What is it all about?

The bachelor's degree program in Meteorology and Climate Physics combines a sound basic education in physics with a special focus on the physics of the atmosphere. In the first three semesters, the program is therefore almost identical to the bachelor's degree program in Physics: you will deal intensively with classical experimental and theoretical physics, modern physics and mathematics. You will also take your first courses in meteorology and climatology.

From the fourth semester onwards, you will deepen your knowledge in key areas of meteorology, including theoretical meteorology, synoptics (meteorology), numerics and statistics, circulation and composition of the atmosphere. A meteorological lab course and a seminar on weather forecasting give you the opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge in practice.

The program prepares you optimally for a further master's degree. You will lay the foundation for a wide range of career paths beyond the well-known field of weather forecasting, for example in the preparation of environmental reports, risk assessment of natural hazards in the insurance industry, the energy industry or in numerical simulation.

Program structure

During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.

Im ersten Teil deines Studiums (Semester 1-3) durchläufst du wie in allen Studiengängen der Fakultät für Physik eine physikalisch-mathematische Grundausbildung, bestehend aus den Fächern

• Klassische Experimentalphysik mit den Modulen Mechanik, Elektrodynamik, Optik & Thermodynamik sowie dem Praktikum Klassische Physik 1,
• Theoretische und Moderne Physik mit einem Einführungsmodul sowie den Modulen Mechanik und Moderne Physik für Meteorologen und
• Mathematik und Informatik mit Höhere Mathematik I-III sowie Programmieren.

Ergänzend dazu belegst du im ersten Studienjahr das Fach

• Grundlagen der Meteorologie und Klimaphysik, im Rahmen dessen du zum Abschluss des 2. Semesters die Modulprüfung Einführung in die Meteorologie und Klimaphysik absolvierst.

Ab dem dritten Semester erweitert sich dein Studienplan um die Fächer Theoretische und Angewandte Meteorologie und es erfolgt eine sukzessive Vertiefung deiner meteorologischen und klimatologischen Grundlagenkenntnisse.

So absolvierst du neben einem Einführungs- und einem Fortgeschrittenenmodul in Theoretischer Meteorologie (Semester 3-5) im Bereich der Angewandten Meteorologie (Semester 3-6) eine Vielzahl von Vorlesungen, Übungen und auch ein weiteres Praktikum, z.B. zu Themen wie Meteorologisches Messen, Numerik & Statistik und Synoptik (Wetterkunde).

Im sechsten Semester sieht dein Studienplan mit dem Modul Zirkulation & Zusammensetzung der Atmosphäre eine weitere Vertiefung im Fach Grundlagen der Meteorologie und Klimaphysik vor. Gleichzeitig widmest du dich deiner Bachelorarbeit, mit der du dein Studium abschließt. Nähere Informationen zu deinen Lehrveranstaltungen findest du im Modulhandbuch.

Internship

The bachelor's degree program in Meteorology and Climate Physics at KIT does not include a mandatory internship. However, you can complete a voluntary internship during your studies, as long as it is related to your program content. If the internship covers at least half of the lecture period, you can apply for a semester of leave at the Students Office.

Auslandsaufenthalte

Im Bachelorstudiengang Meteorologie und Klimaphysik hast du die Möglichkeit, wertvolle internationale Erfahrungen zu sammeln. Du kannst zum Beispiel ein Auslandssemester absolvieren, in dem du ohne Studiengebühren an einer Partnerhochschule studierst und Leistungen erbringst, die dir bei deiner Rückkehr ans KIT anerkannt werden können.

Informationen zu bestehenden Austauschprogrammen, wie zum Beispiel ERASMUS+ oder dem Eucor-Verbund, erhältst du auf der Seite Auslandsaufenthalt des Instituts für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung sowie beim International Students Office des KIT, das zusätzlich noch weitere Programme für alle KIT-Studierenden vermittelt.

Bachelor's thesis

At the end of your studies, you will write a bachelor's thesis in which you demonstrate that you can work on a subject-specific problem independently and within a limited period of time using scientific methods. The maximum processing time is six months. You can write your thesis in German or English.

The bachelor's thesis also includes a presentation, which must take place no later than four weeks after submitting the thesis.

