Environmental Meteorology and Climate Physics University of Trento

Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Science programme in Environmental Meteorology and Climate Physics is a double degree jointly offered by the University of Trento and the University of Innsbruck, Austria. Upon fulfillment of all the requirements, graduates will obtain two distinct degrees, one from each university.

The programme courses cover a variety of topics related to atmospheric and climate processes and their connections with environmental systems. Students will be stimulated to get familiar with different ways of approaching weather, climate and the environment, including experimental techniques, theoretical analysis and numerical simulations.

Graduates with the Master in Environmental Meteorology and Climate Physics will be enabled to prepare and present weather forecasts, perform atmospheric and environmental measurements, analyze observational data and work with numerical models for the simulation of atmosphere, climate and environmental processes. The Master's programme lasts 2 academic years. The official teaching language is English.Admissions

In order to be admitted to the two-year Master’s degree in Environmental Meteorology and Climate Physics applicants are required to follow the application procedures accurately.

The number of positions available: 30, up to 5 of which will be reserved for non-EU candidates living outside Italy. 

Non-EU candidates living outside Italy may apply only by the first deadline.

Admission Requirements

In order to be eligible for the selection procedure, applicants must:

1) Hold a bachelor or higher university degree awarded in Italy or other equivalent degree awarded abroad; candidates still attending a bachelor program may also apply and get conditional admission, subject to the condition that they obtain their bachelor degree:

• Before 30 June 2026 in the case of non-EU citizens living abroad;

• Before 15 October 2026 in the case of Italian, EU-citizens, or non-EU citizens living in Italy;

2) Have good knowledge of the English language, at least at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages;

3) Have passed exams in the academic disciplines, if holding a Bachelor's degree from an Italian University. 

How to Apply

The online application form must be completed fully and electronically submitted by applicants by the deadline.

Candidates must upload the following mandatory documents:

• A copy of a valid passport (photo and personal data only) or ID card;

• A copy of a degree certificate or the certificate of enrollment including the expected graduation date if available (an official translation of the degree certificate is required when the original document is not produced in English or Italian);

• An academic transcript indicating credits and marks achieved in each subject and GPA. Information on the grading scale must be provided if the degree was obtained outside Italy. Applications without this grading scale will not be considered (an official translation of the transcript of records is required when the original document is not produced in English);

• Statement of purpose (max 3000 characters, spaces included);

• English language proficiency certifications or self-declaration if applicable (see “How to prove language requirements” section).

Curriculum

To fulfill all the requirements prescribed by the Master's regulation, students must obtain a total of 120 ECTS credits. 

First year

1st semester (at the University of Trento)

2nd semester (at the University of Trento)

Second year

1st semester (at the University of Innsbruck)

2nd semester (either at the University of Innsbruck or at the University of Trento)

• Master Thesis (30 ECTS)

Elective courses (subject to change)

1st Year - II Semester - Trento campus

2nd year - I semester - Innsbruck campus

Program Outcome

The Master’s degree in Environmental Meteorology and Climate Physics offers a variety of content related to the physical and chemical properties of the Earth's atmosphere, the phenomena governing its dynamics, and their connections with processes affecting environmental systems, such as the hydrosphere, the lithosphere, the biosphere and the ecosystems. 

All the processes related to weather and climate phenomena - such as clouds and precipitation, atmospheric radiation, air pollution, wind dynamics - will be treated in depth.

The courses offered within the program enable students to become familiar with a variety of approaches, including theoretical analysis, measurement techniques, observational methods, data analysis and computer simulations of environmental processes using numerical models.

In addition to mandatory courses, covering the required background of an environmental meteorologist, students will be able to focus their curriculum more specifically on their preferred topics through optional courses and their MSc thesis.

The knowledge and skills learned in the program will provide graduates with a sound background to face the subsequent training required for a variety of jobs - such as weather forecaster, aviation meteorologist, meteorological consultant, climate analyst, environmental meteorology expert in support of planning and/or management activities, teacher - or to proceed to higher levels of educations (e.g. doctoral studies). 

Career Opportunities

• Weather forecasters (in either public or private weather services or as freelance professionals);

• Consultants (for engineering firms, agricultural operations, insurance companies, legal issues);

• Aeronautical meteorologists;

• Experts in the assessment of solar radiation, wind, and precipitation for energy conversion from renewable sources;

• Experts in air quality monitoring and management;

• Researchers, academics;

• Experts in education and communication: instructors, media operators, teachers;

• Environmental meteorologists provide meteorological support and assistance to decision-makers in a variety of fields: air quality monitoring and management, civil protection, transport infrastructures management (including aviation, railways, roads, and navigation), water resource management, management of systems for energy conversion from renewable sources, agricultural operations, forest management.