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07.07.08.mat.luonnont.sivut 08
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MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMME
IN ATMOSPHERE–BIOSPHERE STUDIES
Department of Physical Sciences
Physicum (Kumpula Campus)
PO Box 64
FI–00014 University of Helsinki
Phone 1911 (switchboard), direct dialling 191
+ extension number
Web pages: www.atm.helsinki.fi/ABS (Helsinki), www.nordic-abs.org (Nordic portal)
Professor in charge: Markku Kulmala
Coordinator: Antti Lauri
Atmosphere–Biosphere Studies:
Basics
The Master’s Degree Programme in Atmosphere–Biosphere Studies (ABS), started in 2006, is
a joint activity of ten universities, all located in
the Nordic and Baltic countries. Examples of
the topics in the Programme are climate change
and ecosystem–atmosphere interactions. The
Programme is based on long and strong Nordic
and Baltic co-operation and multidisciplinary
training in environmental issues. University of
Helsinki, Department of Physics, Division of
Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysics is the
coordinating unit of the Programme. The ABS
Programme includes two lines of study: General
Atmospheric Science and Biogeochemical
Cycles.
Atmospheric Sciences as a
discipline
The ongoing global climate change and the effects of air pollutants on human health and different kinds of ecosystems are just a few examples of mechanisms whose existence we all know,
but which are inadequately understood from the
scientific point of view. Today's society urgently
needs experts having a multidisciplinary education in environmental issues. Not only further
research has to be done, but also the industry
and commerce need environmental specialists:
new regulations following from e.g. the Kyoto
Protocol and European Union directives have to
be adopted in practise, requiring knowledge
about the recent scientific results.
There is already a long tradition of environmental research and environmental protection in
Nordic countries, where also many of the
world's leading research groups are located. The
rapidly increasing research is done on all levels,
ranging from subatomic physical and chemical
models through measurements at field stations
to global climate modelling. All the education in
the ABS Master's Degree Programme is based
on this high-quality research.
A special highlight of the Division of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Helsinki is
the aerosol research. Aerosol particles influence
the quality of our life in many different ways
e.g. via their climatic and health effects, visibility and acid rain. Considering climate change,
aerosol–cloud interactions are one of the largest
uncertainties. Both study lines in the ABS
Programme include courses on aerosol science.
Employment of atmospheric
scientists
The employment situation in atmospheric
sciences is currently excellent. There exists a
global need for experts having multidisciplinary
education in environmental issues. The governmental environmental agencies need people who
are able to interpret the new scientific results as
a base for future legislation. The industry, transport and commerce need to adapt to the new,
stricter regulations.
The Masters of Science graduated from the
Programme will be competent in different fields
of the society and have a strong base working
with environmental issues. They have the ability
to find innovative solutions to complex problems in the field of environmental sciences and
climate change. The Master's degree obtained in
the ABS Programme gives a good base for those
who are willing to proceed for doctoral level
studies.
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master’s degree programme in atmosphere–biosphere studies
Organization and studies in the
Programme
The Master's Degree in Atmosphere–Biosphere
Studies (ABS) is organized jointly by ten Nordic and Baltic universities:
University of Helsinki, Finland (coordinating
university)
Department of Physics
Department of Forest Ecology
Estonian University of Life Sciences
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences
Technical University of Denmark
Wind Energy Department
University of Aarhus, Denmark
Department of Atmospheric Environment
Department of Chemistry
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Department of Chemistry
Institute of Geography
Niels Bohr Institute for Astronomy, Physics and
Geophysics
University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Chemistry, Atmospheric Science
Department of Earth Sciences
Department of Plant and Environmental
Sciences
University of Kuopio, Finland
Department of Physics
Department of Environmental Sciences
University of Lund, Sweden
Division of Nuclear Physics
Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystems Analysis
University of Stockholm, Sweden
Department of Applied Environmental Science
Department of Meteorology
University of Tartu, Estonia
Institute of Physics
The teaching is given by people working on the
cutting edge of atmospheric and environmental
research. The research groups involved in the
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Programme are members of two Nordic Centres
of Excellence, BACCI
(Biosphere–Aerosol–Cloud–Climate
Interactions) and NECC (The Nordic Centre for
Studies of Ecosystem Carbon Exchange and its
Interactions with the Climate System). Furthermore, in Finland the universities of Helsinki and
Kuopio are members of the National Centre of
Excellence (Physics, Chemistry, Biology and
Meteorology of Atmospheric Composition and
Climate Change).
