Third Semester

You do not have any mandatory courses in the third semester, therefore you could either participate in the Climate Study Project and some elective courses from our three program tracks, or use this opportunity to spend time abroad in one of our partner programs. In this case, you will participate in the Climate Study Project and the electives e.g. in your fourth semester.

The Climate Study Project is an individual research project in preparation for your master’s thesis. During the lecture period, you will work on a supervised project of your choice in one of the research groups within the Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability. You will document your findings in a report. In addition, all students present their projects in a seminar.

Overview of the modules offered in the third semester:

Climate System Science Seminar

Module abbreviation: 3.1 CLISEM

Title: Climate System Science Seminar

Learning Outcomes: Students are able to present aspects of their work in the study project to an audience with similar background but different specialization. Students have an overview of current topics and the state-of-the-art in integrated climate system sciences.

Contents:

Compulsory seminars:
3.1.1 Climate System Science Seminar (Beer)

Language: English

Formal Requirements for Participation: Concurrent participation in the module: Climate Study Project

Recommended Prerequisites: See specific announcements for the individual courses

Exam Framework:

Type: Presentation and report
Requirements for registration: >80% attendance of the courses
Language: English
Duration/Size: Oral presentation of 20-30 minutes. Report of 3 to 5 pages (1000 to 1500 words).
Credit Points: 3

Course Type and Usability: Compulsory for M.Sc. ICSS; open for students of related M.Sc. programs, dependent on capacities and schedule.

Frequency of Offer: Annually in the winter semester

Duration: One semester

Module Coordinator: Head of SICSS

Climate System Science Seminar (Course)

Climate Study Project

Module abbreviation: 3.2 CLISTUDY

Title: Climate Study Project

Learning Outcomes: Students have gained the necessary background knowledge, as well as methodological, technical and writing skills to begin a master thesis in one of the three tracks.

Contents:
Compulsory courses:

3.2.1 Climate Study Project (Beer)
3.2.2 Scientific Writing (Baehr, Kutzbach)

Language: English

Formal Requirements for Participation: See specific announcements for the individual courses

Recommended Prerequisites: See specific announcements for the individual courses

Exam Framework:

Type: Report
Language: English
Duration/Size: 20-25 pages
Credit Points: 18

Course Type and Usability: Compulsory for M.Sc. ICSS; open for students of related M.Sc. programs, dependent on capacities and schedule.

Frequency of Offer: Every semester

Duration: One semester

Module Coordinator: Head of SICSS

Scientific Writing

Climate Study Project

Climate Science Additionals

Module abbreviation: 3.3 CLIADD

Title: Climate Science Additionals

Learning Outcomes: Students have sufficient specialization in one of the 3 tracks.

Language: English

Formal Requirements for Participation: See specific announcements for the individual courses

Recommended Prerequisites: See specific announcements for the individual courses

Exam Framework:

Type: course-specific: Written or oral; oral or written report; overall test or component testing.
The specific type will be announced at the beginning of the courses
Requirements for registration: course-specific
Language: English
Duration/Size: course-specific
Credit Points: 9

Course Type and Usability: Compulsory for M.Sc. ICSS; open for students of related M.Sc. programs, dependent on capacities and schedule.

Frequency of Offer: Annually in the winter semester

Duration: One semester

Module Coordinator: SICSS track coordinators

Permafrost Soils and Landscapes in the Climate System

Course Number: ICSS-M-3.3.10 (63-320)

Title: Permafrost Soils and Landscapes in the Climate System

Learning Outcomes: The students will have knowledge about permafrost landscapes, soils and vegetation and their role in the climate system. A focus will be set on peri-glacial and cryopedogenetic processes, and related observation and modeling techniques. The students have improved their understanding of environmental and climatic changes in the arctic region. They have obtained competence for the evaluation of ecosystem functions and resources of permafrost landscapes.

Contents: High-latitude terrestrial processes in periglacial landscapes; permafrost and active layer processes; soils of different permafrost landscapes; cryosols in the international soil classifications; patterned-ground processes, frost-action processes, cryoturbation; tundra vegetation, boreal forests and peatlands, tree- and shrubline dynamics; carbon in permafrost soils and sediments; role of high-latitude terrestrial systems in the global climate system; impact of climate and land use change on arctic and boreal ecosystems and permafrost soils; obser-vational versus model results of permafrost changes due to climate change; land-atmosphere feedbacks specific to permafrost landscapes.

