Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

Graduate Degrees in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

The interdisciplinary Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) provides an educational and research environment to examine the dynamical, physical and chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere and the ocean. A major theme is the establishment of a physical basis for understanding, observing and modeling climate and global change. Graduate students, research staff and faculty work together on a wide range of research topics, such as large-scale dynamics of ocean and atmosphere, air-sea interaction, radiative transfer and remote sensing of ocean and atmosphere, sea ice and its role in climate, cloud-climate interactions, atmospheric chemistry and aerosols, atmospheric technology, extended weather and climate prediction, hydrological processes and boundary-layer measurement and modeling.

ATOC offers a comprehensive graduate program with a core course structure that emphasizes the fluid dynamical, chemical and physical processes in the atmosphere and ocean.

All PhD students are required to take a total of six ATOC core courses, or their equivalent, from one of the two following ATOC core course tracks:

Atmosphere Track (A-Track)

• ATOC 5050 Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Dynamics
• ATOC 5051 Introduction to Physical Oceanography
• ATOC 5060 Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Oceans
• ATOC 5151 Atmospheric Chemistry 
• ATOC 5235 Introduction to Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and Remote Sensing
• ATOC 5600 Physics and Chemistry of Clouds and Aerosols

Oceanography Track (O-Track)

• ATOC 5050 Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Dynamics
• ATOC 5051 Introduction to Physical Oceanography
• ATOC 5060 Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Oceans
• ATOC 5200 Biogeochemical Oceanography
• ATOC 5235 Introduction to Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and Remote Sensing

Plus one of the following as the sixth course:

• ATOC/ASEN 5215 Descriptive Physical Oceanography
• ATOC/ASTR 5400 Introduction to Fluid Dynamics
• GEOL 5270 Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry
• GEOL 5430 Paloeoceanography and Paleoclimatology
• MCEN 5021 Introduction to Fluid Dynamics

The degree will be in atmospheric and oceanic sciences, regardless of track chosen. The master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation topic is not constrained by choice of track.

ATOC offers many graduate elective courses, and students are encouraged to take related electives offered by other departments.

Prerequisites. An undergraduate degree in mathematics, physics, engineering, chemistry or another natural science is recommended. The general prerequisites expected of incoming graduate students include undergraduate courses in calculus, linear algebra, differential equations and computer programming; as well as one-year sequences of undergraduate calculus-based physics and chemistry. Upper-division undergraduate courses in physics, chemistry, engineering and mathematics are strongly recommended. Undergraduate courses in atmospheric and oceanic sciences are useful, but not expected, as part of the undergraduate background.

Master’s Degree

Course Requirements. For both thesis and nonthesis options, a total of 30 credit hours is required with at least 15 credit hours of ATOC courses numbered 5000 and above. Other specific course requirements are in the ATOC Graduate Handbook.

Examinations. For the thesis option, the final examination consists of an oral exam on the thesis. There is a written final exam for the nonthesis option.

Doctoral Degree

Course Requirements. A total of 36 credit hours is required including the 18 credit hours in ATOC core courses listed above, as well as a graduate-level course in applied or computational mathematics. In addition, 30 dissertation hours are required. Other specific course requirements are covered in the ATOC Graduate Handbook.

Examinations. Students must pass a two-part comprehensive examination before admission into candidacy. Part I of the comprehensive examination is a written exam based on course material and is normally taken in the second year. Part II of the comprehensive examination is normally taken in the third year and is an oral examination based on an original research paper prepared by the student. After a preliminary copy of the dissertation has been accepted for defense by the student's committee, a final examination on the dissertation and related topics is conducted.