Programme
The course schedule for the fall semester 2026 (courses at the Astronomy Department) is avaible here.
Common programme (Courses common to all specialisations)
Semester 1 (fall): 30 ECTS
Mandatory:
- Physical processes in astrophysics (microscopic) (2h, 3.5 ECTS) -Dr. P. Eggenberger
- Physical processes in astrophysics (macroscopic) (2h, 3.5 ECTS) - Prof. A. Fragkos
- Star and planets – an introduction (2h, 3.5 ECTS) - Prof. E. Bolmont / Prof. A. Fragkos / Dr. L. Amard
- Galaxies and cosmology – an introduction (2h, 3.5 ECTS) - Prof. D. Schaerer / Prof. P. Oesch
- Astrophysical observables (2h, 3.5 ECTS) - Prof. S. Paltani
- Astrophysics & Data Science (2h + 1h, 5 ECTS) - Prof. D. Ségransan / Prof. A. Leleu
- Astrophysics Lab I (7.5 ECTS) - Prof. M. Habouzit
Elective:
- Astrophysics Colloquium - Dr. M. Audard, Prof. X. Dumusque, Dr. M. Dessauges, Dr. D. Eckert
- Open Lecture on General Astronomy (in French): La terre, une planète vivante dans le cosmos - Prof. S. Ekström
Specialisation: Exoplanetology
Semester 2 (spring): 30 ECTS
Mandatory:
- Dynamics of planetary systems (2h+0.5h, 4.5 ECTS) - Prof. S. Udry / Prof. E. Bolmont
- Planet formation and evolution (2h+0.5h, 4.5 ECTS) - Prof. D. Ehrenreich / Prof. S. Udry / Dr. J. Venturini
- Detection and characterization techniques (2h+0.5h, 4.5 ECTS) - Prof. F. Bouchy / Prof. X. Dumusque / Prof. M. Lendl
- Planetary atmospheres (2h+0.5h, 4.5 ECTS) - Prof. D. Ehrenreich / Prof. E. Bolmont / Prof. V. Bourrier / Prof. C. Lovis
- Astrophysics Lab II (7.5 ECTS) – Prof. M. Habouzit
Elective:
- Course(s) from other specializations or other courses
- Astrophysics Colloquium - Dr. M. Audard, Prof. X. Dumusque, Dr. M. Dessauges, Dr. D. Eckert
Specialisation : From stars to the Universe
Semester 2 (spring): 30 ECTS
Mandatory: 4 out of 5 courses from this list + Astrophysics Lab II
- Stellar structure and evolution (2h+0.5h, 4.5 ECTS) - Prof. A. Fragkos / Dr. L. Eyer / Dr. P. Eggenberger
- Galaxies and cosmology II - Galaxy evolution in a cosmological context (2h+0.5h, 4.5 ECTS) - Prof. P. Oesch / Dr. D. Eckert
- High energy astrophysics (2h+0.5h, 4.5 ECTS) - Dr. R. Walter / Dr. M. Audard / Dr. C. Ferrigno / Prof. C. Ricci / Dr. V. Sliusar / Dr. A. Arbet-Engels
- From stars to galaxies: spectroscopic diagnostics in astrophysics (2h+0.5h, 4.5 ECTS) - Prof. D. Schaerer.
- From interstellar medium to stars: diffuse media and their link to star formation (2h+0.5h, 4.5 ECTS) - Dr. M. Audard / Prof. A. Verhamme
- Astrophysics Lab II (7.5 ECTS) - Prof. M. Habouzit
Elective (other courses):
- Course(s) from other specializations or other courses
- Astrophysics Colloquium - Dr. M. Audard, Prof. X. Dumusque, Dr. M. Dessauges, Dr. D. Eckert
Specialisation : Instrumentation and Data Analysis
Semester 2 (spring): 30 ECTS
Mandatory:
- Observational techniques (2h, 3.5 ECTS) - Prof. F. Pepe
- Optics and detector for astronomy (2h, 3.5 ECTS) - Dr. B. Chazelas / Dr. F. Wildi / Prof. F. Pepe / Dr. N. Blind / Dr. A. Lanotte
- Optics and detectors for astronomy -- Exercices + projects (2h, 3.5 ECTS) - Dr. F. Wildi / Dr. B. Chazelas / Dr. N. Blind / Prof. F. Pepe / Dr. V. Sliusar
- Observations, data acquisition, data analysis (2h + 2h, 7.5 ECTS) - Prof. C. Lovis / Dr. D. Eckert / Prof. M. Lendl / Prof. S. Paltani / Prof. S. Ségransan / Dr. M. Dessauges / Dr. L. Eyer
- Astrophysics Lab II (7.5 ECTS) – Prof. M.Habouzit
Elective:
- Course(s) from other specializations or other courses
- Astrophysics Colloquium - Dr. M. Audard, Prof. X. Dumusque, Dr. M. Dessauges, Dr. D. Eckert
Other Courses
- Astroparticle Physics (5 ECTS) - Prof. T. Montaruli, Physics Section
- Cosmology (8 ECTS) - Prof. C. Bonvin, Physics Section
Other courses can be chosen from the offer of the Faculty of Sciences, in agreement with the Coordinator of the Master.
Semester 3 (fall) & 4 (spring): 60 ETCS
- Major research project (Master thesis, 60 ECTS)
- Astrophysics Colloquium - Dr. M. Audard, Prof. X. Dumusque, Dr. M. Dessauges, Dr. D. Eckert
Common to all specialisations