deutsche Version

Master of Science in Astrophysics (M.Sc.)

Basic requirements for admission to the Master of Science program in Astrophysics

The basis for admission to the Master's course is proof of a higher education entrance qualification and a professional University qualification from a course in physics or astrophysics (or another mathematical/scientific field) lasting at least six semesters.
In particular, one of the following entrance requirements is necessary:

• An accredited Bachelor's degree at a University in physics or astrophysics.

• A diploma degree of a University or equivalent in physics.

• The equivalent of an accredited Bachelor's degree in physics or astrophysics (or another mathematical/scientific field) conferred by a University or equivalent body.

In the last two cases the examination committee for the Master's degree in Astrophyics will determine any additional qualifications needed. In individual cases these can also include the waiver of subject specific qualifications in the Masters course when they have already been attained in the breadth and depth necessary for the Master of Science degree. The candidate cannot have failed the same Master's course or one with comparable content irrevocably.

In addition to the successful completion of such a Bachelor course (or its equivalent in Germany or abroad), admittance to the masters course of study in astrophysics (or physics) is further dependent on the successful participation in an assessment procedure.

Assessment procedure

Purpose of the assessment
The purpose of this procedure is to determine whether the candidate, in addition to the attainment of the first degree, is suitably qualified to meet the needs of a master's course in astrophysics. The qualifications necessary include knowledge from a first degree course in physics or astrophysics, in particular in atomic and molecular physics, nuclear and particle physics, quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, statistical physics as well as mathematical-analytical skills and an ability to work scientifically.

Application for admittance to the assessment procedure
The application for admittance to the assessment procedure must be submitted to the faculty of physics (To: dekanat@physik.lmu.de, Cc: AstroMaster@usm.lmu.de - to send the required documents just via mail is sufficient for the Master of Science in Astrophysics!) by the 15th July for the following winter semester and the 15th February for the following summer semester.
The following documents should accompany the application (in German or English):

1. a short curriculum vitae;

2. a copy of the first degree certificate (or, if not yet available, an equivalent document);

3. an essay of at most 1000 words explaining the candidate's interest in and abilities pertinent to the study of astrophysics at the masters level, including a description of his/her achievements in the first degree course;

4. applicants whose first degree course was not taken at a University in a country of the European Union should provide verification of their expertise in the form of "Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores" in physics or mathematics;

5. a questionnaire, provided by the faculty of physics, completed and signed by the candidate.

Results of the assessment
The assessment procedure will be carried out by a selection committee of the faculty of physics and the candidates will be informed of the results in writing. Individual candidates can be invited to interview.