Welcome
The Bonn-Cologne Graduate School for Physics and Astronomy BCGS is a joint program of graduate studies between the universities of Bonn and Cologne. The program leads students with a bachelor's degree through an MSc phase to doctoral studies. Students with MSc degrees are admitted directly to the PhD stage.
The BCGS provides mentoring and research internships, scholarships and travel funds, and a vibrant research environment at the forefront of modern physics. Research areas at the two departments of Bonn and Cologne span almost the entire range of current physics; from astrophysics, biophysics and condensed matter research to particle physics, quantum optics and string theory.
The BCGS was funded from 2007 to 2019 by the German Excellence Initiative and the Universities of Bonn and Cologne. Since 2020 the funding comes from the two universities
Upcoming Events
Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy
Master Programs The Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy opens the opportunity for a 5-year integrated program spanning the two years of MSc studies and three years for the PhD. During the second year of MSc studies, students need to pro-actively approach their preferred Professors at Bonn or Cologne University for a PhD position directely following the MSc phase. Students holding already an MSc or equivalent may enter directly into the PhD program. They are required to contact their preferred Professor directly. The BCGS office does neither offer nor mediate any PhD positions. All BCGS events and opportunities such as travel grants are open to all physics graduate students (MSc and PhD) at Bonn and Cologne. In addition, the BCGS Scholarship Program provides financial support and mentoring for MSc students on a competitive basis. In a nutshell, the BCGS training program is characterized by the following principles: Continued learning Research early on Interaction with fellow students and faculty
Scholarship Program
Financial support
Honors Certificate
PhD Studies
We encourage students to broaden their scientific horizons, not only during the MSc phase but also during PhD studies. To this end, the BCGS organizes advanced lecture courses on a broad range of topics, see Teaching.
We aim to expose students to current research at an early stage of their careers. Already our first-year students are integrated into research groups through research internships.
Our students are part of a community of young talented researchers and we want them to feel comfortable in that community. Introduction events help new students to settle in, and networking events encourage ties between BCGS students and faculty. An example is the successful series of talks "Science Meets Business".
Master Programs
The Master programs provides a thorough research-oriented scientific education. Aim is to equip students with advanced scientific tools and the experience to apply them with independence, responsibility, and reflection. The two-year Master courses are modularly structured and comprises both lecture courses and thesis work. The language of instruction is English.
To join the BCGS for a Master course (with a Bachelor's degree in Physics or equivalent), students enrol at either Bonn or Cologne University. The choice is largely determined by individual research interests. Nevertheless, students may attend courses at either university and are encouraged to do so.
PhD Studies
To begin PhD studies, an MSc degree (or equivalent) is required, and candidates need to find a suitable supervisor and research project. During the MSc phase there is ample opportunity for this (for instance through research internships), nevertheless it is also possible to go directly to PhD studies with an MSc degree in physics or a related field taken outside the BCGS. Comparing the BCGS program with the Anglo-Saxon system, the coursework component of a PhD in the US or UK roughly corresponds to our Master program, the research component corresponds to our PhD.
Please note: The BCGS office cannot help with finding a PhD position. Students with an MSc or equivalent need to contact their preferred professor directly.
PhD students are usually paid a salary and contribute to teaching at the undergraduate or Master level, by leading tutorial (problem solving) sessions, and/or by devising homework problems.
Early on in the PhD, a thesis committee is formed from faculty members of both universities to provide mentoring and give advice. During the first two years of PhD studies, students are encouraged to attend further advanced classes on special topics.
Our students also have the opportunity to attend national or international research schools and, in the later stages of their work, workshops and conferences. As a further element of the graduate school, we strongly encourage a stay abroad for at least some months during the PhD phase.
The research done is documented in a PhD thesis, which is refereed by at least two faculty members. Together with an oral disputation, this constitutes the formal requirement for obtaining a PhD.
Scholarship Program and Financial Support
The BCGS offers a number of MSc scholarships, available on a competitive basis. Interviews for MSc scholarships in the framework of the BCGS Scholarship Program take place every year in spring, when shortlisted candidates are invited to Bonn and Cologne (see here for details). During the ongoing worldwide pandemic, these interviews will be conducted virtually.
