BSc Meteorology and Climate

Compulsory modules

Introduction to Meteorology

Learn about key concepts in atmospheric science and gain an understanding of atmospheric structure and composition. You’ll study a wide range of topics including weather disturbances, climate phenomena, and how we forecast atmospheric phenomena. 

Physics of the Natural World

Gain a solid grounding in classical physics, crucial for developing further skills in quantitative natural science. You’ll apply mechanics, thermal physics and electromagnetism to a range of problems and systems.

Weather and Climate Fundamentals 

Apply universal laws of physics to the Earth’s weather and climate, using idealised calculations to analyse real weather systems. You’ll develop skills in problem solving, data analysis and the application of key theories.

Skills for Environmental Science

Learn about the instruments and techniques used in meteorology, and their limitations. You’ll develop fundamental skills in laboratory experimentation, as well as computer programming skills, which are useful for data processing and analysis.

Calculus 

Extend your existing knowledge of calculus into two or more dimensions, exploring techniques of ordinary differential equations of the first and second order and learning how programming has mathematical applications.

Linear Algebra

Learn how to solve systems of linear equations, determine eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and develop the algebra of matrices which are used as a stepping-stone to the more general theory of liner and inner-product spaces.

These are the modules we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest teaching and research methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Climate Change

Develop a conceptual understanding of climate change as you examine changes in atmospheric composition in the recent past and over thousands of years. You’ll also investigate climate change prediction and its limitations, the current and potential future impacts of climate change, and explore what can be done to adapt to these impacts.

Numerical and Statistical Methods for Weather and Climate Science

Gain essential knowledge of how to derive and interpret scientific results. You’ll learn the theoretical principles behind numerical and statistical methods, and where they’re most appropriately used in weather and climate science.

Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics

Examine the fluid dynamics that drive the circulation of the ocean and the atmosphere. Through studying real-life phenomena and observing laboratory demonstrations, you’ll gain an understanding of the physical processes affecting fluid motions and the equations used to study them.

Atmospheric Physics

Study the processes that cause the sun to heat the Earth and clouds to form. You’ll study radiative transfer, how radiation passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, the physical processes in clouds, and how water particles form and evolve.

Mathematical Methods for Weather and Climate

Develop your mathematical skills by studying three essential tools for climate science: vector analysis and vector calculus, ordinary and partial differential equations, and mathematical methods for analysing observations.

Optional modules

Weather Forecasting 

Discover the process of modern weather forecasting, which has numerical weather prediction at its core. You’ll produce weather forecasts for a range of different customers, and have the opportunity to film a TV weather forecast in the Department of Film, Theatre and Television’s purpose-built TV studio.

Air Pollution: Chemistry, Transport and Dispersion

Develop your understanding of the chemical and physical processing of pollutants in the atmosphere. You’ll study air pollution on a local and global scale, as well as the formation of ozone. You’ll also explore the implications of air pollution, including for air quality in cities and for climate change.

These are the modules we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest teaching and research methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Undergraduate Research Project

Embark on a major piece of independent study, where you’ll hone your research skills as you carry out a piece of work on a selected topic, with the support of a supervisor. You’ll also develop oral, report writing, and presentation skills.

Optional modules

Dynamics of Weather Systems

Learn about the underpinning physics that explains why weather systems exist, and how they develop and generate high-impact weather around the world.

Atmospheric Electricity and Space Weather

Explore the natural hazards associated with thunderstorm electrification and lightning, and those caused by our nearest star. You’ll also learn about predicting and mitigating these hazards.

Remote Sensing Methods and Applications

Learn how to gather information about the atmosphere using electromagnetic waves. You’ll consider the use of satellite and ground-based instruments, and look at how radar and lidar are used to provide information about precipitation and clouds. This module will prepare you for developing and analysing remote sensing data sets, which are essential in weather and climate science.

Surface and Boundary Layer Meteorology 

Using data analysis and basic modelling, examine how processes such as turbulence and surface energy exchange affect the atmospheric boundary layer and its sub-layers.

Global Climate Dynamics

Develop your understanding of the Earth’s large-scale atmospheric circulation. You’ll examine how physical and dynamic processes – including constraints on momentum, energy and moisture – contribute to circulation.

Fundamentals of Ocean Circulation and Climate

Study modern approaches to the observation, theory and modelling of oceans. You’ll develop an understanding of how ocean circulation develops by interacting with the atmosphere, and how it plays a critical role in determining current climate and long-term changes in climate.

Numerical Modelling For Weather and Climate Science

Learn how computer models for weather forecasting and climate prediction work. You’ll develop your computer programming skills as you build your own model of the atmosphere or ocean and use it to conduct experiments.

Data Science and Climate Services

Find out how quantitative climate data sets can be used to estimate climate impacts and model their consequences. You’ll discover how “raw” numbers can be analysed using statistical methods, and how they’re applied to decision making, as well as how to communicate data-derived information to a range of audiences.

Atmospheric Science Field Trip

Gain hands-on experience of using meteorological instruments and interpreting data gathered in the field. Through a series of lectures and a residential field trip in the UK, you’ll learn how different instruments work, examine the influence of the atmosphere on meteorology in a specific location, and conduct field measurement as part of a team.  

These are the modules we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest teaching and research methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.