Doctoral Program in Atmospheric Science
Courses
A full program of study comprises
registration for credit in subjects totaling about 48 units per
term. During the first four academic semesters, a student will
usually enroll in either four regular academic subjects, or
a mix of regular academic subjects and "special
problems" courses.
Prior to taking the General Examination, students must acquire a
basic background in atmospheric fluid dynamics, synoptic
meteorology, and atmospheric physics and chemistry, by
completing a mix of core, elective and "special problems"
courses. The core courses are 12.800, 12.803, 12.804,
12.806J, 12.810, 12.815, and 12.818 [see below].
"Special problems"
courses are designed to permit students to participate in
research under the supervision of a faculty member. Evidence of
a substantial contribution to the research effort will be
necessary to gain a satisfactory grade in such a course.
A student will normally have
acquired the necessary background in academic subjects by the
end of the fourth academic semester and will take the General
Examination at that time. In extenuating circumstances, the
General Examination may be taken at a later date. (See the separate
document on the
General Examination
and Thesis.)
A typical four-semester sequence of
courses (with units in brackets) is
Fall YR1
12.800
[12] Fluid Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Ocean
12.815
[6] Atmospheric Radiation
12.818 [12] Introduction to Atmospheric Data and Synoptic
Meteorology
18.075 or 18.305 [12]
(mathematics)
Spring YR2
12.806J
[12] Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry
12.810 [12]
Dynamics of the Atmosphere
18.306 [12]
Advanced Partial Differential Equations with Applications
12.98x [12]
Special Problems in Meteorology
Fall YR2
12.803
[12] Quasi-balanced Circulations in Oceans and Atmospheres
12.804 [9] Large-scale Flow Dynamics Laboratory
Elective 1 [12]
12.980 [18]
Special Problems in Meteorology
Spring
YR2
Elective
2 [12]
Elective 3 [12]
12.980 [24]
Special Problems in Meteorology
[N.B. "12.98x" denotes "Special Problems" courses
(research projects); 12.980 is letter graded; 12.981 is P/D/F
graded.]
This list is meant to be
illustrative, rather than rigid. Departures from the
recommended sequence are admissible, always subject to the
approval of the adviser. However, the following points should be
noted.
(i) Electives are chosen by the
student, in consultation with the adviser, and will reflect the
student's area of specialization. These will normally be
graduate-level PAOC courses [12.8xx], but other appropriate
classes may be taken.
(ii) Some students (e.g., laboratory
chemists) may need to give somewhat greater emphasis to
"Special Problems" courses than this list suggests.
(iii) A student may replace a core
course by an approved equivalent course taken at another
institution.
(iv) All students should be aware that, for the purpose of
the General Examination in Atmospheric Science, they will be
expected to know the subject matter covered in the core courses,
except in approved circumstances (see below). Students will also
be expected to have acquired an expertise in their areas of
specialization, in part through taking appropriate elective
courses.
It is recognized that all situations cannot be anticipated, and
that, for some students, a different program of courses may be
appropriate. Any students wishing to follow a program that
differs substantially from that described herein may petition
the Program Director for approval of an alternative program of
study. Such petitions should be made in advance.
