Northern Arizona University

What you'll study

The programme builds a foundation in atmospheric and climate dynamics, observational techniques, and quantitative analysis, while allowing specialisation through electives and a research thesis or project. Core topics typically include atmospheric physics and thermodynamics, climate dynamics and variability, climate modelling and numerical methods, remote sensing and satellite data analysis, and statistical methods for climate data.

• Climate dynamics and variability — large-scale circulation, modes of climate variability (e.g. ENSO, PDO), teleconnections and seasonal-to-decadal prediction.
• Atmospheric and oceanic processes — radiation balance, boundary-layer processes, air–sea interactions and coupling between components of the Earth system.
• Climate modelling — general circulation models, regional climate models, model evaluation and downscaling techniques.
• Observational methods and remote sensing — in situ instrumentation, satellite retrievals, radar and lidar applications for climate monitoring.
• Quantitative methods — time series analysis, statistical climate attribution, data assimilation and use of programming for large datasets.
• Electives and special topics — paleoclimatology, hydrology and climate impacts, land–atmosphere interactions, climate policy and adaptation depending on student interests.
• Research thesis or applied capstone — students typically complete an original research project under faculty supervision or an applied project with a partner organisation.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as atmospheric science, physics, mathematics, geoscience, engineering or a closely related field, and demonstrate competence in calculus and basic statistics. Admissions committees look for a strong undergraduate academic record, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose outlining research interests, and a résumé or CV.

Specific expectations often include prior coursework in calculus, introductory physics or atmospheric science, and some experience with computer programming or data analysis. The programme may accept students with diverse backgrounds if they complete recommended prerequisite courses. GRE requirements, if any, vary by intake and should be confirmed with the department. International applicants must meet the university’s English language proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to careers in academic research, government agencies, environmental consulting, renewable energy and climate services, non-governmental organisations, and applied sectors that require climate expertise. Typical roles include climate scientist or analyst, modeller, data scientist specialising in environmental datasets, policy analyst focusing on climate adaptation and mitigation, and research technician or project manager for field-based studies. The degree also provides solid preparation for doctoral study in climate science, atmospheric science or related Earth-system disciplines.

Why study at Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University offers strong opportunities for hands-on, field-oriented climate research thanks to its proximity to the Colorado Plateau and a range of climate gradients across the region. Students benefit from active research centres and institutes on campus that collaborate across ecology, hydrology and atmospheric science, providing interdisciplinary project opportunities.

Faculty at NAU work on topics spanning observational climate science, ecosystem–climate interactions, paleoclimate reconstructions and applied climate impacts, and students can access field sites, instrumented observatories and computing resources to support thesis work. The regional setting combined with interdisciplinary partnerships makes NAU well suited for students interested in both fundamental climate science and applied problem solving in natural-resource and policy contexts.