Bachelor's Programme Atmospheric Sciences
As of winter semester 2021/2022 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 | 6 semesters / 180 ECTS-Credits |
| Academic Degree |
Bachelor of Science (BSc) |
| Qualification Level |
Bachelor (First Cycle) ISCED-11: Level 6, EQF/NQF: Level 6 |
| ISCED-F | 0532 Earth Sciences |
| Mode of Study |
Full-Time |
| Study Code |
UC 033 604 |
| Curriculum | Information on the Curriculum (2010W) * |
| Language of Instruction | German |
| Admission Requirements |
Secondary school completion certificate or equivalent and Language Certificates |
* Information on the Curriculum (2010W)
The complete version of the curriculum reflects the currently valid version of the curriculum. It is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding. The legally binding version of the curriculum, including any amendments, may be found in the University of Innsbruck Bulletins.
In order to determine which version of the curriculum is applicable in your case, see the Catalogue of Studies,
available at: https://lfuonline.uibk.ac.at/public/lfuonline_meinestudien.studienblatt
Section: Current Curriculum version.
University of Innsbruck Bulletins » (Click to open all University of Innsbruck Bulletins)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1st 2016)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 2nd 2016, Issue 37, No. 441 (modification of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1st 2014)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 13th 2014, Issue 27, No. 473 (modification of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1st 2011)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 8th 2011 (modification of the curriculum)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin September 29th 2010, Issue 54, No. 478 (amendment of the curriculum)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 21st 2010, Issue 30, No. 315
Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP)
Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP) starting winter term 2016 »
(1) Within the scope of the studies induction and orientation stage, which takes place in the first semester, the following course examinations must be passed:
- VO Introduction to Atmospheric Science (CM 4 lit. a/2 hrs. /4 ECTS-Credits),
- VO Introduction to Climatology (CM 4 lit. b/2 hrs. /5 ECTS-Credits),
- VO Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics (CM 3 lit. a/4 hrs. / 6 ECTS-Credits).
(2) Successful passing of all exams of the Studies Induction and Orientation Stage entitles to passing all further courses and examinations as well as to writing the Bachelor’s Thesis.
(3) Before successful completion of the Studies Induction and Orientation Stage courses amounting to 16.5 ECTS-Credits may be passed. The requirements specified in the curriculum must be met.
Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP) until december 2015
(1) The Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP), with a duration of one semester (30 ECTS-Credits), provides an overview of the study programme and its structure in order to give students an objective basis to assess their decision to pursue their chosen subjects.
(2) During the Studies Induction and Orientation Stage, the following course examinations, which may be repeated twice, must be completed satisfactorily:
- VO Introduction to Atmospheric Science (PM 4 lit. a / 2 hours / 4 ECTS-Credits)
- VO Introduction to Klimatology (PM 4 lit. b / 2 hours / 3,5 ECTS-Credits)
(3) A positive result (passing grade) on the examinations specified in Paragraph 2 permits students to attend all courses and take all examinations following the Introduction and Orientation Phase for Students (STEOP) and to write a bachelor's thesis as described in the curriculum. The registration requirements specified by the curriculum must be met.
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 6 semesters or 180 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).
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Mathematics 1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Mathematics 2
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Physics 1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Mathematics 3
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Physics 2
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Introduction to Chemistry and Geophysics
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Meteorological Instrumentation and Measurement Lab
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Atmospheric Radiation, Micrometeorology
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Thermodynamics
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Weather Analysis and Forecasting 1, Scientific Methods
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Statistics, Scientific Programming
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Mathematical Methods
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Dynamics of the Atmosphere
7.5 ECTS-Credits: The Alps and Europe
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Geoinformatics 1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Remote Sensing
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Weather Analysis and Forecasting 2
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Solid Earth1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Gases and Aerosols
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Climate, Glaciology, Hydrology
15.0 ECTS-Credits: Seminar with Bachelor's Thesis
Detailed recommended course schedule
Qualification Profile and Skills
The goal of the Bachelor’s Programme Atmospheric Sciences is to provide graduates in-depth knowledge for occupational opportunities in this field. The bachelor’s programme offers a comprehensive insight into the aspects and processes of atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and lithosphere. In combination with the two other bachelor’s programmes at the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences, the fundamentals of geo- and atmospheric sciences are imparted. The bachelor’s programmes at the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics convey the fundamental mathematical principles to describe the processes of atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and lithosphere. Students acquire a broad basic knowledge in meteorology, atmospheric physics, climate, climate change, glaciology and hydrology. Due to the location of the University of Innsbruck in the midst of the Alps, the reference to the mountain region is a major issue of the education. The programme fosters „atmospheric thinking“: Complex scientific connections in terms of space and time are based on mathematical and physical principles, and the most important processes are to be identified, elaborated and comprehended. With the bachelor’s thesis, students are able to independently elaborate, document and present selected issues in the field of atmospheric sciences.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Graduates are able to elaborate, evaluate and implement scientific developments in the fields of atmospheric sciences and to apply them in interdisciplinary contexts.
Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities
The Bachelor’s Programme Atmospheric Sciences prepares students for a relevant master’s programme as well as careers beyond the academic area. Occupational fields of graduates are in private and public weather forecasting, relevant economic fields (environment, energy, traffic, finance and insurance, consulting, tourism), the environmental sector and specialized engineering and planning offices.
Postgraduate and further Studies at the University of Innsbruck
- Master's Programme Atmospheric Sciences
- Master's Programme Materials and Nanosciences
- Master's Programme Environmental Meteorologie
Supplementary Programme
Within the scope of the Study Programme, a Supplementary Programme corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits may be passed. Admission to the Supplementary Programme requires the admission to or the having passed of one of the selected Study Programmes. Detailed information: https://www.uibk.ac.at/studium/angebot/es-informatik/
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 ECTS Grading Table) »
The ECTS Grading 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 ECTS Grading Table is updated in regular intervals.
| Austrian grading scheme |
Definition |
%-age |
||
| 1 | EXCELLENT: Outstanding performance |
20.7 |
 |
= 100% |
|
2 |
GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors |
26.5 |
||
| 3 | SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors |
27.6 |
||
| 4 | SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum cirteria |
25.2 |
||
| 5 | INSUFFICIENT: Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work |
December 2020
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).
Information about the Programme (in German only)
- Recognition of (Prior) formal learning outcomes (RPL-Project)
- Deadlines
- Additional information at the Institute of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences
Forms (in German only)
- Evidence of the Bachelor's Thesis according to the curriculum
- Examination Records
- Recognition of exams AND Supplementary Sheet
- Cover Sheet for the Bachelor's Thesis
- Declaration of Academic Honesty
- Application for Admission to the third and fourth repetition of a course examination
Contact and Information
Examination Office
Standort Innrain 52d 
Associate Dean of Studies
Ao.Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Georg Mayr
Dean of Studies
Ao. Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Kurt Nicolussi