The course Urban and Topoclimatology is part of the module Climate and Water Balance and is offered in the first semester of the master’s program. Building on the climatological foundations acquired during the bachelor’s degree, the course addresses advanced and more complex topics in urban and topoclimatology and provides a scientific basis for independent projects and future research work.

The course is divided into the thematic fields of topoclimatology and urban climatology and combines theoretical content with student presentations on selected topics:

Topoclimatology

• Radiation balance and heat balance
• Thermal and dynamic wind systems
• Clouds and precipitation

Urban Climatology

• Urban metabolism and urban ecology
• Radiation and energy balance
• The urban heat island
• Water balance and humidity
• Clouds and precipitation
• Methods in urban climatology: measurements and modelling
• Climate change and climate-sensitive design

and many more. These topics serve as the basis for in-depth scientific discussions following the presentations.

To successfully complete the module, students take a module examination on urban and topoclimatology as well as climate and water balance at the end of the semester.