FYS3655 – Space Instruments
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course gives an introduction to space instrumentation for measurements of space environment by sounding rocket and satellites. It introduces rocket and spacecraft operations, their orbits, and examples of successful missions.
It provides basics of the plasma physics in the context of the near Earth space, and the principles of the work and design of instruments in space, including plasma density and electromagnetic field sensors. It also introduces examples of data obtained by different sensors.
The course consists of lectures and a project work, which includes analysis and interpretation of data collected from spacecraft or space plasma laboratory simulator.
Learning outcome
After completing the course, you will:?
- have knowledge on the principles of basic space plasma instruments, including Langmuir probes, electric field instruments, and magnetometers.
- be able to interpret data from the space-based instruments on satellites and sounding rockets.??
- understand the basics of orbital mechanics for satellites and sounding rockets.??
- be familiar with the major missions for understanding of the near-Earth space environment.
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
- FYS3600 – Space Physics and Technology
- FYS1100 – Mechanics and Modelling
- FYS1120 – Electromagnetism
- MAT1100 – Calculus
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with FYS4655 – Space Instruments.
Teaching
-
a series of lectures in the first half of the semester
A project work on data analysis from spacecraft / laboratory simulator must be approved before you can sit the final exam.
Regulations for mandatory activities can be found here.
Examination
- Final written exam which counts 100 % towards the final?grade.?
This course has mandatory exercises that must be approved before you can sit the final?exam.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for the following course: FYS4655 – Space Instruments
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
Courses taught in English will only offer the exam paper in English. You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or 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
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
- How to use AI as a student
- 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.