A cooperative effort between
Desert Research Institute and the University of Nevada, Reno
Atmospheric Sciences (ATMS) is a research-based interdisciplinary graduate program leading to a master of science (M.S.) or doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. The program is offered through a partnership between the UNR Department of Physics and the Desert Research Institute (DRI) Division of Atmospheric Sciences. Students pursue research in atmospheric chemistry, cloud and aerosol physics, instrument development, atmospheric optics and acoustics, mesoscale meteorology, numerical modeling, fire climatology and other topics. Admission requirements to the master's program include a bachelor's degree in an aspect of atmospheric sciences, physical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics or a related field. Academic scores of > 3.0 GPA in prior coursework, a GRE score of > 1200, and for international students a TOEFL score > 600 are generally required. Admission requirements to the doctoral program include those listed above as well as successful completion of a master's degree in atmospheric sciences or a related field. Graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis.
ATMS Courses
Candidates for the M.S. or Ph.D. degree must satisfy all of the general requirements of the Graduate School. The M.S. degree in Atmospheric Sciences requires completion of a minimum of 30 credits, which include: 6 credits of thesis (ATMS 797), 1 credit of seminar (ATMS 790 or PHYS 790), 12 credits of courses in the ATMS Core curriculum, 6 credits in ATMS 700-level coursework and 5 additional credits in elective 700-level coursework. The completion of a thesis and a final oral examination is required, and these are directed by the student's graduate advisory committee.
The Ph.D. degree in Atmospheric Sciences requires completion of 72 credits, including 24 credits of dissertation (ATMS 799), 2 credits of seminar (ATMS 790 or PHYS 790), 12 credits of courses in the ATMS Core curriculum, 12 credits in ATMS 700-level courses (including ATMS 748), and 22 additional elective credits (at least 18 of these additional credits must be at the 700-level). The completion of a dissertation and a final oral examination is required, and these are directed by the student's graduate advisory committee.
The ATMS Core courses are as follows:
If the Core courses or their equivalent were taken at the undergraduate level at UNR or another university, then other ATMS graduate level courses can be substituted with the approval of the graduate program director. Graduate-level course credits required for a M.S. or Ph.D. degree should be fulfilled with ATMS and related interdisciplinary courses selected by the student and the graduate advisory committee to reach the student's academic and research goals.
A Qualifying Exam consisting of written and oral questions is typically given to new students. Incoming students with deficiencies in background subjects will be advised to take courses to correct these deficiencies within the first year of study, and may be required to take a follow-up qualifying exam in the next semester.
Students in the Ph.D. program must pass a Comprehensive Exam (ATMS 795) for advancement to candidacy after the majority of their coursework has been completed. The examination consists of written and oral sessions with topics of general background and the student's specific research area, including atmospheric physics, atmospheric chemistry, meteorology and applied mathematics.
Research Facilities
Research facilities at DRI include the Western Regional Climate Center data repository, an aerosol laboratory, a trace element laboratory, a quality assurance and technical services laboratory, atmospheric chemistry laboratories, a diffusion chamber, Ka-band radars, dual-channel microwave radiometers, electronic shop facilities, computer facilities and various field research laboratories. The DRI is a member of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). DRI faculty members have a wide variety of collaborative research programs with scientists at other U.S. institutions, federal agencies, and abroad. The National Weather Service, located near DRI, has a NEXRAD radar facility in Reno. UNR has several libraries, including the Getchell Library (main research library), the Physical Sciences Library, and the School of Mines Library. DRI also maintains the Patrick Squires Library of Atmospheric Sciences at the DRI Northern Nevada Science Center.
Financial Aid
Aid for some qualified students is available in the form of teaching or research assistantships. Entering M.S. and Ph.D. students may qualify for research assistantships during the academic year, with opportunities for additional summer employment. Research assistantships are dependent on the availability of external grants, and continuation of support is dependent on the student's satisfactory progress toward graduation and satisfactory performance on the grant research. Teaching and research assistantships are granted tuition waivers.
Cost of Study
Tuition, health insurance, and most fees are provided for students holding graduate assistantships.
Student Group
On campus housing is available and UNR also has a limited amount of married student housing. Most graduate students reside in off-campus apartments. UNR's 13,000 students come from all fifty states and over fifty countries. The average age of the student population is 26. UNR has about 2,800 graduate students. The Atmospheric Sciences Program has about 20 graduate students, of whom about one third are female and about one half are international students.
Location
Reno lies in a valley of the Truckee River at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada. The UNR campus is located half a mile north of downtown Reno and within an hour of Lake Tahoe and many of the West's finest ski resorts. Backpacking, hiking, camping, boating, and fishing are popular in the Sierras. The region is noted for its pioneer history and the fabulous Comstock gold and silver mines of the late nineteenth century.
Reno has more shopping, medical, and cultural facilities than most communities of its size. The community supports an outstanding philharmonic orchestra, an active chamber orchestra, a ballet, an opera association, and several theater groups. The Reno-Sparks Convention Center and the Lawlor Events Center serve as sites for indoor athletic activities, large concerts, conventions, and trade fairs. The Fleischmann Planetarium and Nevada Historical Society Museum are located on the UNR campus. Reno has several art museums and the Sierra Arts Foundation. Reno also hosts the famous Harrah's National Auto Museum.
The University
UNR is a land-grant university, established in 1894, and is fully accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. The campus is located on 200 acres with traditional buildings, modern facilities, a tree-lined quadrangle, and Manzanita Lake.
Applying
Applicants must file an application for admission with the UNR Graduate School. Application materials are available at: http://www.unr.edu/grad/prospective/apply.asp. Candidates should also have scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) sent directly to the UNR Graduate School.
Applicants should send a statement of academic and research interests, and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent, to the Atmospheric Sciences Graduate Program Director (see address below). International applicants must also satisfy the medical examination and financial responsibility requirements; those whose native language is not English must also submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applications for graduate standing are subject to approval by the program director, the dean of the college, and the dean of the Graduate School. Applications for admission should be completed in March for entrance in August (fall semester) and in October for entrance in January (spring semester).
Correspondence and Information
Dr. Darko R. Koracin
Graduate Program Director
Division of Atmospheric Sciences
Desert Research Institute
2215 Raggio Parkway
Reno, Nevada 89512-1095
DRI: (775) 674-7091 Fax: (775) 674-7060
email: Darko.Koracin@dri.edu