Course concentrations within the existing degree program are offered in the areas of weather prediction, earth system science, remote sensing, and oceanography. Course and research emphasis of the department's oceanographic component is in physical oceanography, ocean-atmosphere climate dynamics, and marine geochemical cycles. A concentration of courses in oceanography can be used to satisfy the AOS Ph.D. minor. The department has close ties with the Center for Climatic Research, Institute for Environmental Studies, Remote Sensing Program, Space Science and Engineering Center, Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, National Weather Service, and State Climatologist. The department is the only department within the College of Letters and Science to have been designated a Center of Excellence in the field of earth system science.
Most graduate students acquire assistantship funding.
Although the number of fellowships and teaching assistantships is limited, there are more research or project assistantships available. Financial aid is handled separately from admission to the department. Students generally hear about their admission status well before any decision about financial aid is made. Job opportunities have been strong within the United States for people with graduate degrees in atmospheric and oceanic sciences. The government hires a large number of meteorologists with advanced degrees, as do many private forecasting companies and air quality consulting firms.