Master of Science (M.S.)

There are two M.S. degree options: thesis and nonthesis. Students can change their option at any time, but must declare which option they are pursuing. They should also first coordinate any changes with their advisor.

For both the thesis and nonthesis options there is a set of six core courses which are highly recommended as a good foundation for graduate degrees in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained for both options.

The timeline for receiving a Master's degree is approximately 2 to 3 years.

The following is a listing of the core courses:

ATM OCN 610: Geophysical Fluid Dynamics 1 (3 credits)

ATM OCN 611: Geophysical Fluid Dynamics 2 (3 credits)

ATM OCN 630: Introduction to Atmospheric Physics (3 credits)

ATM OCN 640: Radiation in the Atmosphere & Ocean (3 credits)

ATM OCN 650: Analysis of Atmospheric Systems (3 credits)

ATM OCN 660: Physical Oceanography (3 credits)

Every student seeking an M.S. degree will, in consultation with their advisor, design a curriculum which must be approved by their advisor.

Degree Requirements

Thesis Option

The student conducts research supervised by their major professor. Results of the research are written into a master's thesis, following guidelines set by the Graduate School, library, department, thesis committee, and major professor. While conducting the research and writing the thesis, the student may want to (but is not required to) register for research credits (ATM OCN 990). The student must have a major professor to utilize the thesis option. Additional course work is required.

Thesis. The thesis must be a well organized piece of work written in clear English. The thesis is approved by the major professor and two additional faculty members. A public oral presentation of the thesis research is required.

Course Credits. Total of 24 credits of courses numbered 400 or above, is required. 12 of the credits must be taken in our department as lecture courses (seminars, research, independent study or directed reading courses do not satisfy this requirement). A grade of B or greater is required for these 12 credits. The additional 12 credits may be taken in or out of our department. Credits can include seminars, core courses, and other courses taken as a graduate student (graduate level courses taken as an undergraduate student or special student don't count). Research credits do not count toward the 24 credit requirement. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained.

Nonthesis Option

The student must demonstrate technical writing skill, gain an interdisciplinary background with courses outside the department, and can utilize professional experience, internships, or other courses to round out their education. The grad chair will serve as academic advisor unless the student finds another faculty member willing to serve as advisor.

Writing Requirement. Each student must write a paper demonstrating technical writing skill. The student can write this paper by working individually with a professor in a directed research setting, or as part of a seminar class. The professor in charge of the directed research or seminar class will decide on the acceptance of that paper and indicate so by signing the paper. The accepted paper should be given to the grad coordinator or grad chair to be filed with the student's record.

Course Credits. A total of 36 credits and a GPA of 3.0 are required. At least 12 of the credits taken in our department must be B or greater. All credits must be earned as a graduate student (graduate level courses taken as an undergraduate student or special student don't count).

18 - 24 are nonseminar course credits numbered 400 or above in our department. Department core courses count toward this requirement.

6 - 12 are nonseminar courses outside our discipline.

6 - can be course or seminar credits in any department. Research credits are only allowed if approved by your advisor. Some of these remaining 6 credits may be awarded for prior professional experience, or by an internship conducted as part of the M.S. program. Only 2 credits for an internship can be used.

Courses Outside of AOS

Here is a listing of courses that students have taken outside of the department to satisfy degree requirements.

Note: Some 300 level courses in other departments may be acceptable for both options. You must receive approval of your advisor to use a 300 level course for degree requirements. Courses in our department must be at or above the 400 level.

Progress and Completion Guidelines

At the start of the graduate work, the student should declare which option will be pursued, and acquire from the grad coordinator a copy of the appropriate M.S. warrant request form. The student can record on this form the courses taken and grades received, and use it as a check list to monitor their own progress toward the degree. The M.S. degree should be completed within three years.

All students normally take a full load of 8 to 12 credits during each of the first two semesters. International students might take fewer credits if necessary to allow time to improve their English.

Each student must make satisfactory progress, as specified by the departmental and Graduate School satisfactory progress guidelines, which are available from the grad chair or grad coordinator. Failure to maintain satisfactory progress may result in probation, or dismissal from the department. The cumulative GPA in Graduate School must be no less than 3.0.

When the student and his/her advisor determine that all degree requirements will be met during the current semester, they submit a Warrant Application to the graduate coordinator. This is done approximately three weeks before the degree deadline for the current semester. If all requirements have been met, the grad coordinator orders the warrant from the Graduate School. The warrant is signed by the student's major professor, thesis committee, or advisor as appropriate. The graduate coordinator then returns the warrant to the Graduate School and they issue the official degree.

The Graduate School has a document on their web site that will answer questions on procedures. Information on thesis preparation is also available. Our department does not have any formatting requirements and you can follow the Graduate School guidelines.

Thesis students must deposit an unbound copy of the thesis at the Memorial Library by the degree deadline. This copy should be on bond paper. You must also provide the graduate coordinator with a hardbound copy of your thesis. The hardbound copy must be received within one month of the degree deadline.Your key deposits will not be returned until the department has the hardbound copy.

For information on commencement, you can call the Commencement Information Hotline at 262-9076. You can also get information on the web site for the Secretary of the Faculty.

If you have an assistantship, it will end on the date that you deposit your thesis in the Memorial Library.