Energy and Materials Physics * (Bachelor)

Energy efficiency and sustainable energy supply are cornerstones of the energy transition. They also require new ways of developing materials for energy conversion and energy storage. The new Bachelor's degree course in Energy and Materials Physics meets these requirements. It is aimed at first-year students with an interest in physics who would like to qualify for work in future-oriented high-tech fields with a broad, science-based education.

Graduates of the Bachelor's degree course in Energy and Materials Physics have excellent career opportunities, especially in conjunction with a subsequent Master's degree course. Industrial activities, mostly in research and development, represent the main job market for most graduates. A large proportion of graduates also find employment in public institutions such as universities and research institutes. In addition, graduates of this Bachelor's degree course, with its broad education and focus on energy-related course content, are particularly well qualified for a wide range of jobs in the growing energy sector. The job market opportunities in the field of physics/physical technologies are among the best of all academic professions.

The Bachelor's degree course in Energy and Materials Physics provides a sound knowledge of physics, chemistry and material properties and thus creates the basis for training in materials physics, including energy-relevant course content such as solar energy conversion and functional materials for energy conversion and energy storage. In addition, it provides insights into energy resources and energy technologies and qualifies graduates for further training in materials science, energy technology and physical technology Master's degree courses, but above all for the consecutive Master's degree course in Energy and Materials Physics at Clausthal University of Technology. During their interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) studies, students benefit from the special opportunities offered by a small university, such as personal supervision.

Mathematical and scientific basics:

• Classical physics, atomic and solid state physics
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Materials science

Subject specializations:

• Fossil and renewable energy resources
• Functional materials: batteries, fuel cells, sensors
• Solar energy conversion
• Chemistry of energy-functional materials
• Solid state analysis and measurement technology
• Research internships

Interdisciplinary qualifications:

• Social skills
• Industrial internship
• Business administration
• Scientific work

Final thesis:

• Three-month bachelor thesis

The interdisciplinary Bachelor's degree course in Energy and Materials Physics provides a sound knowledge of physics, chemistry and material properties and thus creates a broad basis for training in materials physics, including energy-related course content such as solar energy conversion and functional materials for energy conversion and energy storage. In addition, it provides insights into energy resources and energy technologies and qualifies graduates for further training in materials science, energy technology and physical technology Master's degree courses, but above all for the consecutive Master's degree course "Energy and Materials Physics" at Clausthal University of Technology. The Bachelor's degree program teaches material and system skills in the focus area of energy, primarily using established model systems and materials, whose functionality is taught to students within the framework of the physical and chemical principles learned in the first two years of study. For example, students learn and understand practice-relevant characteristics for solar cells (Energy and Materials module) on the basis of accessible concepts such as characteristic curves etc., without requiring any further knowledge of solid-state physics. As a research-oriented degree course, learning scientific working methods already plays an important role in the Bachelor's degree course. To this end, an extended research internship is planned before the Bachelor's thesis, which enables students to work on ongoing research projects and thus familiarize themselves with scientific methodology. Practical relevance and the classification of material physics issues for activities in industry, preferably in research and development departments, is taught through an obligatory industrial placement. Interdisciplinary content such as business administration and cost and profitability accounting facilitate a successful career start with the Bachelor's degree.