Educational Concept: Lectures (2 SWS)

Language: English

Formal Requirements for Participation: None

Recommended Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of soil science

Exam Framework:

Type: Written exam
Requirements for registration: Regular and active participation
Language: English
Duration/Size: 60 minutes

Credit Points: 3

Workload:

Campus Study: 28 hours
Self-study: 36 hours
Exam Preparation: 26 hours

Course Type and Usability: Elective for M.Sc. ICSS; open for students of related M.Sc. programs, dependent on capacities and schedule.

Frequency of Offer: Annually in the winter semester

Duration: One semester

Module Coordinator: Track coordinators

Course Lecturer: C. Beer, L. Kutzbach

Literature: Will be announced during the course.

Predictions and Predictability of Climate

Integrated Assessment of Sustainable Landuse

Course Number: ICSS-M-X (63-912)

Title: Integrated Assessment of Sustainable Landuse

Learning Outcomes: Students will learn how to use mathematical programming models to perform integrated assessments of land use (developments) on multiple sustainability dimensions. Students will acquire technical skills to apply, modify, calibrate, decompose, and interpret agricultural sector models. The knowledge and skills are suitable for a master thesis on sustainable land use questions.

Contents: Students will perform experiments and exercises with a global agricultural sector model. The model will cover food production, consumption and trade; climate change and other environmental impacts; market price reactions and changes in resource scarcity; multiple policy instruments and sustainable development targets; on the production side: options for intensification, extensification, adaption and mitigation, on the consumer side: diet change. All data are available at country level. For selected focus regions, spatially resolved climate change impact data from high-resolution biophysical process models are nested.

Educational Concept: Lectures with frequent hands-on exercises

Language: English

Formal Requirements for Participation: None

Recommended Prerequisites: Prior participation in a GAMS course and/or Estimating Sustainability is helpful

Exam Framework:

Type: Class Project (pass/fail) plus presentation & oral exam (if grade needed)
Requirements for registration: Active participation
Language: English

Credit Points: 3

Workload:

Campus Study: 28 hours
Self-study: 42 hours
Exam Preparation: 20 hours

Course Type and Usability: Elective for M.Sc. ICSS; open for students of related M.Sc. programs, dependent on capacities and schedule.

Frequency of Offer: Annually in the winter semester

Duration: One semester

Module Coordinator: Track coordinators

Course Lecturer: U. Schneider

Literature: The following two open sources are complementary:

Anne Merot, Jacques-Eric Bergez, Jean-Claude Mailhol, Jacques Wery. An integrative modelling approach to simulate the agricultural system through a combination of decisional, technical and biophysical sub-systems. Integrated Assessment of Agriculture and Sustainable Development; Setting the Agenda for Science and Policy, Mar 2009, Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands.
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/ hal-01192258
Kim, Man-Keun; McCarl, Bruce A.; and Spreen, Thomas H., "Applied Mathematical Programming" (2018). Textbooks. 6. hkps://digitalcommons.usu.edu/oer_textbooks/6

Knowledge Production and Epistemic Diversity in a Warmer World

Course Number: 24-504-20

Title: Knowledge Production and Epistemic Diversity in a Warmer World

Comments/contents:

Knowledge production and diffusion shape how people perceive and interact with the world. There is strong evidence that epistemic diversity is crucial for addressing climate change mitigation, adaptation, and socio-ecological transformations at large. However, Western problem definitions and technocratic solutions to global challenges often marginalize these diverse perspectives. Diverse ways of knowing is an integrative approach that encompasses various epistemic and everyday practices, as well as technologies used to engage with the world. This includes different approaches within a single epistemic system, such as observations and models, as well as across different systems, including local, traditional, and Indigenous knowledge systems. Recognizing epistemic diversity and integrating diverse ways of knowing into the production and dissemination of knowledge is important for multiple reasons. It can, for instance, help explain social and behavioral responses to environmental change, including both change and inertia, which arise from varied, context-specific interpretations. In addition, adopting an inclusive approach leads to a deeper understanding of the different types and stages of knowledge production and their influence on policy decisions.
Drawing on philosophy of science, anthropological and science and technology studies, postcolonial scholarship, and on the understanding that knowledge production is a key driver of social change, this course explores the role of diverse ways of knowing and being in the world in the context of climate change. Participants will reflect on how (scientific) knowledge has been historically constructed, globalized, and how more integrative assessments can benefit from engaging with epistemic diversity.

