Astro Network
The Astro Network is a cross-study network for astronomy students. The courses are open to astronomy degree students from Aalto University, the University of Helsinki, the University of Oulu and the University of Turku.
Information on Enrollment Procedure
Students enroll in courses using the cross-institutional study service, which means enrollment can be done via the student’s own university’s student information system, either Peppi or Sisu. After completing the courses, the credits will transfer automatically to the home university’s study information system. Home universities instruct students on how to enroll via Peppi or Sisu. Please find below detailed instructions for each university. Please note that some courses may overlap with your home university’s courses, and you must ensure the course is accepted into your degree before enrolling.
Information on Courses
Information on courses offered by Aalto (for non-Aalto students):
- ELEC-E4230 Microwave Earth Observation Instrumentation
- ELEC-E4240 Satellite Systems
- ELEC-E4220 Space instrumentation, quota: 3 students
- ELEC-E4530 Radio Astronomy, quota: 3 students
- ELEC-E4520 Space Physics, quota: 3 students
Information on courses offered by Helsinki (for non-Helsinki students):
Contact teaching, no remote option:
- PAP317 Galactic dynamics (5 ECTS) in English, every second spring in odd years (2023, 2025,...) Period III-IV, contact: Peter Johansson Contact teaching, no remote working option
- PAP318 Galaxy formation and evolution (5 ECTS) in English, every second year in even years (2024, 2026,...) Period I-II, contact: Peter Johansson Contact teaching, no remote working option
- PAP348 General relativity I (5 ECTS), in English, every spring, III period, contact teaching, no remote working option, contact: Syksy Räsänen
- PAP349 General relativity II (5 ECTS), in English, every spring, IV period, contact teaching, no remote working option, contact: Syksy Räsänen
- PAP302 Open problems in modern astrophysics (5 ECTS), in English, on every year, Period I-II, no remote working option, contact: Peter Johansson
- PAP303 Statistical Inverse Methods (5 ECTS), in English, on every year, Period III-IV, no remote working option, contact: Antti Penttilä
- PAP309 Interstellar Matter (5 ECTS), in English, on even years, Period II, no remote working option, contact: Mika Juvela
- PAP311 Small Bodies in the Solar System (5 ECTS), in English, on odd years, Period I-II, no remote working option, contact: Mikael Granvik
- PAP312 Time Series Analysis in Astronomy (5 ECTS), in English, on odd years, Period I-II, no remote working option, contact: Lauri Jetsu
- PAP313 Variable Stars (5 ECTS), in English, on even years, Period I-II,no remote working option, contact: Lauri Jetsu
- PAP315 Computational light scattering (5 ECTS), in English, on odd years, Period I, no remote working option, contact: Karri Muinonen
- PAP316 Astrophysical light scattering problems (5 ECTS), in English, on odd years, Period IV, no remote working option, contact: Karri Muinonen
- PAP319 High Energy Astrophysics (5 ECTS), in English, every odd years in periods III and IV, no remote working option, contact: Alexis Finogenov
- PAP320 Radiative Transfer (5 ECTS), in English, on odd years, Period I, no remote working option, contact: Mika Juvela
- PAP321 Solar Physics (5 ECTS), in English, on odd years, Period III, no remote working option, contact: Simon Good
- PAP326 Cosmology II (5 ECTS), in English, every year, Period II, no remote working option, contact: Syksy Räsänen
- PAP351 Stellar Magnetic Activity (5 ECTS), in English, on even years, Period III-IV, no remote working option, contact: Thomas Hackman
- PAP352 Galaxy Survey Cosmology (5 ECTS), in English, on every year, Period III, no remote working option, contact: Elina Keihänen
- PAP353 Gravitational Lensing (5 ECTS), in English, on odd years, Period IV, no remote working option, contact: Elina Keihänen
PAP354 Space and Astrophysical Plasma Turbulence (5 ECTS), in English, on even years, Period II, no remote working option, contact: Simon Good
Contact teaching with remote option:
- PAP324 Numerical Space Physics (5 ECTS), in English, every second spring, Period IV (2023, 2025, ..), contact: Jens Pomoell
- PAP304 Plasma Physics (5 ECTS), in English, every fall, Period I, contact: Lucile Turc
- PAP305 Space Applications of Plasma Physics (5 ECTS), in English, every fall, Period II, contact: Lucile Turc and Eleanna Asvestari
PAP323 Advanced Space Plasma Physics (10 ECTS), in English, every second spring (2024, 2026,...), Period III - IV, contact: Urs Ganse
Intensive courses (in co-operation with Turku):
- PAP306 Advanced Observational astronomy I (5 ECTS), in English, every fall, in cooperation with Turku University, Period I-II, contact: Alexis Finoguenov
- PAP307 Advanced Observational astronomy II (5 ECTS), in English, every even year, spring, in cooperation with Turku University, Period IV, contact: Alexis Finoguenov
Information on courses offered by Oulu (for non-Oulu students):
All courses can be studied remotely.
