PAP305 Space Applications of Plasma Physics

1. Course title

Plasmafysiikan avaruussovelluksia
Space Applications of Plasma Physics
Space Applications of Plasma Physics

2. Course code

PAP305

Aikaisemmat leikkaavat opintojaksot 53769 Plasmafysiikan avaruussovelluksia, 5 op

3. Course status: optional

-Which degree programme is responsible for the course?
Master's Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences

-Which module does the course belong to?
PAP300 Advanced studies in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences (optional for Study Track in Astrophysical Sciences)

-Is the course available to students from other degree programmes?
Yes

4. Course level (first-, second-, third-cycle/EQF levels 6, 7 and 8)

Master’s level, degree programmes in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine = secondcycle
degree/EQF level 7
Doctoral level = third-cycle (doctoral) degree/EQF level 8

-Does the course belong to basic, intermediate or advanced studies (cf. Government Decree
on University Degrees)?
Advanced studies

5. Recommended time/stage of studies for completion

-The recommended time for completion may be, e.g., after certain relevant courses have
been completed.

6. Term/teaching period when the course will be offered

The course will be offered in the autumn term, in II period.

7. Scope of the course in credits

5 cr

8. Teacher coordinating the course

Minna Palmroth

9. Course learning outcomes

• You will obtain solid understanding of  space physics, giving a good background in further studies and research in space plasma physics
• Knowledge of basic solar physics, e.g., the structure of the Sun, and how energy is generated and transferred
• You will obtain solid theoretical knowledge behind several key phenomena in space plasma physics, such as solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field, collisionless shocks, magnetospheric, and ionospheric physics
• You will obtain skills to analyse some key data sets related to course topics (such as magnetospheric physics behind the auroral displays)
• You will obtain solid physics-based understanding on how the solar structures affect the near-Earth dynamics, leading to space weather phenomena

10. Course completion methods

contact teaching, but can be also taken as a distance learning course

11. Prerequisites

• Basic physics courses
• Solid calculation skills (e.g., Mathematics for Physicists I-II, Mathematical Methods of Physics I-II)
• Good knowledge of electrodynamics (e.g., Electrodynamics I and II)
• Introduction to Plasma Physics

12. Recommended optional studies

• Advanced Plasma Physics
• Solar Physics
• Numerical Space Physics 

13. Course content

The course contains an introduction to most important topics in space plasma physics: the Sun, solar wind, formation of the magnetosphere, ionosphere, magnetospheric dynamics, solar wind/magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, magnetospheres of other planets, and astrophysical plasmas.

14. Recommended and required literature

• Lecture notes

Other recommended material

• Hannu Koskinen: Johdatus plasmafysiikkaan ja sen avaruussovellutuksiin, Limes ry., 2001
• Kivelson, M. G., and Russell (eds.), C. T., Introduction to Space Physics, Cambridge University Press, 1995.
• Koskinen, H. E. J., Physics of Space Storms, Springer/PRAXIS, 2011
• Russell, C.T., Luhmann, J.G., Strangeway, R.J., Space Physics: An Introduction, Cambridge University Press

15. Activities and teaching methods in support of learning

• lectures
• Weekly exercises  (include plenty of practical exercises)
• Practical exercises during the lectures
• Student seminar 

16. Assessment practices and criteria, grading scale

• Final grade is based on exercises (~30%), seminar (20%), and the final exam (~50%).

17. Teaching language

English