On general level, here is a list of University of Helsinki's optional Bachelor-level courses in astronomy.
List of Master-level astrophysical science courses.
Research groups in astrophysical sciences:
Theoretical Extragalactic research
Plasma astrophysics
Observational extragalactic astrophysics
Late-type Stars and Exoplanets
Interstellar matter
Planetary-system research
Scroll down for recommended courses of each group.
The research of the Theoretical Extragalactic group focuses on understanding how galaxies have formed and evolved into the galaxy population that we observe in the present-day Universe. Additionally, we study the formation and evolution of supermassive black holes and stellar clusters. We mainly employ theoretical and computational approaches in our studies.
BSc courses (in addition to the astronomy Bachelor’s level courses):
FYS2010 Mathematical Methods of Physics Ia
FYS2011 Mathematical Methods of Physics Ib
FYS2012 Mathematical Methods of Physics IIa
FYS2013 Mathematical Methods of Physics IIb
FYS2016 Electrodynamics I
FYS2017 Electrodynamics II
FYS2027 Mechanics
For students interested in pursuing a Master’s thesis within our group, we recommend the following courses during your Master’s studies in the PARAS programme:
Core courses recommended for all students:
PAP302 Open Problems in Modern Astrophysics
PAP317 Galactic Dynamics
PAP318 Galaxy Formation and Evolution
MATR322 Numerical Methods in Scientific Computing
MATR326 Tools of High Performance Computing
Optional courses recommend for students depending on their research focus:
PAP348 General Relativity I (KETJU projects)
PAP349 General Relativity II (KETJU projects)
FYS2081 Cosmology I (SIBELIUS projects)
PAP326 Cosmology II (SIBELIUS projects)
More information: Professor Peter Johansson
The plasma astrophysics research group investigates the extreme physics of cosmic plasmas surrounding neutron stars and black holes. We employ both theoretical and computational approaches to explore the various high-energy astrophysical phenomena.
BSc courses (in addition to the astronomy Bachelor’s level courses):
FYS2010 Mathematical Methods of Physics Ia
FYS2011 Mathematical Methods of Physics Ib
FYS2012 Mathematical Methods of Physics IIa
FYS2013 Mathematical Methods of Physics IIb
FYS2016 Electrodynamics I
FYS2017 Electrodynamics II
FYS2073 Fluid Phenomena
Master’s level courses:
PAP304 Plasma Physics
PAP323 Advanced Space Plasma Physics
PAP354 Space and Astrophysical Plasma Turbulence
PAP324 Numerical Space Physics
MATR322 Numerical Methods in Scientific Computing
PAP348 General relativity I
PAP349 General relativity II
External: CSC Summer School in High-Performance Computing
More information: Associate professor Joonas Nättilä
The space plasma physics research group investigates a wide range of physics environments where a solid background in electrodynamics, statistical physics, thermodynamics and numerical tools can be of great use and ease transition to graduate studies. We employ both theoretical and computational approaches to explore plasma environments ranging from the solar corona to the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
BSc courses (in addition to the astronomy Bachelor’s level courses):
FYS2010 Mathematical Methods of Physics Ia
FYS2011 Mathematical Methods of Physics Ib
FYS2012 Mathematical Methods of Physics IIa
FYS2013 Mathematical Methods of Physics IIb
FYS2016 Electrodynamics I
FYS2017 Electrodynamics II
FYS2025 Statistical Mechanics
FYS2073 Fluid Phenomena
MSc courses:
PAP304 Plasma Physics
PAP323 Advanced Space Plasma Physics
PAP354 Space and Astrophysical Plasma Turbulence
PAP324 Numerical Space Physics
MATR322 Numerical Methods in Scientific Computing
Optional but could not hurt: CSC Summer School in High-Performance Computing
For more information, contact: Associate professor Adnane Osmane, Professor Minna Palmroth, Professor Emilia Kilpua
The group studies the large-scale structure of the Universe using observational data.
