Modern technology and our understanding of the World we live in is based on the scientific description of natural phenomena and advanced mathematical modelling. Scientists and engineers are trained to uncover and investigate these phenomena, and in return apply our knowledge to develop new technology.
2 years (4 semesters)
English
120
August every year
A Master degree in Mathematics and Physics will equip you with skills in mathematics, physic and statistics, at a level far beyond most Master degrees in engineering. You will be able to solve highly advanced mathematical problems, analytically and numerically. You will be able to apply fundamental physics to complex systems both at the macroscopic and the microscopic level. You will have a large toolbox of computational, experimental and data analysis methods, and be able to address problems throughout natural sciences, but also in the context of finance, health science, social sciences and management.
As a consequence, Mathematics and Physics graduates readily find employment as specialists in industry, filling roles in technical design and innovation, data analysis, mathematical modelling and management. In both the public and private sector, Mathematicians and Physicists are sought after for research and development teams, in particular for tasks that require very advanced mathematics, deductive and problem-solving skills, high precision and deep understanding.
Some Mathematicians and Physicists choose to further specialize through a Ph.D. degree, others establish themselves with a career in education, at high-school level, in higher education or in public dissemination.
From semester 1, the student must choose to specialize in either Mathematics or Physics, and in semester 2 select a set of advanced elective courses.
The Master project in semester 3-4 offers the opportunity to apply the acquired skills to a specific, often very challenging problem in contemporary mathematics or physics. This will expose the student to some of the most advanced methods and ideas in mathematics (algebraic and differential geometry, topology and functional analysis), to modern methods in data analysis (statistical simulations, signal processing, machine learning, AI), and to ongoing efforts to probe the fundamental properties of the Universe, using some of the most complex technology in the world (CERN, ESRF, Gravitational waves, supercomputing).
The students specialize in mathematics or physics. Choice of specialization depends on the background and which bachelor’s degree the student has previously completed. One apply on studentweb before 1. September in the 1. Semester.
The study programme is affiliated to the Department of Mathematics and Physics.
Help solve the world's climate challenges
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's joint work plan to eradicate poverty, combat inequality and stop climate change by 2030. With mathematics and physics, you can contribute to several of the goals.
- UN Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth. Increase economic productivity through diversification, technological progress and innovation.
- UN Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure. We need to find ways to increase different countries' potential for development and growth, and see how they can make the most efficient use of their resources and industry.
Career prospects
Mathematicians and Physicists find employment in:
Research and development in industry, for example the energy sector, renewable energy, space technology, climate, bio- and geophysics, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Research, development and teaching in Academia, for example theoretical physics, analysis and development of materials, cosmology, algebraic geometry, mathematical analysis, medical statistics and econometry.
Other jobs in the private and public sector, requiring analytical and mathematical skills, as well as the use of digital tools. Data analyst, health sector, media, finance, insurance sector, logistics, programming.
Teaching in high school, Høgskole (with PPU).
A candidate is eligible for doctoral (Ph.D.) programmes at most universities in Norway and abroad, in Mathematics or Physics, depending on the specialisation chosen.
Learning outcomes
All study programmes at the UiS have a set of defined learning targets. Read more about the learning outcome for this study programme.
After having completed the master’s programme in Mathematics and Physics, the student shall have acquired the following learning outcomes, in terms of knowledge, skills and general competences:
Knowledge
K1: The Candidate has advanced knowledge within the subject areas mathematics and physics
K2: The Candidate has broad knowledge of the scientific theories and methods of the subject areas.
K3: The Candidate has knowledge of the relevant numerical/computational tools and methods that are used in mathematics and physics, as well as experimental methods.
K4: The Candidate has knowledge of how the subject areas mathematics and physics are related to other natural and technological sciences.
K5: The Candidate has specialist knowledge within a smaller area of either mathematics or physics, in connection with the specialization course work and the Master project.
Skills
F1: The Candidate is able to analyse scientific problems on the basis of the history, traditions and social position specific to the subject areas.
F2: The Candidate is able to apply his/her knowlegde to carry out concrete computations and reasonings, and thereby derive results within central parts of the subject areas mathematics and physics, both for familiar and new problems.
F3: The Candidate is able to use relevant computational tools to analyse problems in mathematics and physics.
