Programme structure
The master's programme in nuclear science is a two-year full-time study consisting of 120 ECTS credits.
The programme has the following structure:
- Theoretical curriculum, 60 ECTS credits
- Master's thesis, 60 ECTS credits
Course of study
Two possible courses of study are shown in the tables below.
Example 1
| 4. semester | Master's thesis | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3. semester | |||
| 2. semester | Master's course | Master's course | Master's course |
| 1. semester |
Master's course, HSE-courses |
Master's course | Master's course |
| 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | |
Example 2
| 4. semester | Master's thesis | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3. semester | Master's course | Master's thesis | |
| 2. semester | Master's course | Master's course | Master's thesis |
| 1. semester |
Master's course, HSE-courses |
Master's course | Master's course |
| 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | |
The master's programme is regulated by the rules of The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
It is possible to carry out the programme part-time. In such a case it must be discussed with an advisor at the Department of Physics.
Theoretical curriculum
The following guidelines regard the composition of the theoretical curriculum with a total of 60 ECTS credits:
- Aat least 40 ECTS credit courses on the 4000/5000-level. 20 of these 40 ECTS credits need to be within the fields of nuclear science.
- Up to 20 ECTS credits of advanced bachelor's courses from other fields may be included.
- Up to 10 ECTS credits may be special curriculum, or other professional training with the approval of the programme commitee.
The theoretical curriculum depends on which direction you go and the topic of the master's thesis. The structure also depends on whether you choose a master's thesis with an experimental, theoretical or calculation-oriented focus, and your professional interests.
Mandatory courses
Students who have completed similar courses before admission, can replace these with optional courses.
- Either FYS3500 – Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics or KJM3900 – Radioactivity
- FYS4535 – Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics
- FYS4580 – Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics
- FYS4505 – Methods and Instrumentation for Nuclear and Particle Physics; can be replaced by FYS3505 from autumn 2025
- KJM5903 – Radiation Protection; can be replaced by KJM350 (NMBU)
New requirements for mandatory courses from 2025
From autumn 2025 the following requirements will apply:
- Either FYS3500 – Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics or KJM3900 – Radioactivity
- FYS4535 – Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics
- FYS4580 – Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics
- FYS4506, can be replaced by
- either FYS3506
- or FYS4505 – Methods and Instrumentation for Nuclear and Particle Physics and KJM5903 – Radiation Protection
- or FYS4505 – Methods and Instrumentation for Nuclear and Particle Physics and KJM350 fra NMBU
HMS-courses
There are mandatory courses in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) in the beginning of the first semester:
- HMS0501 – Safety and Physical Environment
- HMS0502 – Positive Learning Environment
- HMS0505 – Electrical Safety
HMS-courses do not give credits. If you have previously passed equivalent courses at the University of Oslo, you will not need to re-apply for these.
Recommended courses
- FYS4150 – Computational Physics
- FYS4515A – Nuclear Reactions
- FYS4515B – Statistical Properties of Atomic Nuclei
- FYS4525 – Advanced Nuclear Reactions and Applications in Astrophysics
- FYS4545 – Resonances in Atomic Nuclei
- FYS4570 – Advanced Nuclear Structure
- FYS4711 – Radiation and Dosimetry
- FYS-STK4155 – Applied Data Analysis and Machine Learning
- KJM351 from NMBU
The study program has a great academic breadth, and you can tailor a course of study that fits your interests and theme for your master's thesis.
Students must complete their theoretical curriculum and all mandatory HMS courses before their oral presentation and examination of the master's thesis.
Special curriculum
A special curriculum is a series of lectures, books, overview articles etc. which has a natural connection with the master's thesis. It should not include literature you should have read anyway in order to get familiarized with the problem area of the research task.
You clarify the final structure of the master's study, including subjects and any special syllabus, in collaboration with your supervisor(s). You should have a counseling session with the contact person for your field of study as early as possible in the course of study.
Possible course of study for those who must complete all mandatory courses
| 4. semester | Master's thesis | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3. semester | KJM5903 – Radiation Protection | Master's thesis | |
| 2. semester | FYS4535 – Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics | Optional course | Master's thesis |
| 1. semester |
FYS4505 – Methods and Instrumentation for Nuclear and Particle Physics, HMS-courses |
FYS3509 | FYS4580 – Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics |
| 10 ECTS | 10 ECTS | 10 ECTS | |
Possible course of study for those who have completed FYS3500 (or an equivalent course) previously
| 4. semester | Master's thesis | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3. semester | FYS4711 – Radiation and Dosimetry | Master's thesis | ||
| 2. semester | FYS4535 – Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics | Optional course | Master's thesis | |
| 1. semester |
FYS4505 – Methods and Instrumentation for Nuclear and Particle Physics, HMS-courses |
KJM5903 – Radiation Protection | FYS4515A – Nuclear Reactions | FYS4580 – Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics |
| 10 ECTS | 10 ECTS | 10 ECTS | ||
Possible course of study for those who have completed all courses except KJM5903 previously
| 4. semester | Master's thesis | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3. semester | Optional course | Master's thesis | ||
| 2. semester | Optional course | Optional course | Master's thesis | |
| 1. semester |
Optional course, HMS-courses |
KJM5903 – Radiation Protection | Optional course | Optional course |
| 10 ECTS | 10 ECTS | 10 ECTS | ||
Master's thesis
You will find a supervisor and master's thesis during the first semester of the course. In addition to writing the master's thesis, the work on the thesis will also involve familiarizing yourself with what others have done in your field in the past, defining the problem and research questions for the thesis, finding an appropriate research method, carrying out experiments, simulating, analyzing and concluding.
The work with your thesis equals a full academic year. The master's thesis is completed with an oral presentation and examination at the end of the fourth semester.
You must have completed all of the theoretical curriculum and HMS courses in order to present the master's thesis.
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.
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 recognised as part of your degree. Please contact the Department of Physics for more information.
Diploma and degree
This programme leads to the following degree: Master of Sciences in nuclear science
The diploma is issued when you have completed the courses that meet the requirements for a degree. Read more about diplomas.