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Program Description

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences offers a graduate program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Atmospheric Sciences. The Doctoral program is intended to prepare students to assume critical roles in leading research efforts, guiding science policy, educating future scientists, and creating opportunities in industry.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking approved admission status to the University of North Dakota Department of Atmospheric Sciences Ph.D. program are subject to the following general admission requirements set forth by the UND School of Graduate Studies:

1. A four-year bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university.
2. A minimum of 20 semester credits of appropriate undergraduate coursework (for atmospheric sciences, coursework is in physics, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, and/or atmospheric science).
3. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test for applicants whose native language is not English. Students who have received a bachelor's degree or higher from the United States or English-speaking Canada are not required to submit the TOEFL;

to the following Ph.D.-specific UND School of Graduate Studies requirements:

1. A master's degree from an accredited institution normally in the field of proposed specialist or doctoral study.
2. A grade point average of at least 3.0 in all graduate level work.

and to the departmental requirements:

1. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for all undergraduate work.
2. A combined score of 1050 in the quantitative and verbal sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis and those with limited backgrounds in the aforementioned areas (physics, mathematics, chemistry, and atmospheric science) but with a distinguished record in other disciplines may be accepted on a qualified basis with the understanding that deficiencies would be remedied early in the program.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Doctor of Philosophy through the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the UND School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Department of Atmospheric Sciences. The general requirements set forth by the UND School of Graduate Studies include:

1. Completion of 90 semester credits beyond the baccalaureate degree.
2. Maintenance of at least a 3.0 GPA for all classes completed as a graduate student.
3. Completion of a dissertation, which incorporates independent work that is an original contribution to knowledge.
4. With approval of a student's Faculty Advisory Committee, up to one-half of the work beyond a master's degree may be transferred from another institution.
5. At least one-half of the work must be in the major field.
6. Successful completion of a comprehensive examination.
7. Successful completion of a final examination.
8. Completion of degree within seven years. Graduate courses and programs of study that are more than seven years old cannot be counted towards fulfilling requirements for an advanced program unless a revalidation process is completed.

The particular requirements set forth by the Department of Atmospheric Sciences include:

1. Two consecutive years of full time academic work completed in residence at the University of North Dakota campus. With approval of a student's Faculty Advisory Committee, one of these years may be completed through full-time academic work and/or research at another institution or location.
2. At least 27 of the post-master's credits must be class credits.
3. At least 18 of the 27 class credits must be taken within the Department of Atmospheric Sciences.
4. Up to 9 of the post master's credits may be taken through distance education.
5. Completion of AtSc 500 and 505 or equivalent classes.
6. A departmental seminar on dissertation research topic.

Students are required to complete coursework, a comprehensive examination, and independent research that culminate in a dissertation, seminar, and final examination.