Context :

Aims : From observations of the K4III star \beta UMi we attempt to determine whether oscillations or any other form of variability is present .

Methods : A high-quality photometric time series of \approx 1000 days in length obtained from the SMEI instrument on the Coriolis satellite is analysed .
Various statistical tests were performed to determine the significance of features seen in the power density spectrum of the light curve .

Results : Two oscillations with frequencies 2.44 and 2.92 \mu Hz have been identified .
We interpret these oscillations as consecutive overtones of an acoustic spectrum , implying a large frequency spacing of 0.48 \mu Hz .
Using derived asteroseismic parameters in combination with known astrophysical parameters , we estimate the mass of \beta UMi to be 1.3 \pm 0.3 { M } _ { \odot } .
Peaks of the oscillations in the power density spectrum show width , implying that modes are stochastically excited and damped by convection .
The mode lifetime is estimated at 18 \pm 9 days .

Conclusions :