Master’s Programme Environmental Meteorology and Climate Physics
You want to study meteorology and climate physics across borders — and build solutions for a changing environment?
As a student of this Master’s Degree Programme, you will explore how the atmosphere shapes — and is shaped by — climate change and evolving weather patterns.
You will analyze the physics behind environmental processes and use state-of-the-art models and measurements to understand the atmosphere’s interactions with land, water, and ecosystems. In lectures, labs, and fieldwork, you will build a robust interdisciplinary skill set that includes atmospheric dynamics, climate physics, meteorological chemistry, hydrology, remote sensing, and data science.This program prepares you to tackle complex questions about our changing environment and to contribute scientific insight to climate adaptation and mitigation.
Supplemental examination
Admission to the joint study program is governed by the cooperation agreement between the universities of Innsbruck and Trento. Details of the admission and selection procedures are provided on this website of the University of Trento, which administers the joint program.Details of the admission and selection procedures are provided on this website of the University of Trento, which administers the joint program: https://international.unitn.it/environmental-meteorology/application
Master of Science
Duration/ECTS-Credits
4 semesters/120 ECTS-Credits
Mode of Study
Full-time
Language
English
Requirements
Relevant bachelor's degree/equivalent
and Language Certificates
Faculty
Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences
Level of qualification
Master (Second Cycle)
ISCED-11: Level 7, EQF/NQF: Level 7
ISCED-F
0532 Earth sciences
Study Code
UC 066 615
Dates and Deadlines for admission
Masterstudium Umweltmeteorologie und Klimaphysik
FAQ
Because it prepares you to understand and respond to the most urgent environmental and climatic challenges of our time.
You will gain in-depth knowledge of the physical and chemical processes that govern the atmosphere, climate systems, and their interactions with land, water, and ecosystems. You will develop strong skills in theory, measurement, modeling, and scientific communication.
By learning to critically analyze complex environmental data, interpret climate and weather model outputs, and evaluate scientific literature, you will be equipped to make evidence-based contributions in fields such as air quality, climate change impacts, renewable energy, and environmental consulting — in both public and private sectors.
The Master's Programme in Environmental Meteorology and Climate Physics covers a broad and interdisciplinary range of topics focused on the atmosphere, the climate system, and their role in the environment. Key areas include:
- Meteorology and Weather Analysis – including synoptic and dynamic meteorology, atmospheric dynamics, and weather forecasting
- Climate Physics and Climate Change – including radiative transfer, remote sensing, and the physical basis of climate processes and variability
- Atmospheric Chemistry – covering ozone chemistry, aerosols, trace gases, and their environmental impacts
- Environmental Measurements and Observational Techniques – including field measurements, remote sensing, and environmental instrumentation
- Modeling and Data Analysis – including numerical methods, climate and environmental modeling, and statistical tools
- Hydrology and Environmental Fluid Mechanics – such as surface and subsurface water processes and environmental flow dynamics
- Energy, Agricultural, and Forest Meteorology – applications of atmospheric science to renewable energy, agriculture, and land-atmosphere interactions
- Science Communication and Interdisciplinary Skills – reading, writing, and presenting scientific results for expert and non-expert audiences
The program combines theoretical courses, hands-on laboratory work, field activities, and research-based learning — all in an international setting at the Universities of Innsbruck and Trento.
Graduates of the Master’s Programme in Environmental Meteorology and Climate Physics are qualified for a wide range of careers in both the public and private sectors, where expertise in atmospheric and climate sciences is in high demand.
Typical career paths include:
- National and regional meteorological services – in weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental analysis
- Environmental and climate policy agencies – contributing to air quality management, climate adaptation, and environmental assessment
- Research institutions and universities – in climate science, atmospheric physics, or interdisciplinary environmental research (with the option to pursue a PhD)
- Private sector roles – such as in renewable energy planning, environmental consulting, agriculture and forestry services, and hydrological risk assessment
- NGOs and international organizations – supporting climate action, sustainability projects, and science communication
The program also strengthens your ability to work across cultures and disciplines — thanks to its international structure between the Universities of Innsbruck and Trento — which opens doors to global career opportunities.
Curriculum
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Environment & Climate
Anyone wishing to study the environment, biology, ecology, geography or sustainability, and who is interested in climate change, biodiversity and mountain regions, will find the right degree programme in this field at the University of Innsbruck.
Degree programmes in this field at the University of Innsbruck are closely linked to the Centre for Mountain Research (Research Area: Mountain Regions), one of the eight Centres of Excellence in the the university’s key research areas.
Here, researchers from various disciplines work together to investigate how mountain regions are changing as a result of climate change. Students can contribute to this research through courses, dissertations and projects.
Under the umbrella of the PEAK (Perspectives on Engagement, Accountability and Knowledge) , the University makes this expertise publicly available, and in the student-run Green Office, students can help shape sustainability on campus themselves. Once a year, the Green Office organises a Sustainability Week.
















