MSc in Atmospheric Science and Technology

Atmospheric Science and Technology

Department: Physical and Chemical Sciences

Level: Master's

Class: LM17

Admission typology: Open admission with assessment of personal competencies and skills

Internationalization: International degree course

The LMAST Master degree will form students highly specialized in atmospheric science, among the professional expertise there are meteorologist, climatologist, forecaster, atmospheric scientist. The LMAST program aims to complete the general knowledge acquired by the students, with the bachelor degree in the science and/or engineering fields, by building a solid knowledge in the characterizing areas and by acquiring deep knowledge in the atmospheric science and in the observation technologies. The LMAST program foresees the following 2-year schedule (four semesters).

The LMAST training allows to consolidate the already acquired knowledge in physics related to the atmospheric science (specifically the ones related to the dynamical systems in geophysical science, geophysical fluid mechanics and classic electrodynamics) and the associated observation methods and technology. At the end of the LMAST training the student will acquire strong theoretical and experimental knowledge of the atmospheric structure and of the key climate processes, meteorology and air pollution. Specifically, the founding core of the training activities that contribute to the achievement of specific learning outcomes are those of the degree in Physics (LM-17) extended according to the provisions of Ministerial Decree 987/2017 to some engineering fields (hydraulics and electromagnetic fields) and, in particular:

• experimental-applicative field;
• theoretical field
• geophysical area

The LMAST graduates will have to: i) know and understand the fundamental elements of the atmospheric sciences and technologies; ii) demonstrate the achievement of these objectives through the attendance of the courses characterizing the addresses and the passing of the related exams; iii) have integrated the knowledge of mathematics and computer science through the attendance of related and supplementary courses and the passing of the related exams.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The graduate in LMAST will have the ability to apply their skills to:

• modeling the different components of the atmospheric dynamic system;
• interpreting and modeling some basic processes related to dynamics, thermodynamics and radiative transport in the atmosphere;
• use some measuring instruments of climatic and meteorological dimensions;
• develop and apply instruments and measurement methods related to radiative and chemical processes occurring in the atmosphere.
• to process data from electromagnetic satellite sensors;
• use advanced numerical methods for data analysis and meteorological and climate modelling;
• verify and validate meteorological and climatic models;
• predict meteorological and chemical weather on the basis of measures and predictive models;
• develop meteorological forecasting systems and transfer to society.
• predict meteorological and chemical weather on the basis of predictive measures and models;
• develop meteorological forecasting systems and transfer to society.
• integrate long-term climate forecasts with the needs of society.

The knowledge and skills are achieved and verified in compulsory courses aimed at providing the student with the knowledge of mechanical fluid, meteorology and dynamics of the atmosphere, electromagnetism, radar meteorology, satellite earth observation and statistical mechanics. In addition, two advanced laboratory courses complete the training of the LMAST graduate.

Three groups of type C courses chosen by the student are also available to LMAST master students in order to complete the specific preparation.

Moreover, LMAST graduates will be able to:

• apply in a professional manner the knowledge acquired in basic and applied research and in other areas of high technological work or requiring modeling, analysis of complex systems, interpretation of experimental or phenomenological data in the field of atmospheric sciences. They will have developed these skills especially in the context of laboratory courses and during the preparation of the master thesis.
• work in a group, with a high degree of coordination and autonomy, as learned during the group work in the laboratory and in the internship connected with the thesis work.
• develop the learning skills necessary for the possible continuation of studies in doctoral schools or second level masters.

The results will be achieved through the path proposed by the LMAST with the formative credits, seminars and internships. They will also be verified with course exams and the final exam.

Making Judgements

The LMAST graduates must be able to collect and interpret the experimental data, be able to evaluate the experimental results in the light of applicable theories or models, be able to recognize the presence of unexpected phenomena or not related to the a priori hypotheses and must be able to modify hypotheses and models to adapt them to the observed phenomenologies. They will also be able to model the observed physical processes in order to correctly reproduce the dynamic and thermodynamic structure of the atmosphere.

They will have developed these skills mainly in the laboratory courses for the first part, while in the theoretical courses for the second part. In addition the thesis work will further specialize the acquired knowledge. They will demonstrate the achievement of these objectives by passing the exams and during the final exam.

Communication skills

The LMAST graduates must be able to communicate clearly and without ambiguity the conclusions of their research to specialists and non-specialists. Moreover, they must be able to defend their conclusions in the cross-examination. They will have achieved these skills in the seminar classes and in the preparation of the laboratory reports, in the expositions for the oral exams and they will demonstrate them in the drafting of the thesis and in its illustration during the final exam.

Learning skills

The LMAST graduates must have developed the learning skills necessary for the continuation of their studies in doctoral schools or second level masters. They must be able to update themselves autonomously and continuously in the topic of competence through the consultation of scientific publications. They will have achieved these skills in drafting their thesis and will demonstrate them during the final exam.

