A research-intensive master's program at TU Braunschweig built around the physics of planetary bodies, the Sun, and the heliosphere — delivered in close cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, DLR, and ESA. The curriculum combines rigorous theoretical coursework with hands-on laboratory and observational practice, culminating in an original research thesis embedded in active space science.
The Master's programme in Solar System Physics at Technische Universität Braunschweig is a research-oriented, fully English-taught programme that trains physicists to work at the frontier of planetary science and space exploration. Delivered by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, and Physics, it is embedded in the research environment of the Institute of Geophysics and Extraterrestrial Physics (IGeP) and carried out in close cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and the European Space Agency (ESA).
The programme is structured in two main phases. The first phase — covering roughly the first two semesters — provides systematic disciplinary foundations through three compulsory thematic pillars:
- **Planetary Bodies**: internal structure and differentiation of planets and small bodies, atmospheres, and magnetospheres.
- **Solar System**: solar physics, the heliosphere, and the formation and evolution of the Solar System as a whole.
- **Hands-On Solar System Physics**: practical laboratory work, astronomical observation, data analysis, and computational simulations.
Building on these foundations, students choose at least three elective modules from a broad specialist catalogue that includes topics such as Space Plasma Physics, Planetary Magnetospheres, General Relativity, Stellar Astrophysics, Extrasolar Planetary Systems, Comets and Trans-Neptunian Objects, Asteroids, Solar System Space Missions, and Astroparticle Physics.
The second phase transitions fully into research. Students undertake supervised scientific key qualifications training, independent literature research, and a research internship before completing a 30-credit Master's thesis — an original scientific investigation within one of the institute's active research areas.
Throughout the programme, emphasis is placed on real scientific practice: reading and producing primary literature, working with spacecraft data and simulation tools, and contributing to the research agenda of a department that is directly involved in international space missions.
