Master's Program in Atmospheric Sciences, Oceanography and Climate Physics Study course General focus
In this master’s program the atmosphere and the ocean are described using the laws of physics.
The vertical structure of the atmosphere is determined by the equations for radiation transport of incoming solar radiation and outgoing heat radiation, combined with thermodynamics and the conditions for static stability. The laws of dynamics govern both the smallest turbulent vortices, the low-pressure systems that govern the daily weather, and the large-scale ocean currents. Heat, water and various chemical substances are redistributed between the atmosphere, ocean and land surface under the influence of the circulation. All this is included in the numerical models that are used to simulate the climate system, and to do weather forecasts. Statistical methods are also used to describe the climate, its natural variability and the change caused by humans.
In the study course with general focus the course “Global Climate System”, MO7003 (15 credits), is compulsory. It gives an overview of the climate system, with a focus on the energy balance of the earth and various feedback mechanisms, and in a project you will perform simulations with a numerical global climate model of the same kind as those used in the IPCC-reports.
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Programme overview
The program has many elective courses in meteorology and oceanography. Numerical and analytical modelling is an important element, and both theoretical and experimental methods are used. You will learn to understand and model the climate system, which is a complex system with many interacting parts. This knowledge is valuable even for those who will work in other areas.
The course MO7003 (Global climate system, 15 credits) is compulsory in this study course. The degree project comprises 30, 45 or 60 credits. Elective courses of up to 30 credits can be replaced by optional courses.
If you have not previously studied meteorology or oceanography, you need to take the following courses the first semester, and they will then be included in the 120 credits of the master’s program:
- MO4005 Atmospheric structure, 15 credits
- MO4006 Fundamental dynamics, 15 credits
Study course:
Year 1
Autumn semester
- Elective courses*, 30 credits
or
- MO4005 Atmospheric structure, 15 credits
- MO4006 Fundamental dynamics, 15 credits
Spring semester
- Elective courses*, 30 credits
Year 2
Autumn semester
- Elective courses*, 15 credits
- MO7003 Global Climate System, 15 credits
Spring semester
- MO9001 Degree project, 30 credits
*Elective courses
- MO7019 Statistical methods for climate science, 7.5 credits
- MO7020 Waves and instabilities, 7.5 credits
- MO7021 Climate and the general circulation, 7.5 credits
- MO8003 Practical meteorology (in Swedish), 15 credits
- MO8004 Modelling of largescale circulation in the atmosphere and ocean, 7.5 credits
- MO8005 Mesoscale meteorology, 7.5 credits
- MO8006 Numerical weather forecast models, 7.5 credits
- MO8007 Numerical methods in meteorology and oceanography, 7.5 credits
- MO8010 Turbulent boundary layers in the atmosphere and ocean, 7.5 credits
- MO8011 Cloud micro- and macrophysics, 7.5 credits
- MO8013 Physical oceanography, 7.5 credits
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How to apply
Follow the link below to a step-by-step guide on how to apply.
Note: Course MO9001 is an exception. For this course, you apply via the study advisor. -
Contact
Study counselor
