Atmosphere, Climate and Ecosystems, Master's Programme

The combination of atmosphere, climate, and ecosystems forms the basis of working with all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our programme provides the chance for you to learn how human activities are linked to physical and chemical properties of the atmosphere, climate, and ecosystems and how the complexity of global sustainability challenges can be tackled. From the greenhouse effect and the interaction of climate change and ecosystems, to environmental impacts on human health and the deterioration of material including our cultural heritage, understanding the processes occurring in the atmosphere are crucial. The programme is part of the Nordic Atmosphere - Biosphere Studies programme, with additional courses at other Nordic universities to choose from. ABS Webs – ABS Pathfinders to Environmental Education (helsinki.fi)<br> An opportunity to complete a year-long research project <br> Programme structure and content Year 1<br> The program begins with four mandatory courses during the first semester:<br> \- Global change - problem, analysis, measures (ES2613), 7,5 HEC<br> \- Climate Change in an Earth System Perspective (GVN460), 7,5 HEC<br> \- Atmospheric Chemistry 1 (KEM171), 7,5 HEC<br> \- Nature based solutions – potentials, pitfalls and goal conflicts, 7,5 HEC In the second term of the first year, you choose a specialization in either atmospheric science, climatology, or ecosystems. Proposed courses within each specialization are listed below. You can also mix courses from more than profile.<br> Atmospheric Science:<br> Period 3: Energy and Environment: Processes, Efficiency, and Impacts (ES2417), 15 HEC<br> Period 4: Aerosols (KEM720), 15 HEC<br> Climatology:<br> Period 3, octil 1: Climate change history (GVN360), 7,5 HEC<br> Period 3, octil 2: Advanced Climate Data Analysis (GVN370), 7,5 HEC<br> Period 4: Earth Systems, Field Course, 15 HEC<br> Ecosystems:<br> Period 3: Plant ecophysiology in a global change perspective (BIO506), 15 HEC<br> Period 4: Plant ecology in a global change perspective (BIO503), 15 HEC Year 2 <br> In the final year, you do your degree project, which comprises 60 higher education credits (alternatively 45 higher education credits degree project + 15 elective higher education credits). The degree project gives you valuable experience in research, regardless of whether you do it within the university or in collaboration with a research-related company. We have good contacts with several such companies in the region. A year-long research related thesis project, with the combination of atmosphere, climate, and ecosystems will set you apart in the future job market, both in research and environmental authorities. Our links to research-related companies (Ri.se and IVL for example) is beneficial to those pursuing work in the private sector. The majority of our students do an experimental thesis project, addressing a research question closely connected to a real research task of the group or principal investigator acting as supervisor. In most cases, students work as a member of the research groups. <br> Career opportunities Graduates of the programme receive the degree Master of Science in Atmosphere, Climate, and Ecosystems. You will be prepared for research or tasks where solid knowledge in atmospheric, climate, and ecosystem science is of concern, such as environmental authorities, research institutes, universities, and start-ups. Typically, after passing this master’s programme, you could initiate an academic career with PhD studies, conduct research on industrial applications at institutes and companies, be an environmental consultant, or an environmental officer at the municipality, regional, or national level. We maintain a link with many of our graduates, who take part in the alumni seminars arranged for the environmental science students.