Atmospheric Science, Ph.D.

I. Contact Information

Vera Samburova, Graduate Program Director
vera.samburova@dri.edu
(775) 674-7149

Mailing Address:
NNCS 321
Desert Research Institute
Division of Atmospheric Sciences
2215 Raggio Parkway
Reno, NV 89512

Graduate Handbook *

II. Brief Introduction

Atmospheric Sciences (ATMS) is a research-based interdisciplinary graduate program leading to a master of science (M.S.) or doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. The program is offered through the UNR Department of Physics in partnership with the Desert Research Institute (DRI) Division of Atmospheric Sciences. Students pursue research in air pollution, atmospheric chemistry, climate change, cloud and aerosol physics, instrument development, atmospheric optics and acoustics, mesoscale meteorology, numerical modeling, fire climatology and other topics.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

See: http://www.unr.edu/assessment/plans-and-forms/graduate-interdisciplinary/atmospheric-science-phd

IV. Admission Requirements

It is strongly recommended that an applicant have a master’s degree in an aspect of atmospheric sciences, physical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics or a related field, and at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in prior academic coursework.
Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is recommended.

V. Program Requirements

• ATMS 610 - Airflow and Weather Dynamics (3 units)
• ATMS 611 - Introduction to Atmospheric Physics (4 units)
• ATMS 612 - Introduction to Air Pollution (4 units)
• ATMS 613 - Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology (3 units)

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• Seminar, Elective, Comprehensive Exam, and Dissertation

• ATMS 790 - Graduate Seminar in Atmospheric Sciences (1 unit) (2 units needed) OR
• PHYS 790 - Seminar (1 unit) AND  ATMS 790 - Graduate Seminar in Atmospheric Sciences (1 unit)

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• Additional graduate level  ATMS courses or other programs (4 units)
• Additional 700-level ATMS courses or other programs (18 units)
• Additional 700-level - 3 courses from the following list (9 units)
• ATMS 706 - Applied Data Analysis  
• ATMS 742 - Atmospheric Dynamics II  
• ATMS 743 - Cloud and Aerosol Physics  
• ATMS 745 - Atmospheric Turbulence  
• ATMS 746 - Atmospheric Modeling  
• ATMS 747 - Atmospheric Chemistry  
• ATMS 748 - Measurement in the Atmosphere  
• ATMS 749 - Radiation Transfer  

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• ATMS 795 - Comprehensive Examination (1 unit)

• Students must pass a Comprehensive Exam for advancement to candidacy after the majority of their coursework has been completed. The examination consists of a detailed research prospectus (written exam) that must be completed to the satisfaction of the student’s graduate advisory committee. The oral qualifying examination is the presentation of the prospectus to the general public followed by questions from the graduate advisory committee.

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• ATMS 799 - Dissertation (1 to 24 units) (24 units required)

• The completion of a dissertation and a final oral examination is required, and these are directed by the student’s graduate advisory committee.

VI. Total Units (72 units)

VII. Notes

1. If the Core courses or their equivalent were taken at the undergraduate level at UNR or another university, then other ATMS graduate level courses may be substituted with the approval of the graduate program director. Graduate-level course credits required for a Ph.D. degree should be fulfilled with ATMS and related interdisciplinary courses selected by the student and the graduate advisory committee to reach the student’s academic and research goals.
2. Research and teaching assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Most students obtain financial support from one of these sources. Summer research positions also are available at the Desert Research Institute (DRI). These positions provide excellent research opportunities as well as income for students.
3. * Curriculum requirements in the catalog supersede the Graduate handbook.