Deutsches Zentrum für Astrophysik Campuses

At the Garching campus of the Deutsches Zentrum für Astrophysik, graduate-level courses focus on cutting-edge theoretical and computational astrophysics. The curriculum supports PhD students through the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) and collaborative programs with local universities.

Key courses taught include:

• Advanced Cosmology: Inflationary models, dark energy, cosmic microwave background analysis, large-scale structure formation, and Bayesian inference with data from Planck, Euclid, and DESI surveys.
• Stellar Astrophysics: Internal structure, evolution tracks, binary systems, mass transfer, Type Ia supernovae, and nucleosynthesis processes.
• Galactic Dynamics: Orbital mechanics, potential theory, N-body simulations, dark matter profiles, and bar instabilities in disk galaxies.
• Exoplanets and Astrobiology: Detection techniques (transits, RV, microlensing), atmospheric spectroscopy with JWST, orbital dynamics, and habitability zones.
• High-Energy Astrophysics: Accretion disks, X-ray binaries, active galactic nuclei, gamma-ray bursts, gravitational wave sources, and multimessenger events.
• Plasma Astrophysics: Ideal and non-ideal MHD, reconnection, shocks, particle acceleration, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections.
• Computational Methods: Finite difference/volume schemes, smoothed particle hydrodynamics, adaptive mesh refinement, GPU programming, and machine learning for astrophysical data.
• General Relativity and Numerical Relativity: Black hole perturbations, binary inspirals, waveform modeling for LIGO/Virgo, and alternative gravity theories.

Seminars, journal clubs, and hands-on workshops complement the lectures. Students use supercomputing facilities like the MPA's clusters for projects leading to peer-reviewed publications. Interdisciplinary electives cover quantum field theory in curved spacetime and astrostatistics. The program prepares researchers for roles at observatories, space agencies like ESA/DLR, and academia, with emphasis on skills for next-generation facilities like the Extremely Large Telescope and Rubin Observatory. Faculty mentor small groups, fostering innovation in solving universe's fundamental questions.