Learning objectives:
Knowledge of important academic positions in the sociology of knowledge, philosophy of science, and postcolonial scholarship; Increased presentation experience; Enhanced ability to critically analyze texts and employ robust research methods; Improved ability to write academic papers.

Didactic concept:
In the first session of the seminar, the course content and objectives are introduced. The seminar focuses on thematic discussions exploring the role of epistemic diversity to understand social dynamics and challenges related to ecological transformations. At the start of the seminar, participants are assigned to each thematic discussion, with responsibility for organizing and presenting the topic. They are free to structure their presentations as they see fit. Core readings are assigned to prepare for each discussion.

Literature:
The seminar plan and the selection of literature will be discussed in the first session and the texts will be provided digitally via STINE.

Additional examination information:
Type of examination: term paper (essay)
Assessment scheme: graded

Scope of the term paper for major subject students (Hauptfachstudierende, 6 CP): 5,000-6,000 words (15-18 pages)

Scope of the term paper for minor subject and teacher training students (Nebenfach- und Lehramtsstudierende, 5 CP): 4,000-5,000 words (12-15 pages)

Scope of the term paper for MSc ICSS students (3 CP): 2,000-3,000 words (6-8 pages)

Submission deadline: 31.03.2026. Please send the paper in two versions (Word + PDF files) to eduardo.gresse@uni-hamburg.de.

Further (ungraded) coursework to be completed as part of the course: Active participation, session preparation by reading a text, co-organization of a session.

Language: English

Course Lecturer: E. Gresse

Practicals on Dynamic Ecosystem Modeling

Urban Climatology

Global Climate Governance

Course Number: 63-927

Title: Global Climate Governance

Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will gain an understanding of the complex interactions between climate science and policy, through the analysis of the role of scientific and other knowledge actors in the policy-making processes of international organizations. Students will develop critical thinking skills and analytical tools to evaluate various forms of linking science, policy and society in climate change governance.

Contents: The course focuses on the complex interplay between climate research and policymaking on the basis of theoretical and conceptual approaches from political science, sociology, and science and technology studies. Using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as key case studies, the course examines global climate governance through the various actors and institutions that link science or other forms of knowledge to policy in governance processes. Alongside conventional approaches about the influence of scientific/expert communities on policy, the course introduces alternative perspectives which consider a broader set of social actors (e.g. social movements) as well as diverse knowledge holders (e.g. Indigenous peoples and local communities). The role of these actors is analyzed through institutional arrangements, especially science-policy interfaces or ‘boundary organizations’, as well as the underlying policy-making processes.

Educational Concept: 2 SWS

Language: English

Formal Requirements for Participation: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Exam Framework:

Type: Assignment
Language: English
Credit Points: 3

Workload:

Campus Study: 28hours
Self-study: 32 hours
Exam Preparation: 30 hours

Course Type and Usability: Open for M.Sc. ICSS students and related M.Sc. programs, dependent on capacities and schedule.

Frequency of Offer: Annually in the winter semester

Duration: 1 semester

Module Coordinator: Track Coordinator Economic and Social Sciences

Course Lecturers: A. López Rivera

Literature: Will be announced during the course.

Climate Change – Settled Science and Open Questions

Geophysical Waves Lab

Course Number: ICSS-M-3.3.6 (63-520)

Title: Geophysical Wave Lab

Comments/contents:
The course will provide introduction into the various types of wave motion playing important part in the atmospheric and ocean dynamics. This is a hands-on course, where you would be able to study and visualize dynamical processes occurring in atmosphere and ocean with a help of simplified numerical models. We will take a look at several classical topics focusing on wave dynamics.

The course is centered around the labs (63-520a), the lectures provide theoretical background and context necessary to understand the physical phenomena and numerical experiments
The course starts from the very basics of wave analysis and progresses towards wave phenomena playing important role in the atmosphere and ocean dynamics
Well suited for students unfamiliar with dynamics and modelling.

The course is aimed at MSc in Meteorology, Oceanography, and Integrated Climate System, however it is open to advanced BSc Students, PhD students, as well as to students from related fields (e.g. Physics and Mathematics) interested in geophysical fluid dynamics and modelling.

