The aims of the program leading to the Ph.D. in Climate Science are to (1) provide broad rigorous training in the fundamental theories and practices of the field, (2) ensure an expert level of fluency in climate data analysis, and (3) develop the student’s ability to carry out independent scholarly research and to communicate the results concisely and accurately to the scientific community and the general public.
Students may choose between two tracks: Climate Dynamics or Climate Chemistry & Physics. Both tracks prepare the student for senior professional positions at academic institutions and in industry, government, or other agencies.
The program requires at least 60 credit-hours of graduate study and research beyond the baccalaureate, culminating in a doctoral dissertation representing a significant and original contribution to a field of climate science. Areas of research specialization within the two tracks include climate dynamics and modeling, polar environments, atmospheric chemistry, paleoclimate reconstruction, environmental geochemistry, physical oceanography and ocean-atmosphere interactions, remote sensing, urban climate, renewable energy, and applications of machine learning.
Requirements for Admission
In addition to the general University at Albany requirements for admission to doctoral study, an applicant's undergraduate preparation should include:
- two semesters of a college calculus sequence for science/engineering majors;
- one semester of college-level physics;
- two semesters of college-level chemistry; and
- basic skills in at least one computer coding language.
For the Climate Chemistry & Physics track, applicants must have one semester of college-level environmental science, geology, or geochemistry.
For the Climate Dynamics track, students must have one additional semester of a calculus sequence for science/engineering majors (3 semesters total) and the required physics course must be calculus-based.
These requirements would normally be met through a B.S. degree in Atmospheric Science/Meteorology, Oceanography, Geology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Physics, or closely related field. A student who is deficient in these subjects will be expected to satisfy the deficiencies during the first year of graduate study, in consultation with their faculty advisor(s). A lack in one of more of these courses does not automatically disqualify a student from admission. Alternative courses, research, or work experience that demonstrate a strong background in math, physics, chemistry, and/or environmental science can provide equivalent preparation.
Program of Study and Research (60 credits)
A minimum of 60 credits in graduate coursework (500 level or above), seminars, and independent study is required for the Ph.D. degree. This includes 12 credits of required core courses in either of two tracks: Climate Dynamics or Climate Chemistry & Physics (detailed below). Students must complete the Climate Science coursework requirements for the M.S. degree. These requirements may be satisfied by coursework while earning the M.S. in Climate Science, subject to the approval of the DAES Graduate Program Committee. This program includes, in addition, research leading to an acceptable dissertation approved by the student’s doctoral advisory committee. The dissertation must represent a significant and original contribution to the field of Climate Science.
Core Course Requirements
Students will complete 12 credits of core courses based on the track chosen.
1. Climate Dynamics Track: 12 credit core consisting of the following courses -
- Atm 500 Atmospheric Dynamics (3)
- Atm 504 Introduction to Atmospheric Physics I (3)
- Atm 551 Fundamentals of Earth's Climate (3)
- Data Fluency Elective (3 credits)
2. Climate Chemistry & Physics Track: 12 credit core consisting of the following courses -
- Atm 550 Paleoclimatology (3)
- Atm 551 Fundamentals of Earth's Climate (3)
- Climate Chemistry or Physics Elective (3 credits)
- Data Fluency Elective (3 credits)
Climate Chemistry or Physics Elective: Students in the Climate Chemistry & Physics track are required to take at least one course (3 credits from the following list, covering fundamental topics in chemistry and/or physics relevant to Earth's climate.
- Atm 504 Introduction to Atmospheric Physics I (3)
- Atm 506 Environmental Geochemistry (3)
- Atm 507 Atmospheric Chemistry (3)
- Atm 615 Global Biogeochemical Cycles (3)
Data Fluency Elective: Students in both tracks are required to take a minimum of one course (3 credits) from the following list, gaining fluency in the theory and practice of climate data analysis, which include machine learning methods, high-performance computing, and cloud-computing.
- Atm 522 Climate Variability and Predictability (3)
- Atm 533 Advanced Geophysical Data Analysis and Visualization (3)
- Atm 561 Applied Data Analysis in Atmospheric and Environmental Science (3)
- Atm 623 Climate Modeling (3)
Research Tool Requirement
Students are deemed to have satisfied the University’s doctoral Research Tool Requirement via successful completion of the core Data Fluency elective requirement (detailed below) and demonstrated data analysis applications during the Oral Qualifying Examination.
Departmental Examinations
- Written Qualifying Examination: The student must pass a written exam administered by a faculty committee that covers the student’s broad area of research specialization. The purpose of the written exam is to evaluate a student’s critical analysis skills and their ability to apply the scientific method to answer important questions in the field. Students will typically take the written exam in their second or third year of study, depending on their background.
- Oral Qualifying Examination: The student must pass an oral examination that is administered by the student’s doctoral advisory committee. The exam is based on a written and oral prospectus prepared by the student that describes the basis and approach for the dissertation research. Students typically write their prospectus and take the oral exam within one year of passing the written exam.
- Dissertation Defense: The student must satisfactorily complete an oral presentation and defense of the dissertation.
Ancillary Duties
In addition to the completion of course requirements, satisfactory performance in some ancillary teaching, research, or practicum duties contributing to academic development is required, whether or not the student receives financial support from this institution. These duties will be assigned with educational objectives in mind.
Full Time Study in Residence
Each student in a doctoral program must engage in full-time study beyond the Master’s degree, or equivalent at the University, for at least two semesters after admission to the advanced program. This requirement is designed to ensure a sustained period of intensive intellectual growth. For this purpose, a student will enroll in full-time study (nine credits) taken in each of two semesters, or in a regular semester and a summer session, not necessarily consecutive, which must be completed satisfactorily.
Graduate assistants holding a full assistantship may meet the full-time residency requirement by completing one academic year in such a position, including the satisfactory completion of a minimum of nine credits per semester plus satisfactory completion of assigned duties.
Admission to Candidacy
A student is admitted to candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy upon the following:
- Satisfactory record in course and seminar study (i.e., 60 credit hours);
- Completion of University residence requirements;
- Satisfactory completion of the research tool requirement;
- Satisfactory completion of the qualifying examinations.