Program Overview

Introduction to the Graduate Program in Atmospheric Science

The Rutgers Graduate Program in Atmospheric Science (GPAS) offers both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. GPAS faculty conduct research in a variety of topics, including:

• Climate dynamics from regional to global scales
• Synoptic meteorology and extreme events
• Tropical meteorology
• Paleoclimate
• Cloud and radiation physics
• Ocean-atmosphere interactions
• Land-atmosphere interactions
• Climate-chemistry-aerosol interactions

Admission Requirements

Any prospective student with a Bachelor's Degree or higher in a mathematical or scientific discipline is a candidate for the program. Previous education in atmospheric sciences is not required for acceptance. Beginning students are required to have taken:

• Calculus through differential equations (usually 4 semesters)
• Two semesters of physics for the sciences (including laboratory)
• One semester of atmospheric thermodynamics
• One semester of atmospheric dynamics Ideally, these courses should be completed before the student enrolls; otherwise, they should be taken as soon as possible. Students are also expected to be competent in computer programming in one or more high-level programming languages.

Evaluation Criteria

A successful applicant is expected to have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. For international applicants requiring an English language proficiency test, the minimum TOEFL score for acceptance is 590 (paper version) or 96 (iBT). For the iELTS exam, the minimum score for acceptance is bandwidth 7. GRE scores are not required for application to the graduate program and they will not be considered for admission decisions. Experience and outstanding contributions to science are also considered in the evaluation of each applicant.

Financial Aid and Support

The program may offer fellowships, teaching assistantships, and faculty-supported research assistantships to highly qualified applicants.

Application Deadlines

The deadline for application for the Fall semester is December 15. Applications are also accepted for the Spring Semester with a deadline of November 1, although we rarely admit students for Spring because financial aid is generally not available at that time.