Master of Science
Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere
The focus of meteorology and geophysics, two disciplines within the Earth sciences with a strong emphasis on physics and mathematics, is to record, analyze, and predict the physical properties and processes of the Earth's system. By combining these two fields, it is possible to model essential exchange processes between the atmosphere, ocean, and solid Earth, and to formulate and address questions related to current climate and environmental research.
Information offers at the start of your studies
Enrolled, and what now? Make use of offers even before the start of lectures and become familiar with the systems for students!
- One account for everything: Unlock your Uni ID for the University of Bonn systems
- The communication channel is email: set up your university email account, check it daily and use it for study-related matters
- Get to know the BASIS examination system: personal study account with all services, exam registration and deregistration, study planner, course catalogue & documents
- Join courses on the eCampus learning platform: links can be found in the BASIS course catalogue
- Information event organized by the Student Advisory Service before the start of the semester: Thursday, October 9, 2025, 1:00 p.m., SR Geophysics, Meckenheimer Allee 176. The most important date for starting your master's degree!
- After the information session for first-year bachelor's students on Monday, October 13, 2025, 2:15 p.m., lecture hall Auf dem Hügel 20, take advantage of the get-together: Get to know the student council and network with other new students – don't miss it!
- Open counseling service for new and international students: just drop by!
Special support for international students from the University of Bonn International Office—you can't do without it!
Take advantage of the offers and network with like-minded people: We are happy to support you in successfully completing your studies!
Course content, modules, organization, formalities
Examination regulations govern your rights and responsibilities. But what does that mean in concrete terms? Whether you have questions about exam registration, individual study plans, recognition, elective courses, cooperation with Cologne, Erasmus, or double degrees in Padua: we provide help and advice so that you can study without any worries!
Course content and structure
The consecutive, international, English-language Master's program in Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere, offered in cooperation with the University of Cologne and the University of Padua, deals with the in-depth mathematical and physical examination, analysis, and prediction of the Earth system and the interaction between the geosphere and the atmosphere. The modules cover interdisciplinary content related to atmospheric physics, climatology, geophysics, and geodynamics.
Admission, enrollment, bridge courses
Applications are accepted online via the University of Bonn application portal from June 15 to September 15 for the winter semester and from December 15 to March 15 for the summer semester.
Bachelor's degree graduates in meteorology, geophysics, or related mathematical-physical subjects with English language skills at level B2 are eligible for admission. Proof of 60 ECTS credits in mathematics (>10 credits), physics (>10 credits), and meteorology/geophysics (>20 credits) from a bachelor's degree equivalent to our Bachelor MuG is essential.
If ECTS credits are missing for admission, interested parties can enroll in the Bachelor's degree in MuG and catch up on their knowledge in bridge courses. International applicants without German language skills cannot take bridge courses.
Regular studies, duration, structure
The four-semester study plan is a full-time program. Students can begin their studies in either the winter or summer semester. The duration of study can be adjusted depending on individual circumstances, but the order of the modules must be maintained and therefore coordinated with the student advisory service.
Your rights and obligations during your studies are regulated in the examination regulations PO 2021, including the amendment regulations 2024, and are supplemented by the recommended standard study plan and the module descriptions. The cooperation agreements with Cologne and the double degree program with Padua are agreed separately.
Downloads
Guide to studying
Each module consists of various events such as lectures, exercises, seminars, internships, etc., and is completed with one or more exams. Module exams or module partial exams can be written exams, presentations, term papers, oral exams, etc. All rights and obligations regarding examinations and modules are set out in the examination regulations (PO 2021 with ÄO 2024), which must be read, understood, and followed.
Modules, enrollment, attendance
- There is no registration for our modules; you simply attend the courses listed in the course catalog and join the eCampus courses. Some Cologne modules and minor courses must be registered for via BASIS (or the Cologne system Klips, see below); please read the relevant information carefully.
- Module courses with compulsory attendance are marked in the PO. These are mostly exercises, seminars, and internships. Absences of up to 25% are tolerated.
