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 at 3 p.m. 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
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 adviser approval, the courses may also include structured graduate classes from other departments. When the student is within one semester of graduation, the student and adviser may petition the department head, in writing, for a waiver of the “two courses per year” requirement. While ATS 784 (Supervised College Teaching) is not considered a structured academic course, it is allowed to count toward the two courses per academic year Ph.D. requirement.
- Audits count toward the department’s requirement that all graduate research assistants enroll for at least 15 credit hours each semester. However, audits do not count toward the total required course credits for the Ph.D. and may not be listed on the GS6 form.
- All Ph.D. students must take ATS 693 (1 credit), Responsible Conduct of Research, offered every spring semester.
- 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.
Evaluation Mechanisms
- Successful research topic proposal presentation
- Preliminary exam within 18 months of admission to the Ph.D. program (or within 12 months of defending an M.S. thesis within our program)
- Dissertation prepared under the mentorship of the student’s adviser 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
Ph.D. Checklist
Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines on its website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
| STEP | DUE DATE |
| Graduate school application | Six months before first registration |
| Appointment of adviser | At time of admission |
| Selection of graduate committee | At the start of your third semester or before your preliminary exam, whichever comes first |
| Filing of program of study (GS form 6 instructions) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration (about October for spring registration; about April for fall registration) or before your preliminary exam, whichever comes first |
| Announcement of preliminary exam | To department office at least two weeks in advance of target date |
| Preliminary examination | Within 18 months of admission to Ph.D. program or within 12 months of defending an M.S. thesis with our program |
| Report of preliminary examination (GS form 16 instructions) | To Graduate School within two working days after results are known |
| Proposal assessment committee meeting | 6-12 months after preliminary exam and approximately two semesters before planned defense. Email memo submitted to department head (cc Graduate Adviser Sarah Tisdale) detailing progress on student’s proposed research program. |
| Changes in committee (GS form 9A instructions) | When change is made |
| Application for graduation (GS form 25 instructions) | Refer to published deadlines on the Graduate School website |
| Reapplication for graduation (in RAMWeb) | Failure to graduate requires reapplication for graduation (in RAMWeb) for the next term for which you are applying |
| Submit thesis/dissertation to committee | Four weeks prior to final examination |
| Announcement of final exam | Two weeks prior to final exam, notify department head assistant for faculty announcement |
| Report of final examination (GS form 24 instructions) | To Graduate School within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines on the Graduate School website |
| Submit a signed thesis/dissertation submission form to the Graduate School prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| Submit Survey of Earned Doctorates | Refer to published deadlines on the Graduate School website. Submit with signed thesis/dissertation submission form |
| Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines on the Graduate School website |