Master's Degree 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. A minimum of 4 (but no more than 6) thesis hours. Note: thesis credit hours can be counted toward the total 30 hours of coursework and the 15 hours of ATOC coursework requirement.
   
3. Successful completion of a M.S. thesis and oral final examination based on this thesis.
   
4. 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. A minimum of 4 (but no more than 6) thesis hours. Note: thesis credit hours can be counted toward the total 30 hours of coursework and the 15 hours of ATOC coursework requirement.
   
6. 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.

Guidelines for M.S. Thesis

The M.S. thesis must consist of original and independent research conducted by the graduate student under the supervision of the faculty advisor. The thesis topic must be related to the major field, and:

1. Represent the equivalent of 4 to 6 semester hours of course work.

2. Receive the approval of the major department at least 30 days before commencement at which the degree is to be conferred.

3. Be completed at the time the final examination is held.

4. Comply with the University of Colorado Graduate School Thesis and Dissertation Specifications.

5. Be filed with the Graduate School by posted deadlines for the semester for which the degree is to be conferred.

M.S. Thesis Exam Committee

The examination committee for the M.S. final exam will consist of three graduate faculty members, at least two of whom must be ATOC core or research faculty members. The examination consists of a 30 minute oral presentation given by the candidate on the thesis subject, followed by a period of questions for the candidate by the committee. The oral presentation is open to anyone that wishes to attend. The full examination typically does not exceed two hours in duration.