Examinations: registration, deregistration, repetition, illness
- Registration and deregistration for exams must be completed via the BASIS study account at least one week before the respective exam date.
It is not possible to take an exam without registering in BASIS.
Failure to appear despite registration counts as a failed attempt, i.e., a grade of 5.0. Check the status of registered exams in your study account regularly!
Each exam may be repeated a maximum of three times if failed. Therefore, never take exams unprepared; your attempts are precious. - In case of illness, withdrawal is possible even at short notice. However, a doctor's note must be submitted by the day of the exam at the latest.
Specialization, elective modules, minor subject
- pea700 and pea800 are compulsory modules.
- By taking the modules pea710 and pea810 and writing a master's thesis in the field of meteorology, you will automatically specialize in meteorology. If you choose pea720, pea820, and write a master's thesis in the field of geophysics, you will specialize in geophysics.
- In the elective area, you can choose from a range of meteorological and geophysical modules. Modules that do not lead to a specialization are also available. A minimum of 24 ECTS and a maximum of 36 ECTS without a minor subject must be achieved.
- In the free elective area, a maximum of 12 ECTS can be chosen as a minor from the modules offered in BASIS. Popular minors are astronomy, volcanology, and GIS. A four-week professional internship in a meteorological or geophysical company can also be completed for 6 ECTS. It is essential to discuss the internship project with the student advisor (Anna Zoporowski).
Master's thesis and graduation
The master's program concludes with a master's thesis, which can be completed in all meteorology and geophysics working groups in a research-oriented manner. The master's thesis is a scientific paper in which you demonstrate your in-depth technical and methodological expertise and management skills in a research project.
Registration for master's thesis and topic search
- After completing all modules with 60 ECTS, the research phase begins in the third semester with the modules pea950 and pea960, which already prepare students for their master's thesis.
- Students search for topics by approaching their desired supervisors from among the professors and private lecturers. Independent work on the topic and a duty to provide information to the supervisors are a matter of course.
- Once the preparatory modules have been successfully completed, an application for admission to the master's thesis may be submitted.
- The processing time is six months and takes place between August 15 and February 15 in the winter semester or between February 15 and August 15 in the summer semester.
- An extension of the submission date by a maximum of six weeks must be requested by email to the Examination Office, in consultation with the supervisor(s) and with justification provided to the Examination Board.
Submission of master's thesis and colloquium
- The title of the master's thesis will only be recorded upon submission and may therefore differ from the proposed topic.
- Three (3) bound copies, including a signed declaration of independent work (LaTeX template (tex file), pdf preview), must be submitted to the Examination Office (Daniela Domgörgen) by the deadline.
- The digital version of the thesis must be submitted on the day of submission as a PDF via Sciebo approval/link. Upload the PDF to Sciebo and share the file with the Examination Office, or create a link to the file and send the link to the Examination Office. Test in advance whether the file can be opened via the link.
- Before submission, a 30-minute presentation on the status of the thesis must be given in the master's colloquium (and others within the working group). Dates are assigned centrally.
Assessment and final certificate
- The master's thesis comprises 30 credit points. The grade is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the grades given by both examiners. The assessment usually takes 8 weeks. Together with the preparatory modules, the grade accounts for half of the final grade.
- Upon request, you will receive a certificate of provisional master's degree as soon as all grades have been confirmed by the examiners as at least passed.
- After completion of all examination requirements, the final documents will be prepared. The signature process takes another 3 weeks. The documents must be picked up in person at the Examination Office.
The cooperation agreement between the Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere master's programs at the Universities of Bonn and Cologne has been in place since 2009. This allows PEA students at both locations to take modules at the other location. To keep the cooperation lively, the compulsory modules Prognostic Modeling and Inverse Modeling are held alternately in Bonn and Cologne.
Scope of cooperation
The two PEA degree programs are two different programs, each with its own examination regulations. You will study according to the rules of the location where you were admitted and enrolled as a student. At the other location, you will receive guest student status upon request without any fees.
