Qualification goals: Students possess fundamental knowledge of structure, composition of planets based on geophysical observations and thermodynamic models. They possess the methodological skills to understand the subject matter as well as the technical ability to apply what they have learned confidently and independently.  

Contents: Basic physical differences of planetary bodies, determination of mass and size; shapes of planetary bodies (spheroid, ellipsoid, irregular shape); measuring, mathematical description and analysis of surrounding fields (gravitational field, magnetic field); figure and internal structure of planets: Mass distribution and shell structure (reduced moment of inertia); Thermodynamics of planetary interior; Energy balance of planets: Energy loss by radiation, accretion energy, differentiation energy, tidal friction; Heat transport by conduction and convection; Generation of magnetic fields (geodynamo); Impact processes: Fundamentals of shock wave physics, crater excavation, ejecta, crater morphologies