Master of Medical Physics and Physics of Living Systems
Welcome and Information Event
We want to start our new study program with a Welcome and Information Event
When? Monday 13.10.25, 12:00h
Where? Physik - P1-02-110 and via Zoom (participation link below)
What? Everything you need to know for a good start into the new program
Who? All Students interested or already enrolled in the MMPPLS program.
Zoom: https://tu-dortmund.zoom.us/j/92907312247?pwd=y9DVu8hawlsF0xSc9Cfk2qEmMbrduo.1
About the program
The international Master's program Medical Physics and Physics of Living Systems offers interdisciplinary training at the intersection of physics, biology and medicine. Taught entirely in English, it builds on the established Medical Physics program at TU Dortmund University and expands it with a new focus on life sciences. Students acquire advanced scientific skills and learn to apply physical principles to biomedical challenges - from diagnostics to biotechnology and health technology.
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The program offers two specialization tracks:
Track A - Medical Physics
The Medical Physics track focuses on the application of physical principles and methods in clinical practice and healthcare. Students gain in-depth knowledge in areas such as radiation therapy, medical imaging (e.g. CT, MRI, PET), and radiation protection. The program prepares graduates for a career as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in hospitals, where they play a central role in patient safety, quality assurance, and the optimization of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
In addition, students are introduced to the development and improvement of medical technologies, which opens up opportunities in the healthcare and medical device industry. The track strongly benefits from collaborations with hospitals, clinics, and research institutions, ensuring that theoretical knowledge is always connected to real-world applications. Graduates are thus well equipped for both clinical work and research, as well as for further academic careers such as a PhD.
Track B - Physics of Living Systems
The Physics of Living Systems track focuses on understanding biological processes through the lens of physics. Students learn to apply concepts from statistical physics, nonlinear dynamics, and complex systems to investigate living matter, ranging from molecules and cells to organs and entire organisms.
The curriculum includes training in areas such as neuroinformatics, biochemistry, and biophysics, complemented by modern experimental and computational methods. This interdisciplinary approach equips students to analyze how physical laws shape life and disease, bridging the gap between physics, biology and medicine.
Graduates of this track are well prepared for research in life sciences, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering, as well as for doctoral studies in physics, biology, or related fields. With the growing importance of quantitative approaches in biology and medicine, expertise in the physics of living systems offers excellent career opportunities in both academia and industry.
Application
APPLY HERE
Requests concerning the status of your applications: admission.inquiriestu-dortmundde
For more Information contact: application-mmppls.physiktu-dortmundde
Highlights
Structure of the program
The program runs for 2 years. The1st year is fully dedicated to course work. In the3rd semester you will start to transition into the research phase and spend approximately half of your time on your research project (research lab) and half of it in courses. The4th semester is entirely dedicated to research. In most cases its a continuation of what you have started in the3rd semester.
Structure of course plans
Overview of individual course plans (SP). The SPs differ in the synchronization area with different mandatory modules depending on the students' prior knowledge (physics, medical physics, biomedical engineering (BME), etc.). For example,
- medical physicists with a bachelor's degree from Dortmund would be placed in SP1,
- physicists (both national and international) in SP2,
- students from fields such as biomedical engineering, biophysics, or biological chemistry primarily in SP3.
Your focus or specialization (Track A: Medical Physics or Track B: Physics of Living Systems) does NOT depend on the SP you are in and is your personal choice entirely. The assignment to one of the three SPs, however, is made by the admissions committee following the regulations of admission to best fit you to the goals of the program.
Area of Specialization (Track A/B)
Here you need to accumulate at least 39 CP from a selected list of courses (some of them ≈ 20CP are mandatory). A comprehensive list of these courses and their description can be found in the latest module handbook. Some of the highlights are
Note: Students should (not mandatory) attend some of the basic lectures in BOTH tracks regardless of their specialization. If you have for instance signed up for Track B, we recommend to also attend a lecture in Track A as part of your electives (e.g. Advanced Clinical MP or Advanced Medical Imaging).
Studying and Living in the Ruhr Area
The Ruhr Area - one of the largest metropolitan regions in Europe - offers an excellent environment for students in the Medical Physics and Physics of Living Systems program.
Good news first: There are no tuition fees at TU Dortmund University and the other UAR (University Alliance Ruhr) universities, even for non-EU students. A semester fee of around €320 covers administrative costs and includes a semester ticket, giving students free access to public transport across all of North Rhine-Westphalia. This makes commuting between cities like Dortmund, Bochum, and Essen fast and convenient - attending courses at different locations on the same day is no problem.
Students also benefit from affordable health insurance plans, low cost of living, and reasonably priced accommodation. The student unions support you in finding a place to stay, either in student dormitories or on the private housing market.
In addition, the Ruhr Area offers everything needed to enjoy student life: a vibrant cultural scene, music and art events, sports facilities, green spaces, and diverse job opportunities.
Whether you prefer urban life or quiet parks, cutting-edge research or intercultural exchange.
University Alliance Ruhr
The University Alliance Ruhr (UAR) is a strong partnership between TU Dortmund University (TUDO), Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), and University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE). Together, they form Germany’s largest academic network, with over 120,000 students and nearly 1,300 professors.
Although the Ruhr Area is one of the youngest academic regions in Germany, it is home to the densest higher education landscape in Europe, with 22 universities and colleges in close proximity. The UAR fosters collaborations in research, teaching, and administration, creating a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment ideal for modern science and innovation.
For students of Medical Physics and Physics of Living Systems (MMP-POL), this alliance offers access to a wide range of courses, laboratories, and research groups across the partner universities. The strong ties between physics departments, medical faculties, and life science institutes – as well as joint projects and shared resources – open excellent opportunities for research internships, master's theses and collaborative PhD pathways.
This network also facilitates student mobility between campuses, supported by the NRW-wide semester ticket.
Whether you prefer urban life or quiet parks, cutting-edge research or intercultural exchange.