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Study plan for MAMN-GEOF Meteorology and Oceanography, Master's, 2 years, spring 2024

Name of qualification

Master of Science in Meterology and Oceanography

Language of Instruction

English.

Semester

Autumn

Objectives and content

Objectives:

The Master's Program in Meteorology and Oceanography provides comprehensive insight into the forces that control the movements of the atmosphere and the ocean including sea ice; central physical processes in the atmosphere and the ocean; the interaction between sea, sea ice and atmosphere; weather forecast, the cycling of nutrients and carbon in the ocean; and regional and global climate and climate change. The aim of the program is to provide insight into Earth's physical environment with specialisation in one or more of the atmosphere, ocean and sea ice components.

Content:

The foundation of the study is the understanding of both the physical and the mathematical description of central atmospheric and oceanographic phenomena. For this, measurements, experiments, theory and numerical modeling are used. Admission to the program requires a thorough background in meteorology, oceanography, mathematics and physics.

For meteorology, the program provides the theoretical basis for weather phenomena, the use of numerical models to forecast the development of weather systems, study of boundary layer processes near the sea surface, sea ice or land surface, local weather and climate phenomena and study of atmospheric radiation processes.

Physical oceanography and marine biogeochemistry provides knowledge of the theoretical and empirical basis for the physical processes that give rise to variation and change in the ocean, the cycling of matter in the ocean, the coupling between physical oceanography and marine ecosystems, and climate. The study spans from local (fjord, coast, shelf) to global scales.

Climate dynamics addresses the link between the atmosphere, sea ice and ocean; and the identification, understanding and projection of natural variations and man-made changes to regional and global climate. The analysis is typically based on theory, analysis of observations and numerical modeling.

The master study provides the theoretical and/or experimental knowledge of one or more of the main components of the climate system. This ensures a solid foundation for further work as a professional meteorologist, oceanographer or climate expert in governmental and private sectors (e.g., research, environmental management, consultancy, power company, renewable energy, oil industry, or as an associate professor in primary and secondary schools given additional, pedagogical education).

Required Learning Outcomes

On completion of the programme the candidate should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

  • knows the history, development and terminology of the fields of meteorology, oceanography (including marine biogeochemistry) and climate
  • knows key components of meteorology, oceanography and climate, and has in-depth knowledge in a specialised subject
  • knows the most common instruments and their use in meteorology and oceanography
  • shows good knowledge in the use of statistical time-space methods in analysis of geophysical data

Skills

The candidate

  • can explain and discuss meteorological, oceanographic and climate phenomena for both laymen and experts
  • can apply modern field instrumentation, theory, programming and/or advanced analysis on geophysical problems
  • can critically evaluate and discuss data quality and different information sources in geophysics
  • can formulate, discuss and implement strategies for data and theoretical analysis
  • can apply knowledge to new scientific problems
  • can present a report in written and oral form
  • can interpret and discuss own results in a scientifically sound and critical way and in the light of data and theories in the field

General competence

The candidate

  • is able to communicate, oral and written, results from others and own research
  • is able to formulate, analyse, interpret and discuss own results in a scientific way in a responsible and critical manner
  • is able to write a scientific report that presents new knowledge in the field of expertise
  • is able to analyse scientific problems in general and participate in discussions about different ways of addressing and solving problems
  • is able to understand and respect scientific values such as transparency, precision and accountability
  • is able to analyse and reflect upon relevant ethical problems related to research

Admission Requirements

Application procedure

International applicants residing abroad:

For more information about the application procedure please see:
http://www.uib.no/en/education/48766/how-apply-masters-degree

Master applicants who are residing in Norway and who have a Norwegian ID number:

Master applicants who are residing in Norway and who have a Norwegian ID number, and Nordic citizens have to apply in the same application procedure as Norwegian applicants.

For more information about the application procedure please see:
http://www.uib.no/en/education/48766/how-apply-masters-degree

Admission Requirements for specialization in Physical Oceanography:

BS in meteorology and oceanography, physics, mathematics, informatics or equivalent, including courses equivalent to GEOF110 together with either GEOF120 and GEOF130, or GEOF105 and GEOF210. In addition GEOF213 or an equivalent course has to be passed in order to qualify for admission to the study specialization Physical Oceanography.

To qualify for admission to the master's programme the average grade for the specialization in the bachelor's degree should be at least C in the Norwegian grading system. If capacity is limited, the applicants will become ranked for admission.

Admission Requirements for specialization in Chemical Oceanography

Bachelor in meteorology and oceanography, chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology or equivalent, including courses equivalent to GEOF110 together with either GEOF120 and GEOF130, or GEOF105 and GEOF210.

The course GEOF236 must be passed during bachelor or master.

To qualify for admission to the master's programme the average grade for the specialization in the bachelor's degree should be at least C according to the Norwegian grading system. If capacity is limited, the applicants will become ranked for admission.

Admission Requirements for specialization in Climate Dynamics

Bachelor in meteorology and oceanography, physics, mathematics, informatics or equivalent, including courses equivalent to GEOF110 together with either GEOF120 and GEOF130, or GEOF105 and GEOF210. In addition GEOF220 and/or GEOF213 or an equivalent course has to be passed in order to qualify for admission to the study specialization Climate Dynamics.

To qualify for admission to the master's programme the average grade for the specialization in the bachelor's degree should be at least C in the Norwegian grading system. If capacity is limited, the applicants will become ranked for admission

Admission Requirements for specialization in Meteorology

Bachelor in meteorology and oceanography, physics, mathematics, informatics or equivalent, including courses equivalent to GEOF110 together with the courses GEOF120 and GEOF130, or the courses GEOF105 and GEOF210. In addition GEOF213, and/or GEOF220 or an equivalent course has to be passed in order to qualify for admission to the study specialization in Meteorology. It is furthermore strongly recommended that the candidate has GEOF212 or equivalent.

To qualify for admission to the master's programme the average grade for the specialization in the bachelor's degree should be at least C in the Norwegian grading system. If capacity is limited, the applicants will become ranked for admission.

Grading scale

At UiB the grades are given in one of two possible grading scales: passed/failed and A to F.

The master's thesis will be graded A to F.

The grading scale for each course is given in the course description.

Diploma and Diploma supplement

The Diploma, in Norwegian, and the Diploma Supplement, in English, will be issued when the degree is completed.

Access to further studies

To be eligible for admission to the Doctoral education (PhD) the candidate must have completed a master's degree.

To qualify for the Doctoral education (PhD) at UiB the average grade for the master's thesis, the Master's degree and the bachelor's degree should be at least C.

In order to get enrolled you have to be granted a fellowship for doctoral training.

Evaluation

The programme will be evaluated according to the quality assurance system of the University of Bergen.

Administrative responsibility

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences by the Geophysical Institute, holds the administrative responsibility for the programme

Contact information

Please contact the academic adviser for the program if you have any questions:

studierettleiar@gfi.uib.no

Phone: + 47 55 58 26 04