Masters degrees in Environmental Physics equip postgraduates with the skills to use principles in Physics to understand properties and processes within the environment, including the atmosphere and oceans.
Related postgraduate specialisms include Ecotoxicology and Applied Meteorology. Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as Environmental Science or Physics.
Courses in this field increase your understanding of the physics behind the atmosphere, oceans, ice sheets and the Earth's crust. You may also analyse aspects of space weather and the Sun, particularly its influences on the Earth’s weather systems. For example, you might explore how the gravitational forces of the Moon influence oceanic processes, or how solar flares increase atmospheric temperature.
This includes investigation of the atomic and sub-atomic processes at play, and examination of the transfer of energy and properties between different sources of matter. These methods allow you to understand key environmental issues, including atmospheric pollution and climate change, plate tectonics and natural disasters, and the biodiversity of plant and animal life.
Careers in this area are extremely broad, with typical careers following routes in environmental conservation and research, policy-making and regulation, and academia.