The lecture coursework for members of the BCGS Scholarship Program is identical to the regular MSc program. However, students with a scholarship are expected to perform at least one research internship.
For details about the application procedure and the selection process, see here.
All BCGS students can apply for student allowances (e.g. travel funds to attend summer schools or conferences), please contact your local BCGS office for details. All relevant forms can be found in the download area.
Research
The physics departments in Bonn and Cologne focus on different research areas; between them they span almost the full range of modern physics.
Bonn focusses on particle physics (both experiment and theory), condensed matter and photonics, and astronomy/astrophysics. The department runs its own electron accelerator (ELSA) and a cyclotron.
In Cologne, research is on astrophysics and cosmology, condensed matter and statistical physics, biophysics, and experimental nuclear physics using an in-house tandem accelerator. One of the particular strengths of Cologne physics is theoretical research in condensed matter and statistical physics.
For full information, please see the departmental homepages of Bonn and Cologne.
Both departments are also engaged in ongoing collaborations with international research groups worldwide. There exist research links and collaborations both in nuclear and hadron physics and in condensed matter physics with the Forschungszentrum Jülich and in astronomy/astrophysics with the Max-Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy.
Teaching
Lecture courses
Intensive weeks
Internships
BCGS lecturers
Example curricula
Information on summer schools
Lecture courses
Every term the two physics departments offer advanced lecture courses. These courses are timed so that they can be attended by students from both Bonn and Cologne. All BCGS events are open to all physics graduate students from Bonn and Cologne.
The complete list of physics lecture courses at Bonn University can be found here.
The complete list of physics/astronomy courses at Cologne University with comments can be found here. A list of courses from past years can be accessed here.
Intensive weeks
During the semester breaks, the BCGS runs topical courses of one week's duration, with lectures, guest speakers and laboratory sessions. These intensive weeks are an excellent opportunity to learn in depth about current research before committing to a topic for a thesis. A comprehensive list of past and current topics can be found here.
Internships
Research internships are a key element of our effort to get BCGS students involved in research early on. As research interns, students join a research group to undertake a research project of typically four weeks duration. This also helps to choose an MSc project. Participation in at least one research internship is recommended for all BCGS members. Please note that these internships are aimed at students which are already part of the BCGS, scholarships to support internships for external students are not available.
The internships are coordinated by the BCGS Lecturers. The lecturer responsible for a chosen research area should be contacted prior to the internship. Research internships are available in the following fields:
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Condensed Matter
Mathematical Physics
Nuclear Physics
Particle Physics
Photonics and Quantum Optics
Statistical Physics and Quantitative Biology
BCGS lecturers
Atomic physics & quantum optics
Current research focus: thermodynamics of a trapped photon gas, and dark state physics in atomic mediahomepage
String theory - Mathematical Physics Current research focus: embedding of the standard model of particle physics into string theory, strings in curved space time and aspects of extra dimensions in cosmology. homepage 
Experimental particle physicsCurrent research focus:High energy particle collisions at the Large Hadron Collider and investigation of Higgs
bosons.
homepage
Observational & astrophysical cosmology
Current research focus: Investigating dark energy and dark matter with galaxy clusters, astrophysics of galaxy clusters, radio astronomy techniques. homepage
Theoretical Hadron Physics Current research focus: effective field theories, dispersion relations, symmetries. homepage 
Quantum impurity physicsCurrent research focus:Numerical investigation of correlated fermions and bosons; impurity effects in condensed matter.
homepage
Experimental Condensed Matter PhysicsCurrent research focus:Broadband dielectric spectroscopy (from mHz to THz); dynamics of complex quantum matter.
homepage
Institute of Nuclear PhysicsCurrent research focus: Nuclear structure studies by prompt and delayed particle and gamma spectroscopy for testing and improving nuclear models.homepage
Example Curricula
To illustrate the benefits of the combined offers of both departments, we have prepared several example curricula.
Information on summer schools
Below is a list of physics summer schools in Germany and beyond. If you know of a summer school not listed here please contact Frank Vewinger (photonics), Eckhard v. Toerne (HEP), Andrey Blazhev (nuclear physics), Joachim Hemberger (condensed matter) or Petra Neubauer-Guenther (astrophysics).
list
Student life
This page gives some details regarding financial and practical matters concerning
living in Bonn or Cologne.
