Program Goals
The Master of Science degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences is designed for students with a variety of undergraduate backgrounds and with enough flexibility to prepare students for careers in research, government, and industry. During the program, students will:
- Acquire a strong background in Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences
- Learn to carry out research from conception to completion by designing, conducting, analyzing, and clearly communicating projects that will culminate in a thesis
- AND/OR
- Focus on developing in-demand skills, such as statistical and data analysis, programming, machine learning and communication skills that will prepare graduates for successful careers in industry and government.
- Gain real-world experience in collaborative projects led by our faculty that translate directly to employment or PhD readiness.
- Join an inclusive professional community and build networks with peers, faculty, and external partners that support growth and long-term career development.
Students can choose between a course-based M.S. degree, typically completed within one year, or a research-based option that culminates in an M.S. thesis and usually takes two years. Faculty in AOS offer a variety of research projects in the general areas represented in the department, including opportunities designed to build practical skills for students interested in pursuing industry careers. M.S. students interested in switching to the Ph.D. program may do so without going through the external competitive application process. Note that the transfer from the M.S. to the Ph.D. program requires an internal review of the student’s record and support from a Ph.D. advisor. Students admitted to the M.S. program are not guaranteed admission to the Ph.D. program. M.S. students interested in transitioning to the Ph.D. program will need to complete the Major/Classification Change petition and have it approved by the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and the Division of Graduate Education (DGE). Approval is not guaranteed.
The M.S. program is self-funded. However, students may be able to serve as teaching assistants for one or two quarters (which includes a salary and tuition), pending availability of TA positions. Additionally, some M.S. students are supported on research fellowships in the summer. For additional information on financial aid, see here.
For official university admissions information and program degree requirements, please visit the Graduate Division website.
Admissions
For the Master of Science degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, in addition to the University’s minimum requirements and those listed on UCLA’s Admission Requirements for AOS website, all applicants are expected to submit a statement of purpose. In addition to students holding bachelor’s degrees in meteorology or atmospheric sciences, those with a degree in related disciplines — astronomy, chemistry, engineering, geophysics, oceanography, mathematics, and physics — are encouraged to apply for graduate status in the department.
Please go to our “Application – How to Apply” for step-by-step instructions to guide you through the application process.
Students admitted to the M.S. program are not guaranteed admission to the Ph.D. program. M.S. students interested in transitioning to the Ph.D. program will need to complete the Major/Classification Change petition and have it approved by the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and the Division of Graduate Education (DGE). Approval is not guaranteed.
Program Requirements
Course Requirements
Course requirements for the master’s degree are satisfied by completing the department approved program of study. Each program of study must consist of at least nine courses (36 units), including four (16) core courses and two (8 units) specialized core courses. The minimum of 12 additional units of coursework are chosen, from the 200-series, to develop a specialization. The advanced course requirements also may be partially satisfied by: (1) 200-series courses taken for a grade outside of the department; (2) directed studies courses (596) within the department; and, in case of thesis plan students, (3) research courses (598) within the department. Only one 500-series course (four units) may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement for the master’s degree. Each student submits their program of study to the department prior to the beginning of the Spring quarter of their first year. Subject to the approval of the student’s Faculty Advising Committee (FAC), the program of study may be amended, repeatedly and at any time, based on course offerings and evolving interests. The final program of study will be the basis for the departmental comprehensive examination. Satisfactory completion of the program of study requires an S grade for all S/U graded courses and a B average in all letter-graded courses that are part of the program of study.
In addition to the program of study, all students in the master’s program are required to enroll in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 270 for S/U grading every quarter in which they are registered.
