Ph.D. Program
The department offers a Ph.D. program for students who want to obtain the highest academic degree available in the field of atmospheric science. Students who earn a Ph.D. must demonstrate significant intellectual achievement, high scholarly ability, and a great breadth of knowledge.
In addition to meeting the formal credit requirements for the Ph.D., described below, all graduate students enrolled in the department are expected to attend the weekly department colloquium series. These colloquia are an important part of the total instructional program. Colloquia are normally held on Thursday afternoons during the school year.
Prerequisites
- Successful completion of an M.S. degree with thesis in the field of atmospheric science
- Demonstration of basic principles of atmospheric science and aptitude for research
- Successful completion of the department qualifying exam that includes background, methods, and current research that applies to the specific area(s) encompassing the candidate's proposed research topic
Course Requirements
- Ph.D. students must take a minimum of 42 semester credits beyond the (thesis option) master's degree (or 72 semester credits beyond the bachelor's degree). At least 21 credits beyond the master's degree (or 37 credits beyond the bachelor's degree) must be earned in courses numbered 500 or above.
- Ph.D. students are required to take two structured courses per academic year. Students must register for the courses, and only one may be taken as an audit. The structured courses can be selected from the 500, 600, or 700 level. With written advisor approval, the courses may also include structured graduate classes from other departments. When the student is within one semester of graduation, the student and advisor may petition the Department Head, in writing, for a waiver of the "two courses per year" requirement.
Audits count towards the department's requirement that all GRA's enroll for at least 15 credit hours each semester. But audits do not count towards the total required course credits for the Ph.D.
Evaluation Mechanisms
- Successful research topic proposal presentation
- Dissertation prepared under the mentorship of the student's advisor and graduate committee that meets the following criteria: displays original and creative scholarship, contributes new knowledge to the field of atmospheric science, and expresses good literate style.
- Successful defense of a dissertation before the student's graduate committee and any other members of the academic and scientific communities who desire to attend
The student's Graduate Committee is charged with ensuring the student gains breadth in Atmospheric Science during his/her tenure in the program. Accordingly the Graduate Committee may make recommendations on coursework to be completed prior to graduation.
