The Department of Atmospheric Sciences offers programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Research is conducted through the Institute of Atmospheric Physics in areas such as climate and global change, land-atmosphere interaction, convective processes, atmospheric dynamics, radiative transfer, remote sensing, atmospheric aerosols, atmospheric chemistry, cloud and precipitation physics, lightning, atmospheric electricity, weather forecasting, and numerical weather prediction.

Formal undergraduate coursework in atmospheric sciences or meteorology is not required for admission, but some knowledge of the field is desirable. Applicants with undergraduate majors in physics, chemistry, mathematics, or engineering are particularly encouraged to apply. All candidates for an advanced degree in atmospheric sciences will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in statistics and computer programming.

Master of Science: 30 units of graduate work, including 541a-541b, 551a-551b, and at least two other graduate-level atmospheric sciences courses, are required. All candidates must submit a thesis or manuscript which has been judged by the student's committee to be acceptable for publication in an appropriate scientific journal and present the results in a formal seminar or at a scientific meeting.

Doctor of Philosophy: The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in atmospheric sciences is primarily a research degree. The candidate must complete at least 36 units of graduate course credit in the major field, 18 units of dissertation credit, and fulfill the minor requirement. All Ph.D. students must pass a written and oral comprehensive examination and complete and defend a dissertation based on original research. Students in either the M.S. or Ph.D. program who have received a letter grade of C or lower in one or more of 541a-541b, 551a-551b, or the transferred equivalents thereof, are required to take a written examination covering the content of the course or courses in question. All Ph.D. candidates in atmospheric sciences are required to complete a minor program. The student should consult the particular department in which they plan to minor for specific requirements. Students entering the Ph.D. program in atmospheric sciences with an M.S. degree in another field are permitted to minor within the department with the approval of their committee. This minor will consist of 12 units of atmospheric sciences at the 500 level or higher in subjects other than those directly related to their area of research. These courses are in addition to those required for the Ph.D. program. With the approval of their committee, students can take up to 6 units of minor courses in other departments that relate to their area of research.

Doctoral students from other departments who wish to minor in atmospheric sciences must complete 12 units of atmospheric sciences at the 500 level or higher, including ATMO 541a-541b and 551a-551b.