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Undergraduate Research Opportunities in the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

This program provides the opportunity for undergraduates to collaborate with a faculty member and his or her research group in the area of atmospheric and oceanic sciences. Regardless of how closely the research is related to their eventual careers, most student participants have found this experience to be of great value to them. They may help write a scientific paper, or even write one entirely on their own; they may also be given an opportunity to present such a paper at a professional conference.

Undergraduate majors in the physical sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Geology, etc.) may begin this program in their sophomore year if they have an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0, and a 3.3 average in their physical science courses. As soon as they decide upon a project and find a faculty sponsor, they and their faculty sponsor negotiate the credit to be earned and outline the work to be done.

During their first few semesters, they may do routine tasks in order to gain experience. By their junior or senior year, they should have the knowledge and experience to undertake more challenging projects. At this stage, during the fall and spring semesters, students can earn academic credit for research efforts under AOSC 499. However this is limited to no more than 3 credits.

On some projects, students may be paid for their work, an arrangement which may continue through the summers and winter breaks.

The areas of research which are carried out by the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science are given in the department web page www.atmos.umd.edu/research. The following general topics are available for undergrad research:

Click on the cloudring for a downloadable abstract of a recent undergrad research project.

Students interested in this program should contact Professor Robert D. Hudson, the undergraduate advisor, at 301 405-5394, or hudson@atmos.umd.edu