Qualification Goals of the Study Programs

General Preliminary Remark

As part of the implementation of the Bologna Process for the establishment of a European Higher Education Area, the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy has set itself the goal that, as a rule, a Master's degree should be awarded at the end of a student's education. The faculty therefore sees the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes offered as an overall concept with a consecutive curriculum. The bachelor's degree in physics or quantum technology has an independent career-qualifying profile, but primarily lays the foundations for the consecutive respective master's degree programme as well as for interdisciplinary master's degree programmes with a strong physics component.

The Bachelor's degree programmes impart scientific fundamentals, methodological competence and qualifications related to the professional field. The main focus here is on imparting a broad-based basic knowledge in all central areas of experimental and theoretical physics and chemistry. Only a rudimentary basic knowledge of experimental and theoretical physics can be imparted within the framework of the minor subject Bachelor's degree programme (60 ECTS), since the main focus is on imparting knowledge including the Bachelor's thesis in the major subject (120 ECTS), in which the basic competences for taking up gainful employment, personality development and social commitment are also imparted.

Stronger profiling and in-depth studies are reserved for the respective Master's degree programmes. In terms of science, the Master's programme at the faculty directly represents contact with the primary field of work. This is ensured in the degree programme through research-related lecture content, taking into account current research topics, as well as through the Master's thesis.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Conference of Physics Faculties (KFP), the faculty assumes that graduates will carry out a Master's project lasting twelve months (with a total of 60 ECTS) in one of the experimental or theoretical research groups of the faculty as part of a consecutive Bachelor's-Master's programme as the conclusion of their education. This Master's project consists of a total of three modules: two preparatory MA project modules (module "Professional Specialization Physics" and module "Scientific Methods and Project Management") and the actual Master's thesis (MA Thesis). All three modules build on each other and are inseparably linked. Within the framework of these modules, a very significant part of the teaching of competences and skills takes place in accordance with the defined qualification goals.

The teacher training programme in physics at the University of Würzburg not only covers the scientific study of physics but also the teaching of subject-specific didactic skills. The teacher training programme primarily qualifies students to teach in their chosen type of school. In addition to in-depth knowledge of the subject-specific content of the degree programme, this also includes didactic and practical teaching skills and abilities as the basis for professional competence in the school sector.

The formulation and continuous further development of the professional and qualification goals is carried out by those responsible for the study programme, taking into account the recommendations of the professional associations DPG and KFP, and is discussed in the study commission as required, e.g. in the case of significant changes to a study programme or also after a subject evaluation has been carried out. Changes are submitted to the Faculty Council for decision-making. This ensures a continuous development and improvement process in the QM system at all times.