Content:
Waves, basic concepts: amplitude, phase, group and phase velocity, wave number and wave vector, dispersion. Linear and non-linear waves.
Surface gravity waves in a non-rotating shallow water system.
Effects of rotation. Rossby waves, geostrophic balance and Rossby radius of deformation. Potential vorticity and conservation laws.
Inertio-gravity waves in a rotating fluid. Kelvin and Poincaré waves. Topographic effects.
Waves in tropics. The effect of Earth’s curvature, the Equatorial beta plane, equatorially trapped waves. The differences between mid-latitude and equatorial dynamics.
Waves on the sphere. Shallow water and primitive equations on the sphere. Normal modes of atmospheric motion. The wave spectra in Earth’s atmosphere and in the deep ocean.
Waves generated by horizontal boundaries. Poincaré and Kelvin waves in a channel. Coastal and continental shelf waves.
Spectrum of atmospheric motions
Free waves in the presence of horizontal temperature gradient. Barotropic and baroclinic instabilities.

Learning objectives:
The students will receive an overview of basic wave concepts important for the atmospheric and ocean dynamics, gain hands on experience in analyzing specific phenomena, such as e.g. Rossby and gravity waves, geostrophic adjustment, barotropic instability, as well as practical skills in designing the numerical experiments and interpreting their results.

Didactic concept:
Lectures and exercises based on numerical labs of various complexity. Each lab covers some aspects of lectures and students perform numerical experiments under the guidance, prepare their answers to questions, and write brief reports.

Literature:
Lecture and Lab Notes, Software Notes
Vallis, G. K., Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics: Fundamentals and Large-Scale Circulation. Cambridge University Press.
Gill, A., Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics. New York, NY: Academic Press.
Additional examination information:
Students submit written reports for selected mandatory labs (4 reports total). Reports are graded and their average grade is the final grade of the course.
Students are given an opportunity of oral exams if a higher grade is requested.

Land Processes and Carbon Feedbacks in the Earth System Models

Decision under Uncertainty in the Integrated Assessment of the Energy-Climate Problem

Course Number: ICSS-M-3.3.15 (22-31.000)

Title: Decision under Uncertainty in the Integrated Assessment of the Energy-Climate Problem

Learning Outcomes: Students will have obtained the pre-requisites to start a master thesis within climate-economic modeling that is dealing with mitigation, impact or adaptation issues under system response uncertainty. This includes a treatment of uncertainty and interpretation of model results. The outcomes of and the key assumptions behind some major modeling assessments within the climate policy arena will have been obtained during the course.

Contents: Treatment of uncertainty in climate-economic modeling with respect to climate and the techno-economic system properties as well as global warming impacts. In-depth discussion of model assumptions including underlying theories within macroeconomics as well as climate science and land use economics. Treatment of uncertainty including stylized decision under (predominantly epistemic) uncertainty, made up by uncertain system properties/model parameters.

Educational Concept: Interactive lectures (2 SWS)

Language: English

Formal Requirements for Participation: Successful completion of the course: Integrated Climate-Economic Modeling or Master of Economics course: Climate dynamics and climate economics or individual permission by the lecturer.

Recommended Prerequisites: Bachelor-level of applied mathematics and scientific English.

Exam Framework:

Type: Will be announced at the beginning of the course
Requirements for registration: Regular and active participation
Language: English

Credit Points: 6

Workload:

Campus Study: 56 hours
Self-study: 64 hours
Exam Preparation: 60 hours

Course Type and Usability: Elective for M.Sc. ICSS; open for students of related M.Sc. programs, dependent on capacities and schedule.

Frequency of Offer: Annually in the winter semester

Duration: One semester

Module Coordinator: Track coordinators

Course Lecturer: H. Held

Literature: Will be announced during the course.

Microeconomics

Application of Stable Isotopes in Terrestrial Ecosystems

Lecture Series Climate and Health

Interdisciplinary Lecture Series Climate Change & Health

Technical Skills

Module abbreviation: 2.5 CLITECH

Title: Technical Skills

Learning Outcomes: Students have gained working knowledge in tools used for scientific programming and data analysis or software development.

Contents:
2 courses have to be chosen from:

Agent-based Modeling – Theory and Applications in the Social Sciences
Atmosphere-Biosphere Coupling: Mechanistic Modeling and Machine Learning Techniques
Introduction to Social Science Methods
Microbial Regulation of Terrestrial Element Cycles
Multiple Stressors - Time and Space Analysis Using Python
Numerical Solutions of Differential Equations and Programming
Reflecting on Sustainable Development Goals
Using the Eddy Covariance Approach for Analysing Land-Atmosphere Fluxes of Energy and Matter

Language: English

Formal Requirements for Participation: See specific announcements for the individual courses

Recommended Prerequisites: See specific announcements for the individual courses

Exam Framework:

Type: Course specific exam (pass/fail), as a rule: practicals.
Deviations will be announced at the beginning of the courses
Requirements for registration: >80% attendance of the courses
Language: English
Credit Points: 3

Course Type and Usability: Compulsory for M.Sc. ICSS; open for students of related M.Sc. programs, dependent on capacities and schedule.

