The Master of Science Degree in Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering

Program Overview

Climate & Space academic programs are integrated studies designed to give students a broad base of study in atmospheric, space and planetary science. The MS program is similar to the first two years of the doctoral program, however the core courses are not required. Each MS student creates a course schedule with their advisor.

Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering (CLaSP) MS graduates will be empowered to provide substantive contributions to the well-being of society through their ability to:

● creatively and collaboratively, develop solutions to interdisciplinary science and engineering problems in climate and space;

● effectively communicate scientific and technical information;

● act as leaders, educators, researchers, and communicators within academic, government, private and public sectors;

● foster inclusive and multicultural environments, embracing the diversity of experiences and ideas held by others; and

●  demonstrate high ethical standards.

Student achievement of these learning goals is measured primarily by performance in MS coursework. The program also considers breadth of courses taken and post-degree plans in assessment.  The MS degree provides a solid foundation to continue studies toward a PhD degree.

General Program Requirements

Climate & Space academic programs are integrated studies designed to give students a broad base of study in atmospheric, space and planetary science. The MS program is similar to the first two years of the doctoral program, however the core courses are not required. Each MS student creates a course schedule with their advisor.

The MS degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework, of which 15 must be in Climate & Space courses. The Rackham School of Graduate Studies has a cognate requirement that each student take a minimum of three (3) credit hours of coursework in a different department. Climate & Space requires that these courses be non-seminar courses and not be courses cross-listed with Climate & Space.

Admissions

Applicants to the Climate & Space master’s program may have a bachelor’s degree in any field of study, but they are expected to have completed minimum requirements in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Normally this would include five semesters of mathematics, eight credit hours of physics, including two laboratories, and five credit hours of chemistry. Thirty semester hours are required for the master’s degree, fifteen of which must be from the Department’s offerings. A minimum of four additional hours must be in mathematics, natural science, or engineering.

Please Note: If you intend to continue your program and pursue a PhD, you should apply directly to the Climate & Space Doctoral Program. The Climate & Space MS program is designed for students interested in receiving a terminal MS degree.

The deadline for the fall MS student cohort (Program Code 02219) is January 15th; applicants are only considered to start in the fall semester. It is recommended that you submit your application early to ensure that it arrives on or before the deadline. Information about the cost of attending the University of Michigan is available from The Office of Registrar.

All Climate & Space MS students are admitted to the program through the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

You are encouraged to explore the Rackham web site and familiarize yourself with the resources, tools and other information for masters students. The Climate & Space Student Handbook, which will give you additional information about the Department, is available on the Climate & Space Graduate Students Resources page along with other helpful information and links. To assist you in applying, a Graduate Application Checklist is also available.

Admission Requirements

Climate & Space requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Most applicants from undergraduate engineering, science, or mathematics programs will have taken the necessary prerequisite courses (see below). Applicants from non-related undergraduate programs (for example, Art History) will be required to take these courses before applying to the graduate programs. Additional undergraduate prerequisite courses are:

Four terms of calculus, including one term of differential equations

Two terms of physics with lab

One term of chemistry with lab

At least one course in computer programming, preferably FORTRAN or C

All non-native English-speaking applicants are required to take the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) within two years of applying. Required TOEFL score is: 230 or better (computer test) OR 84 or better (Internet-based test). If your undergraduate program instruction language was exclusively in English, the TOEFL requirement can be waived.

OEFL/TSE Test Codes:

75 Oceanography

99 Other

1839 School Number

Photocopies of your TOEFL scores cannot be considered. Official score documents must be sent.

All applicants are required to submit transcripts to Rackham. It is your responsibility to request the release of any records from the institutions. Official documents must be provided from the institution awarding the degree.

Email: rackadmis@umich.edu

NOTE: All credentials submitted for admission consideration become the property of the University of Michigan and will not be returned in original or copy form.

Funding

Unlike PhD students, there is no funding available for MS only students. Need-based funding may be available, usually in the form of a student loan, through the University’s Office of Financial Aid. There are application materials required to complete this process.

The general CoE Funding information can be found here. Particularly, it contains information about the Bridge to the Doctorate program, a CoE program that funds a MS for those on the way to a PhD.