FYS3600 – Space Physics and Technology
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course provides an overview of the plasma environment around the Earth, its dynamic processes, and describes how we can use satellites and sounding rockets to study phenomena and processes. The course introduces fundamental concepts like the solar wind, the coupling of magnetic flux, the Dungey cycle, and explains the coupling between the Sun and the magnetosphere, the ionosphere, and the upper atmosphere. In addition, the course gives an insight into the interaction between plasmas and satellites/sounding rockets and sheds light on the challenges associated with measurements made on board satellites and rockets.
Learning outcome
After having completed this course, you:
- possess a theoretical background allowing you to describe basic plasma parameters, principles of plasma dynamics, and selected types of waves.
- know the physical processes controlling the coupling between the solar wind and the Earth’s magnetosphere/ionosphere, as well as the global dynamics of the upper polar atmosphere.
- are able to explain how space weather phenomena impact infrastructures on Earth and in Space, in particular for communication and navigation systems.
- know how to analyze data from satellites and sounding rockets, and how to use coordinate transformation in this context.
- have the knowledge necessary for advanced studies within space and plasma physics, including the use of ground-based and spacecraft data.
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.
Special admission requirements
In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
- Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2) + R2
And in addition one of these:
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).
Recommended previous knowledge
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with FYS4600 – Space Physics and Technology.
- 6 credits overlap with FYS3610 – Space physics (discontinued).
Teaching
The course is given over an entire semester with the following teaching per week:
- 4 hours of lecture
- 2 hours of exercises
This course has 5 mandatory assignments. In order to take the final oral exam, a minimum of 3 out of 5 mandatory assignments must be approved.
Regulations for mandatory assignments.
Examination
- Home exam in the form of a project assignment, which counts 30 % towards the final grade.
- Final oral exam which counts 70 % towards the final grade.
Both the project assignment and the final oral examination must be passed in order to get a final grade in the course.
This course has mandatory assignments that must be approved before you can take the final oral exam.
When writing your exercises make sure to familiarize yourself with the rules for use of sources and citations. Breach of these rules may lead to suspicion of attempted cheating.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: FYS4600 – Space Physics and Technology
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed during the final oral exam.
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 exam at the beginning of the next semester.
New examinations are offered at the beginning of the next semester for students who do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.
We do not offer a re-scheduled exam for students who withdraw during the exam.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.