Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Overview
The Program in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS) offers graduate study under the sponsorship of the Department of Geosciences. The Princeton AOS graduate program emphasizes theoretical studies and numerical model studies of the global climate system, and applicants should have a strong background in natural sciences and mathematics.
The AOS program benefits from access to the research capabilities of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Many GFDL scientists are active in the AOS program as lecturers, and students in the program have access to major supercomputer resources within GDFL for their research. The Department of Geosciences, with its activities in physical and chemical oceanography, paleoclimatology, and atmospheric sciences, provides a comprehensive program of courses and seminars. The Department of Geosciences collaborates with GDFL.
The flexible graduate program offers students opportunities for research and courses in a wide range of disciplines, including geophysical fluid dynamics, atmospheric physics, atmospheric chemistry, biogeochemistry of the land and ocean, atmospheric modeling, ocean modeling, climate dynamics, global climate change, and paleo-climate. Through the Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP) Program at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and the Princeton Environmental Institute, students can explore climate- and air pollution-related policy.
Applying
Optional: Applicants may submit a statement with their application, briefly describing how their academic interests, background, or life experiences would advance Princeton's commitment to diversity within the Graduate School and train individuals in an increasingly diverse society.
Ph.D.
Upon entering the program, students are guided by their adviser, or the graduate work committee until they select an adviser from the program faculty. The plan of study is flexible and tailored to the needs of the individual. During the first two years, the program concentrates on course work and independent preparation for the general examination. A student must take a minimum of seven courses during the first two years to prepare for the general examination.
Students typically stand for the general examination in the spring of the second year. It probes the student's knowledge of basic fluid dynamics, physics, and chemistry of the atmosphere and oceans and certain specialty areas through a written report and a research seminar presentation. The purpose of the one-hour research seminar is to demonstrate the student's ability to work independently and analyze a research problem.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is normally an incidental degree on the way to full Ph.D. candidacy. It is earned after a student successfully completes a minimum of seven courses and passes the written portion of the general examination. It may also be awarded to students who, for various reasons, leave the Ph.D. program, provided that these requirements have been met.
Students are encouraged to gain teaching experience by serving as assistants in instruction (AI) for one or two semesters during their time at Princeton. However, it is not a program requirement. Students typically teach in the third and fourth years in the program after completing the general examination.
When students pass the general examination, they then pursue research for the Ph.D. thesis. This may or may not be a continuation of the research that was used as the basis for a student's general examination seminar. Students who enter the program with a background in atmospheric and oceanic sciences are encouraged to finish their thesis at the end of their fourth year in the program. Each thesis must be approved by the student's faculty adviser (1st reader) and a second faculty member (as the 2nd reader). Students defend their thesis at the final public oral examination. The final acceptance of the dissertation is conditional on passing this examination.
The dissertation must show that a candidate has technical mastery in the chosen field and is capable of independent research. The dissertation is expected to be a positive contribution that is of publishable quality. The final public oral examination is a broad examination in the field of study.
Faculty
Director
- Stephan A. Fueglistaler
Executive Committee
- Thomas L. Delworth, Geosciences
- Leo Donner, Geosciences
- Stephen T. Garner, Geosciences
- Stephen M. Griffies, Geosciences
- Robert W. Hallberg, Geosciences
- Larry W. Horowitz, Geosciences
- Sonya A. Legg, Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences
- Yi Ming, Geosciences
- Venkatachalam Ramaswamy, Geosciences
- Laure Resplandy, Geosciences
- Gabriel A. Vecchi, Geosciences
- Rong Zhang, Geosciences
Associated Faculty
- Denise L. Mauzerall, Schl of Public & Int'l Affairs
- Michael Oppenheimer, Schl of Public & Int'l Affairs
- Stephen W. Pacala, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
- James A. Smith, Civil and Environmental Eng
- Mark A. Zondlo, Civil and Environmental Eng
Courses
Permanent Courses
Courses listed below are graduate-level courses that have been approved by the program’s faculty as well as the Curriculum Subcommittee of the Faculty Committee on the Graduate School as permanent course offerings. Permanent courses may be offered by the department or program on an ongoing basis, depending on curricular needs, scheduling requirements, and student interest. Not listed below are undergraduate courses and one-time-only graduate courses, which may be found for a specific term through the Registrar’s website. Also not listed are graduate-level independent reading and research courses, which may be approved by the Graduate School for individual students.