Earth and Climate System Science Master’s Program
Understanding the earth and climate system
Earth and Climate System Science Master’s Program
Be part of the solution, and join the “Earth and Climate System Science” program
Join our interdisciplinary and research-oriented Master‘s program “Earth and Climate System Science”, where we address the challenges resulting from the current state of the climate and provide you with the skills and understanding needed to develop sustainable approaches to protect our planet. For this purpose, we apply simulations of regional climate, agricultural and economic models, as well as conduct unique measurements in the field. The focus of our program lies on the fascinating interactions of the Earth system’s various components, including the atmosphere, soil and vegetation, which can intensify extreme weather events and modify regional climates
What you can expect
- Train your skills of communication and persuasion in our lively Debate Seminar
- Learn how to operate and analyze regional climate models
- Create weather forecastings and climate simulations by means of Data assimilation
- Learn how to conduct earth system observations and climate studies with remote sensing methods
- Link natural sciences with economic models
| Degree Master of Science | 4 semesters 120 credits | Language English | Location Stuttgart | ||||||||||||||||
Degree program content
To get everyone up to speed, the first semester consists of learning the fundamentals and basic skills needed for earth system sciences in a series of compulsory modules. From the second semester onwards you can already choose elective modules too, depending on your chosen research specialization - a unique aspect of this course.
During your third semester you will also have the opportunity to conduct research at an ELLS partner university or to do a semester abroad within the ERASMUS program.
In Hohenheim you can choose from 3 specialization profiles, each containing a package of elective modules, tailored according to their subject matter:
Profile 1: Earth System Processes - Observation and Simulation
Profile 2: Agroecosystems and Food Security
Profile 3: Sustainability and Environmental Resources
Information about the individual modules can be found in the module catalog.
Study objectives
As a graduate of our "Earth and Climate System Science" program, you will stand out through your technical skills, deep knowledge of the Earth system and application of the scientific method. Furthermore, your interdisciplinary mindset and innovative approaches to problem solving will give you the confidence to apply for, and be successful in a broad range of rewarding careers. Whether you choose to continue your academic career, as many of our previous students have done, or go into industry, this program will give you the skills to excel.
The following career paths are open to you
Many of our students have gone on to start exciting careers, like Project Coordinator in climate protection, Supervisor in biodiversity management, CEO (startup AI/GIS), Agricultural Advisor, Consultant in climate adaptation and mitigation regulations, Data Scientist, PhD candidate in Climate Change Research, and many others.
- Small degree programs with an excellent student-teacher ratio
- Degree programs focused on connecting research and teaching
- Hands-on regional climate modeling
- Demonstrations of and exercises with worldwide unique 3D scanning laser remote sensing systems for atmospheric water-vapor and temperature measurements
- Potential to get involved in international field campaigns on land-atmosphere feedback studies with the participation of NASA and NOAA in the US
- Modern laboratories and practical course rooms with state-of-the-art equipment
The Master's program Earth and Climate System Science is linked to research being done at various institutes at the University of Hohenheim. The Institute of Physics and Meteorology, for example, concentrations on processes and simulations of land systems (extreme weather, climate prognoses). The degree program also consists of research from the Institute of Chemistry, the Institutes in the area of Biology, and many of the institutes in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences such as the Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation.
Research concentrations
We concentrate on feedback processes in the land surface / atmosphere system. A deeper understanding of the processes linked to soil and vegetation properties as well as their interactions with the atmosphere are essential for the precision of all weather and climate models. In addition, human influences on these areas are closely considered.
This research at the intersection of observation and high-resolution modelling includes three components:
- The development and application of unique laser systems for remote sensing of water vapor, temperature, and wind.
- Novel methods for data assimilation on a convective scale, for example the use of a polarimetric radar and GPS in modelling weather prognoses.
- Weather and climate modelling with improved representation of feedback processes in the land surface / atmosphere system and biological-hydrological processes.
Viewing the biosphere and its importance within the Earth system’s changing climate is one of the key topics being worked on across the Faculty of Natural Sciences’ departments.
Cooperation
To continue to expand and optimize our successful ongoing research projects, but also to create sustainable synergies, we are participating in intensive and successful cooperation projects with our excellent partners:
- World Weather Research Program (WWRP)
- World Climate Research Program (WCRP)
- US Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program
- National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
- Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
- Consortium projects from the German Research Foundation (DFG).
| Application deadlines | |
|---|---|
| 1st subject-related semester | only for the winter semester:
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Higher subject-related semesters | Winter semester:
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| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Formal requirements | Bachelor's degree in natural, earth, or agricultural sciences (180 ECTS credits) |
| Content requirements |
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| Language skills | English B2 |
| Pre-study internship | no |
| Selection procedure | |
|---|---|
| Selection criteria |
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| Selection interview | no |
Prof. Dr. Volker Wulfmeyer
Hans-Stefan Bauer