Integrated Master's Program in Geophysics – Meteorology and Oceanography (Master's)

Join a unique learning environment that challenges you and prepares you to meet the demands of today and tomorrow’s expert labor market. In this program, you will explore how weather, oceans, and climate change and impact people, ecosystems, and economic foundations. You will gain practical experience in using programming to investigate physical, chemical, and statistical relationships within meteorology and oceanography—the sciences of the atmosphere and ocean. The program offers opportunities to participate in exciting fieldwork on research vessels and to use drones for collecting data from the ocean and atmosphere. You will delve into subjects such as ocean and atmospheric dynamics, biogeochemical cycles, and climate physics through theory, numerical modeling, statistics, and machine learning. 

At the Geophysical Institute, you will become part of an engaging and inclusive student environment. Here, students collaborate across different academic years for assignments and exam preparations. Expect around six double sessions of lectures per week, along with theoretical and practical exercises. Practical learning involves laboratory and data exercises, as well as expeditions and fieldwork. Study spaces are available in a neighboring building and at the University Library. As part of the study program, students will also complete an internship. You’ll gain valuable insight into working life through placements in exciting companies and have the opportunity to apply your academic knowledge to real-world challenges. 

The institute has its own café with a beautiful garden where students gather. The active student committee, Coriolis, organizes both social and academic activities.

Through your internship, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with industry and gain valuable experience to include on your CV, giving you a competitive edge when entering the job market. Our career opportunities range from consulting firms to green innovation, research and education. You will be in demand for roles in advising, climate adaptation, renewable energy, insurance and weather forecasting. Our students are recruited by companies such as Multiconsult, Equinor and SINTEF, as well as institutions like the Institute of Marine Research, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and so on.

Requires documentation of Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification. Also requires specialization in mathematics and physics from secondary education.

Teaching language: Norwegian

The Integrated Master’s Program in Geophysics – Meteorology and Oceanography is a five-year, full-time program. The first three years (1st–6th semesters) are common for all students in the cohort. After that, the study plan depends on your chosen area of specialization. The program concludes with an individual master’s thesis.

You can specialize in:
•    Meteorology
•    Physical Oceanography
•    Climate Dynamics
•    Marine Biogeochemistry

During your studies, you will complete 8 weeks (approximately 300 hours) of internship, typically taking place between your second and fourth year of study. We have established a network of companies offering internship opportunities, but you are also free to find a placement on your own. The internship placement must be approved before you start, and your completed internship must be confirmed by the employer afterwards.

Here’s what the program might look like:

1st   Semester
Calculus I (MAT111, 10 ECTS)
Introduction to programming (INF100, 10 ECTS)
Introduction to the atmosphere, ocean and climate (GEOF100, 10 ECTS)

2nd     Semester 
Calculus II (MAT112, 10 ECTS)
Linear Algebra (MAT121, 10 ECTS)
Mechanics 1 (PHYS111, 10 ECTS)

3rd     Semester
Physics of the Atmosphere and Ocean (GEOF105, 10 ECTS)
Functions of Several Variables (MAT212, 10 ECTS)*
Chemistry and Energy (KJEM110, 10 ECTS), Basic Course in Statistics (STAT110, 10 ECTS), or Mechanics 2 and Thermodynamics (PHYS113, 10 ECTS)

4th     Semester 
Differential Equations (MAT131, 10 ECTS)
Atmosphere, ocean and climate dynamics (GEOF110, 10 ECTS)
Ex.phil (MNSEM og MNEKS, 10 ECTS)

5th    semester 
Data Analysis in Meteorology and Oceanography (GEOF210, 10 ECTS)
Causes and consequences of Climate Change (SDG213, 10 ECTS)
Innovation by Design Thinking (INNOV201, 10 ECTS)

6th     semester 
Numerical Modelling (GEOF211, 10 ECTS)
Practical Meteorology and Oceanography (GEOF323, 10 ECTS)
Elective (10 ECTS)

7th     semester
Specialization/Elective course (10 ECTS)
Specialization/Elective course (10 ECTS)
Specialization/Elective course (10 ECTS)

8th     semester 
Specialization/Elective course (10 ECTS)
Specialization/Elective course (10 ECTS)
Specialization/Elective course (10 ECTS)

9th     semester
Master's thesis (30 ECTS)

10th semester
Master's thesis (30 ECTS)

See "study plan" below for specific course options for the four specializations.

* Not mandatory for students specializing in marine biogeochemistry.

The easiest option is to go on exchange in the fifth and/or sixth semester. We have agreements with selected partner universities where the course offerings are particularly well-suited, including in Germany, Austria, and the USA. This also applies to stays at Svalbard (UNIS).

See exchange agreements

An integrated Master's degree in Geophysics – Meteorology and Oceanography provides the formal qualification for admission to a PhD program and further research in meteorology, physical oceanography, climate dynamics, and marine biogeochemistry.

Study plan for Integrated Master's programme in Geophysics - Meteorology and Oceanography