Funding and financial support
The BCGS finances travel, German language courses and other stydy-related costs for all MSc and PhD students upon application, please contact your local BCGS office for details. All relevant forms can be found in the download area.
MSc students
The BCGS offers a number of full scholarships (934 EUR per month) for the first year in the framework of the BCGS Scholarship Program. This amount will automatically be matched to meet the BAFöG amount should it be raised. In the second year of their Masters studies, the stipend is decreased to 430 EUR per month. To compensate, MSc students are usually given a side job as teaching assistants. The income (about 430 EUR)from this side job makes up the difference. The income is about 430 EUR, in return students teach, for example, a tutorial class or lab class.
PhD students
During their PhD phase almost all students hold a research assistant position financed by their research group. The salary is according to the German public employee rules, i.e. usually one half of E13 TV-L, corresponding to a net income of about 1100 Euro. Candidates who apply for direct admission as PhD students should contact potential supervisors prior to their application to discuss the possibilities of obtaining a PhD position.
Housing and other practical issues
Most students in Germany either live in a hall of residence or rent an apartment. A popular option is to share a flat with other students.
Both in Bonn and Cologne, student dorms are run by the local student services organisation (Studentenwerk). Rent is 190 to 400 Euros (Bonn) or 140 to 350 Euros per month (Cologne) for a single-occupancy dormitory. Total costs of living in the Bonn / Cologne area amount to approximately 800 EUR per month.
You can find further information about student housing on the web sites of the Bonn Studentenwerk and Cologne Studentenwerk (in German only). The Cologne Institute for Theoretical Physics maintains pages concerning practical matters of life in Cologne.
There are a number of resources available if you are interested in private accomodation. Wohngemeinschafts (WGs) are shared apartments and can be found on the very popular website WG-gesucht. The University of Bonn AstA provides an excellent opportunity to live cheaply while also helping elderly citizens aorund the house, please see Projekt Wohnen für Hilfe for more information. Facebook may also provide some private apartment listings, but be wary of people trying to scam you.
There are no tuition fees at the universities of Bonn and Cologne. The enrolment fees, which are due at the beginning of every term, amount to about 550 EUR per year. In return, students receive free public transport in North Rhine-Westphalia and can participate in their university's sports societies. Health insurance and other social benefits come automatically with employment as teaching assistant (PhD and MSc Students). The costs are deducted from the gross salary. They have been taken into account in the net numbers given above.
Organisation and Management
The BCGS spokespersons are I. Brock (Bonn) and J. Berg (Cologne).
The BCGS Steering Committee decides on the use of the schools resources,
admissions and is in charge of the academic program. The steering committee
currently consists of
J. Berg, T. Bollenbach, I. Brock, L. Labadie, C. Porciani, A. Thiel, and
U. Blum, P. Neubauer-Guenther (coordinators) as well as L. Franken and K. Vynokurova (students).
Every year, the BCGS students elect a student council, whose members organize social events, are available to give advice and take suggestions on all aspects of the BCGS. The current members of the BCGS student council are: Kateryna Vynokurova (MSc, Bonn; student representative), Lukas Franken (MSc, Cologne; student representative), Alla Bezvershenko (MSc, Cologne), Georgios Giakoustidis (PhD, Bonn), Ali Lezeik (MSc, Cologne), and Angie Veronica (MSc, Bonn).
The admission committee is in charge of shortlisting and interviewing applicants to the BCGS. Currently the admission committee consists of M. Drees, B. Kubis, P. Schneider,
C. Kiefer, S. Walch, and A. Zilges.
BCGS offices
The BCGS offices in Bonn and Cologne ensure the smooth running of the graduate school and lend a sympathetic ear and a helping hand to students. Coordinators are Dr. Ulrich Blum in Bonn and Dr. Petra Neubauer-Guenther in Cologne.
Bonn and Cologne
Bonn
Bonn is not only a beautiful historic city located on the banks of the river Rhine and the birthplace of the composer Ludwig van Beethoven, but also offers a vibrant and engaging environment in which to live, work, and study. As the former seat of government, it still houses various governmental institutions, about a dozen United Nations agencies, and 170 other international organisations. Furthermore, Bonn is also home to major corporations such as Deutsche Telekom, T-mobile International and Deutsche Post.
