With the specialization in Ion Physics and Applied Physics, students acquire in-depth knowledge and skills in a broad range of topics including atomic and molecular physics, spectroscopy, chemical reaction kinetics and dynamics, environmental physics and chemistry, quantum chemistry and plasma physics. The study program is designed to qualify the students for their own cutting-edge research project in Innsbruck in the Department of Ion Physics and Applied Physics, such as molecular physics, chemical physics, environmental physics, nano-bio-physics, computational photophysics, cold collisions, plasma physics and nonlinear plasma dynamics, or inelastic electron scattering.
With a Master’s Degree in Physics with specialization Ion Physics and Applied Physics, students have successfully executed their own research in the framework provided by ongoing larger projects in the research groups of the Department. They can plan, design, build and execute experiments and analyze and interpret research data. In case their research was more focused on computational aspects of Ion Physics and Applied Physics, students have acquired advanced programming skills and have developed and refined their expertise in many-body physics and/or quantum chemistry. In both cases, students are qualified to perform independent research in Physics.
Holders of a Master’s Degree in Physics with specialization in Ion Physics and Applied Physics are qualified for R&D jobs in an academic or industrial environment. They may embark on a PhD program in Physics or a related field, or take on engineering tasks in industry. Highly specialized knowledge in mass spectrometry, ion and surface technologies, lasers and optics makes graduates from the Department of Ion Physics and Applied Physics a prime asset for high-tech companies. Their training in tackling complex, potentially ill-defined problems prepares physicists for finding innovative solutions that secure leadership in technology for Austria and Europe.
Rules and Options for the Specialization Ion Physics and Applied Physics
The Innsbruck Master of Physics Curriculum provides a mandatory framework of courses that applies to all specializations, in total 30 ECTS + 30 ECTS for the Master’s Thesis, see section A) below. The specialization in Ion Physics and Applied Physics is defined by elective modules which account for 30 ECTS, section B). VUs, seminars and lab classes on more specific topics in Ion Physics and Applied Physics provide up to 30 additional ECTS, outlined in Section C). However, you are free to take any course that qualifies for Special Topics or Interdisciplinary Competences as described in the Master curriculum in Section C). A model timeline for a Master Program starting in a Winter Semester is provided in Section D).
A) Mandatory framework of courses for all Master Students, and how this plays out for the Specialization Ion Physics and Applied Physics
First Semester
5 ECTS Modern Physics (LV 744800)
One course for all students: Research field presented by various professors from all physics institutes.
Third Semester
22.5 ECTS Critical Research Analysis
Although this Module formally counts to the general framework, the actual courses are highly specialized. Typically, students join a research group in the beginning of the 3rd semester, and participate in the ongoing research in the group. The Module consists of:
- 5 ECTS VU3 Research Analysis: Ion Physics and Applied Physics (LV 744808)
- For each specialization, a separate lecture is offered. Research Analysis for Ion Physics and Applied Physics is typically taught by Professors Beyer, Hansel, Scheier and Wester in Winter Semester.
- 5 ECTS SE Research Seminar (various codes)
- 12.5 ECTS Research Study: Ion Physics and Applied Physics (LV 744807)
- This is the first small project in the research group, typically integrated into a larger ongoing research project of the group. In most cases, it paves the way for the Master’s Thesis, but this is not mandatory. It is allowed to switch the topic as well as the research group between the Project Study and the Master’s Thesis.
- 2.5 ECTS Preparation of the Master’s Thesis
- The actual Master’s Thesis work starts at the end of the 3rd semester.
