Degree structure

The Science and Technology of Nuclear Fusion master’s degree is a two-year, 120 ECTS credits program. It comprises mandatory core courses, specialist fusion courses, free electives, an internship and a final project. 

Compulsory core courses  

20 ECTS  

Fusion specialization courses  

25 ECTS  

Free Electives  

15 ECTS  

External internship  

15 ECTS  

Graduation project  

45 ECTS  

Compulsory core courses

The compulsory courses are designed to develop the toolbox of skills needed by modern fusion engineers.  

  • Fusion on the back of an envelope 
  • Homologation for fusion 
  • Magnetic confinement and MHD of fusion plasmas 
  • Fusion reactors: extreme materials, intense plasma wall interaction

Fusion specialization courses

The fusion specialization courses combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on lab experience. They include two courses developed specifically for this program: 

Fusion masterclasses (2 topics of one week each, topics are elective) 

In addition, you must select 20 ECTS credits worth of fusion-related electives, which can be selected from a wide range of options offered through the Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering departments. 

Applied Physics courses:  

  • Physics of plasmas and radiation
  • Computational and mathematical physics 
  • Advanced fluid dynamics 
  • Advanced Electro dynamics
  • Astrophysics  
  • Photonics and modern optics
  • Accelerators and beams 
  • Heating and diagnosing fusion plasmas 
  • Subatomic Physics
  • Advanced computational fluid and plasma dynamics  
  • Electrodynamics
  • Optical diagnostics: techniques and applications

Mechanical Engineering courses 

  • System Theory for Control
  • Control engineering  
  • Advanced computational continuum mechanics 
  • Sustainable Energy Sources
  • Advanced motion control 
  • Optimal control and dynamic programming 
  • Computational and experimental micromechanics  
  • Control and operation of tokamaks 
  • Non-linear control  
  • Control of magnetic instabilities in fusion plasmas 
  • Fracture mechanics
  • Mobile robot control 

Electrical Engineering courses 

  • Modelling dynamics 
  • Statistical Signal Processing
  • Electrical power engineering and system integration
  • Microwave engineering and antennas 
  • Electrical Components
  • High-voltage technology
  • Robust control 
  • Model predictive control 
  • Embedded control systems 
  • Electromagnetic compatibility 
  • Power electronics 
  • Pulsed power Technology
  • Terahertz systems 
  • Power System Analysis and Optimization

Fusion specialization courses

De Fusion specialisatie vakken combineren theoretische kennis met hands-on lab-ervaring. Ze omvatten twee vakken die speciaal voor dit programma zijn ontwikkeld:

Fusion masterclasses (2 onderwerpen van elk een week, onderwerpen zijn keuzevakken) 

Daarnaast moet u 20 ECTS-credits aan fusiegerelateerde keuzevakken selecteren uit een breed scala aan opties die worden aangeboden via de Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering faculteiten. 

Applied Physics vakken: 

  • Physics of plasmas and radiation
  • Computational and mathematical physics 
  • Advanced fluid dynamics 
  • Advanced Electro dynamics
  • Astrophysics  
  • Photonics and modern optics
  • Accelerators and beams 
  • Heating and diagnosing fusion plasmas 
  • Subatomic Physics
  • Advanced computational fluid and plasma dynamics  
  • Electrodynamics
  • Optical diagnostics: techniques and applications

Mechanical Engineering vakken  

  • System Theory for Control
  • Control engineering  
  • Advanced computational continuum mechanics 
  • Sustainable Energy Sources
  • Advanced motion control 
  • Optimal control and dynamic programming 
  • Computational and experimental micromechanics  
  • Control and operation of tokamaks 
  • Non-linear control  
  • Control of magnetic instabilities in fusion plasmas 
  • Fracture mechanics
  • Mobile robot control 

Electrical Engineering vakken 

  • Modelling dynamics 
  • Statistical Signal Processing
  • Electrical power engineering and system integration
  • Microwave engineering and antennas 
  • Electrical Components
  • High-voltage technology
  • Robust control 
  • Model predictive control 
  • Embedded control systems 
  • Electromagnetic compatibility 
  • Power electronics 
  • Pulsed power Technology
  • Terahertz systems 
  • Power System Analysis and Optimization

Free electives

These can be chosen from all master and third-level bachelor courses offered at the TU/e or elsewhere (provided they are of a sufficiently high level).