AST5770 – Solar and Stellar Physics

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

This course provides an advanced introduction to solar and star physics, including an overview of relevant physical phenomena and modern scientific methods. The focus is on the Sun, its structure and dynamics, put in context with other stellar types.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, you will be able to:

  • explain of the Sun's structure and variation on large and small scales.
  • describe basic concepts about the physical phenomena that occur in the Sun's atmosphere.
  • explain how the Sun and other stars can be observed and what can be learned from different types of observation.
  • assess the similarities and differences between the Sun and other stars.
  • present the results of a project as a simplified research article.
  • discuss the current research front in solar physics.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb. The course is not open for single course studies.

The course has max capacity of 10 students. Applicants who have the course in their study plan at UiO will be given priority.

Six semesters with studies in the Fysikk og astronomi (bachelor) or comparable knowledge. In addition, AST3310 – Astrophysical Plasma and Stellar Interiors and AST4310 – Radiative Processes in Astrophysics are recommended as previous knowledge.

Teaching

The teaching extends over one semester and includes the following per week:

  • 4 hours of lectures
  • 2 hours of group teaching / supervision

The student will work on a major written project assignment based on a simplified research article. In the first half of the semester, students must submit 5 mandatory parts of the project assignment, which must be approved before you can take the final exam. In the second half of the semester, the students must complete the research article by putting all the parts together before they submit the entire project assignment for a final assessment.

Examination

  • Final home exam in the form of a project assignment, which counts 100% towards the final grade

This course has five mandatory assignments that must be approved before you can sit the final exam.

Examination support material

All examination support material is allowed.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 2:11:59 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring
The course could be offered as a Special Curriculum, if fewer than 5 qualified students apply for it. The course might be cancelled if less than 3 eligible students are registered.
Examination
Spring
Teaching language
English

Contact

Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics