Information 2023-2024

The introductory meeting for the M2 ASEP will be on Friday 1st September 2023 at 09:30, in the Coriolis room, at the Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (14 avenue Edouard Belin).

This year we will welcome approximately 26 students, where 5 are from the ISAE and 21 are enrolled at the University Toulouse III, 6 being from the SpaceMaster programme.

Presentation

The Master SUTS « Science of the Universe and Space Technologies » « Astrophysics, Space science and Planetology » track (M2-SUTS-ASEP) proposes an in depth programme in physics and astrophysics, which is aimed at students who wish to undertake a PhD in subjects related to Astrophysics, Space science or Planetology. The programme aims to provide a good understanding of physical phenomena found in astrophysics and planetology, as well details about different celestial bodies and grounding in the methods and techniques used in the conception and development of space technology (instrumentation, new technology, etc). The programme is offered jointly by the University Paul Sabatier and the Engineering school ISAE, allowing 3rd year ISAE students to gain a deeper understanding of the science that they may encounter if they move into the domain of space technologies or to allow them to undertake a research career if they wish.

The M2-SUTS is part of the European Erasmus Mundus « Space Master : Joint European master in Space Sciences and Technology ». As such, a number of foreign students follow the M2-SUTS each year, after undertaking their first year in Sweden.

The courses given as a part of this second year masters programme cover a wide range of contemporary astrophysics topics, and provide a solid basis in physics. There are also optional courses allowing the student to tailor the programme to his/her own interests, either astrophysics, planetology or space science or even a mixture of two or three of these. The three different orientations reflect the main research activities at the Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP). The course also provides a solid basis for students wishing to pursue a research career in other laboratories outside of Toulouse, either in France or internationally. The subjects and methods taught within the M2 also provide a solid grounding for students wishing to orient their career towards the private sector.

The M2-SUTS is part of the European Erasmus Mundus « Space Master : Joint European master in Space Sciences and Technology ». As such, a number of foreign students follow the M2-SUTS each year, after undertaking their first year in Sweden.

Objectives of the M2 ASEP course

Scientific objectives, professional objectives

The ASEP track dates back to the days of the “DEA” in Toulouse. It has always attracted a large number of students from a variety of different French universities. The courses dispensed cover a wide range of contemporary astrophysics, as well as more specific courses for those students wishing to continue their career in Toulouse. The subjects and methods taught within the M2 also provide a solid grounding for students wishing to orient their career towards the private sector.

Skills expected

Throughout the course, the student is expected to have a high level of autonomy, as most of the courses given are in lecture format, implying that the student will need to provide significant personal investment to attain a high level of understanding of the studied matter.

One week of the course is spent at the Pic du Midi observatory to provide students with an opportunity to work in a high quality astronomical environment, undertaking both nocturnal and diurnal observations.

The M2 ASEP students also undertake an internship of 5 months in a research laboratory (during the second semester). This will provide research experience and the work achieved will be assessed via a written report and an oral presentation in front of a jury.

Opportunities open to students following the M2-SUTS-ASEP

Following a PhD, students find work in different research organisms (CNRS, Universities, CNES (French Space Agency), European Space Agency, Research laboratories or industry, …) in many different domains related to Space. This course is generally aimed at students having followed scientific courses, like physics, mechanical engineering, chemical physics, applied maths, etc) or from engineering schools.

If you want to know more…