Prognostic Modeling and Inverse Modeling are the only compulsory modules at both locations and take place alternately in Bonn and Cologne. Recognition is guaranteed. The compulsory modules in Bonn for the specializations in meteorology or geophysics and all elective modules can be taken by Cologne students as elective modules. Conversely, all compulsory and elective modules in Cologne can be taken by Bonn students as elective or free elective modules.
Master's theses can also be written at the other location. Please contact your supervisors early on, as modules may be required as a prerequisite for admission.
Utilization of cooperation from Bonn
In order to complete Cologne modules, you must be a guest student at the University of Cologne. Follow the instructions at the bottom of the page https://verwaltung.uni-koeln.de/studsek/content/bewerbung/1_fachsemester___grundstaendige_studiengaenge/zweithoerer_innen/kleine_zweithoerer_innen/index_ger.html .
To do so, you must first register at https://klips2.uni-koeln.de/co/webnav.ini for the summer semester starting March 15 or the winter semester starting September 15, and then apply as a guest student with the following selection:
- Study program selection: Guest student studies
- Small guest student MNF cooperation
- Starting semester: 1
- Form: no degree
Upload your Bonn admission letter and Bonn student ID (from BASIS) and then send an email to meteorologie-geophysik@uni-bonn.de, specifying your focus (meteorology/geophysics).
The guest student fee does not have to be paid! Once these formalities have been completed, you will receive access to Cologne's systems (Klips, Ilias) and must register for courses and exams there (not in Bonn). To have your grades recorded in Bonn, please send your Cologne ToR to the Examination Office after each semester.
Important: In all subsequent semesters, you must also re-register in Cologne, i.e., send your current certificate of enrollment from the University of Bonn to studsek@verw.uni-koeln.de with the email subject line “Re-registration as guest student MSc. Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere” (even if you do not wish to take any modules in Cologne).
Utilization of the cooperation from Cologne
To register for Bonn modules, search for the title or module code of the Bonn module (e.g., pea800 or Inverse Modeling) in the courses offered by partner universities in Ilias. Join the eCampus course via the link and simply attend the classes in Bonn as specified in the course catalog. You can register for exams by emailing the lecturers.
The master's program in Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere offers several opportunities to replace the coursework and examinations specified in the study plan with recognized equivalents. Modules completed as part of an Erasmus+ semester abroad or during previous studies will be credited upon request if they are deemed equivalent. It is mandatory to consult the academic advising office in this regard.
Studying internationally with Erasmus+
Within the meteorology and geophysics degree programs, students have the opportunity to receive funding for up to two semesters of study abroad through the European Erasmus+ program. To this end, bilateral agreements (interinstitutional agreements) have been established with partner universities in Europe that offer degree programs in meteorology, geophysics, or atmospheric physics.
You can find out everything you need to know about Erasmus+ and other opportunities to study abroad on our subject-specific Erasmus website and on the Erasmus university coordination website.
Recognition of academic achievements
Customizing your studies is possible within the legal framework of the examination regulations.
Supraregional studies: ABC/Jim ABC/J
The Geoverbund ABC/J is the geosciences network in the Aachen-Bonn-Cologne/Jülich research region. There is a broad and complementary range of geoscientific degree programmes with jointly usable courses, which opens up a wide range of opportunities for students to develop their individual profiles.
If you would like to take Master PEA modules in Aachen or workshops at Forschungszentrum Jülich, you must submit an application in advance, so please speak to the student advisory service in good time. For Cologne PEA modules, see Cooperation. Our modules are open to students from Cologne and Aachen, subject to availability!
Recognition of examination results
If you have academic credits from previous studies at another university or from another degree program, these can be credited to the modules of the Master PEA upon application if they are deemed equivalent. Please consult the student advisory service before submitting your application.
Outstanding students enrolled in the Master's program in Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere at the University of Bonn have the opportunity to earn an international double degree in geophysics. The cooperation agreement with the Master's program in Geophysics for Natural Risks and Resources at the University of Padua for a double Master's degree in geophysics strengthens the long-standing research collaboration between these two traditional universities and contributes to the internationalization of the University of Bonn, a center of excellence.
