Course Overview

The human biogeochemical footprint is becoming so large that the future life and sustainability of our planet will be determined by societal choices in addition to natural variability. University of  Galway, with the Centre for Climate & Air Pollution Studies and the Earth & Ocean Sciences, is at the forefront of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary climate research that is instrumental in addressing these pressing societal challenges and, with all of us facing the consequences of climate change, the research is more relevant today than ever before.

The new Structured Masters course bridges the boundaries between ocean and atmosphere and provides graduates with a broad understanding of how this coupled system works, affects and is affected by climate and human activities. It combines both taught and research elements and is designed for students who want to develop careers in this vibrant, global and multidisciplinary area.

The research aspect is developed in collaboration with the global and interdisciplinary research project Surface Ocean—Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS). SOLAS provides international science coordination and capacity building in quantitative understanding of the key interactions and feedbacks between the ocean, atmosphere, and climate. SOLAS is the only organisation in place to facilitate this integrated research, across disciplinary and national boundaries.

SOLAS logo

 

Integral to the Structured Masters programme is a seven-month research placement in a world-leading partner organisation under the SOLAS program to work with renowned scientists in the respective areas. Owing to our long-lasting relationship with major stakeholders, these placements offer students an opportunity to develop the necessary skills to continue with PhD studies or work in marine renewable energy and other marine/atmosphere related industry settings.

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

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COURSE OUTLINE

Ocean, atmosphere and climate area encompasses a wide range of marine, atmospheric physics/chemistry, physical/biological/chemical oceanography, climate research, focusing on inter- and multidisciplinary aspects. 

The course structure is based on a 90 ECTS model, with 20 ECTS coming from four core modules and two optional modules, which account for 5 ECTS. A research project accounts for the remaining 60 ECTS.

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CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Download curriculum information here.

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WHO TEACHES THIS COURSE

  • Dr. Peter Croot
  • Dr. Jessica Gier
  • Dr. Jurgita Ovadnevaite
  • Dr. Dagmar Stengel

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You may also be interested in one of our other Science of Sustainability postgraduate programmes. 

Programmes Available

Structured Masters

Associated

 

 

Learning Outcomes

Entry Requirements

NQAI Level 8 honours degree or equivalent to a minimum standard of Second Class Honours, Grade 1 or equivalent in an appropriate discipline.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Current research projects

Current funded research opportunity

Work Placement

Related Student Organisations

Career Opportunities

  • Owing to SOLAS long-lasting relationship with major stakeholders, this MSc offers students an opportunity to develop the necessary skills to continue with PhD studies or work in marine renewable energy and other marine/atmosphere related industry settings.
  • The partnership with the international SOLAS project provides the best chance to gain research experience across disciplinary and national boundaries.
  • The MSc provides the opportunity to learn from and work with the world-renowned experts in the field of Climate and Sustainability. Students will investigate sustainability challenges that enables them with appropriate career skills.
  • Hands-on training will allow understanding the key interactions and feedbacks between the ocean and atmosphere, and how this coupled system affects and is affected by climate and people.

Find a Supervisor / PhD Project

If you are still looking for a potential supervisor or PhD project or would like to identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, you can use our online portal to help in that search

Research Areas

Ocean, atmosphere and climate area encompasses a wide range of marine, atmospheric physics/chemistry, physical/biological/chemical oceanography, climate research, focusing on inter and multidisciplinary aspects.  

The global and interdisciplinary research project Surface Ocean—Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS) provides international science coordination and capacity building in quantitative understanding of the key interactions and feedbacks between the ocean and atmosphere, and of how this coupled system affects and is affected by climate and global change.  SOLAS is the only organisation in place to facilitate this integrated research, across disciplinary and national boundaries.

SOLAS is unique in bridging the oceanic and atmospheric scientific communities, and in merging these communities, SOLAS has tackled many of the most challenging problems in earth system science, producing significant new insights into the atmosphere-ocean system.

In addition, capacity building develops the next generation of SOLAS scientists across disciplinary and national boundaries, with a strong emphasis on engaging developing countries. Today, SOLAS has more than 30 national networks worldwide, and the international SOLAS community is reflected by the diverse origins of the current Scientific Steering Committee (SSC).

SOLAS themes 
Interactions among the five SOLAS Core Themes https://www.solas-int.org/science/science-plan.html

 

Researcher Profiles

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Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,500 p.a. (€8,640 including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€27,000 p.a. (€27,140 including levy) 2024/25

Extra Information

 

All students, irrespective of funding, must pay the student levy €140.

Contact Us

Jessica Gier,
School of Physics, National University of Ireland Galway
Ryan Institute
University Road, Galway
H91 CF50
Ireland
E: jessica.gier@universityofgalway.ie

Jurgita Ovadnevaite,
School of Physics, National University of Ireland Galway
Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Ryan Institute
University Road, Galway
H91 CF50
Ireland
E: jurgita.ovadnevaite@universityofgalway.ie