The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science offers graduate study leading to the Master of Professional Studies, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Coursework in atmospheric and oceanic sciences is also offered at the upper division and graduate level as a service to other campus graduate programs. The educational program is broadly based and involves many applications of the mathematical, physical and applied sciences that characterize modern atmospheric sciences and physical oceanography, including climate and earth system science, and multidisciplinary studies of the interrelationship among the atmosphere, the oceans, the land, and the biota. The Department's advanced degree programs are designed to prepare students for participation in contemporary research in the atmospheric and oceanic science. Research specializations include: atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric chemistry, physical oceanography, air pollution, atmospheric radiative transfer, remote sensing of the atmosphere, ocean, and land, climate variability and change, data assimilation, numerical weather prediction, severe storms, surface-atmosphere, ocean-atmosphere and biosphere-atmosphere interactions, and earth system modeling. The curriculum includes a set of Core courses to provide a fundamental background in atmospheric and oceanic dynamics, physical meteorology and atmospheric chemistry, earth system science and climate, as well as advanced specialized courses. Supervised research using state-of-the-art facilities then prepares the students for future contributions in their chosen field.
The Carbon Cycle and ecosystems interact with climate throughout Earth's history, from the rise of oxygen to ice ages to future climate change. Department researchers trace its path through the Earth system, research its past through paleoclimatology and predict its effect on Earth's future using climate models.The Carbon Cycle is a biogeochemical cycle where carbon is exchanged through the many parts of the Earth System. Understanding the Carbon Cycle is imperative for predicting future climate change due to anthropogenic burning of fossil fuels because of the multitude of climate feedbacks within the Earth System.Department researchers seek to understand these feedbacks and the mechanisms governing change and variability within the Carbon Cycle.
