MSc/MPhil in Environmental Sciences

Our environment is challenged in numerous ways, including pollution, global warming, overpopulation, natural resource, and ozone depletion. The Environmental Sciences program involves two specialization tracks, each dealing with important aspects of the field and aiming to shed light on and address the challenges above. Students who enroll in the program will select one of the following two tracks.

The Atmospheric Sciences Track addresses the basic physical processes involved in maintaining the global circulation of the atmosphere and the surface climate; weather and climate models to understand the governing physical principles and their use for climate and weather prediction purposes; the principles of atmospheric chemistry and biology; the factors controlling air quality and the techniques used for air pollution control; the major air pollution sources and methods for measurement, data collection, and analysis of atmospheric samples.

The Meteorology Track addresses subjects in Meteorology and Climatology to equip students with the weather and climate knowledge and skills necessary in weather forecasting, agrometeorology, hydrometeorology, biometeorology, aviation meteorology, renewable energy resources, marine meteorology, climate change, and its impacts assessment, etc. Moreover, students complete a Basic Instruction Package as required by the World Meteorological Organization, including Physical Meteorology, Dynamic Meteorology, Synoptic and Mesoscale Meteorology, and Climatology.

Degree Options

The program offers two-degree options: an MSc and an MSc/MPhil. The MSc caters to students interested in pursuing a more professional focus. At the same time, the MSc/MPhil is intended for students that want to pursue a research career, thus offering a more enhanced research component.

The program also offers two tracks (Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology), and students who enroll in the program must select one of the two tracks.

The program is accredited by The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education. The language of instruction and communication of The Cyprus Institute is English.

MSc in Environmental Sciences

The MSc is a 90 ECTS, 12-month program. During the first two terms, students take courses. Students are also required to complete a research project assessed through a report and viva at the end of the program.

MSc/MPhil in Environmental Sciences

The MSc/MPhil is a 120 ECTS, 18-month program. During the first two terms, students take courses. Students are also required to complete an extensive research project assessed through a Master's thesis and viva at the end of the program.

Accreditation and Recognition

Accreditation

All programs of study provided by The Cyprus Institute Graduate School are accredited by The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA) which is the competent authority responsible for ensuring the quality of higher education in Cyprus. CYQAA ensures quality assurance in higher education in Cyprus based on European Standards. It follows the standards and guidelines of the European Network for Quality Assurance (ENQA). Please refer to the table below for details.

Recognition

Bologna Second Cycle ---- The Master’s programs offered to adhere to the Bologna Process second cycle degrees.

Bologna Third Cycle ---- The Ph.D. degree programs adhere to the Bologna Process third cycle degrees.

ECTS ---- CyI uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).

ERASMUS+ ---- CyI has been awarded an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education.

Horizon 2020 ---- CyI coordinates two Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Joint Doctorate (ITN-EJD) Programs. To date, CyI is the only Institution coordinating two out of the 40 ITN-EJD projects funded in Europe since 2014. This demonstrates that The Cyprus Institute is a European center of excellence in education and training.

Dual Degrees Joint Degrees ---- CyI has agreements with prestigious institutions from around the world for providing dual or joint degrees, such as the University of Illinois, University Paris-Saclay, University of Lund, University of RWTH Aachen, University of Wuppertal, University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Humboldt University of Berlin (HUB) and others.

Program Structure and Requirements

*The Research Project or Thesis can start earlier following a discussion and the approval of the Supervisor.

Program Courses

Mandatory Courses

• ES 401 Fundamentals of Atmospheric Physics and Meteorology
• ES 402 Climatology

Track Mandatory Courses

• ES 406 Atmospheric Chemistry and Biology (AST)
• ES 407 Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (AST)
• ES 408 Dynamic Meteorology (MT)
• ES 409 Synoptic Meteorology (MT)

Elective Courses

• ES 416 Atmospheric Modelling
• ES 417 Hydrology and the Atmospheric-Water Cycle
• ES 418 Aerosol Physics and Chemistry
• ES 419 Climate Change: Concepts and Perspectives

AST: Atmospheric Sciences Track, MT: Meteorology Track
Track option selection is defined as selecting track mandatory courses at the beginning of the program.

Students who continue to a Ph.D. at The Cyprus Institute may have certain courses and possibly research requirements waived, resulting in a shorter Ph.D. program.

The Cyprus Institute Graduate School reserves the right to make any changes to the program upon approval of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, and Youth.

Atmospheric Sciences Track graduates will be equipped to pursue careers in:

• Environmental Consultant Agencies
• Environmental Monitoring divisions of public and private institutions
• Research Institutions and Universities

Meteorology Track graduates may pursue a professional career in:

• National Meteorological Services*
• Meteorological consulting, software, or instrumentation companies
• Media
• Private Forecasting companies
• Research Institutions and Universities

*The WMO (World Meteorological Organization) has recently upgraded the qualification requirements for professionals working in the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of its member countries. Professional staff is encouraged to undergo an officially recognized level course of Meteorology that will include a Basic Instruction Package as determined by the WMO. The Meteorology Track syllabus covers all topics required for professionals employed in the National Meteorological and Hydrological Departments of Meteorology, as the WMO prescribes.

Qualified students may continue to a Ph.D., which offers generous financial support options.