Weather and Climate Science (2023)
1. Programme Title:Weather and Climate Science |
NQF Level: |
7 |
---|
2. Description of the Programme (as in the Business Approval Form) |
---|
The MSc Weather and Climate Science programme at the University of Exeter draws on the University’s expertise in quantitative modelling of the atmosphere and climate, offering you the opportunity to study with experts who directly contribute to global understanding of weather and climate systems (for example on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). With a firm focus on career-oriented postgraduate training, you will acquire the skills needed to secure relevant roles in many private and public bodies, businesses or government agencies, and the programme also provides an excellent basis for progression to research at PhD level. The degree is built on Exeter’s leading research across a whole range of areas and scientific groups: first there is the creating and testing of models of the weather and climate, based on fundamental processes in physics, chemistry and biology. Then, there is the mathematical analysis of such models, for example the study of the waves, instabilities and oscillations that are the building blocks of the weather we experience and of the evolving climate. Actual predictions and simulation of models that couple such phenomena together has to be done numerically, and the degree includes opportunities to study modern numerical methods. Finally, vast amounts of data are generated by observations of the atmosphere and biosphere and by numerical models, and methods of data science are crucial, in particular statistical analysis and data assimilation. The Weather and Climate Science degree programme includes core modules in all of the above areas, with a wide range of options available to tailor the programme to your interests and career ambitions, for example more towards data science and statistics, or more towards mathematical analysis, dynamical systems and numerical simulation. The programme also offers a range of optional modules where you can engage with the broader societal and policy challenges of addressing climate change, many offered by the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter. |
3. Educational Aims of the Programme |
---|
The programme draws on the broad expertise of the University of Exeter in the quantitative modelling of Weather and Climate, via the research of the Centre for Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics (CGAFD), Exeter Climate Systems (XCS) and the Global Systems Institute (GSI). The modules which make up the core of this degree are led by experts who directly contribute to global understanding of climate change and weather systems, including members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and staff jointly funded by the UK Met Office. The programme will enable you to study weather and climate science whilst equipping you with a wide range of valuable quantitative and analytical skills, as applied to this area but are also transferable to other contexts. In particular the degree programme is designed: - To provide you with a core knowledge of the key processes and cycles that drive weather and climate on the Earth. - To introduce you to the mathematical methods used to analyse such models, for example to study waves and instabilities in fluid flows. - To introduce you to key data science and statistical methods used to exploit data from observations and modelling. - Via optional modules, to allow you to develop their interests in specific areas, for example on the applied mathematics or data science side. - Via optional modules, to allow you to study related areas such as magnetohydrodynamics, dynamical systems and high performance computing. - Via optional modules, to allow you to engage in study of the societal and policy challenges of addressing climate change and related sustainability issues. - To allow you the opportunity to study a topic in weather and climate in depth with one-to-one expert supervision, through the compulsory 60 credit dissertation module. - To enable you to develop skills in engaging with current research in their area of interest, through a module based on reading papers and attending seminars, assessed through written reports and presentations. You will engage with these areas of science through a combination of lectures, hands-on practical sessions, individual self-study, and group work on Exeter’s Streatham campus. |
4. Programme Structure |
---|
The MSc Weather and Climate Science is a one-year full-time programme of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). You will be located at the Streatham campus for the duration of your studies. Your programme is also divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work. Interim Awards You may exit this award with a Postgraduate Certificate in Weather and Climate Science where you have achieved 60 credits (with a minimum of 45 credits at RQF Level 7) or a Postgraduate Diploma in Weather and Climate Science where you have achieved 120 credits (with a minimum of 90 credits at RQF Level 7). |
5. Programme Modules |
---|
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College website:
https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/studentinfo/subjects/mathematics/modules/ 90 credits are compulsory modules, of which 60 credits is the Advanced Mathematics Project. |
Stage 1
Code | Title | Credits | Compulsory | NonCondonable |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory Modules | ||||
