General characteristics of the study programme
Name of the study programme: | Meteorology and Climatology |
Field of study: | 4.1.1 Physics |
Level of study: | 2nd |
Form of study: | standard |
Standard length of study: | 2 years |
Academic degree confered: | Mgr. |
Guarantor of the study programme: | |
Expected number of students in class: | 2 to 8 |
Programme sequentiality
The Meteorology and Climatology master study program is preceded by the bachelor study program in physics, or other bachelor programs with good knowledge in physics, mathematics, and basic meteorology and climatology.
Brief history of the study programme
The Meteorology and Climatology subjects have been lectured at the Comenius University in Bratislava since 1939. As the first workplace in this field can be considered the Institute for Meteorology and Climatology established at the Natural Sciences Faculty, Comenius University in Bratislava in 1946, headed by Prof. Mikuláš Konček. This institute preceded the Meteorology and Climatology Department (KMK, Sept. 1989 - June 2004) and the Meteorology and Climatology Division (OMK, 2004 - continued). In the meantime (1952-1989) this institute was renamed and extended to the Department for Astronomy, Geophysics and Meteorology (AGM). In 1980 the Natural Sciences Faculty was divided into the reduced Natural Sciences Faculty and the new Faculty of Mathematics and Physics (MFF), the AGM department was included into the MFF Faculty. First students have finished the Meteorology and Climatology study program in 1952. Since that altogether 140 students have been graduated in the Meteorology and Climatology study program up to the year 2008. Similar system of master study in Meteorology and Climatology exists also at the Charles University in Prague. In Bratislava also students in the study program Hydrology and Climatology (HaK) are prepared within the Natural Sciences Faculty and the Geography study field. Students of the Hydrology and Climatology (HaK) study program and students of the Geography study field (both on Natural Sciences Faculty) are also taking lessons on OMK in Meteorology and Climatology since 1954. AGM organized the HaK program in 1954-1980..
Requirements on study applicant (Requirements for acceptance)
The Meteorology and Climatology master study program is preceded by the bachelor study program in physics, or other bachelor programs with good knowledge in physics, mathematics and basic meteorology and climatology. Following two qualification levels are preferable for students, who want to enter master study program in Meteorology and Climatology: 1. Students who selected at least two from five optional subjects from basic Meteorology and Climatology during the bachelor study program in physics. 2. Students who have acceptable knowledge from the Meteorology and Climatology as a hobby at their preceded activities and can easily pass needed exams from the basic Meteorology and Climatology subjects in the first year of the master study. The basic knowledge is briefly as follows: Physics and chemistry of the atmosphere, Theory of the Earth’s climate system, Numerical and statistical methods utilized in Meteorology and Climatology.
Educational and professional objectives
The Meteorology and Climatology master study program is predominantly oriented for preparing professionals in issues most frequently utilized at the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (synoptic meteorology, numerical meteorology, climatology, agrometeorology, aeronautical meteorology, biometeorology, meteorological instruments and methods of observations, air pollution analysis, environmental protection etc.). Besides this also the recent development in the theoretical basis of meteorology and climatology is in the centre of educational effort (physics and chemistry of the atmosphere processes and the Earth’s climate system).
Subject focus and brief description
The Meteorology and Climatology master study program can be basically divided into four groups (basic subjects in brackets):
1. Dynamic and Synoptic Meteorology (101-103, 104, 112-113, 203-204),
2. Climatology (109, 110, 204),
3. Atmosphere pollution (114),
4. Modeling, methods and technology (105-108, 111, 201-202).
Many other subjects can be selected as optional ones according to the individual student’s plan dependent on the diploma thesis. During the study program a regular length of terms is supposed (14 weeks), including the final week for the term activities evaluation (tests, quiz; the 1st part of credits). The remaining part of credits can be obtained for the exam passing, usually in the next month. Each student has to obtain altogether 120 credits during 2 years of master study. Exams consist from the written and the oral part (need to be coordinated according study plan sequence).
Graduates' profile
The graduate in Meteorology and Climatology masters the physical substance of processes existing in the atmosphere (ground and boundary layer, middle and upper troposphere and the stratosphere) and in the Earth’s climate system; further she/he masters the numerical model simulation of mentioned processes (and its verification), numerical and combined weather forecasts from several hours to 10-15 days, statistical methods of climatological characteristics design values and climatological forecasts (up to 100 years) elaboration/assessment at use of theoretical distribution models and other related tools, numerical model solution of limited area processes at the boundaries of Earth’s climate subsystems including the GIS utilization (atmosphere, litosphere and hydrosphere interface as an example), she/he knows the methods of some meteorological processes control (management, influence).
Graduates' competence and job opportunities
Graduates in Meteorology and Climatology study program can successfully apply in any country within the European Union, some of them also in the other countries. Not any of graduated was involuntary unemployed up to present. Several of them applied also in close professions, mainly connected with computer processing and numerical model simulations. Significant deficiency of graduated meteorologists and climatologists continues in all round countries.
Specific features of the programme
The Meteorology and Climatology study program is connected with some uniqueness not usual elsewhere. Weather and climate are contemporary every day and no political borders can interfere the international collaboration. Modern methods in exchange of observed meteorological data enables to obtain promptly any information from any country in the World. Meteorology and climatology uses the most modern computer and communication systems on the one side and the most sophisticated global numerical model simulations on the other.
