spring 2021
FYS-3003 Space Physics - 10 ECTS

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  2. Emnekatalog
  3. Space Physics
Last changed 15.06.2021

Application deadline

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester. Exchange students and Fulbright students: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.  

Type of course

The course is available as a singular course. The course is also available to exchange students and Fulbright students.

The course will only be taught if there is a sufficient number of students. Are you interested in following the course, please contact the student advisor as soon as possible.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements are a Bachelor's degree in physics or similar education, including specialization in physics worth the equivalent of not less than 80 ECTS credits. Local admission, application code 9371 - singular courses at Master's level.

Course overlap

FYS-3003 Cosmic geophysics 10 stp
FYS-321 Cosmical geophysics 10 stp

Course content

The course deals with the Earth's upper atmosphere and magnetosphere and how these regions are influenced by the sun. Topics included are the neutral atmosphere, the magnetic field of the Earth, the ionosphere, the magnetosphere, the sun, solar radiation and the solar wind.

Recommended prerequisites

FYS-1002 Electromagnetism, FYS-2009 Introduction to plasma physics, MAT-2200 Differential Equations, MAT-2201 Numerical Methods

Objectives of the course

Knowledge - The student can

  • explain the structure of the atmosphere from the ground to space
  • understand the process of photoionization of atmospheric particles by solar UV and X-rays
  • understand the chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere, primarily ions with neutral gas particles and electrons
  • understand the diffusion of particles under the effect of gravity
  • explain disturbances in the near-Earth space environment
  • understand the complementary nature of kinetic and fluid plasma descriptions
  • describe Earth¿s space environment in relation to that of other planets

Skills - The student can

  • use the principles of discretization and numerical solution to PDE bounded in space and with initial time condition
  • apply fluid theory to large scale plasmas
  • design, analyze and use computer program to numerically model geophysical systems and processes related to the auroral ionosphere

General expertise - The student can

  • discuss the effects on the atmosphere and ionosphere of global warming and atmospheric pollutants
  • explain he behavior of the upper atmosphere/ionosphere and the interaction between solar wind and earths magnetosphere in writing intelligible to the scientific lay-person

Language of instruction

The 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.

Teaching methods

Lectures: 40 hours Exercises: 30 hours

Assessment

Oral examination counting 100 %. Assessment scale: Letter grades A-F. Re-sit examination (section 22): There is no access to a re-sit examination in this course. Postponed examination (sections 17 and 21): Students with valid grounds for absence will be offered a postponed examination during the semester if possible, otherwise early in the following semester. See indicated sections in Regulations for examinations at the UiT The arctic university of Norway for more information.

Schedule

Se timeplan
  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: FYS-3003