Program Overview

Space missions and Earth-observing satellites are transforming how we study planets, moons, and Earth, enabling discoveries in planetary geology, geophysics, climate and environmental monitoring, and space exploration. This Master’s degree in Planetary Sciences trains the next generation of specialists who can connect data, theory, and observations across different planetary bodies—from Mars to the Moon, and from the deep Earth to the atmosphere, , using the same mission-driven, data-intensive approach that powers modern planetary and Earth system science.

What you will learn (skills employers and PhD programmes look for)

This programme provides an interdisciplinary foundation in:

Planetary and Earth geology (surface processes, stratigraphy, geomorphology, volcanism, impact cratering)
Geophysics and planetary interiors (structure, dynamics, thermal evolution)
Earth Observation and Remote sensing (multispectral/hyperspectral, SAR basics, image interpretation)
Data analysis for geosciences (processing, mapping, integration of multi-source datasets)
Space science and mission-oriented thinking (how scientific questions become instruments, datasets, and interpretations)

Careers & next steps

Graduates are prepared for research careers (PhD) and careers in:

Research (universities, research institutes, international collaborations)
Space agencies and mission teams (planetary mapping, dataset analysis and interpretation)
Earth Observation and geospatial services (remote sensing, GIS/EO analytics, environmental monitoring)
Public institutions and private organizations (risk and territorial monitoring, sustainability and policy support)
Education and outreach (science communication, teaching)

Learn in a real research ecosystem (IRSPS)

A strong part of the teaching staff is affiliated with the International Research School of Planetary Sciences (IRSPS)—one of the pioneering institutions in Italy and among the early European actors in planetary geology and astrophysics. Students benefit from a research-driven environment, with thesis opportunities connected to active projects, datasets, and international collaborations.

Three study tracks (one degree, three focused paths)

Within a shared scientific core, you can choose one of three specialized tracks:

Planetary Sciences & Space Exploration
A space-oriented pathway focused on planetary missions, comparative planetology, and the interpretation of geological and geophysical processes on planets and moons.
Earth Observation (EO)
A dedicated track for monitoring Earth systems using satellite data and remote sensing methods in environmental and geoscience contexts. A distinctive feature of the programme is this Earth Observation track—a focused pathway on satellite data workflows and real-world applications within an interdisciplinary Planetary Sciences MSc.
Planetary Geosciences (Erasmus Mundus track)
An international pathway developed in partnership with the Universities of Nantes and Coimbra, designed for students seeking a strongly European, mobility-based training in planetary geosciences.

If you want to study planets and Earth with the same quantitative, data-driven approach used in modern space missions, this programme is designed for you.

Official Programme Documentation

Detailed information on the programme structure, learning outcomes and regulations is available in the official SUA-CdS document: https://www.unich.it/didattica/lauree-magistrali/planetary-sciences