Erasmus Mundus Joint Master - Advanced Methods in Particle Physics TU Dortmund University

Università di Bologna (Italy)
Université Clermont Auvergne (France)

All courses are taught in English (100%).

The International Master of Advanced Methods in Particle Physics (IMAPP) is a joint degree programme offered by the University of Bologna (Italy), the University of Clermont Auvergne (France) and TU Dortmund University (Germany), and it is supported by internationally renowned partner institutions. The main focus of the programme is on experimental and theoretical particle physics.

Methodologically, the programme is based on three pillars, each of which is associated with one of the three universities. These are machine learning and statistical data analysis, instrumentation and detector physics, and large-scale scientific computing and programming. Training in these aspects is the second focus of the programme.

The students entering the programme study as a cohort and attend courses together at the University of Clermont Auvergne (first semester), TU Dortmund University (second semester) and the University of Bologna (third semester) over the course of the first three semesters. In the fourth semester, the students will write a Master's thesis that can be carried out at one of the three universities or at one of the associated partner institutions.

The IMAPP programme starts at the beginning of September at the University of Clermont Auvergne.

• Bachelor's degree obtained in Germany:
  • Enrolment from 1 July to 31 December
  • Interested students who enrol after the start of courses (approx. 1 September), e.g. due to delays in the issuance of the Bachelor's certificate, should contact the head of the study programme.
• Bachelor's degree obtained in a European country other than Germany:
  • Application from beginning of January to 31 December
  • Interested students who enrol after the start of courses (approx. 1 September), e.g. due to delays in the issuance of the Bachelor's certificate, should contact the head of the study programme.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) obtained outside of Europe:
  • Application from beginning of January to 15 July

The tuition fee of approx. 970 EUR per semester for IMAPP is the average tuition fee of the three participating universities. This fee is paid to the TU Dortmund University each semester.

Details about the courses that are taught at each of the universities can be found on the IMAPP webpage.

The type of courses that the students will attend are manifold and include lectures, seminars, lab courses and a spring school.

In the first three semesters, students will attend courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS (each semester) that are divided into compulsory courses as well as elective courses. The fourth semester is dedicated to research for the Master's thesis. The list of compulsory courses is outlined below:

First semester: University of Clermont Auvergne:

• Introduction to Quantum Field Theory and Gauge Theories
• Introduction to Particle Physics and the Experimental Foundations of the Standard Model
• Programming and Data Analysis
• Statistics and Artificial Intelligence

Second semester: TU Dortmund University

• Model Building in Particle Physics
• Practical Aspects of Particle Physics Measurements
• Detector Systems in Particle and Medical Physics
• Spring/summer school

Third semester: University of Bologna

• Advanced Standard Model
• Phenomenology and experimental flavour physics
• Computer Science for High Energy Physics
• Preparation for scientific research and internship orientation
  • Introduction to the partner universities/companies for the Master's thesis
  • A list of partner universities can be found at the bottom of the IMAPP website.

Fourth semester:

• Research for the Master's thesis topic at any of the three universities or at one of the partner universities, laboratories or industry companies

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970 EUR

The tuition fee of approx. 970 EUR per semester for IMAPP is the average tuition fee of the three participating universities. This fee is paid to the TU Dortmund University each semester.

The semester contribution is included in the tuition fee.

• A first cycle degree qualification according to the European Qualifications Framework or an equivalent degree qualification in the field of Physics. This requires an examination of equivalence by the Admissions Board.
• The qualifying degree has to have been passed with an average grade higher or equal to B (or a final grade higher or equal to B) according to the ECTS grading system. This corresponds to a grade of up to 2.8 in the German grading scale, 84/110 in the Italian grading scale, and 14 in the French grading scale.

Valid English language certificate (at least level B2) or an equivalent proof (e.g. native speaker). In case of a missing certificate, an interview will be arranged to assess the applicant's English level.

• Bachelor's degree obtained in Germany:
  • Enrolment from 1 July to 31 December
  • Interested students who enrol after the start of courses (approx. 1 September), e.g. due to delays in the issuance of the Bachelor's certificate, should contact the head of the study programme.
• Bachelor's degree obtained in a European country other than Germany:
  • Application from beginning of January to 31 December
  • Interested students who enrol after the start of courses (approx. 1 September), e.g. due to delays in the issuance of the Bachelor's certificate, should contact the head of the study programme.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) obtained outside of Europe:
  • Application from beginning of January to 15 July

Various scholarships are available:

• Erasmus Mundus
• Graduate School CAP GS (UCA)
• The Franco-German University scholarships
• Erasmus+ for internship in the fourth semester only

Detailed information can be found on the IMAPP website at "Scholarships & Fees".

Students of the IMAPP programme are eligible for rooms in the student dorms at the three universities.

In case the dorms are fully booked, the IMAPP team will provide guidance on how to find housing.

A university with a unique profile:
Since its founding in 1968, TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity has developed a special profile encompassing 17 departments ranging from science and engineering to social sciences and cultural studies. The uni­ver­si­ty has around 30,000 students and more than 6,500 employees, in­clu­ding 330 professors. 5,800 of all students have an international background, which constitutes 19.5% of the total student body.

TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity has a strong focus on re­search. The uni­ver­si­ty’s departments – e.g. mechanical engineering (with its emphasis on production and logistics), physics, biochemical and chemical engineering, statistics and computer science, and education re­search – are well known for their outstanding re­search achievements both nationally and internationally.

Students at TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity can choose from classical subjects and in­no­va­ti­ve courses of study such as medical physics or degree programmes in spatial planning, statistics, and journalism. A particular focus is on teacher train­ing. TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity is one of only a few universities in Germany that offers professional teaching qualifications for all types of schools.

TU Dortmund University is part of the Uni­ver­sity Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr). Together with its partner universities, Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Duisburg-Essen, the UA Ruhr is one of the largest and most powerful university alliances in Germany. The alliance is strong in international research and offers students the opportunity to participate in courses offered by all three universities and earn credits with minimal bureaucratic effort.

With more than 6,500 employees, TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity is one of Dort­mund’s largest employers and has helped drive the transformation of the city and the Ruhr region from Europe’s largest coal mining and steel production area into a high-tech and service location as well as a cultural metropolis.

Dortmund is located in the heart of Europe. It is the largest city in the Ruhr region and is home to the Borussia Dortmund (BVB) soccer club. All of this contributes to the many advantages that will make studying in Dort­mund an unforgettable experience. Apart from destinations for football fans, there are many other places of interest to discover in Dort­mund and the Ruhr region.