Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Michigan

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Graduate Studies

V2 RocketA Rich History in Science-driven Engineering

For more than 60 years, AOSS has been contributing to the development of atmospheric and space sciences, through research sponsored by NASA, NSF, DoD and other governmental agencies. Since 1946, faculty have built and flown more than 35 instruments on NASA and ESA spacecraft.

In 2005, AOSS had more than $15 million in research expenditures, one of the largest research programs at the University of Michigan.

A Leader in Computational Technologies

AOSS is a leader in computational technologies for space environment simulations, having developed the first high-performance, solution adaptive magnetohydrodynamics model for space plasmas as well as the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF) that makes it possible to simulate  the coupled Sun-Earth system faster than real time.

ScienceA Leader in Space and Atmospheric Science

AOSS is known as a leading science and engineering center for exploring the solar system and protecting the planet.

Our atmospheric scientists are solving problems related to short- and long-term forecasting, air quality, atmospheric turbulence and convection, biogeochemical cycling, and precipitation processes, among a growing list of areas.

The foci of planetary/space scientists include the effects of space weather on Earth, planetary atmospheric and geological environments, and the construction of satellite-platform instruments for observation of the earth-atmosphere-ocean system.

A Leader in Remote Sensing for Atmospheric ScienceRemote Sensing

AOSS is a national center for developing the next generation of remote sensors for use on weather satellites. Faculty are conducting extensive research in the areas of climate change, air quality, and the dynamics and chemistry of the lower atmosphere.

Unique Opportunities for Students

Through our extensive research program, AOSS students are afforded the opportunity to participate from the conception to the completion of spaceflight projects. For more than 60 years, AOSS has contributed to the education of the next generation of scientists, engineers and managers that the nation needs to continue to be the “leader and the best” in the future.