Atmospheric Sciences, Ph.D.

I. Contact Information

Mark Green, Graduate Program Director
Mark.Green@dri.edu
(775) 674-7118

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

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: https://www.cis.unr.edu/assessment/view/PrgmPlanView.aspx?PrgmID=683

IV. Admission Requirements

Admission requirements to the doctoral program include 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 Core Curriculum

• 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) OR
• PHYS 790 - Seminar (1 unit)

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• Additional 700-level ATMS courses (12 units)
• ATMS 795 - Comprehensive Examination (1 unit S/U Only)

• Students must pass a Comprehensive Exam for advancement to candidacy after the majority of their coursework has been completed. The examination consists of written and oral sessions with topics of general background and the student’s specific research area, including atmospheric physics, atmospheric chemistry, meteorology and applied mathematics.

• 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. A Qualifying Exam consisting of written and oral questions is typically given to new students. Incoming students with deficiencies in background subjects will be advised to take courses to correct these deficiencies within the first year of study, and may be required to take a follow-up qualifying exam in the next semester. 
3. 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.