Overview of the Graduate Program

Rapid growth of research in atmospheric sciences began in the late 1940s in response to needs and opportunities in weather forecasting. Thus, the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington was established in 1947. Today, intensive research is underway to extend the time scale over which useful forecasts can be made and to increase the amount of regional and temporal detail in short-range forecasts. 

In addition, the atmospheric sciences now address a broad range of other problems of fundamental interest and importance. Examples include changes in climate that could result from increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, acid rain associated with industrial effluents, and the application of remote-sensing techniques to the monitoring and understanding of weather and climate.

Graduate students in the atmospheric sciences come from a variety of disciplines:  physics, chemistry, engineering, atmospheric or geophysical sciences, and applied mathematics.  Opportunities are broad enough that each of these backgrounds is valuable for specific fields within the atmospheric sciences. Students should nevertheless have in common a solid background in fundamental physics and applied mathematics. Research in the atmospheric sciences often extends beyond the strict limits of the subject into other areas of geophysical and environmental sciences. Depending upon their special interests, students may take courses in physics, mathematics, chemistry, oceanography, geophysics, engineering and other fields.

For most students, the first year of graduate study is devoted largely to basic courses in atmospheric sciences and mathematical methods. Research projects and graduate courses in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences are closely related, and the well-prepared graduate student may expect to begin research work rather quickly.  Virtually all advanced students devote at least half-time to research that may include experimental laboratory work, observations in the field, data analysis, numerical simulation, and mathematical analysis.

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences offers programs of graduate study leading to the degrees of Master of Sciences (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).  The Department also cooperates in offering studies leading to degrees of M.S. and Ph.D. under the interdepartmental Program on Climate Change and Program on Astrobiology and under less formal arrangements with other degree-granting units on campus.

Research assistantships are available for graduate students working towards advanced degrees. Graduate students are required to spend one quarter as a teaching assistant early in their graduate career, and a second quarter after passing their General Exam. Normally, research assistantships may be held for up to three years for the M.S. Program and six years for the Ph.D. Program.

Each candidate for an advanced degree is expected to attend Department of Atmospheric Sciences colloquia, and to participate in the Graduate Student Forum, which meets to discuss academic and nonacademic issues of interest to graduate students.

For further information please contact Samantha Scherer , Counseling Services Coordinator