MSc/MPhil in Environmental and Energy Sciences

The Master’s program in Environmental and Energy Sciences promotes research excellence and educates students on the scientific frontiers and advanced methodologies at the vanguard of interconnected issues related to Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences, Water Sciences, Energy and Sustainability. The challenging curricula include core subjects aiming to build a common basis among students from different disciplines as well as a wide number of electives that provide insight into a variety of more specialized topics. The program is offered by The Cyprus Institute (CyI) Graduate School and it is centred around the Research and Innovation activities of two of its five Research Centres: the Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre (CARE-C), and the Energy, Environment and Water Research Centre (EEWRC), both of which are internationally recognized centres addressing important interdisciplinary scientific and technological issues on regional problems of global significance.

The program is accredited by The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education. The language of instruction and communication of the Cyprus Institute is English.

Degree Tracks

The Master's degree in Environmental and Energy Sciences with three specialization Tracks in Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences, Water Sciences, and Sustainable Energy, aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions in the environment, involving atmosphere, climate, water resources, and energy systems.

The program's structure allows students to explore the interconnections between these three specializations, enabling them to develop holistic approaches to addressing complex environmental challenges. The program includes a combination of track-specific core courses and electives, allowing students to tailor their studies to their specific interests and career goals. Coursework is complemented by the research project and opportunities for hands-on learning through fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and internships. Graduates will be prepared for careers in environmental consulting, government agencies, research institutions, and private companies working on air quality, meteorology and climate, water resources and renewable energy, contributing to the development of sustainable solutions for a changing world.

Students who enter the program can select one of the following three tracks:

The Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences Track provides a solid foundation of air pollution, climate and weather, enabling the students to contribute academically and professionally to the increasing challenges of the Anthropocene related to atmospheric and climate change. It covers the basic principles of atmospheric physics and chemistry of gases and aerosols, the state and dynamics of various meteorological phenomena, the factors controlling air quality and climate change and the modelling methods and tools to predict them, as well as the techniques and instrumentation used for air pollution control. In addition, specifically designed courses aim to train the next generation of scientists seeking a professional career in Meteorology, covering all topics required for professionals employed in national departments of meteorology as prescribed by the World Meteorological Office (WMO).

The Water Sciences Track aims to provide knowledge on the hydrologic cycle, hydrologic processes and water quality, nurturing the capacity to apply hydrologic field and laboratory equipment and models to measure and model hydrologic processes. It will also equip the students with the necessary tools to operate professionally in a rapidly changing world affected by water scarcity and climate change, with increasing floods and droughts. The students will obtain theoretical and practical insights into integrated water resources, management, hydrodiplomacy and the water-energy-food-ecosystems (WEFE) nexus. Students can learn to obtain a solid understanding of terrestrial ecosystem processes and their interactions with the environment.

The Sustainable Energy Track uses the concept of sustainability with a focus on energy systems and resource economics to support a sustainable transition toward carbon-neutral energy systems and communities by providing students with (1) fundamental knowledge to understand the principles of energy science and thermal engineering and enable critical understanding of physics principles and their application in energy systems design and evaluation, (2) state-of-the-art tools and skills to assess the potential of renewable energy technologies to support the prosperity of thriving societies; (3) methods in policies to manage energy resources in a world constrained by finite natural resources and global climate change, in combination with knowledge of economic principles to address energy and environmental management issues at the local, national and global level.