Master's Programme in Physics – Astronomy and Space Physics

Uppsala University is the only place in Sweden where you can study both space physics and astronomy. Here you can research the cosmos to answer some of the most fundamental questions in physics.

You can study how the Earth's magnetosphere works, how stars evolve and how the Milky Way came to be. You can explore the processes that govern the evolution of the universe and gain a deep understanding of physical phenomena from outside the Earth's atmosphere to the far reaches of the observable universe.

During your studies, you can expect to:

• research the cosmos using state-of-the-art ground and space-based instrumentation and supercomputers;
• study at our branch of the national Swedish Institute of Space Research (IRF); and
• get a mentor to guide your course selection tailored to your own goals.

We are part of various international projects and missions, including CRIRES+ (the infrared high-resolution spectrograph at the Very Large Telescope in Chile), CLUSTER (Earth's magnetosphere is 3D), Gaia (the billion-star Galactic surveyor), JUICE (the icy moons of Jupiter) and PLATO (next-generation exoplanet characterisation). Sweden is a member of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) giving us access to instrumentation in the Southern hemisphere.

After the programme you will be qualified for PhD studies in physics but also be able to work with research and development at various companies and public authorities.

Student profile

You are naturally curious about how the world works and realise that formulating a question is just as important as finding the answer. You have a good foundation in both physics and mathematics and have experience in using it to analyse data or create computer-based models to solve problems. You already know the basics of Quantum Physics.

Career

With a Master's degree in Physics, you will be qualified for PhD studies in physics. Many of our physics Master's students continue as PhD students, at Uppsala University or elsewhere in the world. You will also be able to work with research and development (R&D) at various companies and public authorities.

Our previous graduates work at companies or government agencies like ABB, the Swedish National Defence Research Institute (FOI) and insurance companies, as group leaders in research and development, data analysts and consultants.

Even if you do not continue to pursue a career in academia, your qualifications (in such numerical modelling and data mining) will make you an attractive recruit for a wide range of professions. As an astrophysicist/space physicist who graduated from Uppsala University, you can expect above-average employability.

Your mathematical competence and analytical problem-solving skills also make you an attractive employee. Depending on the courses you take and the specialisation you choose, there are many individual career opportunities in special areas, both within and outside the field of physics. For example, you may find employment as a company consultant, project manager in R&D, or a specialist in banking, insurance or research organisations.

During your studies, you will develop essential critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and systems management skills — core elements of scientific training. You will also learn to communicate results effectively to different audiences in various formats. Alongside your physics studies, you will gain a solid foundation in mathematics and programming, opening up career paths in industry, research, software development, finance and more.

Content

During the two-year programme, you will apply your background in physics to the field of the cosmos. No prior knowledge of astronomy is required and you choose from a wide range of courses according to your interests and career plan.

The first three semesters are spent taking courses on a wide range of topics and you can tailor your Master's programme by either choosing a broad syllabus or by specialising in an area of your choice. Except for the five-month thesis work in the last semester, no specific astronomy course is compulsory.

However, for a good overview of contemporary research in astronomy, we recommend the following six 10-credit courses:

• The Physics of Planetary Systems
• The Physics of Stars
• The Physics of Galaxies
• Cosmology
• Theoretical Astrophysics
• Observational Astrophysics II

For students interested in space physics, we recommend the following combination of 5- or 10-credit courses:

• Electromagnetic Field Theory
• Fluid Mechanics
• Space Physics
• Physics of Planetary Systems
• Space Mission Design Project
• Plasma Physics

If you have not had previous experience with astronomy courses, you can go over the necessary foundations with the introductory course Astrophysics I.

You can complement the courses with research projects (5, 10, 15 and 30 credits) which you design together with your chosen supervisor. A degree (thesis) project of 30 or 45 credits is conducted in one of the several research groups at the Division of Astronomy and Space Physics and the Institute of Space Research (IRF). Doing your thesis with researchers outside of Uppsala is also possible. Be part of a research group and get to know frontline research – this is the best way to prepare yourself for a PhD position.

Courses within the programme

See the programme outline for courses within the specialisation.

Study Abroad

If you would like to complete part of your studies abroad, we can offer you many exchange programmes around the world. We can help you find suitable courses that match your interests.

Learning experience

Our teachers are active researchers and the courses closely follow current developments in astrophysics.

During a typical week, you will have about 8–16 hours of scheduled classroom time. The majority of time is thus spent studying on your own or in a study group outside the classroom. You can also choose to conduct research projects. They are a lot like thesis work, only shorter in duration, and are an excellent way into a new research field and research group.

With the exception of the first semester, classes are typically small, ranging from a few students up to about 20. This gives you close contact with the teachers as well as your fellow students.

Instruction consists of lectures, teacher-supervised tutoring, and guidance in conjunction with laboratory work. The forms of examination vary depending on the course content and outline. Final exams are more common for theoretical courses, although many teachers have continuous examinations during the course, such as group discussions and hand-in exercises.

Early involvement in research-related activities is encouraged, with opportunities to attend scientific seminars and undertake research projects. Towards the end of your studies the focus shifts entirely to research: the degree project is compulsory to accomplish your master. It offers a hands-on experience crucial for pursuing PhD positions.

The instruction language is English.

Degree

The programme leads to the degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with Physics as the main field of study. After one year of study, it is possible to obtain a degree of Master of Science (60 credits).