The Programme is very multidisciplinary, involving a versatile education on atmospheric
sciences covering physical phenomena, atmospheric chemistry, meteorology, physical geography and ecology. Part of the content of the
Programme is related to the interactions
between ecosystems and the atmosphere.
There are two lines of study in the Programme.
Students on the General Atmospheric Science
line specialize in understanding the atmospheric
phenomena. On the Biogeochemical Cycles line
the students specialize in interactions between
the biosphere and the atmosphere. It is possible
to have either Physics or Meteorology as the
major subject on both lines.
All the courses given in the context of the
Programme are available also for students who
are not participating in the Programme. However, some field courses and summer/winter
schools may have participant quotas, and nonprogramme students' travel and lodging costs
during a course given by another university are
not generally reimbursed by the Programme.
Studying in the ABS Master's Degree Programme is free of charge.
Degrees
The basic degree in the Programme is the Master of Science (MSc). The scope of the degree is
120 credits, and requires a suitable Bachelor’s
level degree as a prerequisite. In the University
of Helsinki, the possible major subjects are Physics and Meteorology. The intended time to
complete the degree is two years. The detailed
structure of the MSc degree is described in the
section on degree requirements.
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master’s degree programme in atmosphere–biosphere studies
The Master’s Degree is given by the University
of Helsinki for those who have been selected as
degree students in the University of Helsinki.
The degree gives the eligibility for postgraduate
studies at a university.
Obtaining the right to study
The right to study is obtained via a successful
application. The calls for application for the academic year 2009–10 will be published in autumn 2008. Selection protocols, criteria and the
schedule will be published on the web pages of
the Master's Degree Programme in Atmosphere–Biosphere Studies (http://www.atm.helsinki.fi/ABS).
Student counselling and the
personal study plan
Students are required to make a personal study
plan (HOPS) as part of their MSc degree, which
is approved by the supervising professor. The
personal study plan is to be approved by the end
of the first period of the first year of study in the
Programme. The study plan is updated when
needed as the studies progress.
In the University of Helsinki, counselling for
students are given by the following people:
Academy Professor Markku Kulmala
Professor Timo Vesala
Coordinator Antti Lauri
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
530240 ADVANCED STUDIES IN THE
MASTER'S DEGREE
PROGRAMME IN
ATMOSPHERE–BIOSPHERE
STUDIES
Both lines of study:
530188 Introduction to atmosphere–biosphere studies, 3 cr
530189 Statistical analysis of environmental
field observations, 5 cr
53328
Physics and chemistry of air pollution and their effects, 5 cr
53192
Seminar in aerosol and environmental physics, 5 cr
50111
Master's thesis, 40 cr
50039
Maturity test
General atmospheric science line of study:
530080 Measurements of atmospheric aerosols: aerosol physics, sampling and
measurement techniques, 3 cr
Biogeochemical cycles line of study:
530106 Environmental measurement techniques: fluxes and states in terrestrial
ecosystems, 3 cr
Optional advanced courses in atmosphere–biosphere studies, minimum of 14 credits.
2. Minor subject studies (30 cr)
Students who have obtained the right to study in
the Master's Degree Programme in Atmosphere–Biosphere Studies at the University of Helsinki in 2008 will follow these requirements.