BSc courses (in addition to the astronomy Bachelor’s level courses):
FYS2081 Cosmology I (Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe, early universe),
FYS1010 Mathematics for Physicists I (calculus),
FYS1011 Mathematics for Physicists II (differential equations)
FYS1012 Mathematics for Physicists III (vector calculus)
FYS2010 Mathematical Methods of Physics Ia (complex analysis, Euler functions)
FYS2011 Mathematical Methods of Physics Ib (Fourier series)
FYS2012 Mathematical Methods of Physics IIa (special functions)
FYS2013 Mathematical Methods of Physics IIb
FYS2016 Electrodynamics I
FYS2017 Electrodynamics II
FYS2073 Fluid Phenomena
BSPH2009 Basics of Astronomy I 5 cr
BSPH2010 Basics of Astronomy II 5 cr
FYS2045 Basics of Observational Astronomy II 5 cr
MSc courses:
PAP306 Advanced course in observational astronomy I
PAP307 Advanced course in observational astronomy II
P PAP308 Special Course in Observational Astronomy
PAP317 Galactic Dynamics
PAP318 Galaxy Formation and Evolution
PAP319 High Energy Astrophysics
PAP352 Galaxy Survey Cosmology
PAP353 Gravitational Lensing
For more information, contact Professor Alexis Finogenov
The Stellar Astrophysics group studies magnetic activity in late-type stars and exoplanets. We focus on observational methods using, e.g., optical photometry, spectrometry and spectropolarimetry. The observations are analysed with different inversion methods and results are compared with theoretical modelling.
MSc courses:
PAP351 Stellar magnetic activity
PAP303 Statistical inverse methods
PAP312 Time series analysis in astronomy
PAP313 Variable stars
PAP306 Advanced course in observational astronomy I
PAP307 Advanced course in observational astronomy II
PAP304 Plasma physics
PAP321 Solar physics
For more information, contact University Researcher Thomas Hackman or University Lecturer Lauri Jetsu
The studies of interstellar matter are concerned with observations of the interstellar gas and dust and of the star-formation process, mainly at near-infrared, far-infrared, and radio wavelengths. Further topics include numerical simulations of star-forming clouds and especially of the related radiative-transfer problems.
MSc courses:
PAP302 Open Problems in Modern Astrophysics
PAP303 Statistical inverse methods
PAP304 Plasma Physics
PAP306 Advanced Course in Observational Astronomy I
PAP307 Advanced Course in Observational Astronomy II
PAP308 Special Course in Observational Astronomy
PAP309 Interstellar medium
PAP320 Radiative transfer
MATR322 Numerical Methods in Scientific Computing
For more information, contact University Lecturer Mika Juvela
We study planetary bodies in our Solar System using theoretical, numerical, experimental, and observational tools as well as with planetary exploration missions.
BSc courses:
FYS2010 Fysiikan matemaattiset menetelmät Ia
FYS2011 Fysiikan matemaattiset menetelmät Ib
FYS2012 Fysiikan matemaattiset menetelmät IIa
FYS2013 Fysiikan matemaattiset menetelmät IIb
FYS2016 Elektrodynamiikka I
FYS2017 Elektrodynamiikka II
FYS2027 Mekaniikka
FYS2055 Taivaanmekaniikka
FYS2051 Aurinkokunnan fysiikka
MSc courses:
PAP302 Open Problems in Modern Astrophysics
PAP303 Statistical Inverse Methods
MATR322 Numerical Methods in Scientific Computing
PAP306 Advanced course in observational astronomy I
PAP307 Advanced course in observational astronomy II
PAP311 Small Bodies in the Solar System
PAP314 Introduction to light scattering
PAP315 Computational light scattering
PAP316 Astrophysical light scattering problems
For more information, contact Academy Professor Karri Muinonen or Associate Professor Mikael Granvik