Academic year 2025-2026:
- 761630S Plasma Physics, 10 ECTS (autumn)
- 761633S Ionospheric physics,10 ECTS (autumn)
- 766653S Cosmic Rays, 10 ECTS (spring)
- NP00AF44 Space Climate, 5 ECTS (spring)
- NP00AF45 Magnetism and Applications, 5 ECTS (spring)
Academic year 2026-2027:
- 761631S Magnetospheric physics, 10 ECTS (autumn)
- 765698S Galaxies 5 ECTS (spring)
- NP00AF45 Magnetism and Applications, 5 ECTS (spring)
- 766639S Solar effects on climate, 5 ECTS (spring)
- 767601S Time-series analysis in Astronomy, 5 ECTS (spring)
Information on courses offered by UTU (for non-UTU students):
The following courses can be studied remotely:
- FFYS7098 Space Missions and Space Environment, 5 ECTS
- TÄHT7010 Radiative Processes in Astrophysics, 8 ECTS
- TÄHT7036 High-energy Astrophysics, 8 ECTS
- TÄHT7058 Observational X-ray and Gamma-ray Astrophysics, 5 ECTS
- TÄHT7053 Spectroscopic Diagnostics in Astrophysics, 8 ECTS
The following courses are intensive courses, i.e. require in-person participation in Turku during 1-2 weeks:
- TÄHT7055 Observational Techniques Using the Nordic Optical Telescope, 7 ECTS, (Note: Same as HY PAP306 Advanced Course in Observational Astronomy I 5 cr) 5 day summer/winter school offered every year in end of October-beginning of November
- TÄHT7056 Data Processing Techniques for Astronomy with ESO Instrumentation, 5 ECTS (Note: Same as HY PAP307 Advanced Course in Observational Astronomy II 5 ECTS) Lectures remotely, but requires in-person attendance ca. three times a half day. Offered during even numbered years (usually Jan/Feb)
- FFYS7068 Signal and Image Processing, 4 ECTS Lectures remotely, but requires in-person attendance ca. four times a half day. Offered during even numbered years (spring time)
- FFYS7051 Special Course in Space Physics, 2-6 ECTS
Offered every other year (odd number years). Course lasts three weeks and starts usually in April. Lectures remotely (2 credits), course project requires in-person attendance.
In case you have questions, please contact Elina Lindfors (elilin@utu.fi)
Instructions for UTU students (for participating in courses from other universities):
Please discuss the possible overlaps and check to which thematic module your courses can be included with HOPS teacher Pekka Heinämäki or Rubina Kotak BEFORE you register to the course.
Enrolment is done via your personal study plan HOPS. Please first add the courses to your study plan and then register according to the other university´s schedule. You can read instrtuctions for adding these courses to your study plan here. (requires logging in)
Exam in Turku: contact Elina Lindfors at least 1 week before the exam to organize the suitable place to take the exam at same time as the in person exam is taking place.