
Master in Atmospheric Sciences
Helsinki, Finland
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English, Finnish, Swedish
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
EUR 18,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EU/EEA countries
Introduction
How is the climate changing?
Society urgently needs experts with a multidisciplinary education in Atmospheric and Earth System sciences. Climate change, urban air quality and extreme weather are matters of global concern which science cannot yet completely explain. Thus, more scientific research needs to be made. Environmental specialists are also needed in companies ranging from clean technology to energy and insurance, as well as among policymakers and governments.
The six study lines are as follows: aerosol physics, geophysics of the hydrosphere, meteorology, biosphere-atmosphere cycles, remote sensing and atmospheric chemistry and analysis.
The Master's Programme in Atmospheric Sciences (ATM-MP) educates all meteorologists in Finland for weather forecasting, meteorological research and aviation safety. We also educate hydrospheric geophysicists to work in the fields of cryology, hydrology and oceanography, and chemists and aerosol physicists to work in companies.
Studying
There is a global need for experts with a multidisciplinary education in atmospheric and environmental issues. In the Master's Programme in Atmospheric Sciences (ATM-MP), you can study aerosol physics, geophysics of the hydrosphere, meteorology, biosphere-atmosphere cycles, remote sensing or atmospheric chemistry and analysis.
You learn to work with environmental issues and deal with matters like air pollution, climate change, deforestation, extreme weather and water resources. The ATM-MP also educates all meteorologists in Finland for weather forecasting, meteorological research and aviation safety. In addition, we educate hydrospheric geophysicists to work in the fields of cryology, hydrology and oceanography, and chemists and aerosol physicists to work in companies.
The ATM-MP is offered by the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Helsinki.
Students and Student Life
Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland. Also at the University of Helsinki, the student community is very active.
More than 250 student organisations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), ranging from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. Their activities include anniversary celebrations, academic dinner parties, cultural events, get-togethers and excursions.
As a student and member of the Student Union (HYY), you are entitled to many benefits and services. For example, affordable student housing, basic healthcare services, sports facilities and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example on public transport fees across the country.
Admissions
Curriculum
The basic degree in the Programme is the Master of Science (MSc). The scope of the degree is 120 credits (ECTS). The programme is designed to be completed in two years. As a prerequisite, you will need to have a relevant Bachelor’s degree.
The Master's Programme in Atmospheric Sciences (ATP-MP) has six study tracks representing the different branches of atmospheric sciences. The study track is selected during the first semester of studies. The study tracks are:
- Aerosol Physics
- Biosphere-Atmosphere Cycles
- Geophysics of the Hydrosphere
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Analysis
- Remote Sensing
- Meteorology
Your first year of studies will consist mainly of lecture courses. During the second year, you must also participate in the seminar course and give a presentation yourself. There is also a project course, which may contain laboratory work, data analysis, or theoretical or model studies. You will have to prepare a short, written report on the project.
There are also several summer and winter schools as well as field courses for students in the Programme. Many of the courses take place at the Hyytiälä Forestry Field Station in Southern Finland.
Courses and Teaching
The units teaching in the programme belong to the National Centre of Excellence (FCoE) in Atmospheric Science – From Molecular and Biological processes to the Global Climate (ATM), which is a multidisciplinary team of the Departments of Physics, Forest Sciences and Chemistry at the University of Helsinki, the Department of Applied Physics at the University of Eastern Finland (Kuopio) and the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Studies in ATM-MP consist of various courses and project work: lecture courses, seminars, laboratory work and intensive courses. The intensive courses typically last 5–12 days and include a concise daily programme with lectures, exercises and group work.
The preliminary syllabus for the academic year 2023-2024 can be found in the Studies service. Make sure that the correct program is selected on the drop-down menu. The final syllabus will be published in Sisu. Please note, that some courses will not be lectured every academic year.
Master's Thesis
Your Master's thesis is the culminating project for the MSc degree, which you will plan and complete independently. The extent of the Master's thesis is 30 credits (ECTS) and it aims to demonstrate your:
- familiarity with scientific methodology
- ability to carry out a demanding project
- mastery of the conventions of written scientific presentation
You will need to agree upon the topic of your thesis in consultation with a professor of the programme. The topic is usually related to research problems of one of the research groups within the Programme; commonly the group is part of the Division of Atmospheric Sciences.
Internationalisation and networking
Internationalisation
The ATM-MP offers an international study environment with more than 30% of the students and teaching staff coming from abroad.
The ATM-MP is part of a Nordic Nordplus network in Atmosphere-Biosphere Studies, which gives you good opportunities to take courses currently in fourteen Nordic and Baltic universities. There are also several Erasmus agreements with European universities. The PanEurasian Experiment (PEEX) project provides you with opportunities to carry out part of your studies, especially in China and Russia.
Networking
The programme works in cooperation with research institutes (such as the Finnish Meteorological Institute and Finnish Environment Institute) and industry (such as Vaisala, Airmodus, and Dekati). International and national cooperation with different universities is described above.
Gallery
Program Outcome
Why Atmospheric Sciences?
There is a global need for experts with multidisciplinary education in atmospheric and environmental issues. Upon graduating from the Master's Programme in Atmospheric Sciences, you will have competence in:
- applying experimental, computational and statistical methods to obtain and analyse atmospheric and environmental data
- Knowledge applicable to solving global challenges such as climate change, air pollution, deforestation and issues related to water resources and eutrophication
- Making systematic and innovative use of investigation or experimentation to discover new knowledge
- Reporting results in a clear and logical manner.
Graduates of the programme have found employment in Meteorological Institutes and Environmental Administration in Finland and other countries, companies manufacturing instrumentation for atmospheric and environmental measurements and analysis, and consultancy companies. In addition, you get a soli foundation for doctoral level studies.
As a graduate of the meteorology line, you will be qualified to use the title of Meteorologist (in Finnish: Meteorologi), as defined by Finnish government decree 1039/2013.
Scholarships and Funding
Our scholarship program is for students who are applying to the University of Helsinki. These scholarships are intended for excellent students from outside the EU/EEA, who wish to complete a Master's program at the University of Helsinki. Grants can be applied while applying to the University of Helsinki’s Master’s programs.
For more information about scholarships, please visit the university website.
Career Opportunities
Society urgently needs experts with a multidisciplinary education in Atmospheric and Earth System sciences. Climate change, urban air quality and extreme weather are matters of global concern that science cannot yet completely explain. Thus, more scientific research needs to be done. Environmental specialists are also needed in companies ranging from clean technology to energy and insurance, as well as among policymakers and governments.
The Master's Programme in Atmospheric Sciences (ATM-MP) also educates all meteorologists in Finland for weather forecasting, meteorological research and aviation safety. In addition, we educate hydrospheric geophysicists to work in the fields of cryology, hydrology and oceanography, and chemists and aerosol physicists to work in companies.
Program Tuition Fee
Program Admission Requirements
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