Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere University of Bonn

Students in this Master’s degree programme are to acquire the necessary scientific knowledge, skills and methods as well as relevant key qualifications for an occupation in the field, enabling them to conduct sound research, to critically assess and practically apply research findings and methods and to act responsibly. This includes taking into account any changes and requirements in the working world or in cross-disciplinary aspects, if applicable. The programme objectives mainly focus on:

• building expert knowledge regarding current research by expanding the students’ basic knowledge
• building methodical and analytical competences, enabling students to expand their research findings on their own authority, with a strong emphasis on research methods and strategies

Students are to learn how to approach complex problems and work on their solution beyond the existing scope of knowledge, using research methods. The interdisciplinary nature of the Master’s degree programme is to enable students to capture cross-disciplinary correlations as well as autonomously apply research methods and findings.

The Master's programme is extended over 24 months and is structured into mandatory modules and compulsory elective modules, including teaching units with a duration of one semester. An exam, either written or oral, completes each module. Credit points (CP) are the basis of evaluation. By the end of the second semester, the students are required to choose a specialisation out of the options meteorology or geophysics.

The curriculum of the programme is structured as follows: The first year offers mandatory and elective advanced modules covering the knowledge that will be required for the specialisation in the scientific programme phase during the second year of study. Lectures and exercises cover the topics Climate Dynamics, Atmospheric Physics and Geodynamics and Hydrogeophysics. Furthermore, the cooperation with the Master's programme at the University of Cologne allows for choosing further modules from the Cologne curriculum. In the second year, students deepen their knowledge on research topics in their specialisation and train to be able to do self-sufficient research. These topics and skills prepare for the Master's thesis during the last study semester.

The Master's programme will be successfully completed once 120 CP have been obtained. Of these 120 CP, students will obtain 60 CP from advanced modules, 30 CP from the special skills and research topics, and 30 CP from the Master's thesis.

Study plan: https://www.ifgeo.uni-bonn.de/de/studium/studiere-mug/dokumente_mug/po_pea/studienverlaufsplan_msc.pdf

The best students may apply for the double degree programme in cooperation with the University of Padua. The second year or the third study semester is then completed in Padova, Italy with a second degree – "Laurea Magistrale" – in the programme Geophysics for Natural Risks and Resources.

The study advisory service advises on individual options: studiere-mug@uni-bonn.de.

Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere – University of Cologne
Geophysics for Natural Risks and Resources – University of Padova

University degree (German or non-German) in a relevant discipline with specific modules: 60 ECTS meteorology/geophysics knowledge and mathematics and physics knowledge; of which at least 10 ECTS must be covered by mathematics knowledge, 10 ECTS by physics knowledge and 20 ECTS by meteorology or geophysics knowledge

English language proficiency (CEFR level B2)

The University of Bonn is a public university, meaning that it does not charge tuition fees. However, all students must pay the semester fee of about 350 EUR per semester, which covers a Deutschlandsemesterticket (student transit pass for public transport) and statutory accident insurance, among other things.

Students in Bonn can expect to pay around 1,000 EUR a month, with rent accounting for the largest share of their living costs.

The University of Bonn has a central Career Service (www.uni-bonn.de/careerservice), which provides a range of advice and support about choosing a career and applying for jobs. International students can also join the iStart career programme (www.uni-bonn.de/istart), which teaches participants tangible knowledge and valuable skills that will enable them to write successful applications for jobs in Germany. The programme is geared toward giving students a successful career path both during and after their studies and thus making it easier for them to enter the job market.