F4: The Candidate is able to apply relevant research methods and the subject matter in an independent and critical way, and to formulate and structure scientific reasoning.
F5: The Candidate is able to carry out a scientific investigation under supervision and in line with the ethical and scientific standards of the subject areas.
F6: The Candidate is able to communicate independent scientifc work, including own work, and master the terminology of the subject areas, orally and in writing.
General Competence
G1: The Candidateis able to analyse numerical data also outside his/her own subject areas.
G2: The Candidate is able to analyse and present complex problems in a logical and structured way.
G3: The Candidate is able to work independently, and to find and acquire advanced knowledge independently.
Academic requirements
A bachelor´s degree within one of the following disciplines is required:
- Mathematics
- Physics
Applicants with another bachelor’s degree may also be considered if they document at least 120 ECTS credits in mathematics and physics.
Admission to this master's programme requires a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (according to ECTS Standards) in your bachelor's degree. Applicants with a result Second-class lower Division or lower are not qualified for admission.
Application and admission
Deadlines
and other admission requirements
Contact
For inquiries regarding admission to international Master's programmes, send an email to: admissions@uis.no
Find more information here: When to apply?
Contact
Faculty Administration TN
Kontor for utdanningsadministrative tjenester
Study plan and courses
Enrolment year: 2023
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Choose specialization
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Specialisation Mathematics
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Compulsory courses
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Manifolds
Year 1, semester 1
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Statistical Modeling and Simulation
Year 1, semester 1
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Master Thesis in Mathematics
Year 1, semester 2
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Choose one course in 1st semester
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Mathematical Analysis
Year 1, semester 1
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Probability and Statistics 2
Year 1, semester 1
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Statistical Learning
Year 1, semester 1
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Electives or exchange studies 2nd semester
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Choose 3 courses in 2nd semester (spring)
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Matrix Groups
Year 1, semester 2
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Mathematical Analysis II
Year 1, semester 2
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Algebraic Geometry
Year 1, semester 2
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Generalized Linear Models
Year 1, semester 2
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Exchange 2nd semester (spring)
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Specialisation Physics
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Compulsory courses
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Analytical Mechanics and Field Theory
Year 1, semester 1
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Solid State Physics
Year 1, semester 1
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Master Thesis in Physics
Year 1, semester 2
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Choose one course in 1st semester
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Astronomy and Astro Physics
Year 1, semester 1
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Manifolds
Year 1, semester 1
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Electives or exchange studies 2nd semester
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Choose 3 courses in 2nd semester (spring)
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General Relativity and Cosmology
Year 1, semester 2
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Quantum Field Theory
Year 1, semester 2
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X-ray and Neutron scattering
Year 1, semester 2
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Computational Solid State Physics
Year 1, semester 2
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Exchange 2nd semester (spring)
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Student exchange
By going on exchange to one of our partner institutions abroad as part of your studies, you will have an opportunity to get a unique education. In addition to improving your career opportunities, you grow as a person and gain the ability to greater reflect on the topics you study as part of your degree. All about exchange
Students can study abroad during the 2nd semester of the master's programme in mathematics and physics. This semester consists of 30 ECTS credits of electives. During the exchange semester you can choose subjects similar the master program specialization. The courses you want to take abroad must be approved by the department. It is important that the subjects/ courses from abroad not overlap with courses you have already taken. Some advice is to think about your specialisation and your field of interest.
The application deadline to study abroad during the 2nd semester, is September 1 in the 1st semester.
More opportunities
In addition to the recommended universities listed below, UiS has a number of agreements with universities outside Europe that are applicable to all students at UiS, provided that they find a relevant subject offering. Within the Nordic region, all students can use the Nordlys and Nordtek networks. Find out more.
Contact your Study Adviser at the Faculty if you have questions about guidance and pre-approval of courses: Helene Nicolaisen
General questions about exchange: Go to the exchange guide in the Digital student service desk
Student exchange
- All countries
Københavns Universitet
København er et populært studiested for nordmenn, ikke minst på grunn av den geografiske og språklige nærheten til Norge.
Technical University of Munich
The Technical University of Munich, also known as TUM, accounts for major advancements in the field of natural sciences. TUM is one of the best universities in Germany and has several awarded scientists and Nobel Prize winners. The Technical University of Munich strives for excellent teaching and research quality.
