Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (Thesis) (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The M.Sc. degree requires a minimum of 45 credits, up to a maximum of 51 credits. The program includes from 9 to 27 credits of coursework (depending on the student's background).
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 Courses (24 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATOC 691 | Master's Thesis Literature Review. | 3 |
Master's Thesis Literature Review. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Review of relevant literature in preparation for the M.Sc. research. | ||
| ATOC 692 | Master's Thesis Research 1. | 6 |
Master's Thesis Research 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Independent research under the supervision of the student's M.Sc. supervisor. | ||
| ATOC 694 | Master's Thesis Progress Report and Seminar. | 3 |
Master's Thesis Progress Report and Seminar. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Written report on the M.Sc. research progress and oral presentation of the report in seminar form to staff and students. | ||
| ATOC 699 | Master's Thesis. | 12 |
Master's Thesis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Independent research under the supervision of the student's M.Sc. supervisor leading to the M.Sc. thesis. | ||
Although registration is not required, students registered in M.Sc. programs are expected to regularly attend one of the student seminar series (ATOC 751D1 Seminar: Atmosphere and Ocean./ATOC 751D2 Seminar: Atmosphere and Ocean. or ATOC 752D1 Atmospheric, Oceanic and Climate Dynamics./ATOC 752D2 Atmospheric, Oceanic and Climate Dynamics.) and the Department seminar series during the entire period of their enrolment in the program.
Complementary Courses (21 credits)
Must complete or have completed the following courses or equivalent:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATOC 512 | Atmospheric and Oceanic Dynamics. | 3 |
Atmospheric and Oceanic Dynamics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Equations of motion used to study waves, turbulence, and the general circulation of the atmosphere and oceans. Standard approximations to these equations, including the Boussinesq, primitive, quasigeostrohic, and rotating shallow water equations. Emphasis is on effects for which rotation and/or buoyancy play essential roles. Simple classes of flow, e.g., geostrophic, thermal wind, Ekman, and inertial oscillations. | ||
| ATOC 513 | Waves and Stability. | 3 |
Waves and Stability. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Description of the principal wave types and instability mechanisms of geophysical fluid dynamics. Geostrophic adjustment, wave dispersion, the WKBJ approximation. Wave types considered include (internal) inertia-gravity waves, planetary Rossby waves, and the equatorial and coastal wave guides. Instabilities considered include inertial, symmetric, barotropic, baroclinic, and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. | ||
| ATOC 515 | Turbulence in Atmosphere and Oceans. | 3 |
Turbulence in Atmosphere and Oceans. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Application of statistical and semi-empirical methods to the study of geophysical turbulence. Reynolds' equations, dimensional analysis, and similarity. The surface and planetary boundary layers. Oceanic mixed layer. Theories of isotropic two- and three- dimensional turbulence: energy and enstrophy inertial ranges. Beta turbulence. | ||
| ATOC 519 | Advances in Chemistry of Atmosphere. 1 | 3 |
Advances in Chemistry of Atmosphere. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploration of the field of atmospheric chemistry that is identified as the significant driver of climate change and the cause of millions of premature death every year. Discussion of cutting-edge novel technologies for observing and quantifying pollutants (from ground to satellite) using artificial intelligence, the fate of emerging contaminants (e.g., nano/microplastics, trace metals, persistent organic), and modelling of atmospheric and interfacial processes. Examination of topics like atmospheric gaseous and multiphase components like bioaerosols. Study of photochemical, photophysical, and aerosol nucleation processes that affect air quality, climate change, and ecosystem health. | ||
| ATOC 521 | Cloud Physics. | 3 |
Cloud Physics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A detailed overview of the environmental factors and microphysical processes involved in the formation of clouds and precipitation. Topics typically include: cloud observations, atmospheric thermodynamics, environmental stability regimes, convection, the microphysics of the formation of cloud droplets and ice crystals, initiation of precipitation, aerosol–cloud interactions. | ||
| ATOC 525 | Atmospheric Radiation. | 3 |
Atmospheric Radiation. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Solar and terrestrial radiation. Interactions of molecules, aerosols, clouds, and precipitation with radiation of various wavelengths. Radiative transfer through the clear and cloudy atmosphere. Radiation budgets. Satellite and ground-based measurements. Climate implications. | ||
| ATOC 531 | Dynamics of Current Climates. | 3 |
Dynamics of Current Climates. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A detailed overview of the climate and the global energy balance. Topics typically include: energy balance at top of the atmosphere and at the surface, poleward energy flux, the role of clouds, climate and atmospheric/oceanic general circulations, natural variability of the climate system, evolution of climate and climate change. | ||
| ATOC 540 | Synoptic Meteorology 1. | 3 |
Synoptic Meteorology 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Analysis of current meteorological data. Description of a geostrophic, hydrostatic atmosphere. Ageostrophic circulations and hydrostatic instabilities. Kinematic and thermodynamic methods of computing vertical motions. Tropical and extratropical condensation rates. Barotropic and equivalent barotropic atmospheres. | ||
| ATOC 541 | Synoptic Meteorology 2. | 3 |
Synoptic Meteorology 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Analysis of current meteorological data. Quasi-geostrophic theory, including the omega equation, as it relates to extratropical cyclone and anticyclone development. Frontogenesis and frontal circulations in the lower and upper troposphere. Cumulus convection and its relationship to tropical and extratropical circulations. Diagnostic case study work. | ||
| ATOC 548 | Mesoscale Meteorology. | 3 |
Mesoscale Meteorology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Theory of meteorologically important mesoscale phenomena including mesoscale instabilities, cumulus convection and its organization (including thunderstorms, squall lines, and other forms of severe weather), internal gravity waves, and topographically forced flows. Application of theory to the physical interpretation of observations and numerical simulations. | ||
| ATOC 568 | Ocean Physics. | 3 |
Ocean Physics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Major topics in physics and dynamics of the ocean including seawater properties, density and equation of state, sea ice, air-sea-ice exchanges, mixing and stability in the ocean, wind-driven and thermohaline circulations. Observational techniques and numerical models of the ocean, which include some data analysis and literature review. | ||
| ATOC 626 | Atmospheric/Oceanic Remote Sensing. | 3 |
Atmospheric/Oceanic Remote Sensing. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Principles of radiative transfer applied to observing the atmosphere and oceans by satellite, radar, and other methods of remote sensing. Applications to cloud physics and climate research. | ||
| CHEM 519 | Advances in Chemistry of Atmosphere. 1 | 3 |
Advances in Chemistry of Atmosphere. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploration of the field of atmospheric chemistry that is identified as the significant driver of climate change and the cause of millions of premature death every year. Discussion of cutting-edge novel technologies for observing and quantifying pollutants (from ground to satellite) using artificial intelligence, the fate of emerging contaminants (e.g., nano/microplastics, trace metals, persistent organic), and modelling of atmospheric and interfacial processes. Examination of topics like atmospheric gaseous and multiphase components like bioaerosols. Study of photochemical, photophysical, and aerosol nucleation processes that affect air quality, climate change, and ecosystem health. | ||
- 1
Students may select either ATOC 519 Advances in Chemistry of Atmosphere. or CHEM 519 Advances in Chemistry of Atmosphere..
Or other courses at the 500 level or higher recommended by the Department's Graduate Program Director.
Students with a strong background in atmospheric or oceanic science, or a Diploma in Meteorology, will take at least the 7-credit minimum. Students with no previous background in atmospheric or oceanic science must take the 20-credit maximum.