The Physical Climate System
Within the specialisation The Physical Climate System you can choose among several courses and different thesis tracks.
More about the specialisation
Are you wondering how you can assess the impact of past, present and future climate change? Not only on nature but also on society? And would you like to answer questions like, how long-term changes in oceanic circulation affect climate? Or, how much do anthropogenic emissions and deforestation contribute to climate change?
To answer these questions and find solutions we need to understand and quantify natural- versus human-induced climate change. In the specialisation The Physical Climate System, MCL students work on finding these solutions. They focus on the physical climate system and the use of different research methodologies in climate change research. These methodologies are:
- Observation of past and present climate.
- System analysis on process interactions and resulting feedback mechanisms at different temporal and spatial scales in explaining earth’s climate dynamics.
- The use of simple- to complex earth system models to assess past, present and future climate change.
Current concerns about climate change are mainly due to observed fast changes in the Earth’s energy balance. As a consequence of an increase in anthropogenic activities, hydrological and biochemical cycles are altered resulting in a cascade of interactions and feedback mechanisms involving the earth’s atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere. These interactions explain the observed past and current climate state but also ultimately determine future climate change.
Students can learn more about the education and research related to this specialisation by visiting the website of the Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group and the Meteorology and Air Quality Group.
Courses
The following subjects are part of the MSc programme Climate Studies when selecting the specialisation The Physical Climate System. Next to these thesis specific courses, you will follow courses from the common part and electives as summarised in the programme outline. For more information visit the study handbook or contact the study adviser.
Specialisation-related subjects
Compulsory
| Subject | Code |
|---|---|
| One e-learning is compulsory in order to work safely at Wageningen University (0 ECTS): | |
| Laboratory safety | ZSS06100 |
| Biogeochemical Cycles and Climate Change Mitigation | SOC36306 |
Restricted Optional: select (at least) two*
| Subject | Code |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric Dynamics | MAQ32806 |
| Atmospheric Composition and Air Quality | MAQ34806 |
| Water and Air Flow Numerical Techniques | HWM33806 |
| Meteorology and Climate | MAQ21806 |
| Urban Hydrometeorology | MAQ35306 |
| Earth System Modelling | MAQ35806 |
| Catchment and Climate Hydrology | HWM40306 |
| Atmospheric Modelling | MAQ31806 |
| Field Training Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere Interactions | SOC40806 |
Restricted Optional: Select one
| Subject | Code |
|---|---|
| MSc thesis Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics | HWM80436 |
| MSc Thesis Air Quality and Atmospheric Chemistry | MAQ81336 |
| MSc Thesis Meteorology | MAQ80836 |
*To be selected in consultation with your study adviser and in preparation for your thesis subject.
In order to prepare well for your thesis track, you can additionally choose supporting courses. These courses focus, for example on quantitative and data sciences. You can find the exact list in the study handbook at the section "Restricted Optionals (2) in Common part".
This course overview is based on the Wageningen University study handbook, where you can find a more detailed course and programme description. The study handbook is guiding in case of any discrepancy.
Below you can see an example how your schedule can look like when following this specialisation:
