Physics of Life 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

The Master's programme is taught completely in English.

Which equations determine the motion of molecules in an organism? How do cells generate and distribute energy to keep themselves alive? What makes tissues deform into distinct shapes when an embryo evolves? How can we measure the forces in cells and tissues?

Biological Physics combines the power of physics and the complexity of biological systems. If you enjoy applying mathematical models and physical principles, then this field opens the door for you to cutting-edge research at the intersection of multiple disciplines including physics, biology, chemistry, and medicine. The international Master of Science in Physics of Life provides a unique opportunity to learn how to solve exciting real-world biological problems through a physicist's lens.

If you are intrigued by the "how" and "why" of life at a fundamental level — how proteins fold, how cells communicate, or how organisms develop — biological physics provides a versatile platform to explore these questions in detail, using the rigorous, quantitative methods of physics. From addressing modelling of pandemics to designing bioengineered tissues, the field of biological physics has an immediate and long-term impact with ample opportunities inside and beyond academia.

By combining computational models and experimental techniques, you will learn how to tackle open problems in biophysics from different angles. Through lab courses and rotations, programming tutorials, and a research-oriented Master’s thesis, you will gain first-hand research experience.

Start in October

Programme duration: two years (four semesters) with winter semester (October to March) and summer semester (April to September)

31 May for the following winter semester

In the first semester, the students dive into the exciting world of biophysics, polymer physics, physical and biological chemistry, molecular cell biology, and experimental design. These courses will let you explore the building blocks of life and their interactions. It's not all theory though, you will also get hands-on practicals and computational biology projects.

In the second semester, students explore stochastic processes, continuum descriptions of living matter, mechanobiology, biological physics of molecular machines, as well as the fascinating realms of cell and tissue biology.

Already in the second semester, students choose their path by focusing on one of three specialisations:

• Experimental Biological Physics
• Theoretical Biological Physics
• Nanobiotechnology

Each specialisation offers a unique set of elective courses tailored to deepen your expertise.

In the third semester, students delve deeper into topics such as pattern formation and active matter theory, while also attending courses in their chosen specialisation. Additionally, students start an extensive lab project, which can either broaden their horizons or already lay groundwork for their Master's theses.

In the fourth semester, students dedicate their time exclusively to their Master's theses. The theses are part of ongoing real-life scientific projects within the research groups associated with the Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life (PoL), as well as B CUBE, BIOTEC, and CRTD. Additionally, students have the opportunity to work at other TU Dresden departments or our partner institutions.

The programme is offered completely in English. Lectures are held by international lecturers from TU Dresden and research institutes located in Dresden (e.g. Fraunhofer, Max Plack, Leibniz institutes). Students enrolled in the programme come from all over the world.

Lab classes are part of the curriculum of the Master's programme. Usually, they are organised as blocks at the end of each semester. In the third semester, there is a research lab project in which students work on a project in a lab for half of the semester. The fourth and last semester is fully dedicated to the Master's thesis in a lab.

No tuition fees

Currently, students pay approx. 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 minutes. 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.

Applicants are required to have:

• Bachelor's degree, Diploma degree, or an equivalent qualification in one of the following fields:
  • physics
  • biophysics
  • applied mathematics
  • engineering (esp. nanotechnology)
  • quantitative biology with a strong background in physics education or a related subject with a strong background in physics education
• good knowledge in the fundamentals of physics including mechanics, statistical physics, good knowledge of linear algebra, calculus and differential equations as well as basic knowledge in chemistry and biology
• a good command of English (see below)

English proficiency:

• diploma of secondary school or university completed in English
• TOEFL: minimum 92 points internet-based
• IELTS: minimum 6.5
• certificates of other tests of equivalent standard will also be considered, e.g. UniCERT, CAE, CPE

31 May for the following winter semester

Deutschlandstipendium – application in the first two weeks of July via the TU Dresden website

Scholarships from the GFF (Association of Friends and Supporters of TU Dresden) – applications as part of the application to the Master's programme via our application portal.

Further 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 within its Career Service to help students with finding professional orientation. They offer workshops to equip students with professional skills and aid to optimise their CV.

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

Our institute has its own Student Office, which provides help and support to the students of our Master's programmes: https://tu-dresden.de/cmcb/bildung-und-karriere/masters-courses/student-office.

The International Office of TU Dresden is also a good contact point: https://tu-dresden.de/studium/im-studium/beratung-und-service/international-office.

The Career Service also offers workshops and counselling: https://tu-dresden.de/studium/im-studium/beratung-und-service/career-service.

TU Dresden is one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany and is among the top universities in Europe: strong in research, it offers first-rate programmes with an overwhelming diversity, with close ties to culture, industry and society. As a modern comprehensive university with five schools (17 faculties), it offers a wide academic range of programmes. With approximately 29,000 students (20% international) TU Dresden is the largest technical university in Saxony. It enjoys an outstanding national and international reputation for research in natural and engineering sciences.

One of the most prominent characteristics of TU Dresden is its dynamic development –a process that has been going on for years and will continue into the future. As a collaborative university, TU Dresden closely cooperates with external research institutions as well as cultural, industrial, and social organisations. Students also benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration with a focus on practical outcomes. Teaching and research follow the principle of involving both students and graduates into current research early on.

The capital of the Free State of Saxony, Dresden, stands majestically on the river Elbe. The fourth-largest city by area in Germany, Dresden is home not just to riverside palaces, Baroque churches and world-class museums but also to a proud history of science and technology. This finds continuity into the present with the DRESDEN-concept, an alliance of 41 research institutions in and around Dresden of which TUD is a proud and prominent member.

Whether you are interested in theatre, opera, cabaret or cinema, or if you enjoy a stroll through museums or a night out at the pub, Dresden has something to offer for everyone. Students also get an opportunity to be active in the many sports facilities in Dresden, including TU Dresden’s own, or in the surrounding nature of the Elbe landscape, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains (Elbsandsteingebirge) or the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge). The surroundings of the city have plenty to offer and the city is an excellent hub from where to explore Berlin, Prague, Leipzig and Wrocław.