Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Atmospheric Science

We offer excellent opportunities in research and graduate education. ATSC faculty and scientists are experts in both observational studies and numerical modeling and are internationally recognized for excellence in the following areas: Cloud Microphysics and Dynamics Climate Aerosols and Air Quality Instrument Development and Characterization Numerical Model Development Mesoscale and Boundary-Layer Dynamics The University of Wyoming King Air research aircraft is the cornerstone of our observational facilities and the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center is a key resource for modeling efforts. The King Air research aircraft has been funded as a National Facility under cooperative agreements between the University of Wyoming and the National Science Foundation since 1988. The King Air has global reach, with recent international projects in the United Kingdom, Finland, Antigua, and Martinique. Instrumentation currently under construction includes a Raman LIDAR that will enable enhanced remote sensing of the atmosphere from the King Air. Our external funding level is one of the largest on campus. Requirements for a Doctorate of Philosophy Degree are set by the University and include a total of 72 hours with a minimum of 42 hours of coursework. A maximum of 48 hours (including 4 thesis research hours) may be transferred from another institution. All Ph.D. Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in the ATSC core courses. Depending on the student’s background, this may include taking some or all of the courses as part of the student’s curriculum. All Ph.D. students are ultimately required to demonstrate their proficiency through passing the Qualifying Exam. The Qualifying Exam will be administered at the end of each spring semester and Ph.D. students (or M.S. Students that are ‘Ph.D. Bound’) should plan on taking the exam at the end of their second semester of coursework. ‘Ph.D. Bound’ M.S. Students that successfully pass the Qualifying Exam and who demonstrate advanced research and writing skills through the preparation of their Research Plan (see below) may petition the department to become Ph.D. students. Approval to change the status of a ‘Ph.D. Bound’ M.S. Student to a Ph.D. Student is made at the discretion of the Department Head and the student’s advisor. Shortly after passing the Qualifying Exam, Ph.D. students should form a committee and complete the UW Committee Assignment form. Ph.D. students will continue with their coursework through ensuing semesters. There is no set requirement for number of courses to be taken each semester. It is expected that students will continue with 3 to 6 credits of coursework per semester in areas most relevant to their research. Electives should be chosen in consultation with student’s advisors. Prior to (and during) the third semester, students should begin preparing a Research Plan. The Research Plan will outline the student’s proposed research project and should include relevant background information (literature review), preliminary results from work already accomplished, a list of work to be completed, and a reasonable timeline. Details of the Research Plan are provided below. Presentation of the Research Plan to the committee should take place during the second year. Concurrent with the development and presentation of the Research Plan, Ph.D. students will complete a UW Program of Study that must be approved by the committee and filed with the University.