Master's Programme Atmosphere Sciences

As of winter semester 2015/2016 this programme is no longer open to new entrants. For information on the succeeding master’s programme please consult this page »

Faculty Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences
Duration / ECTS-Credits 4 semesters / 120 ECTS-Credits
Academic Degree
Master of Science (MSc)
Qualification Level
Master (Second Cycle)
Mode of Study
Full-Time
Study Code
C 066 614
Curriculum Information on the Curriculum (2007W) *
Admission Requirements
Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent


* Information on the Curriculum (2007W)

Information about examination regulations, assessment and grading

Examination regulations

The examination regulation is an integral part of the curriculum, detailed information can be found under the paragraph examination regulations.

Description of the applied grading system (including the grade distribution table) »

The grade distribution table is a statistical representation of the distribution of all successfully completed examinations in a given programme of study or subject (based on all registered students for the programme or subject). The grade distribution table is updated in regular intervals.

 Austrian grading
 scheme
 Definition
 %-age
      
 1  EXCELLENT:
 Outstanding performance
33.3
= 100%

 2

 GOOD:
 Generally good, but with some errors
32.6
 3  SATISFACTORY:
 Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors
21.0
 4  SUFFICIENT:
 Performance meets the minimum cirteria
13.1
 5  INSUFFICIENT:
 Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work
     

Source: Academic year 2016/2017


Overall classification of the qualification

Not applicable
Explanation: An overall classification (mit Auszeichnung bestanden/pass with distinction, bestanden/pass, nicht bestanden/fail) – is awarded only for examinations that conclude a programme of study and consist of more than one subject (an examination of this type is not specified in the curriculum of this programme of study).

Requirements

Relevant bachelor's degrees at the University of Innsbruck:


Criteria for the determination of equivalence:

Admission to the master's degree programme may also be possible if a student has completed a bachelor's degree in a relevant related field. As part of the determination of equivalence, the following core areas of the completed bachelor's degree programme will be assessed:

  • 10 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Mathematics
  •   4 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Physics
  •   2 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Weather Analysis and Forecasting

In the event that equivalence has been established in principle but with certain qualifications missing for full equivalence, supplemental examinations may be required. These examinations must be completed during the master degree programme.

Recommended Course Sequence

The exemplary course sequence given below is recommended for full-time students beginning their study programme in the winter semester. The table shows one possible course sequence for the bachelor's programme and is not compulsory. Delays resulting from repeated examinations are not taken into account.

The standard duration of the study programme is 4 semesters or 120 ECTS-Credits, whereby according to the Universities Act of 2002, a workload of 1,500 (real) hours per academic year must be fulfilled, corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits (one ECTS-Credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 hours).

First Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: Boundary Layer and Radiation
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Mathematical Methods in Physics
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Ice and Climate
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Basic Concepts of Scientific Research

Second Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Remote Sensing
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module - Intensification

Third Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: Mountain Meteorology
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Synoptic Meteorology
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module - Intensification

Fourth Semester »

27.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis
2.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis Defence

Graphic chart »

Recommended course sequence for Master's Programme in Atmospheric Sciences

Qualification Profile and Skills 

The Master’s Programme Atmosphere Sciences provides an in-depth understanding of atmospheric processes and their interactions with land, oceans, ice and biosphere from the molecular to the global scale and from short-term phenomena such as turbulences and storms to long-term climate changes; with a focus on snow and ice, climate and global change, applied meteorology (environment, energy, glaciology), the application of advanced observation systems (satellite technology) for data assimilation and process modelling in the area of environment and forecasting, or the analysis of the significance of complex orography in the dynamics of atmospheric flows. A special focus of the education in Innsbruck refers to mountain aspects. The entry requirement for the Master’s Programme Atmospheric Sciences is a bachelor’s degree in a related field with basic skills in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer languages. Alongside a deeper comprehension of the basic knowledge acquired in the bachelor’s programme, students learn to independently apply scientific methods to the interpretation of weather maps, to prepare large-scale and local weather forecasts based on the comprehension of the workings of current operational forecasting models. Besides providing technical expertise in the field of meteorology, the programme additionally teaches students to evaluate scientific topics of meteorology and atmospheric physics in an interdisciplinary context, and to autonomously apply them to new areas of study, incorporating the university’s research specialities.

Expected Learning Outcomes 

Graduates possess highly specialized knowledge in the field of atmospheric sciences. They are able to integrate, transfer and implement scientific methods and knowledge at the intersections of other related nature sciences.

Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities

The career fields for graduates of the master’s programme range from meteorological and hydrological services, weather consulting companies, avalanche warning services, environmental agencies, domestic and foreign research institutions and operational centres, to interdisciplinary areas of responsibility where meteorology plays a key role. The Master’s Programme  Atmosphere Sciences prepares students for relevant doctoral studies as well as careers beyond the academic area in national and international research institutions.

Postgraduate and further Studies at the University of Innsbruck

Information about the Programme (in German only)

Forms (in German only)

Contact and Information

Examination Office
Standort Innrain 52d Piktogramm barrierefreier Zugang  

Information for students with disabilities

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