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Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC)

Note: This is the 2020–2021 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC)

Location

Location

  • Burnside Hall, Room 945
  • 805 Sherbrooke Street West
  • Montreal QC H3A 0B9
  • Telephone: 514-398-3764
  • Fax: 514-398-6115
  • Email: info.aos [at] mcgill.ca
  • Website: www.mcgill.ca/meteo

About Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

About Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences offers, at the undergraduate level, a broad range of courses and degree programs in atmospheric science (meteorology). At the postgraduate level, programs of study are offered in physical oceanography, air-sea interaction, and climate research as well as in different branches of atmospheric science. The study of atmospheric science is based largely on physics and applied mathematics. All required courses except those at the introductory level generally have prerequisites or corequisites in physics, mathematics, and atmospheric science. One of the goals of the discipline is to develop the understanding necessary to improve our ability to predict the weather, but atmospheric science is more than weather forecasting.

Another important area of study focuses on the changes in global climate caused by the changing chemical composition of the atmosphere. The approach to the study of climate change is quantitative in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Like other parts of physics, atmospheric science attempts to create theoretical models of its complex processes as a means of analyzing the motion and composition of the air, its thermodynamic behaviour, and its interaction with radiation and with the solid or liquid surface beneath it.

From one viewpoint, the atmosphere may be studied as a large volume of gas by the methods of fluid mechanics: winds, circulation patterns, turbulence, and energy and momentum exchanges are the ideas employed in this approach. Alternatively, the atmosphere may be studied from the point of view of its detailed physics: how water condenses in the air; how cloud droplets make rain; how sunlight warms the ground and the ground warms the air above it by radiation and convection; and how the atmosphere and ocean interact to shape the weather and climate. A comprehensive understanding requires both viewpoints, and these are reflected in the curriculum.

The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences offers four main programs in Atmospheric Science:

  • Honours
  • Major
  • Minor
  • Joint Major in Atmospheric Science and Physics

The Honours program is meant for students with high standing. It is based on courses similar to those in the Major program, but provides opportunities to perform research and to take advanced courses. The Major program, although somewhat less intensive, satisfies the requirements for a professional career as a meteorologist, and like the Honours program equips the student to undertake postgraduate study in meteorology, atmospheric science, and related sciences (physical oceanography) at any of the leading universities. The Department also offers a special one-year Diploma program to B.Sc. or B.Eng. graduates.

An undergraduate degree in Atmospheric Science is an excellent background for professional careers in government service or private industry and/or graduate study in the physical sciences. Environment and Climate Change Canada (and the Meteorological Service of Canada in particular) has traditionally been a significant employer of graduating students at all levels, but provincial governments, private forecasting companies, environmental consulting and engineering firms, and insurance companies also employ Atmospheric Science graduates. Academic positions in teaching and research are available to M.Sc. and Ph.D. graduates. Students interested in any of the undergraduate programs should contact:

  • Timothy Merlis, Undergraduate Adviser
  • Email: timothy.merlis [at] mcgill.ca

or the main departmental office at Room 945, Burnside Hall.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated Aug. 24, 2020) (disclaimer)

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Faculty

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Faculty

Chair
D. Kirshbaum
Emeritus Professors
J.F. Derome; B.Sc., M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Mich.), F.R.S.C.
H.G. Leighton; B.Sc., M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Alta.)
L.A. Mysak; B.Sc.(Alta.), M.Sc.(Adel.), A.M., Ph.D.(Harv.), F.R.S.C. (Canada Steamship Lines Professor of Meteorology)
I. Zawadzki; B.Sc.(Buenos Aires), M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.), F.R.S.C.
Professors
P. Ariya; B.Sc., Ph.D.(York) (James À¦°óSMÉçÇø Professor) (joint appt. with Chemistry)
P. Bartello; B.S.c., M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.)
J.R. Gyakum; B.Sc.(Penn. St.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(MIT)
M.K. Yau; S.B., S.M., Sc.D.(MIT) (NSERC/Hydro-Québec Industrial Research Chair in Short-term Forecasting of Precipitation)
Associate Professors
F. Fabry; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (joint appt. with À¦°óSMÉçÇø School of Environment)
Y. Huang; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Peking), Ph.D.(Princ.)
D. Kirshbaum; B.Sc.(Ill.-Urbana-Champaign), M.Sc.(Johns Hop.), Ph.D.(Wash.)
T. Merlis; B.Sc.(Col.), Ph.D.(Caltech)
D. Straub; B.Sc., M.Sc.(UL Lafayette), Ph.D.(Wash.)
B. Tremblay; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Car.), Ph.D.(McG.)
A. Zuend; Ph.D.(ETH Zurich)
Assistant Professors
C. Dufour; B.Eng.(ISITV, France), M.Sc.(Toulon), Ph.D.(Grenoble)
T. Preston; B.Sc.(Tor.), M.Sc.(UWO), Ph.D.(Br. Col.) (joint appt. with Chemistry)
I. Tan; B.Sc. (Tor.), Ph.D. (Yale)
Adjunct Professors
L. Barrie; Ph.D.(Goethe)
P. Kollias; Ph.D.(Miami)
H. Lin; Ph.D.(McG.)
L.-P. Nadeau; Ph.D.(McG.)
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated Aug. 24, 2020) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Atmospheric Science (18 credits)

This Minor may be taken in conjunction with any program in the Faculty of Science.

For more information, see Minor Atmospheric Science (18 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Liberal Program - Core Science Component Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (48 credits)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Atmospheric Science (62 credits)

For more information, see Major Atmospheric Science (62 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Atmospheric Science and Physics (69 credits)

This Major provides a solid basis for postgraduate study in meteorology, atmospheric physics, or related fields, as well as the necessary preparation for embarking on a professional career as a meteorologist directly after the B.Sc. ...

For more information, see Major Atmospheric Science and Physics (69 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Atmospheric Science (74 credits)

72-74 credits ...

For more information, see Honours Atmospheric Science (74 credits).

Diploma (Dip.) Meteorology (30 credits)

The Department offers an intensive, one-year program in theoretical and applied meteorology to B.Sc. or B.Eng. graduates of suitable standing in physics, applied mathematics or other appropriate disciplines, leading to a Diploma in Meteorology. The program is designed for students with little or no previous background in meteorology who wish to direct their...

For more information, see Diploma (Dip.) Meteorology (30 credits).

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) Related Programs

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) Related Programs

Internship Year in Science (IYS)

Internship Year in Science (IYS)

IYS is a pregraduate work experience program available to eligible students and normally taken between their U2 and U3 years. For more information, see Science Internships and Field Studies.

The following programs are also available with an internship component:

  • Major in Atmospheric Science
  • Honours in Atmospheric Science

Earth System Science Interdepartmental Major

Earth System Science Interdepartmental Major

This program is offered by the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences; Earth and Planetary Sciences; and Geography.

Students in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences interested in this program should contact Professor Bruno Tremblay (bruno.tremblay [at] mcgill.ca). For more information, see Earth System Science (ESYS).

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated Aug. 24, 2020) (disclaimer)
Faculty of Science—2020-2021 (last updated Aug. 24, 2020) (disclaimer)
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