The sun generates massive amounts of energy by nuclear fusion. Is it possible to mimic the fusion process in a reactor on Earth to produce unlimited energy? How does one confine a 100.000.000 degree hot fusion plasma in a reactor, how does one model transport phenomena in such plasma? Alternatively, how can we directly convert the energy from solar irradiation on Earth to generate power? One hour of sunshine gives our world enough energy to meet our entire energy demand for a full year. The challenge is to achieve a high conversion efficiency and importantly how to store the intermittent solar energy. The energy demand of our society is projected to double by the end of the century while the consequences of anthropogenic climate change become ever more visible. During this two-year Master's program, you learn about sustainable energy; its potential, the physics and technology behind, and how to examine and utilize these clean energy sources. These fields strongly depend on advanced mathematical models, in e.g. fluid dynamics and heat flow, as well as numerical simulations. Alumni with these skills are highly desired in the scientific research sector and industry nationally and abroad.
| 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 |
Energy and Climate is a discipline of the Master's degree programme in physics.
This discipline offers specialisation in three different fields of research:
Students following the climate dynamics specialisation 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 emphasise 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 specialisation 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 humankind 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 solar energy and energy storage specialisation will acquire in-depth insight into the nature of this source of energy, and how it can be exploited for the benefit of humankind. In particular, candidates will be trained to understand the physics and mathematics behind solar energy conversion. The student will learn how various materials harvest solar energy on a nanoscale all the way to how to design complete solar energy systems and importantly, how energy can be stored. For intermittent energy sources like solar energy to be widespread, successful and game changing it is crucial to have good energy storage possibilities. These storages do need to have large capacities as well as having a very fast response time.
Students are required to choose at least one of the following courses:
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.
Recommended composition of the student's Bachelor's and Master's degree according to choice of specialisation:
Students with Bachelor's degree from other domestic or international institutions should preferably have similar courses in their basis of admission.
It is recommended that students in this discipline choose their specialisation 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.
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.
The Earth’s climate and weather would vary even if the Sun did not. But this does not mean that the climate is unaffected by solar variability.
Read the article about the Sun's influence on climate change in KL!MA.
