atmospheric chemistry phd programs

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Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

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• Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate

Introduction

Atmospheric chemistry focuses on understanding the factors determining atmospheric composition and its environmental implications for climate, air quality, and biogeochemical cycling. It is an interdisciplinary science that spans across several disciplines including climate dynamics, atmospheric physics, chemical engineering, physical chemistry, and ecology. Some atmospheric chemists are actual “chemists”, while others focus more on the driving physical factors. Atmospheric chemists share a common foundation of knowledge and have deeper knowledge in their areas of specialization.

Proposed Curriculum

Undergraduate foundational knowledge.

Basic education in atmospheric chemistry that will give you a general understanding of the field.

• Chemistry: Physical Sciences 1 or equivalent
• Atmospheric chemistry: EPS 133

Graduate students: First Year, Fall Term

• One mathematics course based on EPS math requirements (e.g., Applied Math 105, 111, 120, 201, 202, or Statistics 139, 149, 230; see the EPS Graduate Student Handbook )
• EPS 208 Physics of Climate
• EPS 200 Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
• EPS 236 Environmental Modeling and Data Analysis

First Year, Spring Term

• One or two graduate course(s) from the list below
• Second math course based on EPS math requirements (e.g., Applied Math 105, 111, 120, 201, 202, or Statistics 139, 149, 230; see the EPS Graduate Student Handbook )
• EPS breadth course from outside atmospheric chemistry

Graduate Advanced Knowledge 

Essential preparation for professional atmospheric chemists depending on their areas of interest. These courses will typically have advanced prerequisites.

• EPS 231 Climate Dynamics
• EPS 232 Dynamic Meteorology
• EPS 237 Planetary Radiation and Climate
• ES 263 Chemical Reactions and Mechanisms in the Environment
• ES 267 Aerosol Science and Technology
• ES 268 Chemical Kinetics
• PHY 123 Laboratory Electronics; PHY 175 Laser Physics and Modern Optical Physics; APY 216 Electromagnetic Interactions with Matter
• CHEM 242 Quantum Mechanics
• CHEM 240 Statistical Thermodynamics
• Land-atmosphere interactions: advanced courses are offered at MIT
• Jim Anderson: Stratospheric and laboratory measurements
• Daniel Jacob: Atmospheric chemistry modeling
• Michael McElroy: Atmospheric chemistry, composition, altering climate, air quality, radiation
• Scot Martin: Environmental chemistry
• Steve Wofsy: Forest and atmospheric measurements
• Frank Keutsch (EPS Affiliate and faculty in SEAS and Dept. of Chemistry)
• Elsie Sunderland (EPS Affiliate and faculty in SEAS and the T.H. Chan School of Public Health)
• Undergraduate
• Climate Dynamics
• Geobiology and Earth History
• High Temperature Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry
• Low Temperature Geochemistry
• Planetary Sciences
• Graduate Student Resources
• Graduate Field Experiences
• Former Graduate Students
• Fall 2024 Courses
• Spring 2024 Courses

More Course Information

To search all FAS courses and cross register for courses at other Harvard schools or MIT, go to my.harvard.edu .

Graduate students may want to explore  study opportunities and recommended curriculum by research area.

Associated Faculty

• James Anderson
• Daniel Jacob
• Frank Keutsch
• Scot Martin
• Michael McElroy
• Elsie Sunderland
• Steven Wofsy

logo"> Department of Atmospheric Sciences

• College of the Environment
• University of Washington

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Doctor of Philosophy in Atmospheric Sciences

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy signifies understanding of the nature of knowledge normally attained only through the original solution of a problem of substantial scientific importance.

All students admitted into the Atmospheric Sciences graduate program will be admitted initially to the M.S. track of study. Students in the M.S. track who seek entry into the PhD program will be evaluated by the  COGS  (Committee on Graduate Studies) on the basis of their master’s thesis, defense of master’s research, and coursework. A student must qualify for study toward the PhD by being nominated to COGS by their M.S. Supervisory Committee and then approved by COGS for admission into the PhD. Immediately upon qualifying for PhD study, a student will form a PhD Supervisory Committee with a minimum of five members. The student and the PhD Supervisory Committee will jointly plan the remainder of his/her academic program.

PhD students can elect to pursue a Data Science Option , Advanced Data Science Option , or a dual-title PhD in Atmospheric Sciences and Astrobiology .

To complete the PhD a student must pass COGS, pass their General Exam and pass their Final Exam. Detailed information about these milestones can be found in the sidebar to the left.

To see examples of the theses and dissertations written by graduate students in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, please see the UW library archives: https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/handle/1773/4893

1.84J Atmospheric Chemistry (Same subject as 10.817J, 12.807J) Prereq: 5.60 H (Fall) Units : 3-0-9

Provides a detailed overview of the chemical transformations that control the abundances of key trace species in the Earth’s atmosphere. Emphasizes the effects of human activity on air quality and climate. Topics include photochemistry, kinetics, and thermodynamics important to the chemistry of the atmosphere; stratospheric ozone depletion; oxidation chemistry of the troposphere; photochemical smog; aerosol chemistry; sources and sinks of greenhouse gases.

