M.S. in Atmospheric Science

The atmospheric sciences include the disciplines of meteorology and climatology, which apply mathematics and the basic physical sciences to understand a very complex natural system. The scope of the field ranges from the small space and time scales of turbulent phenomena, through the diagnosis and prediction of weather events in meteorology, to continental and global scale climate change processes.

We welcome applications from students with a variety of backgrounds, including physics, chemistry, engineering, geological sciences, mathematics, and atmospheric sciences. Applicants should have a solid undergraduate background in physics and mathematics.

M.S. Program Highlights

• Faculty Interaction

  Faculty members typically do not advise large numbers of graduate students, allowing for close, individualized attention. This provides students with the opportunity to work closely with their advisors while benefiting from the advantages of a large, diverse research university.

• Research Focus

  Students are encouraged to explore the research interests of faculty members to identify those whose research aligns with their own. Prospective students can contact faculty directly for more information about their research programs, or reach out to the director of graduate studies, for questions about the graduate program.

• Financial Support

  All accepted students receive full financial support, including tuition, stipend, and health insurance. Research and teaching assistantships are available through the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences or faculty grants. Students are also encouraged to apply for fellowships and scholarships from agencies like NSF, NASA, AMS, and NOAA.

Graduate Courses

Graduate students in the field of atmospheric science take courses in many departments across the university. Course selection is made in consultation with the major advisor and other committee members, and takes into consideration the interests, prior coursework, and thesis topic of the student. Coursework may also be required to satisfy the minor requirements. It is not atypical for graduate students to take a combination of graduate and undergraduate courses in various departments, especially during the first two semesters of study at Cornell.

The Graduate Student Handbook, travel reimbursement forms, scholarship applications, and other student resources are available at Graduate Student Resources and Forms ↗.