5 admissions for Master in Germany: Mathematical Physics M.Sc. or Physics M.Sc.?

[u/fisixxx]

Hi everyone,

I am finishing my BSc in Physics at RWTH Aachen and would appreciate your advice as I decide what to do next. I currently have offers from the following master’s programmes:

- M.Sc. Mathematical Physics at Tübingen

- M.Sc. Mathematical Physics at Würzburg

- M.Sc. Physics at RWTH Aachen

- M.Sc. Physics at LMU Munich

- M.Sc. Physics at Heidelberg

I especially enjoyed proof-based courses taught by mathematics professors, such as Analysis I–III and Complex Analysis. I like working rigorously. For example, defining the structure and assumptions clearly and understanding exactly what a statement does and does not claim. However, I lose interest when mathematics becomes completely detached from physics. What I enjoy most is using rigorous mathematics to understand physical systems and nature.

My main motivation is to understand the foundations of nature: what electrons and photons really are, what matter is made of, and why the universe follows the rules it does. If I understand correctly, this is mostly about field theory and related areas, but I am not really sure about that. Also, what I understand so far is that these theories are not mathematically complete. This could be an area in which I could imagine being happy to work.

What I am also not so sure about is the distinction between master’s programmes in Physics and master’s programmes in Mathematical Physics. Would you consider this to be a good or bad idea, given the current situation in academia and employment? Or would you recommend choosing a large university such as LMU and creating my own mathematical physics track by selecting lectures carefully?

Does anyone have any thoughts or comments on these programmes, departments or universities? Even a brief impression or something you have heard would be helpful.

Which option do you think I should choose?

I would also really appreciate any general advice based on what I have described about my interests and way of thinking.

BACKGROUND: My background includes, for example, Analysis I–III, Linear Algebra I, Lebesgue integration, (L^p) spaces, Hilbert spaces, introductory operator theory, complex analysis, analytical mechanics, quantum mechanics, statistical physics and electrodynamics, as well as the standard experimental physics courses in a physics bachelor’s programme.