Frequency of Offer: Annually in the summer semester

Duration: One semester

Module Coordinator: Head of SICSS

Microbial Regulation of Terrestrial Element Cycles

Using the Eddy Covariance Approach for Analysing Land-Atmosphere Fluxes of Energy and Matter

Numerical Solutions of Differential Equations and Programming

Introduction to Social Science Methods

Reflecting on Sustainable Development Goals

Atmosphere-Biosphere Coupling: Mechanistic Modeling and Machine Learning Techniques

Course Number: ICSS-M-2.5.8 (63-935)

Title: Atmosphere-Biosphere Coupling: Mechanistic Modeling and Machine Learning Techniques

Contents:
From the canopies of dense forests to the streets of mega-cities, nearly all life on Earth, with the exception of marine organisms, is found in a thin layer –– the lowest part of the atmosphere that sits atop the land surface. Understanding, modelling, and predicting this thin layer, however, presents major challenges: the land surface does not mix, in contrast to other Earth system components, and hence, involves strong spatial heterogeneity, pronounced memory effects, and strong dependence on difficult-to-observe states. This course explores this land-atmospheric boundary layer system, which includes the interactions between the land surface, soil, vegetation, and atmosphere —shaping weather and climate. The first purpose of this course is to introduce systematically to the most important biogeochemical and (biogeo)physical processes that take place in the coupled system. In that, the course covers mechanistic modelling approaches of these processes controlling the surface energy budget, moisture budget, momentum budget, CO2 budget and boundary layer clouds, which are essential for understanding climate and ecosystem patterns. The second purpose is to introduce the data-driven paradigm and hybrid modelling of the system (linking data-driven and mechanistic modelling) using various observational datasets. In the practical sessions, students will learn to apply these techniques to real-world problems, working in groups on projects that explore current research questions in land-atmosphere interactions. Under supervision, students will review the state-of-the-art, formulate and discuss hypotheses, develop a research plan, and explore simulations and real-world observations to address the hypotheses.

Learning Outcomes: Students have an advanced understanding of processes dominating atmosphere-biosphere interactions in terms of energy, water, and carbon. They acquire key concepts of modelling the coupled atmosphere-biosphere system based on mechanistic approaches and new machine learning approaches infusing observational data. Students understand the strengths and weaknesses, develop a range of skills in data analysis, modelling, and critical thinking, and will be able to apply these skills in interdisciplinary environmental research.

Educational Concept: Seminar (2 SWS)

Language: English
Credit Points: 3

Module Coordinator: Head of SICSS

Course Lecturer: Winkler

Third Semester

Overview of the modules offered in the third semester:

Climate System Science Seminar

Climate System Science Seminar (Course)

Climate Study Project

Scientific Writing

Climate Study Project

Climate Science Additionals

Permafrost Soils and Landscapes in the Climate System

Predictions and Predictability of Climate

Integrated Assessment of Sustainable Landuse

Knowledge Production and Epistemic Diversity in a Warmer World

Practicals on Dynamic Ecosystem Modeling

Urban Climatology

Global Climate Governance

Climate Change – Settled Science and Open Questions

Geophysical Waves Lab

Land Processes and Carbon Feedbacks in the Earth System Models

Decision under Uncertainty in the Integrated Assessment of the Energy-Climate Problem

Microeconomics

Application of Stable Isotopes in Terrestrial Ecosystems

Lecture Series Climate and Health

Interdisciplinary Lecture Series Climate Change & Health

Technical Skills

Microbial Regulation of Terrestrial Element Cycles

Using the Eddy Covariance Approach for Analysing Land-Atmosphere Fluxes of Energy and Matter

Numerical Solutions of Differential Equations and Programming

Introduction to Social Science Methods

Reflecting on Sustainable Development Goals

Atmosphere-Biosphere Coupling: Mechanistic Modeling and Machine Learning Techniques

Multiple Stressors - Time and Space Analysis Using Python

Multiple Stressors Using Agent-Based Modeling

Agent-based Modeling – Theory and Applications in the Social Sciences