Physics of the Earth (Master)

Building on bachelor's programmes in Physics/Geophysics, the joint master’s programme taught in English offers students a broad and in-depth scientific education in the field of physics of the earth. This fundamental education enables students to understand not only the basic mechanisms of our planet, but also some of the challenges humanity faces due to its dependence on the physical environment. These topics include natural resources and risks as well as the impact of humans on nature and their immediate surroundings.

The master's programme in Physics of the Earth targets the functioning of the Earth, and how to explore its structure; it thus approaches some of the major challenges facing humanity that arise through our dependence on natural resources, and our need for environmental and societal safety.

The joint master's study is a two-year programme offered by the major universities of Austria and Slovakia: the University of Vienna and the Comenius University in Bratislava, building on the strength and complementary expertise. Physics of the Earth refers to our physical environment, and what we can learn about it through the application of principles from physics. The focus of the study programme is on furthering the exposure to mathematics and physics as relevant in the Physics of the Earth, and the quantitative methods used in the field. Students learn how to observe and mathematically describe phenomena occurring in the Earth interior.

Students obtain a strong knowledge of seismology and elastic wave propagation as well as of the gravity and magnetic field of the Earth. The fundamental education advances analytical thinking, independence, and develops problem-solving competence that can be applied to questions of basic research as well as industrial application.