Earth observation is a discipline of the Master's degree programme in physics.

The central location of Tromsø in the Arctic has led to substantial activity related to earth observation and remote sensing technologies. Today, around 250 people work with remote sensing in the Tromsø area, producing steadily increasing revenues, which makes it a sector of major economic importance. The Earth Observation group at UiT contributes to this development both through fundamental research and application development. The group has strong connections to the local companies, research institutes and users of satellite images, as well as to international research institutes. The cross-disciplinary collaboration with these actors is vital in the design of useful tools for applications such as oil spill detection, ship detection, sea ice charting and glacier monitoring. The Earth Observation group possesses a large archive of satellite data and ground truth data, participates actively in cruises and field campaigns that collect reference data, and has access to powerful computing facilities.

The objective of the Earth Observation discipline is to teach the techniques used in satellite remote sensing of the Earth, with a focus on environmental monitoring. The tools are drawn from various fields such as signal and image processing, pattern recognition, applied statistics and physics. The aim is further to deliver candidates to the earth observation community, providing competent workers to all levels of the value chain, from users of remote sensing data in resource management and decision-making bodies to industry companies, research institutes and academia.

Exercises, assignments, and Master's thesis projects given are defined in relation to on-going research activity or current scientific interests within the Earth Observation group.

Compulsory courses in the Earth Observation discipline:

• FYS-3001 Earth observation
• FYS-3012 Pattern recognition
• FYS-3023 Environmental monitoring from satellite
• FYS-3900 Master's thesis in physics

Generally recommended optional courses in the Earth Observation discipline:

• FYS-3011 Detection theory
• FYS-3810 Individual special curriculum
• STA-2002 Theoretical statistics
• STA-3001 Computer-intensive statistics
• STA-3002 Multivariable statistical analysis
• STA-3003 Nonparametric inference

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.

If the Master's thesis involves work in a laboratory, in the field or on a research cruise, it is mandatory to conduct a course in safety education prior to commencing the thesis.

Knowledge - The candidate:

• has a solid basis in natural sciences in general, and in particular in physics
• has advanced knowledge of theory and methods in one of the offered disciplines of physics
• has thorough knowledge about mathematical and statistical methods for analysis of physical problems
• can apply knowledge on new areas of research in one of the offered disciplines of physics
• has good knowledge of scientific method and knows how to conduct a research experiment
• can analyse and assess scientific literature and research in the field of physics

Skills - The candidate:

• can use scientific measurement equipment and carry out advanced experiments
• can evaluate and analyse measurement data in a critical manner
• can assess sensors and measurement devices and evaluate and quantify their error sources
• can use programming tools and advanced software for solving physical problems numerically
• can work independently with problem solving following scientific method
• can evaluate and analyse published theories, methods and experiments in the physics literature
• can carry out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision in physics or related areas

Competences - The candidate:

• displays good communication skills, oral and written, in the presentation of scientific work for both the general public and for the specialists in the field
• can analyse academic, professional and research ethical problems in the field of physics
• displays good working habits and follows the code of ethics in scientific work
• is able to continue a career within research, teaching, production, development and technical professions in the society
• can produce a well-structured presentation of an extensive independent scientific work
• can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes in the field of physics

With master of science in physics with specialization in earth observation you can work in fields such as:

• Environmental Monitoring
• Application and System Development
• System Engineering
• Operation Engineering
• Satellitt Operations
• Climate Research and Analysis
• Machine Learning

Exchange studies abroad or at the University Centre in Svalbard can be recognised in the Master's degree if recommended by your supervisor, and only if the external courses are validated prior to departure. The period of time for the exchange studies depends on the individual educational plan, and should be planned in collaboration with the student advisor and the students supervisor.