of Magnitude Physics | Elective Area 2 |
| 5th Sem. | TP 5 – Statistical Physics | EP 5 – Soft Matter | Elective Areas 1 and 2 | ||
| 6th Sem. | EP 6 – Solid State Physics | Advanced Departmental Lab | |||
| Elective Area EP | |||||
| 7th Sem. | Elective Area TP | Elective Areas 1 and HS | |||
| 8th Sem. | Bachelor's Thesis and Colloquium | ||||
The information on the module numbers and credit points can be found in the detailed overview.
Elective Areas
In the elective area EP you choose one module from the field of advanced experimental physics (ten CP). If desired, the other module can be credited in the physics-related electives (elective area 1).
| Sem. | Module No. | Module Title | CP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 12-PHY-MWPASM | Soft Matter and Biological Physics | 10 |
| 7 | 12-PHY-MWPE1 | Advanced Solid State Physics | 10 |
In the elective area TP you choose one module from the field of advanced theoretical physics (ten CP). If desired, the other module can be credited in the physics-related electives (elective area 1).
| Sem. | Module No. | Module Title | CP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 12-PHY-MWPT1 | Advanced Quantum Mechanics | 10 |
| 8 | 12-PHY-MWPT2 | Advanced Statistical Physics | 10 |
In the elective area HS, the focus is not only on imparting specialist knowledge, but also on developing and improving methodological skills. These are literature research, presentation skills and academic writing. You choose a module from the following compulsory elective modules.
You choose one module from the field of advanced seminars (five CP). If desired, another advanced seminar can be credited in the physics-related electives (elective area 1).
In each semester, aspects of current topics from the research areas of our departments are studied in the main seminars. Possible topics include: surface physics, magnetism and superconductors, biological physics, cell mechanics, molecular nanotechnology, quantum optics, quantum field theory, gravity, condensed matter theory, quantum theory of condensed matter, quantum statistical physics, complex systems and complex quantum systems.
| Sem. | Module No. | Module Title | CP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPSKM | Specialised Topics of Solid State Physics | 5 |
| 7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPSWM | Specialised Topics of Soft Matter Physics | 5 |
| 7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPSTP | Specialised Topics of Theoretical Physics | 5 |
| 7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPSMP | Specialised Topics of Theoretical and Mathematical Physics | 5 |
The compulsory elective area 1 corresponds to the physics-related electives for modules totalling 40 CP. In the subsection Introduction into Specialisation you can choose modules totalling up to 25 CP from the following list. Please note, that not all modules can be offered once a year. You can find the current offer in our course catalogue.
| Sem. | Module No. | Module Title | CP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BW3MO1 | Introduction to Photonics I | 5 |
| 5–8 | 12-PHY-BMWMO2 | Introduction to Polymer Physics | 5 |
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BW3CS1 | Introduction to Computer Simulation I | 5 |
| 5/6 | 12-PHY-BMWEMB | Experimental Methods of Biophysics | 5 |
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BMWMED1 | Introduction to Medical Physics | 5 |
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BW3HL1 | Semiconductor Physics I | 10 |
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BW3HL2 | Laboratory Work in Semiconductors I | 5 |
| 5–8 | 12-PHY-BMWOFP1 | Surface Physics, Nanostructures and Thin Films | 5 |
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BMWIOM2 | Plasma Physics, Thin Film Deposition and Characterisation | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-BMWIOM3 | Microstructural Characterisation | 5 |
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BMWQMAT | Quantum Matter | 5 |
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BW3QN1 | Quantum Physics of Nanostructures | 5 |
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BMWQT1 | Quantum Technology 1 | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-BMWQTPR | Quantum Technology – Lab Course | 5 |
| 5–8 | 12-PHY-BMWQS1 | Quantum Sensing | 5 |
| 5–8 | 12-PHY-BMWQC1 | Quantum Communication | 5 |
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BW3MQ1 | Spin Resonance I | 5 |
| 5–8 | 12-PHY-BMWSUM | Fundamentals of Magnetism | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-BW3SU1 | Superconductivity I | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-BW3XAS1 | Stellar Physics | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-BMWXAS2 | Stellar Physics Laboratory | 5 |
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BMWXAS3 | Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology | 5 |
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BMWXAS4 | Extragalactic Astronomy Laboratory | 5 |
| 5/7 | 12-PHY-BIOPL | Open Project Laboratory | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-BMWQIT | Quantum Information Theory | 5 |
| 5–8 | 12-PHY-BMWMME | Mathematical Methods of Modern Physics | 5 |
In the compulsory elective area 1 (physics-related electives), modules of the compulsory elective areas Experimental Physics and Theoretical Physics that have not yet been completed may also be chosen, but only one further module from the compulsory elective area Advanced Seminar.
