Physics and Data Science

The first study year is characterized by a university-specific offering of disciplinary education that builds on and expands upon students’ entrance qualifications. Students select introductory modules for a total of 45 CP from the CHOICE area of a variety of study programs, of which 37.5 CP will be from their intended major.

To pursue an PHDS major, the following CHOICE modules (30 CP) need to be taken as mandatory modules during the first year of study:

• CHOICE Module: Classical Physics (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Programming in Python and C++ (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Modern Physics (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Mathematical Modeling (7.5 CP)

Students can choose between the following two mandatory elective CHOICE modules in the second semester:

• CHOICE Module: Core Algorithms and Data Structures (7.5 CP) or
• CHOICE Module: Algorithms and Data Structures (7.5 CP)

The remaining CHOICE module (7.5 CP) can be selected in the first semester of study according to interest and/or with the aim of allowing a change of major.

In their second year, students take a total of 45 CP from a selection of in-depth, discipline-specific CORE modules. Building on the introductory CHOICE modules and applying the methods students have already acquired so far, these modules aim to expand the students’ critical understanding of the key theories, principles, and methods in their major for the current state of knowledge and best practice.

To pursue Physics and Data Science, the following 45 CP mandatory CORE modules need to be acquired:

• CORE Module: Analytical Mechanics (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Electrodynamics & Relativity (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Quantum Mechanics (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Statistical Physics (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Advanced Physics Lab I (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Advanced Physics Lab II (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Computational Modeling (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Scientific Data Analysis (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Machine Learning (5 CP)

The Physics and Data Science CORE modules contain an advanced discussion of the major fields of physics and data science, as indicated by their titles.

In the third year of studies, students take 15 CP from major-specific or major-related, advanced Specialization Modules to consolidate their knowledge and to be exposed to state-of-the-art research in the areas of their interest. This curricular component is offered as a portfolio of modules, from which students can make selections during their fifth and sixth semester. The default Specialization Module size is 5 CP, with smaller 2.5 CP modules being possible.

To pursue Physics and Data Science as a major, 10 CP of the following major-specific PHYSICS Specialization Modules need to be taken.

• PHYSICS Specialization: Condensed Matter Physics (5 CP)
• PHYSICS Specialization: Particles, Fields and Quanta (5 CP)
• PHYSICS Specialization: Biophysics (2.5 CP)*
• PHYSICS Specialization: Atoms and Molecules (2.5 CP)*
• PHYSICS Specialization: Nanotechnology (2.5 CP)*
• PHYSICS Specialization: Advanced Optics (2.5 CP)*

and 5 CP of the following major-specific DATA SCIENCE Specializations Modules need to be taken:

• DATA SCIENCE Specialization: Deep Learning (5 CP)
• DATA SCIENCE Specialization: Data Visualization and Image Processing (5 CP)
• DATA SCIENCE Specialization: Stochastic Modeling and Financial Mathematics (5 CP)

A maximum of 5 CP can be taken from major-related modules instead of major-specific Specialization Modules:

• MCSSE: Quantum Informatics (5 CP)
• MMDA Specialization: Foundations of Mathematical Physics (5 CP)
• MMDA Specialization: Topology and Differential Geometry (5 CP)
• ECE CORE: Electronics (5 CP)
• ECE CORE: Information Theory (5 CP)
• CBT CORE: Physical Chemistry (5 CP)

Further specialization modules can be voluntarily taken on top of the 180 CP required for graduation (these will not be graduation-relevant). Please consult a Physics and Data Science SPC for further options.

As a core element of Constructor University’s employability approach students are required to engage in a mandatory two-month internship of 15 CP that will usually be completed during the summer between the second and third year of study. This gives students the opportunity to gain first-hand practical experience in a professional environment, apply their knowledge and understanding to a professional context, reflect on the relevance of their major in employment and society, reflect on their own role in employment and society, and find professional orientation. As an alternative to the full-time internship, students interested in setting up their own company can apply for a start-up option to focus on the development of their business plan.

The CONSTRUCTOR Track is another important feature of Constructor University’s educational model. The Constructor Track runs orthogonal to the disciplinary CHOICE, CORE, and CAREER modules across all study years and is an integral part of all undergraduate study programs. It provides an intellectual tool kit for lifelong learning and encourages the use of diverse methodologies to approach cross-disciplinary problems. The CONSTRUCTOR track contains Methods, New Skills and German Language and Humanities modules.

Methods
Methods and skills such as mathematics, statistics, programming, data handling, presentation skills, academic writing, and scientific and experimental skills are offered to all students as part of the Methods area in their curriculum. The modules that are specifically assigned to each study programs equip students with transferable academic skills. They convey and practice specific methods that are indispensable for each students’ chosen study program. Students are required to take 20 CP in the Methods area. The size of all Methods modules is 5 CP.

To pursue PHDS as a major, the following Methods modules (20 CP) need to be taken as mandatory modules:

• Methods Module: Matrix Algebra & Advanced Calculus I (m, 5 CP)
• Methods Module: Matrix Algebra & Advanced Calculus II (5 CP)
• Methods Module: Probability and Random Processes (5 CP)
• Methods Module: Statistics and Data Analytics (5 CP)

New Skills Modules
This part of the curriculum constitutes an intellectual and conceptual tool kit that cultivates the capacity for a particular set of intellectual dispositions including curiosity, imagination, critical thought, and transferability. It nurtures a range of individual and societal capacities, such as self-reflection, argumentation and communication. Finally, it introduces students to the normative aspects of inquiry and research, including the norms governing sourcing, sharing, withholding materials and research results as well as others governing the responsibilities of expertise as well as the professional point of view. Students in this study program are required to take the following modules in their second and third year:

• New Skills Module: Logic (2.5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Causation and Correlation (2.5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Argumentation, Data Visualization and Communication (m, 5 CP)

Furthermore, they must choose either

• New Skills Module: Linear Model/Matrices (me, 5 CP) or
• New Skills Module: Complex Problem Solving (me, 5 CP)

as well one of the following modules:

• New Skills Module: Agency, Leadership and Accountability (me, 5 CP) or
• New Skills Module: Community Impact Project (me, 5 CP).

German Language and Humanities Modules
German language abilities foster students’ intercultural awareness and enhance their employability in their host country. They are also beneficial for securing mandatory internships (between the 2nd and 3rd year) in German companies and academic institutions. Constructor University supports its students in acquiring basic as well as advanced German skills in the first year of the Constructor Track. Non-native speakers of German are encouraged to take 2 German modules (2.5 CP each), but are not obliged to do so. Native speakers and other students not taking advantage of this offering take alternative modules in Humanities in each of the first two semesters.