Degrees Offered

Image placeholder for slideshow. The department offers Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctorate (Ph.D.) degrees. Through courses in dynamic, synoptic, and physical meteorology, students develop a strong foundation in tropical meteorology and climate science, the department’s special field, and are prepared to do research in the atmospheric sciences. Candidates should have a thorough preparation in physics (with calculus), chemistry, and mathematics through differential equations. Refer to our undergraduate degree ) to confirm you meet our requirements (provide link to the program sheet that shows what MATH, PHYS, AND CHEM is required). Undergraduate courses in physical, dynamic, and synoptic meteorology are expected, but they can be taken in the first year. If deficiencies in undergraduate preparation are noted in the student’s admission file, the student is conditionally admitted and the deficiencies are expected to be corrected through coursework indicated by the graduate chair. Upon successfully addressing the deficiencies, the student is fully admitted to the program and they may proceed with fulfilling the regular MS/PhD program requirements. In addition, it is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm with financial aid and fellowship programs what level coursework can be included in a FAFSA or other aid application.

Our students come from Hawai‘i, from the US mainland, and from other countries. The main qualification to join our program is a good performance in an undergraduate program that includes basic training in mathematics (at least through differential equations) and physics. Some of our graduate students have come to us with undergraduate degrees in atmospheric science, but many others have come with undergraduate degrees in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering or related subjects, and without any prior courses in meteorology.

Master of Science (M.S.)

The department provides two paths to a Master’s degree (M.S.) The first track, Plan A, requires a student-written thesis. The second track, Plan B, requires additional courses and a project instead of a thesis.

Plan A: Thesis Option

Plan A requires the completion of an acceptable thesis and a successful defense of the thesis in an oral examination.

A total of 30 official course credit hours must also be earned. This will be made up of:

  1. At least 18 credits of regular course work (i.e. excluding ATMO 699, ATMO 700, and ATMO 765), with a minimum of 12 credits in courses numbered 600 and above;
  2. One (1) credit of ATMO 765;
  3. Six (6) credits of ATMO 700 “Thesis Research”; and
  4. Five (5) more credits either from regular courses or ATMO 699 “Directed Research.”

As part of (1), the student must pass with a grade of B- or higher in each of our “core graduate courses” of ATMO 600, 610, and 620. Our core requirements also include one (1) term of synoptic meteorology. Unless a student has completed an equivalent course elsewhere, this requirement is met by passing with at least a B- either ATMO 412 or ATMO 416. Students must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the courses counted as our core (ATMO 600, 610, and 620, plus one of ATMO 412 or ATMO 416 if that is taken by the student). As well, students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 for the courses they take in the M.S. program.

Plan B: Non-Thesis Option

Plan B emphasizes a greater number of graduate-level courses, but no thesis.

A total of 30 official course credit hours must be earned, which will be made up of the following:

  1. At least 18 credits of regular course work (i.e., excluding ATMO 699, ATMO 700, and ATMO 765) in courses numbered 600 and above.
  2. One (1) credit of ATMO 765.
  3. Nine (9) additional credits of regular course work in 400-level undergraduate courses and graduate courses (600- and 700-level). Regarding undergraduate courses, we expect that students without a US major in atmospheric sciences may want to take the advanced dynamics course (ATMO 402) and one or both of the forecasting courses (ATMO 412, ATMO 416).
  4. Two (2) credits of ATMO 699 Directed Research/Reading. These 2 credits with a written term paper, along with ATMO 765, Seminar in Meteorology with an oral presentation, are the capstone project for the Plan B program.
  5. Our core requirements include ATMO 600, 610, and 620, and one term of a forecasting lab. Unless a student has completed an equivalent course elsewhere, the forecasting laboratory requirement is met with either ATMO 412 or ATMO 416. These core requirements are met by passing with a grade of B- or higher. Other graduate and undergraduate credits may be taken in other fields and applied to the degree program (requirements 1, 3 above).

ATMO 765 is the graduate seminar course. The written report in ATMO 699 along with the oral presentation in ATMO 765 serves as the required capstone project or culminating experience for Plan B. There is neither a general exam nor a final exam for Plan B.

Students must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the courses counted as our core. As well, students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 for all the courses applied to the MS program.

MS Plan B candidates must be enrolled during the term in which they complete the requirements for the degree; regular course work or ATMO 500 (Master’s Plan B Studies) may be used to meet this requirement. The 500 course is offered as a one-credit course with a mandatory grading of S/NG but does not carry credit toward meeting degree requirements.

Our graduate programs satisfy the University of Hawaii’s Institutional Learning Objectives (ILOs) which can be found here: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/advanced-degree-institutional-learning-objectives-ilo/

Students completing the MS in atmospheric science are expected to:

  1. Demonstrate expert knowledge of the weather and climate of Earth, with a focus on the Tropics. (Knowledge of Concepts, UH ILO 1)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of state-of-the-art advanced methods of meteorological analysis to understand atmospheric phenomena. (Knowledge of Methods, UH ILO 2)
  3. Be able to conduct novel research in significant problems in the atmospheric sciences with modest support from more advanced scientists. (Conduct Research, UH ILO 3)
  4. Apply advanced thermodynamic and dynamic concepts to the analysis of atmospheric phenomena. (Critical Analysis, UH ILO 4)
  5. Communicate both orally and in writing at a high level of proficiency. (Communication, UH ILO 5)
  6. Adopt the principles of proper ethical behavior and understand the broader impacts of the atmospheric sciences on society (Ethics, UH ILO 6)
  7. Possess professional skills to solve real-world problems in the field. (Professionalism, UH ILO 7)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

In addition to the outcomes listed for the MS, students completing the Ph.D. are expected to be able to conduct independent, original research on significant problems in the atmospheric sciences.

Students must satisfy several requirements in order to graduate with a Ph.D. degree. Each student is required to pass at least eight (8) graduate-level courses numbered 600 and above with a grade of B- or higher. These courses will be in dynamic, synoptic, physical, tropical meteorology, oceanography, or other closely related fields. At least five (5) of these courses must be completed at the University of Hawai‘i. Students with an MS degree from our department will need to take at least five (5) graduate-level courses numbered 600 and above that are not counted toward his (her) MS degree requirements with a grade of B- or higher. The courses taken either here or elsewhere need to cover the core requirements ATMO 600, 610, 620, and one of ATMO 412 or ATMO 416. A student must pass each of these core courses with a grade of at least B-. A student must obtain a minimum 3.0 GPA in the core courses taken at Manoa. A student must also maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 for all the courses taken in the Ph.D. program at Manoa.

After these eight (8) courses are successfully completed, but no later than the 24th month in the Ph.D. program, each student must pass a two-part comprehensive examination. The purpose of this exam is to ascertain the student’s comprehension of the broad field of meteorology and so to insure that the student is well-prepared for Ph.D. research. The first part of the comprehensive examination is a set of written exercises; this is followed by an oral examination.

No later than 12 months after the successful completion of the comprehensive examination, each student is required to submit a written research proposal for approval to his/her dissertation committee.

A Ph.D. student must also successfully complete two semesters of ATMO 765 during his/her Ph.D. studies.

Finally, the student must complete an acceptable Ph.D. thesis and successfully defend it in a public final oral examination.

  1. Demonstrate an integrated understanding of the fundamental physical and dynamical processes governing the atmosphere across spatial and temporal scales by passing a comprehensive exam. (Knowledge of Concepts, UH ILO 1)
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of state-of-the-art diagnostic, prognostic, and technological frameworks to analyze and interpret atmospheric processes in their chosen sub-field in the atmospheric sciences. (Knowledge of Methods, UH ILO 2)
  3. Independently design and execute a path of study resulting in novel contributions to a sub-field in the atmospheric sciences. (Conduct Research, UH ILO 3)
  4. Develop and apply critical and analytical thinking to solve problems in a sub-field in the atmospheric sciences in both individual and collaborative settings. (Critical Analysis, UH ILO 4))
  5. Communicate both orally and in writing at a high level of proficiency, as evidenced by the successful defense of their research proposal and dissertation, and clear and concise reports, a dissertation, and scientific articles. (Communication, UH ILO 5)
  6. Adopt the principles of proper ethical behavior and understand the broader impacts of the atmospheric sciences on society (Ethics, UH ILO 6)
  7. Embrace a scientific leadership role and become ambassadors for weather and climate issues impacting the communities and peoples of the greater Pacific region. (Professionalism, UH ILO 7)

Applying to the Graduate Program

Submit your online application to the Graduate Division following the instructions here: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/submitting-your-application/

The application should include:   

  1. Application form;
  2. If you have taken the GRE, submit official GRE (GEN) scores, but note that the GRE is not required. 
  3. Official TOEFL or IELTS score report (Exemptions);
  4. Interest statement;
  5. Unofficial transcripts;
  6. The names and contact information of three former professors or employers who will provide letters of recommendation;
  7. Curriculum vitae; and
  8. Application fee.

You may contact the Graduate Division via telephone at 808-956-8544 or via email, or visit their website.

Step 2:

  1. Request official transcripts be sent directly from the registrar of each institution attended.

Application deadlines:

We accept applications on a rolling basis, but for priority consideration, please submit your application by the dates below:

SemesterU.S. ApplicantsInternational Applicants
FallDecember 15December 15
SpringAugust 15August 15

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships (GAs) are awarded as Research Assistantships (RAs) through your academic advisor, or through inter-departmental Teaching Assistantships (TAs). Both of these are 0.5 (50%) Full Time Employment rates, assuming a workload of 20-hours per week. Several inter-departmental TA positions are available, as well as fellowships through some of our cooperative institutes here at UH Mānoa.

Available Research Assistantships

Please visit the SOEST available assistantships and Graduate Division for available RA-ships. Please note that many professors may not advertise directly on these sites and it is best to contact the faculty you’re hoping to work directly about funding opportunities.

Available Teaching Assistantships

Prospective students should indicate their interest in TA-ships in their statements as part of their submission packet to the Department (Part 2 of Application process). Applicants may email atmo.dept@hawaii.edu for information on the availability of TA-ships in ATMO or other SOEST departments.

Funding Award Amounts

Per Department policy, all GA awards (Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships) are at minimum Step 20, 11-month appointments. More information about the salary steps and appointment durations can be found on the Graduate Division Compensation & Tax Withholding Page.

FAQs

In order to provide you with the most appropriate academic guidance for your individual needs, we request a brief statement describing your interest in atmospheric sciences. Your one-to-two page interest statement should explain why you have chosen to continue your education in atmospheric sciences. It should also briefly state your work experience and career plans, as well as any specialization preferences you wish to express. Please also state if you are interested in joining the research group of a specific faculty member.

If you are interested in a Graduate Research Assistantship, please contact the faculty member(s) you wish to work with directly and/or check for available funded graduate opportunities here. A list of faculty and their research interests can be found here. 

Fei-Fei Jin (Fall 2023-present)

To contact the Graduate Chair, send an email to atmo.gradchair@hawaii.edu

You may contact the Atmospheric Sciences Department via telephone at (808) 956-8775 or via email at metdept@hawaii.edu. You may also contact our graduate chair at atmo.gradchair@hawaii.edu 

You will be notified as soon as action is taken on your application by the Graduate Division.

×