Instructor: Jesse Kroll

1.841/12.817: Atmospheric Composition and Global Change Prereq: 1.84J/12.807 or equivalent H (Spring, even years) Units: 3-0-9

The objective of this class is to explore how atmospheric chemical composition both drives and responds to climate, with a particular focus on feedbacks via the biosphere. Discussion topics include: atmospheric nitrogen; DMS, sulfate and CLAW; biogenic volatile organic compounds and secondary organic aerosol; wildfires and land use change; atmospheric methane and the oxidative capacity of the troposphere; air quality and climate and geoengineering.

Instructor: Colette Heald

12.806J Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry (Same subject as 10.571J) Prereq: 5.61, 18.075, or permission of instructor H (Spring) Units: 3-0-9

Introduction to the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere including experience with computer codes. Aerosols and theories of their formation, evolution, and removal. Gas and aerosol transport from urban to continental scales. Coupled models of radiation, transport, and chemistry. Solution of inverse problems to deduce emissions and removal rates. Emissions control technology and costs. Applications to air pollution and climate.

Instructor: Ron Prinn

12.848J Global Climate Change: Economics, Science, and Policy (Same subject as 15.023J, ESD.128J) Prereq: Calculus II (GIR); 5.60; 14.01 or 15.010; or permission of instructor G (Spring) Units: 3-0-6

Introduces scientific, economic, and ecological issues underlying the threat of global climate change, and the institutions engaged in negotiating an international response. Develops an integrated approach to analysis of climate change processes, and assessment of proposed policy measures, drawing on research and model development within the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change. Graduate students are expected to explore the topic in greater depth through reading and individual research.

Instructor: R. G. Prinn, M. D. Webster

12.835 Experimental Atmospheric Chemistry Prereq: Chemistry (GIR) G (Fall) Units: 2-4-6

Introduces the atmospheric chemistry involved in climate change, air pollution, and ozone depletion using a combination of interactive laboratory and field studies and simple computer models. Uses instruments for trace gas and aerosol measurements and methods for inferring fundamental information from these measurements. Provides instruction and practice in written and oral communication. Students taking the graduate version complete different assignments.

Instructor: Ron Prinn, Shuhei Ono and Dan Cziczo

12.885: Environmental Science and Society Prereq: 12.806, 12.807, or permission of instructor H (Fall, new in 2012) Units : 3-0-9

Stresses integration of central scientific concepts in environmental science and their connections to societal actions. Places emphasis on identifying and intercomparing the scientific foundation of environmental problems and proposals for their solution. Through lectures, independent study, group discussions, and periodic research reports, students produce an in-depth overview and critique of case studies in environmental problems and human actions. Illuminates commonalities and differences between past and present successes and impediments in dealing with environmental decisions. Potential topics include ozone depletion, global warming, acid rain, and smog. Students taking the graduate version complete different assignments.

Instructor: Susan Solomon

16.715: Aerospace, Energy, and the Environment Prereq: Chemistry (GIR); 1.060, 2.006, 10.301, 16.004, or permission of instructor H (Spring, new in 2013) Units: 3-0-9

Addresses energy and environmental challenges facing aerospace in the 21st century. Topics include: aircraft performance and energy requirements, propulsion technologies, jet fuels and alternative fuels, lifecycle assessment of fuels, combustion, emissions, climate change due to aviation, aircraft contrails, air pollution impacts of aviation, impacts of supersonic aircraft, and aviation noise. Includes an in-depth introduction to the relevant atmospheric and combustion physics and chemistry with no prior knowledge assumed. Discussion and analysis of near-term technological, fuel-based, regulatory and operational mitigation options for aviation, and longer-term technical possibilities.

Instructor: Steven Barrett

ESD.110J Global Environmental Science and Politics (Same subject as 12.846J) Prereq: None G (Fall, odd years) Units: 3-0-6

Practical introduction to the international environmental political arena, particularly designed for science and engineering students whose work is potentially relevant to global environmental issues. Covers basic issues in international politics, such as negotiations, North-South conflict, implementation and compliance, and trade. Emphasizes the roles and responsibilities of experts providing scientific assessment reports and in technical advisory bodies. Term projects focus on organizing and presenting scientific information in ways relevant for ongoing global policymaking.

Instructor: Noelle Selin

ESD.120J Sustainability Science and Engineering (Same subject as 12.845J) Prereq: permission of instructor G (Fall, even years) H-Level Grad Credit Units: 3-0-6

Introduces and develops core ideas and concepts in the field of sustainability science and engineering from an engineering systems perspective. Takes an interdisciplinary approach to discuss case studies of sustainability systems research. Exposes students to techniques for sustainability research across engineering, natural and social science disciplines. Term projects focus on applying techniques.

ESD.864J Modeling and Assessment for Policy (Same subject as 12.844J) Prereq: ESD.10 or permission of instructor G (Spring) H-Level Grad Credit Units: 3-0-6

Explores how scientific information and quantitative models can be used to inform policy decision-making. Develops an understanding of quantitative modeling techniques and their role in the policy process through case studies and interactive activities. Addresses issues such as analysis of scientific assessment processes, uses of integrated assessment models, public perception of quantitative information, methods for dealing with uncertainties, and design choices in building policy-relevant models. Examples focus on models and information used in Earth system governance.