530241 MINOR SUBJECT STUDIES IN
THE MASTER'S DEGREE
PROGRAMME IN
ATMOSPHERE–BIOSPHERE
STUDIES
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE
(120 CREDITS)
The minor studies must include studies during
two teaching periods in another ABS network
university. For example the following courses
are recommended:
1. Major subject studies (minimum of
75 credits)
Both lines of study:
Aerosols, clouds and climate, 15 cr (University of Stockholm)
Simple climate models, 7.5 cr (University of
Copenhagen)
Global climate changes, 7.5 cr (University of
Copenhagen)
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master’s degree programme in atmosphere–biosphere studies
The climate system, 15 cr (University of
Lund)
Transport phenomena, 5 cr (University of
Kuopio)
Advanced environmental chemistry, 5 cr (University of Aarhus)
Biogenic emissions, 5 cr (Estonian University
of Life Sciences)
530180 Atmospheric aerosols, 5 cr
53697
Fluid mechanics, 5 cr
53376
Hydrodynamics, 10 cr
53693
Forest–atmosphere interactions, 5 cr
General atmospheric science line of study:
Environmental chemistry 1, 7.5 cr (University
of Copenhagen)
Atmospheric environmental chemistry, 7.5 cr
(University of Copenhagen)
Cloud microphysics, 5 cr (University of Kuopio)
Air quality outdoors and indoors, 15 cr (University of Stockholm)
Numerical methods in atmospheric and
oceanographic models, 7.5 cr (University of
Copenhagen)
Cloud microphysics, 5 cr (University of Kuopio)
Atmospheric environment, 5 cr (University of
Aarhus)
530068 Health effects of fine particles, 5 cr
530124 Classical nucleation theory, 5 cr
53350
Modelling of aerosol physics and atmospheric chemistry, 5 cr
530181 Formation and growth of atmospheric
aerosols, 5 cr
530191 Arctic air pollution, 3 cr
530179 Atmospheric ion dynamics, 5 cr
Biogeochemical cycles line of study:
Climate changes – causes, effects, limitations
and adaptation, 7.5 cr (University of
Copenhagen)
Greenhouse gases and the carbon cycle, 15 cr
(University of Lund)
Climate change and its impact on the environment, 15 cr (University of Lund)
Ecological climatology & climate change, 7.5
cr (University of Copenhagen)
Ecosystem modelling, 15 cr (University of
Lund)
Global ecosystem dynamics, 15 cr (University
of Lund)
Advanced biomass and CO2 modelling, 7.5 cr
(University of Copenhagen)
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Ecosystem analysis, 15 cr (University of
Lund)
Water and energy in ecosystems, 15 cr (University of Lund)
Satellite remote sensing, 15 cr (University of
Lund)
Ecophysiology, 15 cr (University of Gothenburg)
Biogeochemistry I, 6 cr (University of Kuopio)
Biogeochemistry II, 5 cr (University of Kuopio)
53641
Field course in micrometeorology and
hydrology, 4 cr
3. Other studies (minimum of 15 cr)
50034
MSC OTHER STUDIES
530150 Personal study plan (FM-HOPS), 1 cr
530107 Internship, 5–10 cr
993734 Academic Writing for Students in
English-Medium Master’s Degree
Programmes 1, 2 cr
993735 Academic Writing for Students in
English-Medium Master’s Degree
Programmes 2, 2 cr
Supplementary studies on the major or minor
subject may be included in the other studies.
General study instructions
Studies in the Master’s Degree Programme
The studies in the ABS Programme consist of
various types of courses and project work: lecture courses, seminars, laboratory work, intensive
courses and e-learning courses. The following
paragraphs give an insight into the course types.
Lecture courses
A lecture course typically contains four hours
of lectures and two hours of exercises per week
plus a written exam in the end of the course. It is
advisable to take 2–3 lecture courses during one
teaching period. Passing a lecture course usually
requires completion of a sufficient number of
exercises, and passing the course exam. The first
year of studies in the ABS Programme consists
mainly of lecture courses.
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master’s degree programme in atmosphere–biosphere studies
Seminars
Registration for the courses
The Seminar in aerosol and environmental physics is an obligatory part of the Master’s degree
in the ABS Programme. A successful completion of the seminar course includes two seminar presentations (each 45 minutes including
discussion) and an active participation in the seminar series during at least one semester, although it is recommended to participate the
weekly, continuous seminar course all through
the Programme studies. It is advisable to give
the seminar presentations during the second year
of Programme studies.
Students register for courses and examinations
offered by the University of Helsinki according
to the registration practices in the department organizing the course. Considering lecture and seminar courses, at the Department of Physics the
registration usually takes place in the first lecture. For intensive courses there is an electronic
registration
form
available
under
http://www.atm.helsinki.fi/ABS/.
Internship
An internship, credited for 5–10 cr, is a compulsory part of the Master’s Degree in the ABS
Programme. The internship typically comprises
of a few compact individual projects, which
may include laboratory work, data analysis, or
theoretical or model studies. A short, written report has to be prepared for each project. The internship projects can be started already during
the first year, and they may take place at a research group in one of the ABS network universities, in some other university, in a research institute, or in a private company. For each project,
a supervisor is named.
Intensive courses
Several summer and winter schools as well as
field courses are available for the Programme
students. In Finland many of the courses take
place at the Hyytiälä Forestry Field Station in
Juupajoki, Southern Finland. The intensive
courses are typically 5–12 days long and include
a concise daily programme with lectures, exercises and group work.
