Master of Science in Integrated Climate System Sciences (MSc ICSS)

The MSc in Integrated Climate System Sciences (ICSS) combines all sciences concerned with the climate system. These include natural sciences and climate-relevant aspects of social and economic sciences. This interdisciplinary approach will enable you to understand the processes of climate variability and climate change and their consequences for societies, including how they respond to these. The curriculum focuses on environmental Earth sciences, considering natural processes in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. To describe the Earth system and its intricacies, you will mainly use mathematical and numerical modelling. Observation and monitoring data are used to validate the models. Another focus is on the climate-relevant aspects of social and economic sciences. These give insight into the political and social processes and conflicts which cause or arise from climate change. This approach enables you to develop an understanding of the past, current and future climate variability of the Earth system. You will learn to see and understand the Earth as an integrated system. The MSc ICSS programme gives students a strong background in natural sciences and modelling skills, and an understanding of the climate-relevant aspects of social and economic sciences. ICSS will stimulate you to look beyond your own discipline. You will become both an expert in your specific field and a driver of interdisciplinary thinking. Based on this sound scientific education, the MSc ICSS programme offers four tracks: Physics of the Climate System Biogeochemistry of the Climate System Climate-Related Economics Climate-Related Social Sciences Students study all four tracks during the first semester. After the second semester, you can give your personal curriculum either an in-depth focus on one of the four tracks or an interdisciplinary approach whereby you combine various courses from the four tracks. The curriculum for the two-year MSc ICSS programme is divided into four semesters, with mandatory courses, elective courses for specialisation, and preparation of the Master's thesis. It covers 30 credit points in each semester (120 credit points for the whole MSc programme including the Master's thesis). First semester In the first semester, you will start your studies with an orientation week for all new MSc students at SICSS (School of Integrated Climate System Sciences). Then your curriculum starts with mandatory courses in basic research skills, as well as natural and social science courses in climate system sciences. You will also choose two elective courses from the three programme tracks, depending on your personal interests. These could be an "Introduction to Numerical Methods" or a specialisation course such as "Chemistry of Natural Waters". During the semester break, you will take exams and courses from the technical skills module, for example, scientific programming or visualisation of climate data. Second semester The main goal of the second semester is to broaden your knowledge across the climate science disciplines. You will choose courses from at least two of the three programme tracks: "Physics of the Climate System", "Biogeochemistry of the Climate System", and "Climate-related Economics and Social Sciences". You have the opportunity to give your studies either an in-depth or an interdisciplinary focus, depending on your personal interests and your desired professional career. In the lecture-free period you will take exams, and, in addition, you will have time to attend workshops or summer schools, or you can do an internship. Third semester The third semester features the Climate Study Project, which is an individual research study in preparation for your Master's thesis. During the lecture period you will implement a project idea related to Integrated Climate System Sciences together with your personal adviser and a research group. This study includes a report about your research and findings. You will