Space Physics - Physics - master

Tromsø is in a unique geographical position to study the Aurora Borealis and the upper Polar atmosphere, and we have long traditions since the early 1900's within this field of research. The Auroral Observatory in Tromsø formed the original basis of the physics studies at the University of Tromsø. Today, the activities have been extended to research on the solar corona, the Sun-Earth interaction, and the upper atmosphere. Researchers at the Department of Physics and Technology work with data from the EISCAT (European Incoherent SCATter Radar) radars and other instruments at Ramfjordmoen, Svalbard, and Andøya, with numerical modelling, and with laboratory experiments (Aurolab).

The Northern (and Southern) Lights are manifestations of space weather that has its origin in the variability of the Sun's activity. Most auroras occur as a result of huge solar magnetic explosions (solar mass ejections, SMEs, and solar flares) that enhance the solar wind and solar radiation arriving at the Earth. The scales of the perturbations that follow (geomagnetic storms) vary from the size of the Earth's magnetotail (about 200 Earth radii) to the fine structure of the aurora (tens of meters) at 100-200 km height above the Earth's surface.

As a student on the two-year Master's programme in Physics you can choose one-year projects on a range of topics, for example:

• observations with EISCAT of phenomena in the upper polar atmosphere, e.g. ion instabilities, fine structures in the aurora, and space weather (dynamics)
• analysis and interpretation of EISCAT and other radar observations
• experimental, theoretical and numerical studies of dusty plasmas in the mesosphere with rockets, mesospheric (MST MORRO) and EISCAT radars
• theoretical and numerical analysis of turbulence and transport in space- and laboratory plasma
• experimental studies of plasma phenomena in laboratory plasmas

Courses on 2000-level should preferably have already been completed during the Bachelor¿s degree, allowing for greater concentration on optional courses on the 3000-level.

Optional courses should be determined in collaboration with your supervisor in connection with choice of research topic in the Master's thesis. Other optional courses may be approved on application or if recommended by your supervisor. An individual special curriculum or project paper may also be part of the degree. The list of optional courses is presented in the study plan. 

If your master thesis involves work in laboratory, in the field or on a research cruise, it is mandatory to conducting course in safety education prior to commencing the thesis.

Knowledge - The candidate:

• has a solid basis in physics in general
• has an advanced level of knowledge in one of the disciplines offered
• has knowledge about scientific methods in mathematics, statistics and physics

Skills - The candidate:

• is able to use scientific measurement equipment and carry out advanced experiments
• is able to evaluate and analyse measurement data
• is able to use programming tools for solving physical problems numerically
• is able to evaluate and analyse publicised theories, methods and experiments in the physics literature
• is able to work independently with problem solving

Competences - The candidate:

• displays good communication skills, orally and in writing, in the presentation of scientific work, both for a general public and for specialists in the field
• displays a good working habit, follows the code of ethics, and is able to continue a career within research, production, development and technical professions in the society

Admission to the Master's programme in Physics requires a Bachelor's degree in Physics, or another degree following a programme of study of not less than three years' duration, or similar education approved in accordance with the Norwegian Universities Act section 3-4.

In addition, specialization in Physics worth the equivalent of not less than 80 ECTS is required. Normally, an average mark of "C" or better is required in the Bachelor's degree or similar basis of admission.

Application deadline:
Applicants from Norway or Nordic countries:

• Application deadline for Norwegian and Nordic applicants is April 15th for admission to the autumn semester and November 1st for admission to the spring semester.
• Online application via Søknadsweb, study code 4006.

Applicants from outside the Nordic countries:

• Application deadline for applicants to self-financing studies is December 1st for admission to the autumn semester.
• Online application. More information about application procedures and requirements

Quota applicants:

• Application deadline for Quota applicants is December 1st for admission to the autumn semester.
• Online application. More information about application procedures and requirements

The courses in the study programme have varied forms of instruction, typically lectures, exercises, laboratory work, computer work, or combinations of these. Special curricula, project papers and the Master's thesis are supervised on an individual basis by the department's academic staff, possibly in collaboration with external companies or institutions by agreement.

Form of assessment varies, but most examinations are portfolio assessments of a take-home exam, project paper or laboratory report, in combination with a final oral or written exam. In some courses, mandatory assignments have to be approved for access to the exam.