The LMAST Master degree will form students highly specialized in atmospheric science, among the professional expertise there are meteorologist, climatologist, forecaster, atmospheric scientist. The LMAST program aims to complete the general knowledge acquired by the students, with the bachelor degree in the science and/or engineering fields, by building a solid knowledge in the characterizing areas and by acquiring deep knowledge in the atmospheric science and in the observation technologies. The LMAST program foresees the following 2-year schedule (four semesters). During the first semester the LMAST student will acquire knowledge in fundamentals of fluid mechanics, meteorology, electromagnetics and radar meteorology and statistical mechanics. During the second semester will be offered to the LMAST student’s satellite Earth observation and experimental atmospheric monitoring. During the second year (third semester) the LMAST student will deepen the knowledge on dynamical meteorology and climatic modeling, and on the environmental meteorology with a numerical modeling and experimental approach. Choosing among a wide free choice of interdisciplinary subjects the students can complete the knowledge acquired in the courses during the two years and deepening specific interests. During the fourth semester, to complete the knowledge in atmospheric science a few new courses can be choosen as for example climate at regional scale and exchange between atmosphere and the ocean etc., a final Master thesis, with a supervisor chosen among the course teachers, to be presented and discussed concludes the LMAST program. Stages for carrying out the master thesis are also foreseen.

Role in a work environment:

METEOROLOGIST

Role: Researcher or Technologist

• monitoring of weather conditions, analysis and forecasts;
• analysis and interpretation of synoptic maps;
• processing, analysis and interpretation of remote sensed meteorological data (from ground and from satellite);
• research on the dynamics of the atmosphere, interaction between dynamic and thermodynamic processes, at local level also;
• research on modeling atmospheric microphysics and convective processes.

CLIMATOLOGIST

Role: Researcher or Technologist

• management and development of climate data-bases and development of climatological scenarios on a local scale also;
• research on modeling climate scenarios on a regional and local scale;
• assessment of the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and human activities;
• processing, analysis and interpretation of meteorological and remotely sensed data (from ground and from satellite);
• development of algorithms and methods for processing spatio-temporally distributed atmospheric data;
• research on climate dynamics, feedback mechanisms at various spatial-temporal scales;
• modeling of atmospheric climatic chemistry and geo-engineering techniques.

ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICIST

Role: Researcher or Technologist

• processing, analysis and interpretation of weather and remotely sensed data (from ground and from satellite);
• development of algorithms and methods for the survey of atmospheric processes;
• research on dynamics of the atmosphere, interaction between radiation, gas, clouds and aerosols;
• monitoring and modeling of the dispersion of gaseous pollutants in the atmosphere;
• management and development of atmospheric data bases.

Skills associated with the function

Role competencies:

METEOROLOGIST

• ability to analyze processes and atmospheric phenomena and their integration into numerical models;
• ability to use numerical modeling and awareness of the relative limits and potential;
• ability to apply active and passive remote sensing techniques and remote sensing data processing;
• transversal skills such as those on programming with advanced languages and advanced calculation systems;
• communication skills and ability to work in multidisciplinary groups.

CLIMATOLOGIST

• ability to analyze atmospheric phenomena, and modeling and experimental aspects;
• ability to analyze dynamic climatology from the global scale to the local scale;
• ability to apply active and passive remote sensing techniques and remote sensing data processing;
• ability to apply advanced statistical techniques for data processing;
• transversal skills such as those on programming with advanced languages and advanced calculation systems;
• communication skills and ability to work in multidisciplinary groups

ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICIST

• ability to analyze atmospheric phenomena and experimental aspects for their observation;
• ability to apply active and passive remote sensing techniques and remote sensing data processing;
• ability to use dispersion models and transformation processes of gaseous pollutants into the atmosphere;
• ability to apply advanced statistical techniques for data processing;
• transversal skills such as those on programming with advanced languages and advanced calculation systems;
• communication skills and ability to work in multidisciplinary groups.

Professional status.

Professional opportunities:

METEOROLOGIST

• universities, public authority, private and public research centers;
• national system of Regional Functional Centers to support Civil Protection and soil protection;
• national meteorological services in the field of analysis, monitoring and forecasting;
• national system of Environmental Agencies in the field of weather-hydrology and modeling to support air quality;
• system of local authorities (Regions, Municipalities and Mountain Communities, Basin Authorities) and their technical structures;
• public and private centers for processing and modeling meteorological and remotely sensed data;
• weather-climate risk insurance companies;
• international cooperation bodies in the field of meteorology and climatology;
• companies operating in the weather forecasting, energy, transport and hydroelectric sectors;
• companies that design and implement meteorological measuring instruments and remote sensing systems;
• companies that produce systems for the management of weather-climatic measurement networks.

CLIMATOLOGIST

• universities, public authority, private and public research centers;
• national system of Regional Functional Centers to support Civil Protection and soil protection;
• national meteorological services in the field of analysis, monitoring and forecasting;
• national system of Environmental Agencies in the field of weather-hydrology and modeling to support air quality;
• system of local authorities (Regions, Municipalities and Mountain Communities, Basin Authorities) and their technical structures;
• public and private centers for processing and modeling meteorological and remotely sensed data;
• weather-climate risk insurance companies;
• international cooperation bodies in the field of meteorology and climatology;
• companies operating in the weather forecasting, energy, transport and hydroelectric sectors;

ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICIST

• universities, public authority, private and public research centers;
• national system of Regional Functional Centers to support Civil Protection and soil protection;
• national meteorological services in the field of analysis, monitoring and forecasting;
• national system of Environmental Agencies in the field of weather-hydrology and modeling to support air quality;
• system of local authorities (Regions, Municipalities and Mountain Communities, Basin Authorities) and their technical structures;
• public and private centers for processing and modeling meteorological and remotely sensed data;
• weather-climate risk insurance companies;
• international cooperation bodies in the field of meteorology and climatology;
• companies operating in the weather forecasting, energy, transport and hydroelectric sectors;
• companies that design and implement meteorological measuring instruments and remote sensing systems;
• companies that produce systems for the management of weather-climatic measurement networks.