MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate

Compulsory modules

Fundamentals of Weather and Climate

Discover the fundamental principles underlying physical principles and how they can help us understand weather and climate. You’ll examine the thermodynamical principles that govern the nature of weather and weather systems alongside the physical principles of climate and climate change. 

Fundamentals of Meteorology and Meteorological Measurements

Develop your understanding of dynamic meteorology, the atmospheric boundary layer, and theoretical and practical issues related to meteorological measurements. You’ll learn the significance of different meteorological concepts, apply them to real weather situations, and relate them to the structure and evolution of selected weather systems.  

Data Analysis and Forecasting Systems for Weather and Climate

Discover the use of scientific computing for performing statistical data analyses suitable for common meteorological applications, such as operational weather casting. You’ll understand the end-to-end process through which operational forecasts are produced and familiarise yourself with the different methods of numerical and statistical weather and climate forecasting.  

Dissertation: Research Project

Undertake an original research investigation and acquire the skills needed to carry out your own research and/or data analysis. You’ll be provided the opportunity to develop your own special interest in the field of study as you work on your research project.  

Weather and Climate Discussion

Study weather and climate issues of both local and global importance. You’ll gain knowledge of current weather, recent worldwide climate events and short-term weather forecasts.

Optional modules

Tropical and Extratropical Weather Systems Analysis 

Develop your understanding of tropical weather systems and circulation patterns as you embark on a problem-based investigation of both tropical and extratropical high-impact weather systems. You’ll consider the main physical and dynamical processes involved in the development of weather systems and advance your application of the scientific method to analyse cases of extreme weather.  

Data Science and Climate Services 

Convert raw climate data into information relevant to decision-making and apply appropriate statistical methods for analysis and interpretation. You’ll also understand the limitations of the methods and data used, and develop the ability to communicate this information effectively to both expert and non-expert audiences.

Remote Sensing

Learn how to obtain information about the atmosphere using electromagnetic waves. You’ll consider how absorption, scattering and emission processes can be used to quantify various atmospheric properties, as well as how radar and lidar instruments provide information about precipitation and clouds.

Climate Change: Past, Present and Future

Develop a conceptual and quantitative understanding of climate variability and change, examining observations of changes in atmospheric composition and climate change in both recent past and over geological scale. Additionally, you’ll critically assess the extent to which these changes are caused by human activity or natural variations and what future changes may look like.  

Air Pollution: Chemistry, Transport and Dispersion

Explore the concepts of chemical and physical processing of atmospheric pollutants and their transport in the atmosphere, ranging from local pollution sources to global scale changes in atmospheric composition. You’ll examine processes such as photochemistry, anthropogenic and biogenic emissions, wet and dry deposition, and transport mechanisms, as well as the changing implications of pollution and actions that can reduce pollution.

Preparing for Floods

Gain an understanding of the key issues in flood preparedness on local and global scales, including flood forecasting and warning, response and incident management, and building community resilience. Your learning will be enhanced by a visit the Global Flood Awareness System operational centre.

If required, you can also take preparatory modules to support your skill and knowledge development, including Academic English for Meteorologists.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.