MRes Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere

Programme Manager: Dr Ian Brooks

Introduction

This 1-year course is designed to prepare graduates in the physical sciences and mathematics for research careers in Atmospheric, Earth and/or Environmental Sciences. It is ideally bridging the gap between undergraduate studies in physics, chemistry, mathematics and environmental sciences and study for a PhD.
The course gives students a broad overview of physical problems in both solid Earth geophysics and atmospheric science, a sound physical understanding of natural processes, and through a strong emphasis on quantitative data interpretation and physical and numerical modelling, the skills needed to conduct research in these subjects.

MRes Physics of Earth and Atmosphere brochure

Entry requirements

Qualifications required for the course are an upper second class degree or better, or an overseas equivalent in a Physical Science (e.g. Physics, Maths, Chemistry, Engineering, Geophysics, Atmospheric Science, Environmental Science, Meteorology, or Oceanography) and a good A level in Mathematics. Preferably students will have studied at least one year of university-level mathematics, though additional courses are available as part of the course.
More on entry requirements for Masters programmes is available here

Financing your study

The course has 5 NERC Advanced-course studentships available for UK students (or EU students with 3 or more years UK residency) - to be considered you must apply by for the course by the 31st March 2010 (applications will be considered after this date if funding is still available and for applicants funding themselves).
Information on student finances and living costs in Leeds is available in the Finance pages and information on scholarships is available via Masters Funding
Students focusing on Atmospheric Science might also be eligible to apply for a Scholarship from the Royal Meteorological Society
Information for international students in the School of Earth and Environment can be found via the International Pages. Additional information can be obtained from the International Office

Programme specification

Students undertake 180 credits worth of work during the year based on 4 super-modules, each of which is made up of several components. The independent research project is worth 90 credits, and the other 3 modules 30 credits each. Two modules (Quantitative Skills and Specialist Knowledge) allow students to choose from a range of 'atmospheric' or 'earth science' options.

More on course content

Staff

The course is taught by a wide variety of staff from across the school – primarily from the Institute of Geophysics & Tectonics (IGT) and the Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science (ICAS). The course is managed by Dr Ian Brooks (ICAS) and Prof Jurgen Neuberg (IGT), both of whom also teach some components of the course, and regularly supervise project students.

Benefits of the course

Transferable and generic skills taught include: writing of scientific abstracts, papers, and proposals; verbal presentations and group discussion; computing and numerical methods; quantitative data analysis: and independent research. 50% of the course will comprise a supervised independent research project. Students carry out research-directed work, implementing new developments and joining existing and new collaborations with agencies such as the Meteorological Office, British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, International Seismological Centre, and Institute of Hydrology , and also industry placements such as oil companies. Project work can also make use of the School of Earth and Environment's long-term field sites in Yorkshire and Scotland for ground-based and tethered balloon atmospheric research. Many students perform field projects in conjunction with international field campaigns.

Career Prospects

More than half of our students go on to further PhD study in geophysics or atmospheric science. Other students have proceeded to research roles in government or industry: examples include jobs with a geophysical survey consultancy, oil and mineral extraction companies, an environmental efficiency consultancy for the building trade, and a wind-power company. Employment prospects for graduates of the course are excellent: students with such quantitative skills are in high demand. A career in scientific research is always can interesting – sometimes exciting – but not everyone is suited to it; the MRes course provide a good opportunity to get a taste of geophysical research study and decided whether it is really the career for you.

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