E-learning courses
The ABS Programme includes several courses
that can be taken remotely using e-learning platforms. The most often used platforms in the ABS
Programme are Moodle (http://moodle.org/),
WebCT (http://www.webct.com/), and Luvit
(http://www.ced.lu.se/o.o.i.s/4928). The e-learning courses typically include either lectures
webcast or lecture notes with supporting material
available online, exercises available and returned
online, web quizzes, weekly chat sessions, forum discussions, and a home exam or report
written in a group in the end of the course.
Teaching periods
Teaching is given in four periods. In the academic year 2008–2009 and 2009–2010 the periods
are the following:
2008–2009
I 1 September – 19 October
II 27 October – 14 December
III 12 January – 1 March
IV 9 March – 17 May
2009–2010
I
II
III
V
7 September – 25 October
2 November – 20 December
18 January – 7 March
15 March – 23 May
Each period consists of seven weeks of
teaching.
Exchange periods
The degree includes one full-term or two halfterm obligatory exchange periods in another
ABS network university. The exchange periods
are agreed in the beginning of studies, connected to the personal study plan (HOPS). The
recommended exchange periods are period IV
of the first year of studies and period I of the second year of studies.
Grading
All courses are graded either on the six-step scale 0–5 or the two-step scale fail/pass. On the former scale, the lowest passing grade is 1/5, for
which the student usually needs to get half the
maximum points. To get the highest grade 5/5,
the student usually needs at least 5/6 of the maximum points.
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master’s degree programme in atmosphere–biosphere studies
Teaching language
The teaching language in the Programme is
English. It is possible to include courses given
by the local languages of the ABS network universities (i.e. Finnish, Swedish, Danish or Estonian).
Master's thesis
The Master's thesis is the final thesis done independently by the student for the MSc degree.
The aim of the thesis is to show that the MSc
graduated from the Programme is familiar with
the scientific methodology, is capable to carry
out a demanding project work, and knows the
conventions of written scientific presentation.
The extent of the thesis is 40 credits. In the ABS
Programme, the Master's thesis is usually written during the second year of studies. The topic
of the thesis is agreed upon with a professor of
the Programme. Usually the topic is related to
research problems of a research group.
Maturity test
The maturity test required for the Master's degree is taken as a separate exam when the
Master's thesis has been submitted for evaluation. A new test is required even if the student
has given the test at the Bachelor level.
Computer access
There are several computer classrooms in the
Kumpula campus freely available for students.
To access the computers, you need a personal
user account.
Post-graduate studies
Post-graduate studies aiming for a Doctor of
Philosophy or Licenciate of Philosophy degree
are typically pursued in conjunction with research groups. A list of such groups can be
found on the web pages of the Master's
Programme.
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The Graduate School in Physics,
Chemistry, Biology and Meteorology of
Atmospheric Composition and Climate
Change
The national Graduate School started in the beginning of 2006 with six partners:
University of Helsinki (coordinating institution)
University of Kuopio
Tampere University of Technology
Finnish Meteorological Institute
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Vaisala Oyj
There are currently over 100 PhD students in
the Graduate School. The central research areas
in the Graduate School include Atmospheric
Sciences; Aerosol Physics and Technology; and
Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Meteorology
of Air Pollution and Climate Change. Topics
range from biosphere–atmosphere interactions
and development of aerosol and environmental
technology to effects of air pollution, its
concentration, transformation and deposition.
The Graduate School involves training on mobility on the national level, multidisciplinary studies and research topics, and collaboration with
the industry.
Study scheme
The typical temporal scheme of the compulsory
courses is presented below.
Year 1, I period
530150 Personal study plan (HOPS), 1 cr
530188 Introduction to atmosphere–biosphere studies, 3 cr
530189 Statistical analysis of environmental
field observations, 5 cr
Year 1, end of III period
53328
Physics and chemistry of air pollution and their effects, 5 cr
Year 1, end of IV period
530080 Measurements of atmospheric aerosols: aerosol physics, sampling and
measurement techniques, 3 cr
530106 Environmental measurement techniques: fluxes and states in terrestrial
ecosystems, 3 cr
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master’s degree programme in atmosphere–biosphere studies
Year 2, III-IV periods
53192
Seminar in aerosol and environmental physics, 3 cr
50111
Master's thesis, 40 cr
50039
Maturity test
http://www.atm.helsinki.fi/ABS/. A full list,
including the courses given by the other universities, is given in the Nordic portal of Atmosphere–Biosphere Studies (http://www.nordicabs.org).
Course descriptions
The descriptions of the courses given by the
University of Helsinki are available through
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