Students report on their studies

The following page, compiled by students for prospective students, offers you information about the study of Nanostructural Sciences at the University of Kassel. Here you will find useful information regarding the study environment and tips on organization.

The content has been compiled by students of the study program in order to facilitate the start of your studies and offers compact, important hints, tips and recommendations for those interested in studying nanostructure sciences, even beyond the official information of the University of Kassel.

Nanostructure science offers the optimal interplay of diverse natural sciences, which add up to a general understanding of the submicroscopic world. If you really want to get to the bottom of the smallest things, this is the right place to be.

Stress in the study is guaranteed, because especially the small things often contain more than you think. But if you have the ambition and enthusiasm for the subject and its many disciplines, you will be rewarded with a lot of fun during your studies.

 

After graduating from high school, I was looking for a future-oriented course of study. Since natural science subjects were more appealing to me, I applied to the University of Kassel for the Nanostructure Science program.

At the beginning I imagined that I would start with hundreds of students, but already in the first week I realized that the nanos are not many. We were like a school class and quickly formed a community. 

Since the program covers several sciences (chemistry, physics, and biology), it was a bit difficult for me to get started at first, since I had deselected chemistry in high school. But thanks to the students of the higher semesters, who accompanied us during the introduction week and organized a nano party, we were able to establish contacts quickly and also get support.

What I like very much is that the topics are not only treated theoretically, but are supported by practical courses in the laboratories at the university. This is exactly what makes the course very interesting. The protocols for the experiments that are conducted are a bit stressful at the beginning, because scientific writing is rarely taught in schools. But the experience of writing scientific documents helped me a lot with my bachelor thesis.

Overall, I am satisfied with my decision to study nanostructure science and would recommend the program to others. But there is one question you will always be asked by your friends, acquaintances and family: "Nano... what? Ah yes, well. What is that?".

 

The bachelor's program in nanostructure science provided good basic knowledge for the subsequent master's degree. Lectures and practical courses were mostly well coordinated and the balance between physics, chemistry and biology was always given.

In the higher semesters, one could already work towards a focus and choose appropriate subjects. This continued even more in the master's program, which I found very positive. Interdisciplinary theses between two different working groups were also supported, which strengthened the already existing interdisciplinarity of the program.

For example, my bachelor's thesis consisted of a cooperation between biochemistry and organic chemistry, and my master's thesis consisted of a cooperation between technical physics and organometallic chemistry.

In case of problems, the professors were always available for the students.