The compulsory elective area 1 corresponds to the physics-related electives for modules totalling 40 CP. In the subsection Deepening the Specialisation you choose modules totalling at least 15 CP from the following list. Please note, that not all modules can be offered once a year. You can find the current offer in our course catalogue.
| Sem. | Module No. | Module Title | CP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-MWPSUM2 | Superconductivity II | 5 |
| 7 | 12-PHY-MWPSUM3 | Laboratory Superconductivity and Magnetism | 5 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPIOM6 | Magnetism | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-MWPSEF1 | X-ray Techniques | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-MWPHLP3 | Semiconductor Physics II: Semiconductor Devices | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-MWPHLP5 | Laboratory Work in Semiconductors II | 5 |
| 7–8 | 12-PHY-MWPHLP6 | Semiconductor Physics III: Semiconductor Optics (module runs over 2 semesters) | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-MWPAMR1 | Magnetic Resonance and Imaging in Soft-Matter | 5 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPMQ3 | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory | 5 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPMQ4 | Electronic Spin Resonance Laboratory | 5 |
| 7 | 12-PHY-MWPKP1 | Nuclear Physics | 5 |
| 8 | 12-PHY-MWPXT2 | Particle Physics | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-MWPQT2 | Quantum Technology 2 | 5 |
| 7 | 12-PHY-MWPQT3 | Quantum Technology 3 | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-MWPMON3 | Active Matter Physics | 5 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPGFP | Physics of Nanoporous Materials | 5 |
| 7 | 12-PHY-MWPEMSP | Single-Molecule Spectroscopy | 5 |
| 7 | 12-PHY-MWPM1 | Cellular Biophysics 1 | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-MWPM3 | Cellular Biophysics 2 | 5 |
| 7 | 12-PHY-MWPPOC1 | Physics of Cancer I | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-MWPPOC2 | Physics of Cancer II | 5 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPTKS1 | Stochastic Processes in Physics, Biology and Earth Sciences | 10 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPTKS2 | Non-linear Dynamics and Pattern Formation | 10 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPTKS3 | Practical Course: Complex Systems | 5 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPTKM3 | Theory of Soft and Bio Matter | 10 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPTKM4 | Practical Course: Condensed Matter Theory | 5 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPCQM1 | Practical Course: Quantum Theory of Condensed Matter | 5 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPCQM2 | Physics of Driven and Open Quantum Systems | 5 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPCQM3 | Geometry and Topology in Quantum Matter | 5 |
| 7 | 12-PHY-MWPQFG1 | General Relativity | 10 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-MWPQFG2 | Cosmology | 10 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPQFG3 | Quantum Field Theory on Curved Space Times | 10 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPQFG6 | Practical Course: Quantum Field Theory and Gravity | 5 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPTET4 | Relativistic Quantum Field Theory | 10 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPSTP1 | Quantum Field Theory of Many-Particle Systems | 10 |
| 7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPSTP2 | Statistical Mechanics of Deep Learning | 10 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPTKM5 | Practical Course: Quantum Statistical Physics | 5 |
| 6/8 | 12-PHY-MWPMMP1 | Black Holes | 10 |
| 6/7/8 | 12-PHY-MWPXT1 | Group Theory and Its Applications in Physics | 10 |
In the compulsory elective area 1 (physics-related electives), modules of the compulsory elective areas Experimental Physics and Theoretical Physics that have not yet been completed may also be chosen, but only one further module from the compulsory elective area Advanced Seminar.
The elective area 2 corresponds to the non-physics electives. Here you choose modules with a total of 20 CP. We recommend the following modules. You can choose modules with a total of ten CP from the entire range of modules at our university.
| Sem. | Module No. | Module Title | CP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12-PHY-BIPC | Introduction to Chemistry | 5 |
| 4 | 12-PHY-BIWNUM | Numerical Methods in Physics | 5 |
| 5–8 | 12-PHY-BIEPP | External Project Oriented Cours – Subject-related Key Qualification | 5 |
| 4/6/8 | 12-SQM-63 | Women in STEM | 5 |
| 1/3/5 | 12-SQM-64 | Sustainable Development – Risk Assessment, Methods and Models* or | 5 |
| 1/3/5 | 12-PHY-BMWBNE1 | Action Competence for Sustainable Development – Fundamental Module* | 10 |
| 1–6 | Non-physical elective subject from the entire range of modules at Leipzig University | 10 |
*Only one of the two modules 12-SQM-64 and 12-PHY-BMWBNE1 can be completed in this course of study. Teaching language is German.
You would like to take German-language modules and your German language skills are below the level A2? In this case, we recommend the following language courses depending on your previous knowledge:
| Sem. | Module No. | Module Title | CP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30-PHY-BIPSQ1 | German Course A1.1 | 5 |
| 4 | 30-PHY-BIPSQ2 | German Course A1.2 | 5 |
| 5 | 30-PHY-BIPSQ3 | German Course A2 | 5 |