Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (Ph.D.)
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (4 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATOC 700 | Ph.D. Proposal Seminar. | 1 |
Ph.D. Proposal Seminar. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Seminar where students present their research and a comprehensive framework for the thesis. | ||
| ATOC 701 | Ph.D. Comprehensive (General). | 0 |
Ph.D. Comprehensive (General). Terms offered: Summer 2025 An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program. | ||
Complementary Courses (7 credits)
Students are required to take ATOC 751D1 Seminar: Atmosphere and Ocean. and ATOC 751D2 Seminar: Atmosphere and Ocean. OR ATOC 752D1 Atmospheric, Oceanic and Climate Dynamics. and ATOC 752D2 Atmospheric, Oceanic and Climate Dynamics.
1 credit from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATOC 751D1 | Seminar: Atmosphere and Ocean. | 0.5 |
Seminar: Atmosphere and Ocean. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Presentation of research to departmental staff and students. General presentations on library services, scientific communication, tips for scholarship applications, mental health issues. | ||
| ATOC 751D2 | Seminar: Atmosphere and Ocean. | 0.5 |
Seminar: Atmosphere and Ocean. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. See ATOC 751D1 for course description. | ||
| ATOC 752D1 | Atmospheric, Oceanic and Climate Dynamics. | 0.5 |
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Climate Dynamics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Seminars on topics in atmospheric, oceanic and climate dynamics. Students are required to present one or more seminars during the year on their thesis research and to participate actively in the seminars given by others. | ||
| ATOC 752D2 | Atmospheric, Oceanic and Climate Dynamics. | 0.5 |
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Climate Dynamics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. See ATOC 752D1 for course description. | ||
6 credits from the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, at the 500 or 600 level, as approved by the department Graduate Program Director.