Programme structure
The Master's programme Astronomy is a two-year full time study consisting of 120 ECTS credits.
The programme has the following structure:
- Courses, 60 ECTS credits
- Master's thesis, 60 ECTS credits
You can choose between three specializations: Solar physics, Cosmology or Extragalactic astronomy.
Course of study
Your course of study depends on your choice of specialization, and is usually planned in cooperation with your supervisor during the first semester (see example below):
| 4. semester | Master's thesis | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3. semester | Master's thesis | Master's thesis | |
| Elective course | |||
| 2. semester | Master's thesis | Elective course | Elective course |
| Elective course | |||
| 1. semester | Recommended: AST4310 – Radiative Processes in Astrophysics | Recommended: AST4320 – Cosmology and Extragalactic Astronomy | Recommended: FYS4150 – Computational Physics |
| 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | |
Supervision
During the first semester you must find a supervisor amongst the scientific staff at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics. The work with your thesis will be carried out under close supervision. In cooperation with your supervisor, you set up a study plan with all the courses which you will take, including a project description for your thesis, and hand this Master's agreement by 1st of December. Read more about the Master's agreement..
Courses
Prior to the start of the studies, you must provide a temporary study plan of courses that you will be taking in the first semester. During the programme, you must take at least 20 ECTS credits of master level courses in Astronomy. Other courses of a total of 40 credits can be chosen from master level courses in astronomy, physics, mathematics, mechanics, statistics and informatics. At least 20 of these 40 ECTS credits must be courses in other fields than Astronomy. Up to 20 ECTS credits of other courses can be approved by a Master's programme Board at the department. Note that the student is responsible to ensure that their recommended elective courses do not collide with each other. Only AST4310, AST4320 and FYS4150 are ensured to not collide.
Recommended elective courses: Cosmology and Extragalactic astronomy
- AST5110 – Numerical Modeling
- AST5220 – Cosmology II
- FYS4130 – Statistical Mechanics
- FYS4160 – The General Theory of Relativity
- FYS4170 – Relativistic Quantum Field Theory
- FYS4555 – Particle Physics
- FYS-STK4155 – Applied Data Analysis and Machine Learning
- STK4900 – Statistical Methods and Applications
- IN4200 – High-Performance Computing and Numerical Projects
- IN4050 – Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- TEK5600 – Visualization of Scientific Data
For those who are to write a thesis in Theoretical Cosmology, the course FYS4170 – Relativistic Quantum Field Theory can replace AST4310 – Radiative Processes in Astrophysics if recommended by the supervisor.
Master's thesis
Within the three possible specializations, Solar physics, Cosmology and Extragalactic astronomy, the thesis may have two main forms, or a combination of these two:
- Observational Astronomy: You will use observational data either obtained from an astronomical observatory abroad (e.g. Nordic Optic Telescope or Swedish Solar Telescope, both on La Palma, the Canary Islands) or from other sources (e.g. space observatories). You will handle and analyse data using computer-based tools.
- Theory/modeling: You will use your knowledge in physics to solve astrophysical problems. In most cases, the work will be done by using computers.
Honours certificate
Are you academically ambitious? It is possible to supplement your master's degree with an honours certificate worth 20 credits. You take the certificate concurrently with the master's programme.
Completion
The completion of the Master's programme is a 30 minutes public presentation of your thesis, followed by an oral examination. The final grade will be determined shortly after the examination. Read more about the completion of a Master's degree.
Language and examination
In the courses comprising the programme, the exam question papers are given in English, and the answer papers are normally supposed to be delivered in English. The course descriptions provide more information about requirements concerning the language of examination
Grading scale
The programme contains both courses using the pass/fail scale and courses using the grading scale with five steps from A to E for pass and F for fail, cf. § 6.1 i Forskrift om studier og eksamener ved Universitetet i Oslo (Norwegian only). Each course description provides more information about the grading scale in use.
Recognition of Master's courses from former education
If you are admitted to the Master's programme and you have completed Master's courses outside the University of Oslo, you may apply to have these courses recognized as part of your degree. Please contact the Programme coordinator at Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics for more information.
Diploma and degree
This programme leads to the following degree: Master of Science in Astronomy
The diploma is issued when you have completed the courses that meet the requirements for a degree. Read more about diplomas.