The Physics Department at the University in Halle

The origins of University of Halle-Wittenberg date back to the beginning of the 16th century when the Wittenberg part of the university was founded. The University in Halle was founded nearly two hundred years later, and in 1817 the two universities were united. At the beginning of the historical development of the university, the Physics Department was part of the Faculty of Medicine of the University Halle. In 1716, the mathematician and philosopher Christian Wolff was appointed to the Chair of Physics. Under J.S.C. Schweigger, the Physics Institute became an independent department in the Faculty of Philosophy.At the beginning of the 20th century, the physicist Friedrich Ernst Dorn (1886-1916) worked on subjects like x-ray radiation, radioactivity and quantum mechanics at the Physics Institute in Halle. In 1900, Dorn discovered a radioactive gas which later received the name radon. After Dorn, physicists like Gustav Mie (Mie effect) and Adolf Smekal (Raman effect) influenced the development of physics in Halle. Also Gustav Hertz belonged from 1925 to 1927 to the University of Halle, where he got the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1926.
Today the physics department offers a spectrum of research activities centered on the general focus of the university in material science and life sciences. There are close relations with the nearby Max-Planck-Institute of Microstructure Physics.

Overview of Research Groups and Research Topics of the Physics Department at Halle University

University Education

The academic year is divided into two semesters, where the summer semester usually runs from April to July, the winter semester lasts from October to February. The usual course duration is one semester.
The degrees generally offered at German universities are the "Magister" (Master of Arts) and "Diplom", typically acquired after 9 or 10 semesters of university education. The Diplom is comparable to a Master of Science degree.
University education is divided into general studies or basic studies and a period of specialization later on (advanced studies). Regularly, the general education part ends after four semesters with an intermediate examination ("Vordiplom"). For the next two or three years, students obtain specialized education in the discipline they have chosen as their major course of study. A final examination is held before graduation.
Students are to a certain extent free to determine the course of their studies themselves. There is a choice in lectures to attend and students choose the professor to take an exam with.

The Physics Department offers courses in physics ("Diplom" and "Staatsexamen" for teachers), medical physics ("Diplom") and astronomy (for teachers).

The graduates in Medical Physics receive a physics diploma and two state-approved certificates of radiation protection (basic course, advanced course) enabling them to work as radiation protection officers in medicine and elsewhere. The course program meets the regulations of the "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Medizinische Physik".

Structure of the Course "Medical Physics"

1. Basic Studies (four semesters, starting in winter term)

2. First Exam ("Vordiplom") covering all courses of the first four semesters.

3. Advanced Studies (six semesters)

4. Final Examination ("Diplomprüfung")

Examinations in the following subjects:

• Experimental Physics
• Theoretical Physics
• Radiation Physics and Dosimetry
• Optional Interdisciplinary Elective

Career Opportunities

Typical positions available to physicists include work in industrial research and development, technical equipment sales, software development, scientific or technical publishing, high school teaching, product testing and development, and government research. The medical physics course aims to provide the knowledge and skills required for work in medicine-related fields, be it medical research, medical technology, or supervision in radiation therapy and diagnostics.
Students may also continue studies at the graduate level to obtain a doctorate degree (PhD).

Academic Advisor for further information on syllabus