Nanoelectronic Systems Dresden University of Technology

Erasmus Mundus Master's programme Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in cooperation with KU Leuven, Université Grenoble Alpes, Chalmers University of Technology and University of Barcelona

Courses are held in English.

The ongoing miniaturisation in the microelectronics industry gives rise to systems that are now being referred to as nanoelectronic systems. Such systems offer a variety of applications, but their design and implementation are becoming increasingly complex. This is the motivation for the Master's programme in "Nanoelectronic Systems". This programme focuses on three key areas:

• Technologies for nanoelectronic systems
• Design of nanoelectronic systems
• Applications of nanoelectronic systems

The correlation/overlap between these areas will also be covered. The programme does not only focus on traditional scaling ("More Moore"), but also on ideas and concepts for "More than Moore" and "Beyond Moore".
The practical training (offered in parallel with theoretical concepts) develops skill sets and expertise that can be used during internships, project work, and for the Master's thesis, which can be undertaken at companies or research institutes.
After successful completion of the Master's programme, students are prepared to commence research at a university or at the R&D department of a company developing state-of-the-art technology.

For (prospective) degree holders from non-German institutions of higher education

• non-EU nationals: 1 April to 31 May for the following winter semester
• German or EU nationals: 1 April to 15 July for the following winter semester

For (prospective) graduates from German institutions of higher education

• 1 June to 15 July for the following winter semester

The Master's programme takes four semesters. In the first three semesters, courses and laboratory sessions are provided, while the fourth semester is dedicated to writing and defending the Master's thesis. 
The course programme consists of seven compulsory modules, including the "Project Work" module in the third semester to be used for an internship. The topics of the compulsory modules are taken from the three key areas of the Master's programme. The "Laboratory Sessions" module includes a programming laboratory and a practical course focussing on either Technology, Design or Application based on the student's choice. 
In addition to the compulsory modules, students must choose elective modules with a minimum of 41 credits to complete the study programme. The list of elective modules includes modules from all three key areas of the study programme as well as non-technical modules.

The "Project Work" module in the third semester is organised as an internship. In parallel to the courses students get enough time to work in a research group on a scientific topic.

No tuition fees

Currently, students pay ~300 EUR per semester (i.e. for six months). This includes a ticket for public transport and regional trains in all of Germany. Additionally, students can use a bike rental service all over the city for free for 30 min. The contribution also assures concessions in the university cafeterias and offers benefits (e.g. price reductions) for many cultural and leisure activities in Dresden.

Dresden offers high quality of living at very moderate costs. Currently, students should expect to pay around 850 EUR per month including rent, food, insurance and basic expenses. This figure is relatively low compared to other big German cities.

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Physics, or similar
• advanced mathematics knowledge (multi-variable differential and integral calculus, probability and statistics)
• analogue and digital circuit design
• electro-magnetic fields
• systems theory (Fourier, Laplace, and Z transformations)
• operation and construction of basic electron devices (e.g., diode, bipolar, and MOS transistors)
• object-oriented programming (e.g., C++, JAVA)

If one of the above prerequisites is missing, it must be undertaken independently if accepted into the programme.

Certificate of proficiency in English at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) e.g., TOEFL iBT with 94 points, IELTS with level 6.5 (for non-native speakers only)

For (prospective) degree holders from non-German institutions of higher education

• non-EU nationals: 1 April to 31 May for the following winter semester
• German or EU nationals: 1 April to 15 July for the following winter semester

For (prospective) graduates from German institutions of higher education

• 1 June to 15 July for the following winter semester

Information on scholarships and funding for students is summarised on a dedicated web page of the TU Dresden.

In order to top up their budget, some students may want to look for temporary work in Dresden. If so, different regulations apply for students from EU member states, countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, and students from outside the European Union and the EEA area. In addition, restrictions on the duration of employment may apply. Professors, lecturers and group leaders involved in the Master's programme may offer students the possibility of working as academic assistants. However, living expenses can be financed only partially through a job as an academic assistant.

It is still relatively easy to find affordable accommodation in Dresden. Accommodation is available either via the "Studentenwerk Dresden" or on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student residence is approx. 250 EUR per month.
Private housing can be found online. We recommend that you move into a hall of residence at the beginning of your stay in Dresden. Subsequently, you can look for a place on the private market or in a shared apartment, which is known as a "Wohngemeinschaft" in German.

TU Dresden offers plenty of counselling and training by the Career Service to help students with finding professional orientation. They offer workshops to equip students with professional skills and help optimise their CVs.

Additionally, there are special workshops for international students to get to know the German and Saxon job market and network.