Program for new Bachelor's students

Attendance at the preparatory course and orientation session is strongly recommended for all students.

The most important component is the preparatory course in physics, which takes place shortly before the start of the semester. The preparatory course refreshes high school mathematics with a focus on its application in physics, fills individual gaps, and evens out the heterogeneity of mathematical knowledge. In some cases, it expands upon school knowledge. With the knowledge gained from the preparatory course, you will be well prepared for the lectures in the first semester.

In the preparatory course, you can make your first connections for study groups.

The preparatory course is intended for Bachelor of Science students in physics, physics students preparing for teaching positions at high schools/comprehensive schools and vocational colleges, as well as students in fields where physics is a required minor (especially geophysics/meteorology and earth sciences). Additionally, a preparatory course in mathematics is offered before the start of the winter semester.

The preparatory physics course covers the (school) mathematics you will need from the very beginning of your physics studies. It is primarily intended for physics students. The introductory mathematics course is intended for mathematics students. However, it is also of interest to physics students who have a particular interest in mathematics, and it specifically prepares students for the analysis lectures, which are also part of the Bachelor of Science in Physics program.

While the physics preparatory course takes place every semester, the mathematics preparatory course is only offered during the winter semester. The schedules of the preparatory courses are arranged so that students can attend both courses simultaneously. Students who begin their physics studies in the summer semester do not take analysis in their first semester and, if interested, can take the math preparatory course after their first semester, just before they start the analysis lecture.

Attendance at the preparatory course and orientation session is strongly recommended for all students.

The preparatory course is complemented by an orientation program organized jointly by the department and the student council. This program gives you the opportunity to get to know the city, the university, and the Department of Physics. In addition, detailed academic advising is provided, and you’ll get to know your fellow students. There’s also plenty of time for socializing.

The semester ticket is not valid before October 1 or April 1. You can purchase the “Monthly Student Commuter Pass” at a 25% discount from the public transportation authorities (VRS, KVB) for the duration of the preparatory course. You can find more information here. You can have the certificate regarding the preparatory course (item 10) required on the “Order Form for a Customer Card” signed during the first lecture.

A resource offered by the University of Cologne to help new students get started and find their way: the First Semester Portal.