The Ohio State University Atmospheric Sciences Program

Atmospheric Sciences - Graduate

Atmospheric Sciences - Graduate

The Atmospheric Sciences Program (ASP) is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in the physical principles, theory, methodological skills, and applications central to the disciplines of meteorology and climatology. We produce scholars and scientists able to perform academic research work of the highest quality.

About the Program

What Will I Study?

As a graduate student in Atmospheric Sciences, you will be working with exceptional faculty members and cutting-edge technology to answer challenging research questions. You'll develop your abilities as a quantitative scientist to study synoptic and mesoscale weather forecasting. You'll hone your skills at communicating atmospheric information through visual materials and written reports. 

Some of the topics we focus on as a department are:

Weather forecasting

  • Satellite images
  • Radar
  • Model output
  • Reporting

Severe weather

  • Thunderstorms
  • Tornadoes
  • Hail
  • Hurricanes

Micrometeorology

  • Urban heat island
  • Dust devils
  • Radiation budgets
  • Surface effects
  • Pollution

Global climate change

  • Human influence
  • Impacts
  • Detection

Climatology

  • Drought and floods
  • Classification

Atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics

What Careers Could I Pursue?

The ASP is designed to develop outstanding thinkers and to lay the foundation for rewarding careers. OSU Geography/Atmospheric Sciences has a long history of preparing students for diverse jobs in academia/education, government, the private sector, and non-profits. Master's graduates in particular have found that their intellectual and technical training in our department leads to fulfilling careers in multiple fields.

These include:

  • Meteorologist (national weather service, television, radio, private firm)
  • Climatologist
  • Air quality analyst
  • Outdoor parks service guide
  • Professional storm chaser / weather guide
  • Environmental specialist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Environmental monitor
  • Researcher (U.S. Geological Survey, National Resource and Conservation Departments Center for Atmospheric Research, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, etc.)
  • Risk analyst (insurance industry)

At the PhD level, we assume that the majority of our students will seek positions in academic or government research. We also encourage students to take advantage of the wealth of university resources aimed at helping students explore their career options (for example, the Graduate School's Versatile PhD.

Department Requirements

The following courses form the core of the program. You will also complete any deficiencies in calculus, physics, and/or statistics (see undergraduate course list for prerequisite courses)

Required Courses - 12 Hours

Elective Courses (Select 2), 5 or 6 Hours

*Any 8900-level courses selected from this list cannot count simultaneously for 8900-level seminar in the required courses listed above.

For questions and additional information, please contact Mat Coleman at coleman.373@osu.edu.