In this lecture we will explore the various approaches that are applied to investigate the very hot and dense matter produced in nuclear interactions. After a general introduction to the topic, a deeper introduction into the multi-fluid hydrodynamics approach and into transport theory are provided. The theoretical methods and results are compared to experimental data and conclusions about the properties of the produced matter are drawn.

An overview on the landscape of QCD related experimental research projects in Germany, or with German involvement, will be given. Apart from the FAIR project there are also many other activities in the fields of heavy-ion, hadron and nuclear physics that are currently being addressed at various laboratories, e.g. COSY or CERN. Several experiments will be presented and the research opportunities at the various laboratories will be discussed. Also, the funding mechanisms in Germany, resp. Europe, for large scale experimental projects will be introduced.

The object of radiotherapy in oncology is to destroy tumor cells while sparing surrounding, healthy tissues. This requires maximizing the physical dose of radiation as well as the biological effectiveness in the tumor while minimizing them in healthy tissues. Accelerated ions meet these objectives far better than the commonly used X-rays.  The biologically effective dose in the tumor can be optimized by selecting the appropriate kind of ions. Many years of research at GSI have established that carbon ions are best. The maximum biological effect coincides exactly with the maximum physical dose. These effects intensify each other synergistically so that the carbon ions damage cells very effectively at their full penetration depth within the body. In protons and lighter ions the increase in biological effectiveness is small. In heavier ions it occurs too soon and tends to damage healthy tissues overlying the tumor. In this lecture, we will introduce the main results and approaches to apply and validate this new method.

As a contrast and complementation to the science at FAIR the high energy physics at the LHC will be presented. Here the focus will additionally lie on the description of black holes, quantum mechanical effects in black hole spacetime and the phenomenology of the Hawking radiation. 

To explore cosmic matter in the laboratory - this fascinating research prospect becomes available at the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research, FAIR. The new facility is being constructed adjacent to the existing accelerator complex of the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research at Darmstadt/Germany. At worldwide unique accelerator and experimental facilities, FAIR will open the way for a large variety of experiments in hadron, nuclear, atomic and plasma physics as well as applied sciences which will be introduced in this lecture. The main part of the lecture will focus on the exploration of the QCD phase diagram grouped in five chapters:

1. Nuclear Matter at (or close to) ground state
2. Exploring compressed nuclear matter in “nature”- late stages of heavy stars
3. Exploring dense nuclear matter in the laboratory
4. Exploring the early universe in the laboratory
5. Exploring the highest baryon densities in the laboratory.

This lecture will focus on the scientific environment and study and exchange programs. Challenges and opportunities for Cuban students will be discussed. Dr. Sascha Vogel will also provide a general public presentation.