Double Degree Concept
In the first two semesters, you will study Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere with a specialization in Geophysics at the University of Bonn, and in the third semester, Geophysics for Natural Risks and Resources at the University of Padua. The master's thesis in the fourth semester will be written either in Bonn or Padua. From Padua, the sequence is exactly the opposite. If you earn at least 30 ECTS credits in modules at the partner university, you will receive degrees from both universities after earning a total of at least 120 ECTS credits.
Program content and schedule
The choice of modules is predetermined in the double degree program, but there is still room for individual customization. The duration of the exchange (one or two semesters) is specified in the application. Modules are automatically credited upon submission of the relevant documentation (transcript of records).
You will be regularly enrolled at the partner location and will have access to all systems. The respective external credits will be recognized, so that your double degree course content will differ slightly from the regular course of study at your home university. You will receive the final documents from both universities at the end of your studies.
Application and selection process
In Bonn, students must be enrolled in the Master's program in Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere in order to apply for the double degree program. If, after the first semester, the compulsory modules in the geophysics specialization (winter semester: pea700, pea720; summer semester: pea800, pea820) and 15 additional ECTS credits have been passed, the formal criteria for application are met. A maximum of five students per year can be selected. The selection criteria are primarily excellent academic performance.
Send your application for one or two semesters with your resume, letter of motivation, and current transcript of records to the Examination Office by the deadline (winter semester: by February 28; summer semester: by August 31). In Padua, the selection process takes place only once a year in February for the winter semester, provided that 27 ECTS credits have been achieved.
Organization and financing
The cooperation agreement between the University of Padua and the University of Bonn for the double degree program regulates the legal details. If you do not meet the requirements for the double degree after the mobility phase, you will “fall back” into the respective master's program.
There are no tuition fees, except for administrative fees/social contributions. Mobility can be funded through Erasmus+ upon application. In addition to the application and selection process for the double degree, the Erasmus+ application deadlines and criteria must also be observed. Funding therefore involves additional bureaucratic effort, especially for students from non-EU countries. Be sure to attend information events and take advantage of individual counseling.
The responsible Examination Office for Meteorology and Geophysics and the Student Advisory Service are happy to assist you. Office hours and opening times can be found at https://www.ifgeo.uni-bonn.de/sprechstunde-mug .
Examination office Meteorology and Geophysics
Daniela Domgörgen
2.009
Meckenheimer Allee 176
53115 Bonn
Student advisory Meteorology and Geophysics
Dr. Anna Zoporowski
2.010
Meckenheimer Allee 176
53115 Bonn
Joint examination board for the Bachelor's programme Meteorology and Geophysics and the Master's programme Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere
Chair: Prof. Dr. Marcel Thielmann
Deputy chair: Prof. Dr. Leonie Esters
Professors (deputy): Prof. Dr. Andreas Kemna, Vert.-Prof. Christoph Renkl (Prof. Dr. Ambre Luguet, Prof. Dr. Stefan Kollet)
Academic staff (deputy): Priv.-Doz. Dr. Petra Friederichs (Dr. Maximilian Weigand)
Students (deputy): Erik Brune (Johanna Kasischke)
Meteorology and Geophysics student council
Institute of Geosciences |
Meteorology and Geophysics
Auf dem Hügel 20 | 53121 Bonn | room U1.012
www: https://fsmug.uni-bonn.de
E-Mail: fsmug@uni-bonn.de
Evaluation project group
Evaluation chair (deputy): Prof. Dr. Leonie Esters (Dr. Anna Zoporowski)
Professors (deputy): Prof. Dr. Leonie Esters (Prof. Dr. Andreas Kemna)
Academic staff (deputy): Arne Mansfeld (Larissa Reineccius)
Study programme manager: Dr. Anna Zoporowski
Students (deputy): Magdalena Kracheletz, Johanna Kasischke (Hendrik Jahn, Erik Brune)
QVM committee
Prof. Dr. Andreas Kemna
Prof. Dr. Leonie Esters
Students: Johanna Kasischke, Erik Brune