Energy and Environmental Physics - Master of Science (MSc) in Physics 2-years - Trondheim
Energy and Environmental Physics
Energy and Environmental Physics
Master's theses within Energy and Environmental Physics can be written within the fields into which we are researching. Roughly, they are solar cell research, solar energy, and atmospheric physics.
Energy Physics
Within the field Energy Physics we at the Department of Physics mainly work with the exploitation of solar energy in solar cells. Solar energy is regarded as an inexhaustible (renewable) and pure energy source, and increased use of solar energy will secure the power demands of a large majority of people in the future. In addition, we can avoid using polluting energy sources such as oil, coal, gas, etc.
However, the solar cells we have today are not competitive with traditional energy sources when it comes to price, and major research is devoted to making solar cells better and less expensive. Projects within this field can focus at the improvement of individual parts of a solar cell or separate processes in the production of solar cells. They will to a large extent be experimental and require knowledge about semiconductor physics. Some modelling projects may also be offered.
Environmental Physics
Within the field Environmental Physics we are currently focusing on which factors in the atmosphere that influence ultraviolet radiation near the ground. It is important that we understand the effects of variations in the concentrations of ozone and aerosols (tiny particles), as well as variations in the clouds as a result of climatic changes.
The master's theses usually include one instrumental part where the student measures the ultraviolet radiation with different instruments and thus collect information about the actual conditions (data collection). A project could also involve the testing and further development of new measuring techniques. Another part of the project could be to analyze data and test whether models that are under development correspond to the measuring. A specialization in Environmental Physics provides opportunities to include courses offered by the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), within Geophysics. Such arrangements will be organized in consultation with your academic supervisor.
The Department of Physics
The Department of Physics
An overview of courses given by The Department of Physics is available at the Departments web pages.