Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
About Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences offers a broad range of undergraduate courses applying classical physics, applied mathematics, and (sometimes) chemistry both to meteorology and to atmospheric, oceanic, and climate science more generally. Typically, courses beyond the introductory level have math and/or physics prerequisites, and upper-level courses are often taught at the 500-level and as such, also serve our graduate programs. An atmospheric chemistry option is available but not required.
Applications include meteorology and weather prediction, climate science, and air quality. Our approach is quantitative. We develop complex models or systems of equations to explain how Newtonian physics, radiation, thermodynamics, and chemistry affect the composition and movement of the atmosphere. While our focus is on the atmosphere, we also consider oceans and sea ice, as well as interactions between these components of the climate system.
From one viewpoint, the atmosphere and ocean may be studied as a large volume of gas or liquid by the methods of fluid mechanics: wind or currents, circulation patterns, turbulence, and energy and momentum exchanges are the ideas employed in this approach. Alternatively, the atmosphere and ocean may be studied from the point of view of their detailed physical processes: how water condenses in the air; how seawater freezes to form sea ice; how precipitation forms in clouds; how sunlight warms the surface of the Earth; how heat is exchanged between the ocean and the atmosphere; and how the atmosphere and ocean interact to shape the weather and climate. A comprehensive understanding requires both viewpoints, and this is reflected in the curriculum.
Location
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Burnside Hall, Room 305
805 Sherbrooke St. W.
Montréal, QC H3A 0B9
Telephone: 514-398-3764
Fax: 514-398-6115
Email: info.aos@mcgill.ca
Website: mcgill.ca/meteo
Undergraduate Program Advisor
David Straub
Email: david.straub@mcgill.ca