Program Requirements
The Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences is a comprehensive, research-driven program, focusing on topics related to climate dynamics, atmospheric chemistry, physical oceanography, weather forecasting, climate change impacts, air-sea interactions, and polar sciences. This program offers training on effective data collection, research methods, and the effective communication of scientific ideas. The program can be completed in the standard two years.
Thesis Courses (24 credits)
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ATOC 691 Master's Thesis Literature Review (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Review of relevant literature in preparation for the M.Sc. research.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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ATOC 692 Master's Thesis Research 1 (6 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Independent research under the supervision of the student's M.Sc. supervisor.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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ATOC 694 Master's Thesis Progress Report and Seminar (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Written report on the M.Sc. research progress and oral presentation of the report in seminar form to staff and students.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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ATOC 699 Master's Thesis (12 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Independent research under the supervision of the student's M.Sc. supervisor leading to the M.Sc. thesis.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Although registration is not required, students registered in M.Sc. programs are expected to regularly attend one of the student seminar series (ATOC 751D1/D2 or ATOC 752D1/D2) and the Department seminar series during the entire period of their enrolment in the program.
Complementary Courses (21 credits)
Must complete or have completed the following courses or equivalent:
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ATOC 512 Atmospheric and Oceanic Dynamics (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Equations of motion used to study waves, turbulence, and the general circulation of the atmosphere and oceans. Standard approximations to these equations, including the Boussinesq, primitive, quasigeostrohic, and rotating shallow water equations. Emphasis is on effects for which rotation and/or buoyancy play essential roles. Simple classes of flow, e.g., geostrophic, thermal wind, Ekman, and inertial oscillations.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Straub, David N (Fall)
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ATOC 513 Waves and Stability (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Description of the principal wave types and instability mechanisms of geophysical fluid dynamics. Geostrophic adjustment, wave dispersion, the WKBJ approximation. Wave types considered include (internal) inertia-gravity waves, planetary Rossby waves, and the equatorial and coastal wave guides. Instabilities considered include inertial, symmetric, barotropic, baroclinic, and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Straub, David N (Winter)
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ATOC 515 Turbulence in Atmosphere and Oceans (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Application of statistical and semi-empirical methods to the study of geophysical turbulence. Reynolds' equations, dimensional analysis, and similarity. The surface and planetary boundary layers. Oceanic mixed layer. Theories of isotropic two- and three- dimensional turbulence: energy and enstrophy inertial ranges. Beta turbulence.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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ATOC 519 Advances in Chemistry of Atmosphere (3 credits) *
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Exploration of the field of atmospheric chemistry that is identified as the significant driver of climate change and the cause of millions of premature death every year. Discussion of cutting-edge novel technologies for observing and quantifying pollutants (from ground to satellite) using artificial intelligence, the fate of emerging contaminants (e.g., nano/microplastics, trace metals, persistent organic), and modelling of atmospheric and interfacial processes. Examination of topics like atmospheric gaseous and multiphase components like bioaerosols. Study of photochemical, photophysical, and aerosol nucleation processes that affect air quality, climate change, and ecosystem health.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Ariya, Parisa A (Fall)
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ATOC 521 Cloud Physics (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : A detailed overview of the environmental factors and microphysical processes involved in the formation of clouds and precipitation. Topics typically include: cloud observations, atmospheric thermodynamics, environmental stability regimes, convection, the microphysics of the formation of cloud droplets and ice crystals, initiation of precipitation, aerosol–cloud interactions.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Zuend, Andreas (Winter)
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ATOC 525 Atmospheric Radiation (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Solar and terrestrial radiation. Interactions of molecules, aerosols, clouds, and precipitation with radiation of various wavelengths. Radiative transfer through the clear and cloudy atmosphere. Radiation budgets. Satellite and ground-based measurements. Climate implications.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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ATOC 531 Dynamics of Current Climates (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : A detailed overview of the climate and the global energy balance. Topics typically include: energy balance at top of the atmosphere and at the surface, poleward energy flux, the role of clouds, climate and atmospheric/oceanic general circulations, natural variability of the climate system, evolution of climate and climate change.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Fajber, Robert (Fall)
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ATOC 540 Synoptic Meteorology 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Analysis of current meteorological data. Description of a geostrophic, hydrostatic atmosphere. Ageostrophic circulations and hydrostatic instabilities. Kinematic and thermodynamic methods of computing vertical motions. Tropical and extratropical condensation rates. Barotropic and equivalent barotropic atmospheres.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Gyakum, John Richard (Fall)
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ATOC 541 Synoptic Meteorology 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Analysis of current meteorological data. Quasi-geostrophic theory, including the omega equation, as it relates to extratropical cyclone and anticyclone development. Frontogenesis and frontal circulations in the lower and upper troposphere. Cumulus convection and its relationship to tropical and extratropical circulations. Diagnostic case study work.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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ATOC 548 Mesoscale Meteorology (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Theory of meteorologically important mesoscale phenomena including mesoscale instabilities, cumulus convection and its organization (including thunderstorms, squall lines, and other forms of severe weather), internal gravity waves, and topographically forced flows. Application of theory to the physical interpretation of observations and numerical simulations.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Romanic, Djordje (Winter)
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ATOC 568 Ocean Physics (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Major topics in physics and dynamics of the ocean including seawater properties, density and equation of state, sea ice, air-sea-ice exchanges, mixing and stability in the ocean, wind-driven and thermohaline circulations. Observational techniques and numerical models of the ocean, which include some data analysis and literature review.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Tremblay, Bruno (Fall)
Winter
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite (Undergraduate): ATOC 512 or permission of instructor
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ATOC 626 Atmospheric/Oceanic Remote Sensing (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Principles of radiative transfer applied to observing the atmosphere and oceans by satellite, radar, and other methods of remote sensing. Applications to cloud physics and climate research.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
3 hours
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CHEM 519 Advances in Chemistry of Atmosphere (3 credits) *
Overview
Chemistry : Exploration of the field of atmospheric chemistry that is identified as the significant driver of climate change and the cause of millions of premature death every year. Discussion of cutting-edge novel technologies for observing and quantifying pollutants (from ground to satellite) using artificial intelligence, the fate of emerging contaminants (e.g., nano/microplastics, trace metals, persistent organic), and modelling of atmospheric and interfacial processes. Examination of topics like atmospheric gaseous and multiphase components like bioaerosols. Study of photochemical, photophysical, and aerosol nucleation processes that affect air quality, climate change, and ecosystem health.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Ariya, Parisa A (Fall)
* Students may select either ATOC 519 or CHEM 519.
Or other courses at the 500 level or higher recommended by the Department's Graduate Program Director.
Students with a strong background in atmospheric or oceanic science, or a Diploma in Meteorology, will take at least the 7-credit minimum. Students with no previous background in atmospheric or oceanic science must take the 20-credit maximum.
