Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is an interdisciplinary graduate major that first introduces students to the elements of the Earth system and the processes of mass and energy flow among them through a set of core courses. Students then pursue focused graduate course work and research in the following concentration areas, directed by their program committee.

Atmospheric Sciences

The field of atmospheric science is inherently interdisciplinary, requiring knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology, math, and computational methods. Increasingly, atmospheric science has been expanding to include studies of the effect of the climate on humans (e.g., health) and vice versa. Scientists can focus on field work, satellite data analysis, modeling, or lab work, though many atmospheric scientists use a variety of methods to understand the atmosphere, and they study processes ranging from global to microscale. Atmospheric scientists also study the relationships between the atmosphere and other climate system components (oceans, sea ice, vegetation, etc.).

Geophysics

Geophysics is concerned with physical processes within and on Earth, especially the internal physical constitution of the planet, and seismic, gravitational, geothermal, geoelectrical, geomagnetic phenomena and their relation to geological processes. The geophysics concentration offers graduate work toward M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Candidates should have an undergraduate degree in physics, mathematics, engineering, geology, or geophysics. Mathematics through differential equations is required and mathematical physics is desirable. Opportunities for research exist on a wide range of geophysical problems in marine and continental regimes, emphasizing experimental, applied, and theoretical aspects.

Oceanography

Oceanography, the application of the sciences to the study of the oceans, is an interdisciplinary environmental science concerned with all processes: biological, chemical, geological, and physical, as well as the interactions between the ocean. The College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences graduate major offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees with a concentration in oceanography.

In geological oceanography (marine geology), a broad range of geological processes that influence the ocean is studied. Fields of interest include plate tectonics and the structure of the ocean basins, igneous petrology and geochemistry, paleoceanography and paleoclimatology, and coastal sedimentary processes. Candidates show strength in one or more of these fields: earth science, chemistry, physics, biology or mathematics.

Physical oceanography research covers the physical processes in the sea, exchange of energy and momentum at the air-sea interface, and the transmission and absorption of energy in the sea (e.g., light, heat, and sound). Circulation, tides, waves, heat content, and density distributions are some of the other phenomena of particular interest. Candidates should have an undergraduate major in physics, mathematics, or engineering.

Admissions Requirements

Admit Term
  • Fall Term

Please contact the program office to inquire about admission to other terms.

Required Tests
  • None

GRE will no longer be required on applications for fall 2021 and later.

English Language Requirements ?

English language requirements for international applicants to this program are the same as the standard Graduate School requirements.


Additional Requirements
  • All parts of the application must be received by the deadline in order to be considered for funding. The applicant is responsible for making sure the application packet is complete. See OEAS Application Instructions for more information.

Application requirements, including required documents, letters, and forms, vary by program and may not be completely represented here. The processing of your application will not be completed until these requirements have been met. Please, before applying to this program, always contact the program office to confirm application requirements.


Application Process

Please review the graduate school application process and Apply Online.

Dates & Deadlines ?

Admissions Deadline
December 15

Concentrations ?

This program has concentrations or tracks not represented here. Please visit the  Ocean, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences Website program website to learn more.

MAIS Participation

This program may serve as a secondary or third only field of study in a MAIS degree.


AMP Participation ?

This program does not participate in the Accelerated Master's Platform (AMP)