Master of Science in Microsystems Engineering University of Freiburg

Courses are held in English. Participants can choose to write their Master's theses in English or German.

Microsystems engineering is the engineering discipline with the broadest focus: elements from mathematics, physics, chemistry, electrical engineering and materials science form the cornerstones of exciting innovations.

Microsystems engineering – a versatile technology that industries can no longer do without

The products we deal with on a daily basis are becoming ever smaller, more powerful, smarter, more connected and more independent. Often, however, the sensors and systems that are in these everyday objects are so miniaturised that they are nearly invisible. That is precisely the reason they have taken a foothold in most industries.

A lot of the products and systems within such sectors as the automobile industry, medical services, communications and energy are unimaginable today without microsystems engineering, making your career as a microsystems engineer a versatile and exciting choice!

Your benefits as a Microsystems Engineering student:

• Study at one of the world’s largest and leading academic research centres in the field of microsystems engineering.
• With around 440 students and 22 professors, we offer an excellent student-teacher ratio for optimal supervisory support.
• Using state-of-the-art equipment with a designated clean room, you will become familiar with working in this special laboratory environment.

The programme combines extensive coursework in advanced microsystems engineering with a concentration in one of the following subdisciplines:

• Circuits and Systems
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials and Fabrication
• Photonics

The required Master's thesis will be based on project work performed directly in a professor's research group, giving the graduate extensive, hands-on experience using the state-of-the-art microsystems infrastructure at the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK).

• Non-EU applicants: 1 May (early); 31 May (final deadline)
• EU applicants: 15 July

The state of Baden-Württemberg implemented study fees for international students as well as students earning a second degree starting in the 2017/18 winter semester.

Here you will find further information about tuition fees:
www.studium.uni-freiburg.de/en

The first year of the programme is very demanding. According to the recommended study plan, the MSE students complete the following compulsory courses, providing the fundamental theoretical framework:

• Microelectronics
• Micromechanics
• Microsystems Design Laboratory
• MSE Technology and Processes
• Signal Processing

In addition, the students will choose five out of eight courses offered in the Advanced Microsystems area:

• Assembly and Packaging Technology
• Micro-optics
• Modelling and System Identification
• Probability and Statistics
• Sensors
• Biomedical Microsystems
• Microactuators
• Microfluidics

In the second, third and fourth semesters, MSE students will complete several courses in their chosen concentration area, thus allowing each student to realise their individual interests and obtain an in-depth look at a sub-discipline of this very broad, interdisciplinary field. The following concentration areas are offered:

• Circuits and Systems
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials and Fabrication
• Photonics

Essential for the successful completion of the Master’s degree is the submission of a Master’s thesis, which is based on a project performed during the fourth semester of the programme. During this time, each student works as a member of one of the 20 research groups of the department, with full access to laboratory and cleanroom infrastructure. If the Master's thesis topic is chosen from the same area that a student chose as his or her concentration area, it will be mentioned as a specialisation in the degree certificate.

Internships are not an integral part of the curriculum. Nevertheless, students are free to take a leave of absence in order to do an internship in a company.

1,500 EUR

The state of Baden-Württemberg implemented study fees for international students as well as students earning a second degree starting in the 2017/18 winter semester.

Here you will find further information about tuition fees:
www.studium.uni-freiburg.de/en

190 EUR per semester:

• Administrative fee: 80 EUR
• Contribution to the constituted student body: 7 EUR
• Contribution to the student union: 103 EUR

Participants must ensure that sufficient funding is available to finance their participation in a course of study. The average cost of living in Freiburg for one month is currently approx. 850 EUR to 1,000 EUR.

Some details:

• Rooms in private accommodation, including extra costs: 350 EUR – 700 EUR
• Rooms in student residences, including extra costs: 250 EUR – 550 EUR
• Private expenses amount to around 350 EUR per month.
• Health insurance is available for approx. 120 EUR per month.
• Transport: A special student ticket for regional transport costs approx. 96 EUR per semester.

Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, such as:

• Mechatronics
• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Electronics Engineering

OR they must have a Bachelor's degree in a closely related field with an excellent cumulative GPA or final grade.

