The multidisciplinary second cycle degree/two year master in Science of Climate allow students to acquire multidisciplinary competences in the Earth's climate system. In fact, the basic learning activities, mandatory for students in both degree classes, cover both Physics (LM-17) and Geophysics (LM-79), provide a solid understanding of the climate system, which students will complete with a wide choice of elective courses. These will allow them to further study an aspect of basic climate science, or extend their vision by studying biological systems.
The Science of Climate programme aims to provide in-depth training inthe physics of the climate system and introduce students to the main physical mechanisms (mainly atmospheric and oceanic) governing the system. Conceptual bases are provided for modelling the earth system and interactions among the main components of the system, also tackling the issue of the typical time and spatial scales of the system, by analysing their phenomenological structures. Some aspects of theoretical physics are introduced to understand the characteristics of the climate system and advanced techniques for processing climatic data. The role of the Earth's surface in the climate system is tackled in some core course units. The elective course units further study the issues most linked to the physics of the climate system, and complete the students' knowledge with another important component of the system: the biosphere.
These multidisciplinary and integrated competences are deemed strategic for tackling the challenges of tomorrow imposed by climate change, not exclusively in the research world but also in civil society and industry. They contribute to the development of two fundamental professional figures in this context: Climatologists and Climate change experts.
The two-year degree programme has a single curriculum.
The last semester is spent preparing a dissertation; students have the possibility to spend this period in one of the two departments or at identified research institutes and industrial partners.
The Science of Climate programme catalogue aims to blend and complete solid physical and mathematical studies in the specific field of meteorology, oceanography and climatology with the study of other components of the climate system (lithosphere, cryosphere and biosphere). Furthermore, practical competences can be acquired for the use of (both conventional and pioneering) sophisticated measuring instruments and global and regional numerical models, which are essential for research and increasingly demanded in services and industry. The degree programme ends with the dissertation discussion, where aboard appointed by the Degree Programme Board will assess the dissertation and the final discussion.