University of Bonn
Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn har en 200 år lang historie og er å betrakte som et av Tysklands mest anerkjente forskningsuniversitet. Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzche og Konrad Adenauer er bare noen av mange kjente personer som har fått sin grad fra Universitetet i Bonn.
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley er utvilsamt eit av verdast sterkaste universitet, med samtlege av dei akademiske greinene ranka blant verdas ti beste av Times Higher Education. Du vil garantert få fagleg utbytte av eit studieopphald her.
University of Jyväskylä
Jyväskylä Universitet er Finlands ledende innen lærerutdanning. Det er også det eneste universitetet med eget fakultet for «sport and health sciences».
University of Paderborn
Enjoy the charm of Paderborn for one semester. You will study close to major European cities such as Brussel and Amsterdam, with the possibility of many indoor and outdoor activities in a friendly and green enviroment.
- Denmark
Københavns Universitet
København er et populært studiested for nordmenn, ikke minst på grunn av den geografiske og språklige nærheten til Norge.
- Finland
University of Jyväskylä
Jyväskylä Universitet er Finlands ledende innen lærerutdanning. Det er også det eneste universitetet med eget fakultet for «sport and health sciences».
- Germany
Technical University of Munich
The Technical University of Munich, also known as TUM, accounts for major advancements in the field of natural sciences. TUM is one of the best universities in Germany and has several awarded scientists and Nobel Prize winners. The Technical University of Munich strives for excellent teaching and research quality.
University of Bonn
Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn har en 200 år lang historie og er å betrakte som et av Tysklands mest anerkjente forskningsuniversitet. Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzche og Konrad Adenauer er bare noen av mange kjente personer som har fått sin grad fra Universitetet i Bonn.
University of Paderborn
Enjoy the charm of Paderborn for one semester. You will study close to major European cities such as Brussel and Amsterdam, with the possibility of many indoor and outdoor activities in a friendly and green enviroment.
- United States
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley er utvilsamt eit av verdast sterkaste universitet, med samtlege av dei akademiske greinene ranka blant verdas ti beste av Times Higher Education. Du vil garantert få fagleg utbytte av eit studieopphald her.
Frequently asked questions
What topics are covered? Is there a good student environment at the department?
What areas can I immerse myself in at master's level?
At UiS, at master's level you can immerse yourself in various areas within mathematics and physics. We have strong academic environments in algebraic geometry, mathematical analysis, mathematical statistics, materials physics, cosmology and particle physics and mathematical physics. Read more about our professional environments.
Can I take a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics?
If you have been admitted to a 5-year master's degree in mathematics and physics, you can choose (in the 5th semester) to complete your studies with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics by writing a bachelor's thesis in the 6th semester. This bachelor's degree qualifies, among other things, master's in applied data science and master's in computational engineering at UiS, as well as MSc studies in physics or mathematics at other universities. Bachelors in mathematics and physics from UiS have previously also taken a master's degree in risk management and a master's degree in petroleum technology.
Is there a good student environment at the department?
Sure! As a mathematics and physics student, we recommend that you join Theta: the line association for mathematics and physics students at UiS. The association arranges internal lectures and extracurricular gatherings with a focus on the social, and allows you to take part in a professional environment from which the university itself recruits doctoral fellows. The membership is a diverse assembly with a good gender balance, but has the main emphasis on realists in their twenties.
What do mathematicians and physicists work on after they have finished their studies?
Research, development and teaching in academia, for example theoretical physics, analysis and development of materials, cosmology, algebraic geometry, mathematical analysis, medical statistics and econometrics.
Research and development in industry, such as the oil industry, renewable energy, space technology, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Others work in business and the municipality / state that requires analytical skills and numbers / mathematical understanding and the use of computers. We are collecting more and more data, and understanding numbers is important in order to be able to utilize these in a good way. (Analyst positions, finance and insurance industry, sports, health and medicine and more)
Teaching at upper secondary level.
Do the business community and the public sector in the region employ mathematicians and physicists?
Of course! Many local companies and public institutions employ mathematicians and physicists, including: Equinor, Lyse, SR Bank, Schlumberger, Laerdal Medical, NORCE, ConocoPhilips, Safetec, Veritas, SUS, Upper Secondary Schools, UiS and more.
News from the department
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