Master's Degree Non-Thesis Option

Academic Standards

A student is required to maintain at least a 3.00 (B) average in all work attempted while enrolled in the Graduate School. For the M.S., a course mark below C is unsatisfactory and will not be counted toward fulfilling requirements for the degree.

Master's Degree Requirements

The requirements for an M.S. degree include the following:

1. 30 semester hours of coursework, of which 24 hours must be numbered 5000 or above, and at least 15 semester hours must be from ATOC graduate courses, including four of the core ATOC courses. See specific ATOC course requirements for the M.S. below.
   
2. Successful completion of a written final examination based on ATOC regular coursework. The ATOC Comprehensive Exam I can be used to satisfy this requirement.
   
3. Completion of all degree requirements within 4 years of the date of commencing course work, but normally in 2 years. Students may petition the Graduate School for extension(s).

Note: Students planning to pursue a Ph.D. degree may elect to obtain the M.S. degree, but this is not requirement for advancement to the Ph.D. program.

Course Requirements

1. Up to 6 semester hours of approved 3000- and 4000-level coursework from engineering, math, physics, chemistry, or biology may be applied toward the M.S. degree. No credit will be given toward the M.S. degree for ATOC coursework below the 5000 level.
   
2. A minimum of 15 semester hours from ATOC lecture courses (independent study courses cannot be used to satisfy this requirement).
   
3. Four courses within one of the two tracks of ATOC core courses:
   
   Atmosphere Track (A-Track)
   ATOC 5050: Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics
   ATOC 5051: Introduction to Physical Oceanography
   ATOC 5060: Dynamics of the Atmosphere
   ATOC 5151: Atmospheric Chemistry
   ATOC 5235: Introduction to Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and Remote Sensing 
   ATOC 5600: Physics and Chemistry of Clouds and Aerosols
   
   Physical Oceanography Track (PO-Track)
   ATOC 5050: Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics
   ATOC 5051: Introduction to Physical Oceanography
   ATOC 5061: Dynamics of Oceans
   ATOC/ASEN 5215: Descriptive Physical Oceanography (previously offered as Oceanography)
   ATOC 5400: Introduction to Fluid Dynamics
   GEOL 5270: Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry
   
   The Master's degree will be a M.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, regardless of track chosen. The Master's thesis is not constrained by choice of track.
   
4. Up to 3 semester hours of independent study (ATOC 5900) and/or seminar (ATOC 6020) may be used toward the 30 hours of regular coursework in the degree requirements.
   
5. Up to 9 semester hours may be transferred from another accredited institution and applied toward an M.S. degree.  Credit for ATOC core coursework must be approved by the graduate advisor.