AGF-304 Radar Applications for Space Research (15 ECTS)

Grade:	Letter grade (A through F)
Course Cost:	None
Course Capacity Min/Max:	8/16 students (AGF-304/804 in total)
Language of instruction:	English
Examination support material:	Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue

How to apply

Lisa Baddeley

Professor – Space physics, Radar Applications

lisa.baddeley@unis.no

Course requirements

Enrolment in a relevant master programme in geophysics. General knowledge of basic atmospheric physics and/or electrodynamics. Priority will be given to students with knowledge of ionospheric/space physics or are enrolled on a study program focused towards ionospheric and/or space physics.

The course should be combined with AGF-301 The Upper Polar Atmosphere. The two courses are designed to complement each other.

Academic content

Explore how powerful radar systems can be used to investigate the ionosphere and unlock the physics of near-Earth space. In this course, you will build a strong foundation in polar ionospheric science, plasma physics, radar design, and incoherent scatter theory, while learning how radar signals are processed and turned into meaningful measurements of space plasma properties. The course also covers key mathematical and statistical methods used in signal analysis and discusses how radars use different pulse coding techniques. The course will focus on both incoherent and coherent ionospheric scatter radars such as EISCAT and SuperDARN but the techniques are also applicable to other radar systems such as the AMISRs and EISCAT-3D.

By the end of the course, you will not only understand the theory underpinning how complex radar systems work but also be able to operate a radar as part of a team, analyse multiple datasets, identify signatures of ionospheric processes, and communicate scientific results through discussion, presentations, and written reporting.

This is a course for students who want both scientific depth and practical experience. It offers the opportunity to engage with the theory, instrumentation, and analysis techniques that drive modern ionospheric and space plasma research, while developing the ability to operate radar systems, analyse complex datasets, and interpret the signatures of physical processes in the upper atmosphere.

Learning activities

The course extends over a full semester and is run in combination with AGF-804. Initially, students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101).

The main learning activities of the course are:

• lectures detailing the fundamental physical and mathematical techniques utilized in incoherent scatter radar theory including pulse coding and signal processing
• interactive seminars focusing on data interpretation
• data analysis techniques utilizing MATLAB and the GUISDAP analysis program
• five days field work at the EISCAT Svalbard Radar where students will be expected to operate the radar using the radar control software
• produce a written report based upon analysis techniques and data interpretation.

Compulsory learning activities

All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.

• Fieldwork
• Written report

Assessment

Student life