The Physics Open Day took place in November, and the Chemistry Open Day in January. Both events combined lecture visits, laboratory tours, and personal discussions with researchers and lecturers – thus providing an authentic insight into student life, research practice, and career prospects.

Physics in November: From the Lecture Hall to High-Tech Labs
The Physics Day began with a welcome from the Director of the Academic Program, Prof. Julia Herzen. It quickly became clear how vividly and experimentally physics is taught at TUM. The participants then attended a regular first-semester lecture: in Experimental Physics 1 (Mechanics) by Prof. Christian Back, they experienced the authentic lecture hall atmosphere and observed how the fundamentals of physics are taught and illustrated through experiments.

A campus tour with Dr. Johannes Wiedersich provided orientation on the extensive research facilities in Garching. In addition to visiting several NAT buildings, the variety of physics research on campus became apparent through the presence of numerous other physics research facilities. After lunch in the cafeteria, the focus shifted to cutting-edge research: during a lab tour of the Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE), guests gained insights into interdisciplinary research projects at the intersection of physics, engineering, and medicine. In a final information session, Dr. Wiedersich explained the physics program and typical career paths for physicists.

Chemistry in January: Research from Molecules to Materials
The Chemistry Day began in January at the Bavarian NMR Center (BNMRZ) with a welcome by Dr. Robert Reich and Prof. Bernd Reif. This was followed by a presentation of current battery research in physical chemistry: Rebecca Wilhelm and Matthias Kornherr provided insights into the electrochemistry of e-mobility and showed how chemical research contributes to sustainable energy storage.

Dr. Carsten Troll from the Wacker Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry spoke about plastics as universal materials of the 20th and 21st centuries. Afterwards, Pelin Ida Baydar and Jonathan Held presented biochemistry and offered exciting insights into current protein biochemistry. After lunch, Dr. Gerd Gemmeckerprovided information on pathways and opportunities in chemistry studies at TUM. The lively conclusion featured an experimental lecture in the Hans-Fischer lecture hall: Prof. Fritz Kühn and Tobias Kubodemonstrated—with impressive and occasionally loud experiments—the formation, occurrence, and significance of oxygen.

For many participants, both Days offered not only fascinating insights into modern natural sciences but also valuable guidance for choosing a course of study, with lively discussions among the students.

More information and links

• Offers for high-performing students: https://www.tum.de/en/studies/from-school-to-university/fuer-leistungsstarke-schuelerinnen

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