Majors
The training course is defined by a major ; each major consists of three Master Classes. You have to choose one among the six following majors :
- Instrumental astrophysics
Today’s research in astrophysics relies on the search of tiny dedicated signals delivered by high- sophisticated instruments developed by the astronomers. These instrumental developments require in- depth knowledge of the astrophysical signal and of the observation conditions. - Observational astrophysics
This major examines the demanding conditions of ground-based or space-borne observations ; each observational method requires a dedicated treatment, in order to search for a maximum of information with a minimum of photons. - Numerical astrophysics
The wealth of astrophysical data and the sophisticated modelling processes are based on high- performance data analysis or computing. - Theoretical astrophysics
The lab of the astrophysicists is the Universe, with so different objects that help studying the physical law in so different conditions. Their understanding requires unique theoretical developments. Their study helps to study physical laws under very different conditions. - Digital engineering
Astrophysical codes and astrophysical instruments use state-of-the-art digital engineering that contributes to ever better performance on larger amounts of observed or simulated data. - Instrumental engineering
Astrophysical observations rely on complex high-technology instruments, based on efficient innovative principles and up-to-date technological advances.
Majors & Master Classes
The master classes are associated to the majors as follows.
(*) theoretical course to be chosen in the math or physics graduate program, or in another track of the Master SUTS
Master Class
The spirit of the master classes is to expose students to the highest level of research practice. These master classes provide education at the cutting edge of understanding the issues, concepts and / or methods of key subjects studied in the PSL labs.
Each master class is preceded by three hours of personal work by the students, based on a presentation of the structure of the master class as well as documents and course materials given by the teacher. Then the master class hour is devoted to a presentation and explanation of dedicated topics by the teacher, and followed by interacting with the students, then by an application work in the form of tutorials or practical work to be carried out collaboratively, under the supervision of the teacher.
In summary, each hour of master class implies, in fact, 3 hours of supervision by the teacher, and 6 to 8 hours of work by the students.
Typical sizing of the Master Classes
A Master Class typically takes place over 10 weeks during the first university term, with 1 half-day / week face-to-face with the teacher or the teaching team, covering :
- 0. A presentation of the learning structure and the progression of the training
- 1. A preparation of each half-day beforehand, based on a tutorial, a poly, a textbook
- 2. At most 1 hour of lecture
- 3. At least 1 hour of supervised individual work on the course
- 4. At least 1 hour of exchange
- 5. Individual work, without the team, corresponding to 3 to 8 hours.
List of Master Classes
- Instrumentation & observations
Many new discoveries in astrophysics do not derive from theoretical predictions but are directly resulting in the expansion of the observable parameter space. Indeed, the ever increasing performance of astronomy instrumentation in angular, spectral, time resolution and in sensitivity constantly offer new windows for observers to study the Universe. This MC introduces some of the most common problems faced in optical and radio astrophysics and introduce a variety of instrumental solutions. - Systems
Not proposed in 2021. - Data analysis
Data play a crucial role in astrophysics. This MC is based on different case studies to show how astrophysical information is obtained in practice. In some cases, the astrophysical signal is complex to obtain ; in other cases, it is crucial to identify a weak signal hidden in a dominant noise. Distinguishing signals, bias and spurious signals is also a challenge in many cases. - Radiative processes
This MC describes the various processes by which radiation may be emitted from astrophysical sources, in continua or spectral lines, explores the fundamentals of radiative transfer, and explains how to interpret the observations of electromagnetic radiation. - Gas dynamics
There isn’t an area of modern astrophysics that is not touched in some way by the dynamical behavior of gases. Astrophysical gas dynamics may be the most fundamental domain of astrophysics. It is impossible to understand star formation, stellar structure, planet formation, accretion disks, or anything in the early universe without a detailed knowledge of gas dynamics. This MC is an excellent way to begin a study of theoretical astrophysics. - HPC / HPDA
The topics about scientific computations covers the basis of numerical methods to solve partial differential equations to the use of libraries designed specifically for astrophysical applications and including high performance computing aspects like parallelization, GPU programming and optimization. The courses have a theoretical content but most of the knowledge is passed through tutorials and practical work. - Exoplanets
The aim of the MC is to present an overview of the methods used to detect and characterize extrasolar planets, and to highlight specific topics currently addressed by the community. Intimately connected to this domain is the understanding of the origin of life & early evolution, and the search of life on other SS or extrasolar planets.