With a bachelor's degree in Meteorology and Climate Physics, you will have career prospects in the well-known field of weather forecasting (at national and private weather services) as well as in the field of environmental assessments (e.g. at engineering firms that prepare studies on wind power locations or the impact of urban development on air quality) and in the insurance and energy industry, where you can, for example, assess the risk of natural and environmental disasters or make weather forecasts with regard to securing the power supply. You can also work for banks and companies that develop software or carry out numerical simulations of all kinds.

Besonderheiten von Meteorologie und Klimaphysik B.Sc. am KIT

• Verankerung des Studiengangs am Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung (IMK) der KIT-Fakultät für Physik mit starkem Forschungsbezug
• enge Verzahnung von theoretischen, experimentellen und praktischen Aspekten der Meteorologie auf der Basis einer fundierten mathematisch-physikalischen Grundausbildung
• Brückenkurse und semesterbegleitende Kurse am MINT-Kolleg
• Möglichkeit eines entschleunigten Studiums durch Teilnahme an Kursen des MINT-Kollegs
• konsekutiver englischsprachiger Masterstudiengang
• Atmosphärenforschung am KIT unter den Top-Unis weltweit 
• kleiner Studiengang ermöglicht kleine Lerngruppen, engen Kontakt zu Lehrenden und persönliche Beratung

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• orientation week before the start of lectures
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• Lernraum app
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network

Higher education entrance qualification (HZB)

Germans and persons of equal status to Germans (i.e. EU/EEA nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals with a German higher education entrance qualification) are entitled to study at KIT if they have one of the following qualifications:

1. General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
2. (relevant) subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification (not Fachhochschulreife)
3. Delta examination of the University of Mannheim (for holders of a Fachhochschulreife)
4. recognized advanced vocational training (e.g. master craftsperson) or vocational training, professional experience and aptitude test for those with professional qualifications

For further options, see §58 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act).

Please note: German nationals with a foreign school-leaving qualification must have the relevant "Regierungspräsidium" (regional authority) certify that their qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur.

For non-EU/EEA nationals with a foreign school-leaving certificate (hereinafter also referred to simply as non-EU/EEA nationals), the school-leaving certificate from some countries is recognized as a direct university entrance qualification in Germany. In many cases, however, in addition to the school-leaving certificate, a university entrance examination and/or a successful year of study in the home country and/or the "Feststellungsprüfung" must be proven with valid documents in order to be allowed to study a bachelor's degree in Germany. You can find the country-specific regulations in the DAAD admissions database or on the Anabin website (in German only) of the "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen" (Central Office for Foreign Education). Further information is available from the International Students Office.

Language requirements and certificates

For the bachelor's degree program in Meteorology and Climate Physics, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language, which must correspond to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your higher education or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passed German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above demonstrating your German language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate at least B1 language proficiency. Proof of B1 level is provided by a recognized language certificate or other certification from a language or other educational institution that clearly shows that B1 level has been achieved.

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take a recognized language test.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extensvion can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Student Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

Additional necessary requirements for enrollment

For Germans and those with German equivalent status, an additional necessary requirement for enrollment is proof of participation in a study orientation test (e.g. www.was-studiere-ich.de) or a study orientation consultation in accordance with §7 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act), e.g. by the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) of KIT. Non-EU/EEA nationals do not have to provide this proof.

• all year round Information events of the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) on your desired degree programs, application and admission as well as starting your studies
• Try out KIT - clarify your interests and support your study decision by taking advantage of the diverse summer offers or participating in taster lectures.
• Campus Day: experience the campus live (together with your family) in spring and make your first personal contacts with the departments and their students
• Studieninformationstag: visit KIT on the state-wide study information day in November and experience the lecture hall feeling for the first time
• topMINT: you don't know yet what you want to study and need to bridge the summer? Take advantage of our orientation semester before you start your studies.
• Use our central online portal studienstart.kit.edu with all the important information and services you need to prepare for your studies and your first semester at KIT. Be it preparatory courses, study-related courses or mentoring programs.
• Orientation phase before the start of lectures - from students for students to get to know KIT, your fellow students and your student council. You will receive specific information on this when you enrol.
• You will be welcomed by KIT with a colorful supporting program at the welcome event for first semester students. You will receive the invitation after your enrollment.

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Physik
• Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung
• Fachstudienberatung
• Prüfungsausschuss
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft Physik

Teaching calendar

Course catalog

• Course catalog current term
• Course catalog current term PDF (English)
• Archive of previous catalogs