Optical Technologies

An engineering-physics master's built around five thematic pillars — biophotonics, laser technology, optical metrology, technical optics, and production/energy optics — offered in both German and English tracks, with direct research ties to the Laser Zentrum Hannover and Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies.

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The Master's in Optical Technologies at Leibniz Universität Hannover trains engineers and physicists to become specialists across the full breadth of the optical industry. The programme is jointly supported by both the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, creating a curriculum that deliberately bridges applied engineering and fundamental optics science. Students choose between a **German-language track** and an **English-language track**, both covering the same core thematic landscape but differing in module composition and integration sequence. Both tracks conclude with a 30-credit master's thesis. **Thematic architecture** — the programme organises its elective and compulsory-elective modules around five application-driven focus areas: - **Biophotonics** — optical methods in life sciences and medical technology - **Laser Technology** — high-power and precision laser systems and processes - **Optics in Production and Energy Technology** — industrial optical systems, quality inspection, energy applications - **Optical Metrology** — sensor-based measurement systems, interferometry, precision sensing - **Technical Optics and Vehicle Applications** — optical design and lighting systems for automotive contexts The programme structure allows students to concentrate their elective modules around one or two of these areas, aligning coursework with their intended thesis direction and career focus. A **mandatory practical phase** (Praxissemester) is embedded in the curriculum, grounding students in industrial or research environments. The programme also encourages, though does not require, time abroad. Research depth is supported through institutional partnerships with the **Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH)** and the **Hannoversches Zentrum für Optische Technologien (HOT)**, giving students access to working research environments in applied photonics and optical engineering. A **Master's Lab** module in the first semester offers early hands-on experimental experience before students specialise through elective coursework in the second semester. The fourth and final semester is devoted entirely to the master's thesis — an independent research project supervised within one of the programme's affiliated research groups or industry partners.