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:
- Bachelor's Programme Atmosphere Sciences
- Bachelor's Programme Geo- and Atmosphere Sciences
- Bachelor's Programme Physics
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).
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
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
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
27.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis
2.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis Defence
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)
- Deadlines
- Additional information at the Institute of Atmosphere and Cryosphere Sciences
- Guidelines for electronic submission and publication of academic theses and Instruction
Forms (in German only)
- Application for the Master's Thesis
- Examination Records AND Supplementary Sheet
- Recognition of exams
- Declaration of Academic Honesty
Contact and Information
Examination Office
Standort Innrain 52d 