The University of Bonn was founded over 200 years ago and is considered one of Germany's most important institutions of higher education. Numerous projects that are being funded and have been funded by Germany's central research funding agency (DFG) clearly demonstrate Bonn's excellence in research. Awards and distinctions contribute to the distinguished reputation of the University of Bonn. The most famous examples of such awards were the Nobel Prizes awarded in 1989 and 1994 to Wolfgang Paul and Reinhard Selten respectively. In addition, Bonn can to date boast eight winners of the prestigious Leibniz prize.
You can find detailed information under www.uni-bonn.de
Cologne
Located at the crossing of Roman and medieval trade routes and the river Rhine, Cologne has always been a multicultural city. As one of the cultural centres of Europe, Cologne has innumerable museums, art exhibitions, theatres, cultural events and pubs. Cologne's "Karneval" is famous worldwide.
Open, friendly and internationally-minded, Cologne is a great place to live, work and study. The University of Cologne is one of the largest German universities and also one of the oldest with its 625th birthday celebrated in 2013. An internet survey conducted in 2013 found Cologne to be the German city and university most popular with international students.
The German Excellence Initiative aims to identify and support excellent German universities. In 2012 the University of Cologne was awarded the status of "Exzellenzuniversität", which it holds along with the universities of Heidelberg, Tübingen, Berlin, and Munich among others. The numerous research projects funded by the German Research Foundation and the European Union at the University of Cologne also underline its reputation on an international level. Students who expect challenges in research and teaching will find an optimal setting, especially as the University of Cologne offers a vast range of courses and subjects to choose from. Cologne and its environs are home to three major research institutes (the Nuclear Research Centre in Jülich, the German Aerospace Center in Porz, and the Society for Mathematics and Data Processing in St. Augustin), as well as to four Max Planck Institutes.
You can find detailed information under www.uni-koeln.de
Applying to the BCGS
With a Bachelor degree or equivalent in Physics, you can join the BCGS for a Master course, and subsequently a PhD. Students already holding a Master's degree can join directly for the PhD stage.
In either case you need to make a decision whether to apply for the Master's/PhD at Bonn or at Cologne University, a decision which depends on your research interests, see BCGS research. Lecture courses at both institutions are open to BCGS members, and you can switch institutions between the Master's and the PhD.
Within the BCGS Scholarship Program, the BCGS offers full scholarships for about 30 Master students per year. For details, please visit the BCGS Scholarship Program section; application details can be found here.
Offices
Dr. Ulrich Blum, Isabela Fox and Johanna Echternachat Bonn UniversityHISKP, rooms 2.011 & 2.012 |
Dr. Petra Neubauer-Guenther
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Participating institutions
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Bonn University consists of three physics institutes and
one astronomy institute.
Physics Institute (PI)Nussallee 12 |
Helmholtz-Institute for Radiation and
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Institute for Applied Physics (IAP)Wegelerstr. 8 |
Argelander Institute for Astronomy AIfAAuf dem Hügel 71 |
Teaching staff and lists of all members can be found here. |
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The Department of Physics at Cologne University consists of five physics institutes.
I. Physical Institute (PH1)Zülpicher Str. 77 |
II. Physical Institute (PH2)Zülpicher Str. 77
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Institute for Nuclear Physics (IKP)Zülpicher Str. 77 |
Institute for Theoretical Physics (THP)Zülpicher Str. 77 |
Institute for Biological Physics (IBP)Zülpicher Str. 77 |
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For teaching staff please look at the department’s website. |
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Cooperating institutions
Jülich Research Centre FZJ
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Max Planck Institute
for
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Imprint
Editor
University of CologneDepartment of Physics Dr. Petra Neubauer-Guenther |
Universität Bonn
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Design and Realisation
Martina Markus
E-Mail: m.markus(at)verw.uni-koeln.de
Limitation of liability for internal content:
The content of our website has been compiled with meticulous care and to the best of our knowledge. However, we cannot assume any liability for the up-to-dateness, completeness or accuracy of any of the pages.
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