Graduate Studies

Doctoral Concentrations: Atmospheric & Space Sciences

Admission Eligibility:

Admission to the program is open to any student admitted to the AOSS graduate programs. In some cases, a student may have already acquired knowledge in one or more of these areas and he/she can "place out" of the course. This can be demonstrated by either an oral or a written examination, or by discussion with the course instructor. The method is left to the discretion of the instructor.

Program Description/Course Requirements:

The typical course load for all students regardless of type of support, is four courses per semester in addition to the one hour seminar (LASER Seminar, Space Science Seminar). Thus the student, with permission of the graduate advisor, can select three optional courses the first academic year. Students who have already decided on a sub-discipline major may want to consult with the research advisor concerning these optional courses. Usually students are not expected to take courses during the summer term, as summer months are primarily used to gain research experience.

Students report to the Graduate Committee during the first two years or the program, and should also consult with research advisors concerning elective second-year courses before registering with the graduate chair. Typically students take four courses and the seminar each semester during the second year. Depending on the research responsibilities, this may be reduced to three courses on recommendation of the research advisor.

AOSS Graduate Program Structure (PDF file)

Departmental Core Courses
AOSS 551 Advanced Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (4 credits)
AOSS 532 Radiative Transfer (4 credits)
AOSS 747, 749 Seminar (1 credit, 4 terms)

Atmospheric Program Core Courses

AOSS 479 Atmospheric Chemistry (4)
AOSS 411 Cloud & Precipitation Processes (3)

Science & Planetary Program Core Courses

464 Space & Spacecraft Environment (4)
565 Planetary Atmospheres (4)
495 Upper Atmosphere & Ionosphere (4)

Additional Departmental Requirements
Each doctoral student is required to take three additional AOSS courses relevant to their research
AOSS 401 Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

AOSS 410 Earth System Modeling
AOSS 414 Weather Systems
AOSS 431 Radiowave Propagation and Link Design
AOSS 440 Meteorological Analysis Laboratory
AOSS 450 Geophysical ElectroMagnetics
AOSS 451 Atmospheric Dynamics
AOSS 462 Instrumentation for Atmospheric & Space Sciences
AOSS 467 Biogeochemical Cycles
AOSS 470 Solar Terrestrial Relations
AOSS 475 Earth, Atmosphere & Ocean Interactions
AOSS 480 Climate Change Action
AOSS 581 Space Policy and Management
AOSS 582 Spacecraft Technolog
AOSS 583 Management of Space Systems Design
AOSS 584 Space Instrumentation
AOSS 585 Introduction to Remote Sensing and Inversity Theory
AOSS 590 Space Systems Projects
AOSS 597 Fundamental of Space Plasma Physics
AOSS 605 Current Topics in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences

Qualifying Exams (PDF file)

Dissertation:

Upon passing the Qualifying Examinations, and having completed the cognate hours and required Rackham fee hours (see the Rackham Graduate Student Handbook), the student will then apply through the AOSS Student Services Advisor for candidacy. When candidacy is awarded, the guidance of the student becomes the responsibility of the research advisor. Although the Graduate Committee will still be available to the candidate, academic selections and thesis guidance will be the responsibility of the research advisor. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all Rackham requirements have been fulfilled for the doctorate. Information is contained in the Rackham Graduate Student Handbook and the Thesis Guidelines.