The Physics of Geological Processes (master's two years)

Programme structure

The degree programme is built up around a research project of 60 or 30 ECTS credits. The Master’s thesis is to provide a practical introduction to scientific work and to the problem areas that are relevant in physical geological processes. The research project will enter into the research activity at PGP. The programme also consists of 6 courses, each 10 ECTS credits, alternatively 9 courses if your project is shorter. The theoretical curriculum consists of three introductory courses during the first semester, and specialisation courses that are to be taken parallel with the research project. A schematic illustration of the programme composition can be found below:

4. semester

• Specialisation course
• Master's thesis
• Master's thesis

3. semester

• Specialisation course
• Master's thesis
• Master's thesis

2. semester

• Specialisation course
• Master's thesis
• Master's thesis

1. semester

• Optional course
• FYS-GEO4200 - Case study in physics of geological processes
• FYS-GEO4300 - Methods in physics of geological processes

Introductory semester

All students follow the obligatory courses during the first semester: FYS-GEO4200 - Case study in physics of geological processes and FYS-GEO4300 - Methods in physics of geological processes, as well as an optional course, preferably from the list of specialisation courses.

The specialization courses are meant to be relevant for the Master’s thesis and are usually on 4000- and 5000-level. Up to 20 ECTS credits on 3000-level can be approved after application.

Examples:

• FYS-GEO4500 - Finite Volume Methods for Geophysical Fluid Physics
• FYS-GEO4510 - Introduction to mechanical geomodeling
• FYS-GEO4520 - Introduction to thermodynamic geomodeling

Physics:

• FYS3140 - FYS3140 - Mathematical methods in physics
• FYS3150 - Computational Physics
• FYS3410 - Condensed matter physics
• FYS4130 - Statistical mechanics
• FYS4180 - Experimental methods in physics
• FYS4410 - Computational physics II
• FYS4420 - Experimental techniques in condensed matter physics
• FYS4430 - Condensed matter physics II
• FYS4460 - Disordered systems and percolation

Geology:

• GEO4110 - Fluids and fluid currents in geosystems
• GEO4230 - Basin formation and sequence stratigraphy
• GEO4250 - Reservoir geology
• GEO4260 - Reservoir geophysics
• GEO4620 - Seismic waves and seismology
• GEO4630 - Geodynamics
• GEO4830 - Analytical methods in geochemistry
• GEO4840 - Tectonics
• GEO4850 - Advanced structural geology

Applied mathematics:

• MEK-INF4210 - Modeling of fluid flow, heat transfer and solid derformation
• MEK4550 - The Finite Element Method in Solid Mechanics I
• INF-MAT4360 - Partial differential equations
• INF-MAT5370 - Triangulations and application
• INF5600 - Iterative methods and multigrid
• INF5620 - Numerical methods for partial differential equations

About the Master's thesis

The Master’s degree programme offers specialisation courses and Master’s theses within three main areas:

• Physics of geological process specialisation physics
• Physics of geological process specialisation geosciences
• Physics of geological process specialisation applied mathematics

A supervisor for the Master’s thesis must be chosen during the first semester of the programme. It is advised to start looking for a supervisor already during the last semester of the Bachelor’s degree programme.

The students on the programme are supervised by a panel consisting of an academic supervisor and at least one person with another academic background than the student and main supervisor. The students are expected to present their project at a meeting with the supervising panel, and at least one seminar during the course of the Master’s programme.

A Master’s agreement must be signed before the end of the second semester of the Master’s programme. The agreement can be downloaded from here .

For some it will be necessary to commence upon the thesis work already during the first semester of the Master’s programme.

The Master’s thesis has a given deadline for delivery, and should normally be handed in four weeks prior to the end of the 4th semester. Find regulations for leave of absence and postponement here .

You will also be examined in the Master’s thesis. This includes a public presentation of the project and also an oral examination/discussion with examiner and supervisor. You will be graded on the thesis. This grade is based on both your thesis and how your performance during the final examination. The Master’s thesis is graded with a letter grade.