Fourth Semester
27.5 ECTS Master’s Thesis
2.5 ECTS Master’s Thesis Defense
B) Elective Modules for Specialization in Ion Physics and Applied Physics
First Semester
- 10 ECTS VO4 + PS2 Ion Physics (LV 744802, 744803) covers advanced topics on Master level, which provide the background for ongoing research in Ion Physics and Applied Physics in Innsbruck
- 10 ECTS Advanced Lab Class A and B (LV 704803 and LV 744801) Advanced laboratory experiments in Experimental Physics, Ion physics and Applied physics, and Astro and Particle Physics
Second Semester
10 ECTS Special Topics in Ion Physics A and B
These are two VU3 which are offered every summer and which are specifically assigned to this module. In Summer 2025, the two lectures are:
- A: Mass spectrometry and analytical applications (Hansel, LV 744806)
- B: Molecular symmetry and spectroscopy (Erath-Dulitz, LV 744845)
C) For the remaining 30 ECTS, there are additional, more specialized lectures offered each summer and winter that cover more specific topics in Ion Physics and Applied Physics:
Examples Winter Semester
- VU Environmental Physics (Hansel, LV 744833)
- VU Modern Methods of Quantum Chemistry (Ončák, LV 744834)
- VU Methodology of Scientific Simulation (Kendl, LV 744853)
- VU Chemistry for Physics Students (Ončák, LV 744852)
- VO Technical Applications of Plasma Physics (Ionita-Schrittwieser, LV 744934)
- PR Lab Class LabVIEW (Wild, LV 744205)
- SE Institute Seminar (LV 744910)
Examples Summer Semester
- PR Special Advanced Lab Class A: Ion Physics and Applied Physics (Laboratory Experiments in the Research Groups of the Institut für Ionenphysik und Angewandte Physik, LV 744804)
- PR Special Advanced Lab Class B: Mass Spectrometry and Spectroscopy (2 Weeks Internship in a Research Group, LV 744951)
- VU Nano and Cluster Physics (Beyer, van der Linde, LV 744841)
- VU Ion kinetics and Reaction Dynamics (Wester, LV 744846)
- VU Aerosol Physics (Hansel, LV 744843)
- VU Electron Induced Reactions in Atoms and Molecules (Denifl, LV 744844)
- VU Non Linear Dynamics and Turbulence (Kendl, LV 744851)
- VU Theoretical Plasma Physics and Fusion Research (Kendl, LV 744852)
- EU Excursion into the interior of the SwissFEL free-electron laser (Erath-Dulitz, LV 744952)
- SE Institute Seminar (LV 744222)
D) Model Time Line for 4 Semester Master with Specialization in Ion Physics and Applied Physics
First Semester (Winter)
- 5 ECTS Modern Physics
- 10 ECTS VO4 + PS2 Ion Physics
- 10 ECTS Advanced Lab Class A and B
- 5 ECTS on special or interdisciplinary topics, e.g. one of the following courses:
- VU Environmental Physics (Hansel)
- VU Modern Methods of Quantum Chemistry (Ončák)
- VU Methodology of Scientific Simulation (Kendl)
- VU Chemistry for Physics Students (Ončák)
- VO Technical Applications of Plasma Physics (Ionita-Schrittwieser)
- PR Lab Class LabVIEW (Wild)
- SE Institute Seminar
Second Semester (Summer)
- 10 ECTS Special Topics in Ion Physics A and B
- 20 ECTS on special or interdisciplinary topics, e.g. from the following courses:
- PR Special Advanced Lab Class A: Ion Physics and Applied Physics (Laboratory Experiments in the Research Groups of the Institut für Ionenphysik und Angewandte Physik)
- PR Special Advanced Lab Class B: Mass Spectrometry and Spectroscopy (2 Weeks Internship in a Research Group)
- VU Nano and Cluster Physics (Beyer, van der Linde)
- VU Ion kinetics and Reaction Dynamics (Wester)
- VU Aerosol Physics (Hansel)
- VU Electron Induced Reactions in Atoms and Molecules (Denifl)
- VU Non Linear Dynamics and Turbulence (Kendl)
- VU Theoretical Plasma Physics and Fusion Research (Kendl)
- EU Excursion into the interior of the SwissFEL free-electron laser (Erath-Dulitz)
- SE Institute Seminar
Third Semester (Winter)
- 22.5 ECTS Critical Research Analysis
- 2.5 ECTS Preliminary Work for Master’s Thesis
- 5 ECTS on special or interdisciplinary topics, e.g. one of the following courses:
- VU Environmental Physics (Hansel)
- VU Modern Methods of Quantum Chemistry (Ončák)
- VU Methodology of Scientific Simulation (Kendl)
- VU Chemistry for Physics Students (Ončák)
- VO Technical Applications of Plasma Physics (Ionita-Schrittwieser)
- PR Lab Class LabVIEW (Wild)
- SE Institute Seminar
Fourth Semester (Summer)
27.5 ECTS Master’s Thesis
2.5 ECTS Master’s Thesis Defense
This is an idealized timeline. In practice, there is a lot of freedom, especially with the distribution of the workload of the Master’s Thesis, so that e.g. one or two courses can be taken in the 4th Semester. If the Master is started in Summer, it will be necessary to adapt the timeline, since most courses are offered only once per year. In this case, it is strongly recommended to discuss the timeline especially of the Project Study and the Master’s Thesis with the supervisor(s), so that classes do not interfere more than necessary with your research.
As of April 2025.