Previous knowledge in mathematics, physics, chemistry, technical mechanics, electronics and materials is crucial for admission.

Exemption from submitting an English language certificate is only granted to native speakers from the USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada or students who completed their Bachelor’s in one of these countries. All other candidates have to submit one of the following English language certificates:

• TOEFL iBT, minimum 95 points
• Academic IELTS, minimum 7.0
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
• Pearson PTE Academic (min. 76)
• TELC
• TOEIC
• UNIcert III or IV

• Non-EU applicants: 1 May (early); 31 May (final deadline)
• EU applicants: 15 July

There are scholarship schemes for students who obtained an excellent result in their undergraduate studies (final grade of 1.5 or better in the German grading system).

More information on the Deutschlandstipendium:
http://www.studium.uni-freiburg.de/en/counseling/scholarship-advising/deutschlandstipendium-germany-scholarship?searchterm=deutschlandstipendium&s

https://www.tf.uni-freiburg.de/en/studies-and-teaching/a-to-z-study-faq/christoph-ruchardt-scholarship

Qualified students may easily find opportunities for research and teaching assistantships within the laboratories of the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK).

As Freiburg is an attractive city, finding a suitable and affordable place to live can take a little while. The University of Freiburg offers all newly enrolled international students the possibility to apply for student housing via the International Office. In addition to these dormitories, which are run by the Studierendenwerk Freiburg (www.swfr.de/en), several independent residence halls are listed on the university website (http://www.housing.uni-freiburg.de). The Studierendenwerk Freiburg and the International Office also offer a list of available private rooms.

The university offers the following career services:

• Company visits
• Discussions with and talks from employers
• Advising on application procedures and documents

The University of Freiburg was founded in 1457 as a classical comprehensive university, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Germany. Awarded for its excellence in both research and teaching, the university also boasts a long history, with numerous Nobel laureates. Brilliant scholars and creative thinking distinguish it today as a modern, top-notch university, well equipped for the challenges of the 21st century. As an organisation with around 24,500 students, 288 degree programmes, and 6,536 employees (2021), the University of Freiburg is committed to family friendliness, equal opportunities, and environmental consciousness in its day-to-day operations. The structure of the university is multifaceted, ranging from 11 academic faculties – from the humanities and the social and natural sciences all the way to engineering – to 19 research centres. This goes to show that we are a dynamic, large-scale institution with a diverse educational offering. As studies, research, and continuing education are all an integral part of this offering, we maintain a close relationship with the city and the region as well as with the international academic community. Bilateral partnerships, research projects, joint study courses and memberships in international networks such as the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and of EUCOR – The European Campus are examples of the university's strong transnational relations. All our students, including those from abroad, can take courses at the Universities of Basel (Switzerland) and Strasbourg (France) without having to enrol. Via EUCOR, The European Campus mobility grant, they also receive allowances for travel expenses to their partner institutions.

Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in south-western Germany on the edge of the Black Forest. Freiburg was founded by Konrad and Duke Bertold III of Zähringen in 1120 as a free market town – hence its name, which translates to "free town". Freiburg holds a central position in Europe at the border triangle of Switzerland, France, and Germany, and is the city with the most hours of sunshine per year in Germany. It is nestled in one of the oldest cultural landscapes north of the Alps, a location which has had an unmistakable influence on the town. The university plays an essential part in the quality of life in Freiburg; both in the academic sphere and in the perception of the general public, the activities of the university are of central importance. Since its founding, teaching, learning and research have formed an indivisible whole.

With approx. 230,000 inhabitants, Freiburg has a friendly size, offering the safe surroundings of a smaller city whilst at the same time excelling in terms of culture, shopping and infrastructure. Both the inhabitants and the city government of Freiburg attach great importance to ecological values and sustainable development. This "green city" atmosphere influences many aspects of city life – from the numerous cyclists on the streets to cutting-edge solar energy research. Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Black Forest and the wine-growing regions of the Rhine Valley, Freiburg is a popular destination for tourism and leisure activities.