Energy and Climate - Physics - master

• Climate dynamics
• Fusion plasma physics
• Geothermal energy

It is recommended that students in this discipline choose their specialization as early as possible. Students are encouraged to complete as many of the recommended optional courses on 2000-level as possible already in the Bachelor's degree. Otherwise, these courses must be taken during the Master's degree, leaving less room for other optional courses on 3000-level.

Recommended compositions of your Bachelor's and Master's degree according to choice of specialization exists:

• Recommendations for students in climate dynamics
• Recommendations for students in fusion plasma physics
• Recommendations for students in geothermal energy

Students with Bachelor's degree from other domestic or international institutions should preferably have similar courses in their basis of admission.

Students following the climate dynamics specialization will acquire knowledge about the Sun's variability and its effect on Earth's climate system, and assess its importance compared to the anthropogenic causes of climate change. The research work in the Master's thesis will emphasize statistical analysis of solar variability, climate data, and dynamic and stochastic modelling of solar and climate processes aimed at testing various hypotheses about the primary drivers of climate variability.

Students following the fusion plasma physics specialization will acquire a high level of knowledge on fluid dynamics, plasma physics, turbulent motions, energy transport, and numerical calculations. Candidates with these skills are highly desired in the scientific research sector and industry nationally and abroad. The Sun and other stars are powered by the energy released from fusion of hydrogen into helium. For more than half a century, there has been a large international research program focused on the development of controlled thermonuclear fusion for production of clean electrical energy on Earth. If successful, this will provide mankind with electrical energy for millennia. The fusion process requires so high temperatures that the matter is in the state of a plasma. In a reactor, this plasma will be confined by strong magnetic fields.

Students following the geothermal energy specialization will acquire in deep insight into the nature of this source of energy, and how it can be exploited for the benefit of mankind. In particular, candidates will be trained to understand the mathematical and statistical models of fluid and heat flow in fractured rocks, geophysical methods for geothermal exploration and reservoir characterization, and statistical methods for reservoir uncertainty modeling. The Earth is by itself a huge heat reservoir, with a rapidly increasing temperature as a function of depth. This so-called geothermal energy is potentially a very important sustainable source of clean energy. The main modes of use of this heat are (1) in ground-to-air heat exchangers, (2) in district heating, and (3) by conversion of the heat to electricity.

You are required to choose at least one of the following courses:

• FYS-3025 Climate Dynamics
• FYS-3026 Fusion plasma physics
• FYS-3027 Geothermal energy

Optional courses should be determined in collaboration with student's supervisor in connection with their choice of research topic for the Master's thesis. Other optional courses may be approved on application or if recommended by a supervisor. An individual special curriculum or project paper may also be part of the degree.

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.

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.

Language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.

Also the Master's Thesis may be written either in English or a Scandinavian language.