CS5960AST – CS: Astrophysics. Master Thesis

Course content

A long master's thesis corresponds to one year of full-time study and constitutes half of the master's degree. The student is supposed to complete an astrophysical research project under supervision and write the master thesis based on this project.

Read more about this on our internal website with information for master's students.

Regulations concerning the master’s thesis are specified in rules on courses, course groups and degrees in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the programme, you will be able to:

  • contribute considerable knowledge to your field of specialisation and its applications.
  • make critical and reflected choices between key methods and tools from research and practice.
  • conduct a supervised research or development project that conforms with research ethics standards.
  • contribute to the development of the field and analyse its professional, ethical and societal possibilities and limitations.
  • communicate extensive academic work to specialists, orally and in writing.
  • apply your knowledge and skills to new areas to conduct advanced work tasks and projects.

Admission to the course

The master’s thesis is a compulsory part of the master’s programme in Astronomy and is based on admission to that programme.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Admission to the master's program with associated prerequisites is expected. In addition, 60 ECTS of master's courses as recommended by the supervisor in preparation for the master's thesis is required.

Teaching

Your work on the master’s thesis will involve an independent, time-limited research or development project under supervision.

Examination

The examination consists of a master's thesis worth 60 credits to be handed in by a deadline. This will be followed by an oral presentation of the master’s thesis and an oral examination.

A separate grade is set for the master's thesis. After the oral examination and presentation, a final grade is set which includes the presentation and the oral examination. The entire grade scale (A-F) can be used when the final grade is set.

See the Faculty's rules on examination in point 4.3.7.

Examination support material

No aids allowed during the oral examination.

Language of examination

The examination 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

Note that special arrangements and withdrawal have their own guidelines for the master’s thesis. If this applies to you, please contact study administration at ITA.

See more about examinations at UiO

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 2:14:05 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
60
Teaching
BinaryValueReference{ref = 9354642468}
Examination
Spring and autumn
Teaching language
English

Contact

Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics