The Northern (and Southern) Lights are manifestations of space weather that has its origin in the variability of the Sun's activity. Our global society depends on advanced technology vulnerable to space weather variability, which can disrupt satellite communication and electric grids, and cause GPS positioning errors, among others. Many of the physical processes in the ionosphere associated with space weather can be studied using the EISCAT radars and other research facilities near Tromsø, and can also be replicated and studied in the Birkeland Plasma Laboratory of UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
| Duration: | 2 Years |
| Location: | Tromsø |
| Credits (ECTS): | 120 |
| Qualification: | Master of Science in Physics |
| Admission requirements: | Bachelor's degree in physics or similar qualification |
| Application deadline: | 15 April/1 November |
| Application code: | 4006 |
Space Physics is a discipline of the Master's degree programme in physics.
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 UiT The Arctic University of Norway. 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) 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 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 Master's degree programme in physics, you can choose one-year projects on a range of topics, for example:
Compulsory courses in the Space Physics discipline:
Courses on 2000-level should preferably be completed already in the Bachelor's degree, leaving more room for other optional courses on 3000-level.
Recommended optional courses approved in the Space Physics discipline:
Other optional courses approved for Space Physics:
* = Currently only offered in Norwegian.
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:
Skills - The candidate:
Competences - The candidate:
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, specialisation in physics worth the equivalent of not less than 80 ECTS credits is required. Normally, an average mark of "C" or better is required in the Bachelor's degree or similar basis of admission.
Applicants from Norway or other Nordic countries:
Applicants from outside the Nordic countries:
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.
After handing in the Master's thesis, it is assessed, and normally within 6 weeks an oral presentation and examination is held, that may influence on the final mark.
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 in a Scandinavian language.
Also the Master's thesis may be written either in English or in a Scandinavian language.
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.
Completed Master's degree studies qualify for admission to PhD-studies in physics, depending on satisfactory marks in the Master's and Bachelor's degree. PhD-studies in physics are offered at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