MTHM051 | Fundamentals of Weather and Climate Science | 15 | Yes | No |
MTHM007 | Engaging with Research | 15 | Yes | No |
MTHM021 | Advanced Mathematics Project | 60 | Yes | Yes |
The remaining 90 credits can be made up from the following groups of options: Take 15-30 credits | ||||
MTHM019 | Fluid Dynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans | 15 | No | No |
MTH3030 | Mathematics of Climate Change | 15 | No | No |
Take 0-30 credits | ||||
MTHM501 | Working with Data | 15 | No | No |
MTHM502 | Introduction to Data Science and Statistical Modelling | 15 | No | No |
MTHM506 | Statistical Data Modelling | 15 | No | No |
Take 15-30 credits | ||||
MTHM023 | Modelling the Weather and Climate | 15 | No | No |
MTHM052 | Mid-Latitude Weather Systems | 15 | No | No |
Take 15-30 credits | ||||
MTHM033 | Statistical Modelling in Space and Time | 15 | No | No |
MTH3044 | Bayesian Data Modelling | 15 | No | No |
MTHM503 | Applications of Data Science and Statistics | 15 | No | No |
MTHM017 | Advanced Topics in Statistics | 15 | No | No |
MTHM505 | Data Science and Statistical Modelling in Space and Time | 15 | No | No |
Take up to 30 credits of options (NB: Not all GEOM/BIOM modules will be available each year) | ||||
NSC3009 | Aerosols, Clouds and Climate | 15 | No | No |
MTHM008 | Computational Modelling | 15 | No | No |
MTHM018 | Dynamical Systems and Chaos | 15 | No | No |
MTHM031 | Magnetic Fields and Fluid Flows | 15 | No | No |
BIOM568 | Blue Planet | 15 | No | No |
GEOM141 | Global Challenges | 15 | No | No |
GEOM143 | Global Systems Thinking | 15 | No | No |
MTHM030 | Waves, Instabilities and Turbulence | 15 | No | No |
MTHM045 | Space Weather and Plasmas | 15 | No | No |
ECMM461 | High Performance Computing | 15 | No | No |
PHLM011 | Data Governance and Ethics | 15 | No | No |
MTHM054 | Climate Change Science and Solutions | 15 | No | No |
GEOM144 | Innovation and the Science-Policy Interface | 15 | No | No |
GEOM145 | Theory for Sustainable Transitions | 15 | No | No |
GEOM148 | Green Consultants | 15 | No | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning & Assessment Methods |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be accommodated & facilitated by the following learning & teaching and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |||
A Specialised Subject Skills & Knowledge
| Learning & Teaching ActivitiesLectures, seminars, examples classes, tutorials, practical computer workshops, literature discussion. | |||
Assessment MethodsWritten coursework, class tests, written examinations. | ||||
B Academic Discipline Core Skills & Knowledge
| Learning & Teaching ActivitiesLectures, seminars, examples classes, tutorials, practical computer workshops, literature discussion sessions, formative exercises, individual supervision. | |||
Assessment MethodsWritten coursework, class tests, written examinations. | ||||
C Personal / Transferable / Employment Skills & Knowledge
| Learning & Teaching ActivitiesPractical computer workshops, literature discussion sessions, individual supervision. | |||
Assessment MethodsWritten coursework, dissertation. |
7. Programme Regulations |
---|
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
|
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning |
---|
In accordance with University policy, a system of Personal Tutors is in place for all students on this programme. A University-wide statement on such provision is included in the University's TQA Manual. As a student enrolled on this programme, you will receive the personal and academic support of the Programme Coordinator and will have regular scheduled meetings with your Personal Tutor; you may request additional meetings as and when required. The role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties, such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff. |
10. Admission Criteria |
---|
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter. Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Postgraduate Study Site webpages. Candidates will normally have a 2:1 honours degree in a quantitative subject, for example: statistics, mathematics, engineering or physics. Requirements for international students If you are an international student, please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements. English language requirements IELTS (Academic): Overall score 6.5. No less than 6.0 in any section. TOEFL IBT*: Overall score 90 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, 21 for listening, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking
|
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards |
---|
Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
|
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards |
---|
Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs). This programme is not subject to any such requirements. |
14 | Awarding Institution | University of Exeter | |
---|---|---|---|
15 | Lead College / Teaching Institution | College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences | |
16 | Partner College / Institution | N/A | |
17 | Programme accredited/validated by | Joint Board of Moderators | |
18 | Final Award(s) | MSc | |
19 | UCAS Code (UG programmes) | WeatherCliSci | |
20 | NQF Level of Final Awards(s): | 7 | |
21 | Credit (CATS and ECTS) | 180 credits (90 ECTS) | |
22 | QAA Subject Benchmarking Group (UG and PGT programmes) | Mathematics, Statistics and Operational Research |
23 | Origin Date | February 8th 2023 | Last Date of Revision: | February 8th 2023 |
---|