Master in Physics

Teaching and assessment

The courses in the study program 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 are held, which may influence the final mark.

Access to further studies

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. Ph.D.-studies in physics is offered at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.

Exchange

Exchange studies abroad or at the University Centre in Svalbard can be recognized 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 student supervisor.

Learning outcomes

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 the analysis of physical problems;
• can apply knowledge on new areas of research in one of the offered disciplines of physics;
• has good knowledge of the scientific method and knows how to conduct a research experiment;
• can analyze 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 analyze 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 analyze 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.

General competence

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 analyze 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.

Job prospectives

The program leads to exciting career options domestic and abroad within research, industry, administration, both in the private and public sectors. You will have the opportunity to work in:

• Earth observation
• Application and system development
• Climate and energy management
• Consulting
• Environmental monitoring
• Climate modeling
• Sensor technology
• Rocket and space research
• Statistic analysis