Integrated Climate System Sciences
Qualification
: Master of ScienceFaculty
: Mathematics, Informatics and Natural SciencesDuration
: 4 semestersTeaching language
: EnglishProgram start
: winter semester, Important semester datesApplication period
: 15.02. to 31.03.Admission restrictions
: yesTuition Fees
: none, but Semester contributionAccreditation
: yes
Program description
The MSc program in Integrated Climate System Sciences (ICSS) is a study program that teaches across all subjects involved in climate research in order to provide a holistic picture of the climate system. This interdisciplinary approach enables you to understand the processes of climate variability and climate change and its respective consequences for societies, including how they respond to these.
The analysis and assessment of our climate and earth system increasingly require interdisciplinary competencies. Not least because of the pressure to act with regard to adaptation to climate change, there is an increasing demand for interdisciplinary scientists and climate experts.
Our interdisciplinary claim challenges the traditional subject-related teaching. The MSc ICSS has developed special interdisciplinary courses and enables study projects, theses and mentoring in a cross-curricular and research-oriented context.
Through this approach and the imparting of interdisciplinary competences, the MSc ICSS has a unique selling proposition. The location in Hamburg with access to Germany´s hub for Climate research offers ideal study conditions.
The program has an internationally unique focus on physics and modelling and offers three areas of specialization:
- Physics of the climate system
- Biogeochemistry of the climate system
- Climate-related economics and social sciences
Classes are limited to 20 students. This research-oriented program was re-accredited by ASIIN in 2018.
Further information is available here: https://www.sicss.uni-hamburg.de/msc-programs/msc-integrated-climate-science.html
Career prospects
Graduates of the MSc Integrated Climate System Sciences face excellent career prospects in fields such as academia, development cooperation, or consultancies.
49% of our graduates pursue a PhD, whereas 10% find positions in development cooperation or industry. The transition rate to adequate employment is very good. After graduation, almost 75% of our graduates find a position in less than six months.
Many international graduates seek employment in Germany and return to their countries of origin a couple of years later. The reason for this lies in the increased expectations for the qualifications of professionals and executives especially in developing countries. Specialist and managerial positions often require an international MSc degree and subsequently a doctoral degree.
Program structure
The MSc program in Integrated Climate System Sciences will give you a strong background in natural sciences and modelling skills and an understanding of the climate-relevant aspects of social and economic sciences.
Students study mandatory courses and elective courses from the three program tracks:
- Physics of the climate system
- Biogeochemistry of the climate system
- Climate-related economics and social sciences
During the first semester MSc program in Integrated Climate System Sciences, students take courses from all three program tracks. From the second semester the program opens the opportunity to give your personal curriculum either an “in depth” focus on one of the tracks or an “interdisciplinary” approach where you combine various courses from the three tracks. In the fourth semester, you will join a scientific research group and write your master thesis under the supervision of two climate scienticts.
We will encourage you to look beyond your own discipline. You will become both an expert in your specific field and proficient in interdisciplinary thinking!
Individual academic advising is available throughout the program. We strongly urge first semester students to attend orientation activities in the beginning weeks of October.
Additional information on degree program
Information on studying at Universität Hamburg
Vortragsreihe: Was wie wofür studieren?
- Video 2020: “What is it like to study Integrated Climate System Sciences at SICSS?”
- Video 2019: „Interdisciplinary Research at SICSS“
- Video 2019: “Planet in Transition: A Roadmap to the Global 2°C Target” Panel discussion as a conclusion to the course “Uncertain 2 degrees” of the MSc ICSS program.
- Video 2015: „Integrated Climate System Sciences (ICSS): A MSc program between "indepth focus" and interdisciplinarity“
Applying
General admission requirements for all master’s degree programs:
Proof of first degree, language proficiency
Further details ...
Special admission requirements for this degree program:
Applicants to the master’s program must fulfil the following requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in a natural science discipline based on mathematics and physics (such as meteorology, oceanography or geophysics) and prove of sufficient knowledge of mathematics and physics
- Proficiency in English
Detailed information about application requirements... (PDF)
Applying / Application procedure
Application period(s)
Selection criteria
Contact
General academic advising
Subject-specific advising
School of Integrated Climate and Earth System Sciences
Universität Hamburg
Grindelberg 5
20144 Hamburg
Email: sicss@uni-hamburg.de
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sicssuhh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sicss_uhh
28. Nov. 2023