Master of Science in Integrated Climate System Sciences (MSc ICSS) University of Hamburg

Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, Hamburg
Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Hamburg
Helmholtz-Zentrum hereon GmbH, Geesthacht
German Climate Computing Centre, Hamburg

All courses are held in English.

The MSc in Integrated Climate System Sciences (ICSS) combines all sciences concerned with the climate system. These include natural sciences and climate-relevant aspects of social and economic sciences. This interdisciplinary approach will enable you to understand the processes of climate variability and climate change and their consequences for societies, including how they respond to these.
The curriculum focuses on environmental Earth sciences, considering natural processes in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. To describe the Earth system and its intricacies, you will mainly use mathematical and numerical modelling. Observation and monitoring data are used to validate the models.

Another focus is on the climate-relevant aspects of social and economic sciences. These give insight into the political and social processes and conflicts which cause or arise from climate change.
This approach enables you to develop an understanding of the past, current and future climate variability of the Earth system. You will learn to see and understand the Earth as an integrated system.

The MSc ICSS programme gives students a strong background in natural sciences and modelling skills, and an understanding of the climate-relevant aspects of social and economic sciences. ICSS will stimulate you to look beyond your own discipline. You will become both an expert in your specific field and a driver of interdisciplinary thinking.

Based on this sound scientific education, the MSc ICSS programme offers three tracks:

• Physics of the Climate System
• Biogeochemistry of the Climate System
• Climate-Related Economics and Social Sciences

Students study all three tracks during the first semester. After the second semester, you can give your personal curriculum either an in-depth focus on one of the three tracks or an interdisciplinary approach whereby you combine various courses from the three tracks.

Application is possible annually between 15 February and 31 March.

Please follow this link for more information on the application process: https://www.geo.uni-hamburg.de/en/studium/master/msc-icss/admission.html.

Do you have to pass the APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) procedure? Please contact us as early as possible before you apply.

The curriculum for the two-year MSc ICSS programme is divided into four semesters, with mandatory courses, elective courses for specialisation, and preparation of the Master's thesis. It covers 30 credit points in each semester (120 credit points for the whole MSc programme including the Master's thesis).

First semester
In the first semester, you will start your studies with an orientation week for all new MSc students at SICSS (School of Integrated Climate System Sciences). Then your curriculum starts with mandatory courses in basic research skills, as well as natural and social science courses in climate system sciences. You will also choose two elective courses from the three programme tracks, depending on your personal interests. These could be an "Introduction to Numerical Methods" or a specialisation course such as "Chemistry of Natural Waters". During the semester break, you will take exams and courses from the technical skills module, for example, scientific programming or visualisation of climate data.

Second semester
The main goal of the second semester is to broaden your knowledge across the climate science disciplines. You will choose courses from at least two of the three programme tracks: "Physics of the Climate System", "Biogeochemistry of the Climate System", and "Climate-related Economics and Social Sciences". You have the opportunity to give your studies either an in-depth or an interdisciplinary focus, depending on your personal interests and your desired professional career. In the lecture-free period you will take exams, and, in addition, you will have time to attend workshops or summer schools, or you can do an internship.

Third semester
The third semester features the Climate Study Project, which is an individual research study in preparation for your Master's thesis. During the lecture period you will implement a project idea related to Integrated Climate System Sciences together with your personal adviser and a research group. This study includes a report about your research and findings. You will also write an extended abstract about your Climate Study Project in preparation for the Integrated Climate System Science Seminar (ICSS Seminar), which is given in the lecture-free period. Every third-semester student presents her/his Climate Study Project during this seminar.

Fourth semester
The fourth and final semester is reserved for the Master's thesis. For the compilation of data and information, you will work in close cooperation with one of our research groups. The Master's thesis consists of your written thesis and the thesis presentation in front of a scientific audience.

No tuition fees

There is a semester fee of approx. 332 EUR per semester. This fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Hamburg metropolitan area.

Without additional costs for further insurances, private vehicles, etc., you ought to expect the following expenses:

• housing: approx. 400 to 700 EUR per month
• living expenses: approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month

A Bachelor's degree in a subject related to climate system sciences such as atmospheric science, oceanography, environmental physics, or other environmental Earth sciences is required.

Applicants must demonstrate their skills in mathematics and physics equivalent to at least 60 ECTS (1 ECTS equals 30 hours of study).

Please follow this link for more information on the application process: https://www.sicss.uni-hamburg.de/msc-programs/msc-integrated-climate-science/admission.html

Applicants must provide adequate proof of English proficiency. The following tests are acceptable:

• English BSc or MSc
• TOEFL Internet-based test*: minimum score of 90 (with a minimum sub score of 20 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking and Writing)
• IELTS*: at least band 6.5 (with a minimum sub score of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking and Writing)
• CEFR* Level C1 (with a minimum sub score of C1 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking and Writing)

*Please note that these tests should have been taken no more than two years prior to enrolment.

Application is possible annually between 15 February and 31 March.

Please follow this link for more information on the application process: https://www.geo.uni-hamburg.de/en/studium/master/msc-icss/admission.html.

Do you have to pass the APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) procedure? Please contact us as early as possible before you apply.

International full-time students may apply for merit scholarships or exam grants of Universität Hamburg. For more information, please use the provided link. We also recommend contacting our colleagues in the Department of International Affairs for further guidance. https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en/internationales/studierende/incoming/studium-mit-abschluss/waehrend-des-studiums/finanzierung.html

Are you looking for a part-time job? Stellenwerk, Hamburg's cross-university job platform posts attractive job and internship advertisements every day.

Part-time work, an internship, or self-employment—the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs (BeSI) advises you on all aspects of social security.

Students from countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland are subject to special regulations for part-time work when studying. Contact the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs for more information.

There are several job opportunities in diverse areas of Universität Hamburg. Many of these jobs are offered exclusively to students enrolled at the university. For job ads of this kind, check out departmental bulletin boards, departmental websites, www.stellenwerk.de (wanted ads for Hamburg’s universities), or ask directly in your department.

• tutors
• student assistants (in the academic area) and student employees (in the administrative area)
• library assistants
• test subjects for studies conducted in the fields of psychology or in the social sciences

Are you searching for an apartment or a room? Although affordable housing in Hamburg is rare, please do not despair. Patience and luck will help you find suitable accommodation.

Start looking for accommodation as soon as you can. For more information on how to find accommodation, please visit: Finding accommodation in Hamburg.

For more information on how to find accommodation and how to plan your first steps in Hamburg, please see: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta/beratung/doc/willkommen.pdf.

Students of the MSc Integrated Climate System Sciences can attend workshops and counselling at Universität Hamburg's Career Centre.

In addition, SICSS offers networking events with former students and PhD alumni and also encourages networking via LinkedIn.

The Department of International Affairs offers comprehensive international student support. In addition to professional advising and counselling during all stages of the course of study, there is close cooperation with other advisory and counselling services at Universität Hamburg. International students will thus receive the necessary support and advice at any point during their studies.