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The Master’s Programme in Cosmic Geophysics
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Master in Physics
Cosmic Geophysics
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| S2 |
Master thesis, 60 stp
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| A2 |
| S1 |
Elective course
10 STP |
Elective course
10 STP |
Elective course
10 STP |
| A1 |
FYS-2009 Introduction
to plasma physics |
FYS-3003
Cosmical geophysics |
Elective course
10 STP |
For further information on evaluation/examination/assessment, see individual course descriptions.
The educational aims and academic content of Cosmic Geophysics (including Plasma Physics):
Cosmic Geophysics covers the earth’s upper atmosphere and magnetosphere. The Northern Lights are a typical and well-known phenomenon from the earth’s border region with interplanetary space. Conditions and processes here are intimately connected to the Sun through its radiation and emission of electrical particles. The University of Tromsø participates in the international organisation EISCAT and has access to the large radar installations at Ramfjordmoen and on Svalbard for the purposes of research into the upper atmosphere. Additionally observations are also made using optical instruments and magnetometers. Investigation of Ultra-violet radiation and the earth’s ozone layer are also a part of Cosmic Geophysics here in Tromsø, as is the use of rockets to measure dust density in the upper atmosphere. The partial ionisation of the upper atmosphere means that there is a close relationship between cosmic geophysics and plasma physics, with the EISCAT radar installations permitting the study of phenomena from both disciplines. In this context the study of electrically charged particles is a particular theme.
Master’s projects are available within both experimental and theoretical plasma physics, the most relevant areas being the study of turbulence and transport in toroidal magnetised plasma, plasma applications and fundamental processes in dust plasma. The plasma laboratory has a plasma torus where phenomena of significance for the development of fusion reactors reliant on magnetic containment of plasma. The Laboratory has also built its own plasma source based on electron-cyclotron-resonance in order to study plasma at high densities with relevance for industrial processes. In addition a new programme has been initiated in ground-based and rocket-borne dust plasma experiments. A broad spectrum of both experimental and theoretical/computational projects are available within these fields and theoretical projects within cosmic plasma physics and dust plasma physics are also available to the interested student.
Candidates with a master’s degree in plasma physics will have achieved the following:
- Sound knowledge of theoretical and/or experimental methods in fundamental plasma physics/dust plasma
- Skills in methods of numerical calculation and in signal processing and statistics employed within plasma physics.
- Knowledge of different applications of plasma physics within space physics and industrial processes.
The programme teaches the student advanced methods in experimental and theoretical physics applicable to research in the upper atmosphere and qualifies the student for admission to the doctoral programme. Upon completion of their master’s degree students can, if they so wish, obtain positions in research institutes, universities or private industry.
A further one year’s course in education (known in Norway by the acronym “PPU”) qualifies the candidate to teach science in Norwegian high schools.
(I have rendered “videregåendeskole” as “high school” in the American sense of the term – not in the Norwegian or German sense. F.L.)
In the event that you are interested in this programme please contact one of the following; Professors Noralv Bjørnå, Asgeir Brekke, Ove Havnes, Kristoffer Rypdal, Ruth Esser, Torsten Aslaksen, Cesar La Hoz, Associate Professors Åshild Fredriksen or Unni Pia Løvhaug.
Obligatory Courses:
* It is strongly recommended that the student take FYS-2009 during the course of their bachelor’s degree.
Elective courses/special reading -
by agreement with the student’s supervisor:
- FYS-3001 Earth observation for satellites
- FYS-3002 Techniques for investigating the near-earth space environment
- FYS-3016 Complex (dusty) plasma
- FYS-3017 Laboratorieplasma for romforskning
- FYS-3018 Laboratory Plasmas for Space Research
- FYS-3019 Non-linear processes in space- and geo-science
The following elective courses are recommended for the bachelor’s degree:
In the event that very few students apply for a particular course, the subject may be taught with fewer lectures than the course description indicates. Taking a course under such circumstances demands a greater investment and more independence of the individual student. In order to facilitate planning and to ensure that it is possible to inform students in good time, it is required that students apply for such courses before the 15th May for courses being lectured in the autumn semester and the 15th of November for courses lectured in the spring semester. Special reading can, by agreement, replace elective courses. Elective course from other academic areas or other institutions can be recognised as a part of the programme upon application.
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