Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Atmospheric Sciences

The goal of the Ph.D. degree in the Atmospheric Sciences Graduate program is to prepare and educate students in critical thinking, resulting in innovative ideas that can advance our understanding and knowledge of the earth-atmosphere system in terms of process studies, modeling, and instrumentation. The Atmospheric Sciences Graduate program is for students interested in research and applications on a wide variety of atmospheric science topics: atmospheric technology, cloud, and aerosol physics, climate trends, remote sensing, weather forecasting, atmospheric chemistry, health impacts of air pollution, meteorology, mesoscale modeling, fire weather, and wildfire plume dynamics, instrument development, radiative forcing, turbulence, renewable energy and fuels, greenhouse gases and climate change.

The Ph.D. degree in atmospheric sciences allows pursuing related careers, including atmospheric scientist, postdoctoral fellow, assistant research professor, professor, lecturer, air quality scientist, climatologist, environmental scientist, environmental monitoring specialist, and meteorologist.

Student learning outcomes:

• SLO 1: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of theoretical and observational aspects of Atmospheric Sciences.
• SLO 2: Students will be able to engage with the observational and theoretical aspects of research studies (numerical and graphical analysis of data and modeling results, writing reports, operating and developing instruments, working with models, etc.).
• SLO 3: Students will be able to demonstrate achievement in communication skills.

All course work (including dissertation credits) must be completed within eight years preceding the degree's awarding. Credits transferred into a doctoral degree from a completed master's degree are exempt from this eight-year limit. As noted earlier, Ph.D. students must complete their comprehensive exam by the end of their third year or be subject to dismissal due to lack of progress.

The Desert Research Institute (DRI) is a recognized world leader in basic and applied environmental research. Committed to scientific excellence and integrity, DRI faculty, students, and staff have developed scientific knowledge and innovative technologies in research projects worldwide.

Since 1959, The Desert Research Institute’s research has advanced scientific knowledge, supported Nevada’s diversifying economy, provided science-based educational opportunities, and informed policymakers, business leaders, and community members.

The Desert Research Institute’s faculty members are nontenured and responsible for their own salaries through external grants and contracts. Through this blend of academic rigour and private-sector pragmatism, The Desert Research Institute has earned a reputation for efficiently delivering high-quality scientific information, transparent, and accountable.