Common Core
All graduate students are required to take the following 4 common core courses (16 units):
- 200A Introduction to Atmospheric and Ocean Fluid
- 200B Introduction to Dynamics of Earth Systems
- 200C Introduction to Atmospheric and Oceanic Radiation, Physics, and Chemistry
- 200D Scientific Communication for Atmospheric and Oceanic Scientists
Specialized Core
All graduate students are required to complete 2 specialized core courses (8 units) selected from the following:
- 201A Geophysical Fluid Dynamics I
- 202 Introduction to Ocean Science
- M203A Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry
- 203B Introduction to Atmospheric Physics
- C205A Introduction to Solar Systems Plasmas
- 205B Introduction to Solar-Terrestrial Physics
- 209 Climate Change Assessment
- M210 Dynamics of Planetary Circulations
- 211 Planetary Wave Dynamics and Teleconnections in Atmosphere/Ocean
- M235 Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics and Climate
- 213 Global Circulation of Atmosphere
Advanced Courses
12 units of AOS electives courses from the 200-level course and directed studies, or AOS department approved advanced courses taken outside of the department. These should be chosen with the students’ advisor or the graduate advisors to develop a specialization. Prior to advancement to candidacy students are required to enroll in at least one 200-level course per year.
Some examples of advanced courses for M.S. students interested in building skills (in addition to the core course 200D):
- C204 – Introduction to Machine Learning for Physical Sciences
- 219 – Statistical Analysis and Visual Explanation of Large Climate Data
- C240 – Remote Sensing of Atmosphere and Oceans
- C260 – Data Analysis in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Typical Program: Sequence of Classes
Faculty Advising Committee
Students should form their faculty advising committee by the start of the Spring quarter of their first year. The faculty advising committee consists of three AOS faculty members. The student can petition to the Graduate Advising & Curriculum Committee (GAC) to have one non-AOS faculty member serve on the FAC. The FAC assists the student in creating a program of study that satisfies departmental and university requirements. If the student chooses the thesis plan, the FAC serves as the master’s thesis committee and evaluates the thesis. If the student chooses the comprehensive examination plan, this committee administers the examination.
Prior to establishing an FAC, each incoming M.S student is assigned a faculty mentor who will serve as an initial point of contact for career and academic guidance.
Comprehensive exam OR Thesis
Students are required to pass a comprehensive written examination or write an original MS thesis, depending on their selection of degree options.
Teaching Experience
There is no formal requirement for teaching experience at the M.S. level, but it is strongly recommended and encouraged to gain teaching experience when possible.
Time-to-Degree
From graduate admission to conferral of degree, normal progress is six academic quarters + two summer terms for the thesis option. For the non-thesis option,normal progress is three academic quarters + one summer term. The maximum allowable time limit for the degree is nine academic quarters + three summer terms.
Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification
Students are normally dismissed if they fail to maintain a 3.0 GPA for two consecutive quarters or if they fail to pass the comprehensive examination after two attempts. Appeals may be made to the Department Chair, but you will be allowed to continue only due to special circumstances.
Degree Options
The M.S program offers two main options:
Thesis Plan: Students may receive the master’s degree by writing an original thesis. The thesis is assessed by the student’s faculty advising committee and it is graded on the basis of critical, creative, and independent thought. If a thesis plan is chosen by the student, it is the student’s responsibility to find a thesis advisor from the AOS faculties.Time-to-degree is approximately two years.
Comprehensive Examination Plan The master’s comprehensive examination is a written examination that is administered by the student’s faculty advising committee after the successful completion of their program of study. The examination is graded Pass or Fail and it is designed based on criteria that demonstrate mastery in an area of atmospheric and oceanic sciences through a project in the student’s area of interest. Students are permitted two attempts to obtain a grade of pass to satisfy the master’s comprehensive examination requirement. Time-to-degree is approximately one year.
Financial Aid
The M.S. program is self-funded, and students are required to pay tuition. The cost of tuition can be calculated on the UCLA Registrar’s Office website by following this link and selecting “Term=Annual” and “Degree=AcademicMaster”.
Even though there are no guarantees because available positions fluctuate from year to year, many M.S. students serve as teaching assistants for one or two quarters (pending availability of TA positions). Teaching assistantships include a salary and cover tuition fees. General information about teaching assistantships can be found here, and TA salaries are based on percent-time of appointments (usually 50%) and are listed here. The availability of TA spots is determined on a quarter-by-quarter basis.
Additionally, some M.S. students are supported on research fellowships in the summer.