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Atmospheric science
George Mason University

Atmospheric, Oceanic & Earth Sciences

In This Department

Join us in working to better understand our planet.

From simulating atmospheric temperature to explaining geological layers to tracing ocean circulation, the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences gives students new tools to explore our planet. You will benefit from the wide range of faculty expertise across undergraduate and graduate programs in AOES.

Support our department

Help us educate students and study the Earth with a gift to the department as a whole or to specific AOES programs.

 

Atmospheric, Oceanic & Earth Sciences News & Events

Latest News

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Celebrating Julia Nord’s Career in STEM Education at George Mason University

Laura Powers
Headshot of Jagadish Shukla

University Professor Jagadish Shukla to Retire After Climate Science Research and Academic at George Mason

Laura Powers
PhD Graduate David Hoppe

George Mason Graduate Unveils New Whale Species and Sets Sail for Maine's Gulf

Laura Powers
students at graduation

2025 Student Excellence Award Winners

Upcoming Events

More Events
Jul18

18 Jul (CLIM) Aasma Acharya, MS Defense

Jul 18, 2025, 10:30 - 11:30 AM

Aasma Acharya, Master of Science in Climate Science Assessing the Surface Urban Heat Island and Urban Extreme Precipitation Anomalies: An Analysis of Richmond, Virginia Fri, 18 Jul, 10:30am via zoom (email TBA for link) Advisor: Zafer Boybeyi Urban areas exhibit elevated surface temperatures compared to surrounding regions due to dense
Jul21

21 Jul (CLIM) Scott Knapp, PhD Defense

Jul 21, 2025, 10:30 - 11:30 AM

Scott Knapp, Doctor of Philosophy in Climate Dynamics Sea Surface Temperature Gradients of the Pacific in Warm Climates Mon, 21 Jul, 10:30am, Exploratory Hall rm 3301 Advisor: Natalie Burls The sea surface temperatures (SST) of the Pacific Ocean have extremely important roles in setting global weather and climate. The relative
Jul21

21 Jul (CLIM) Mary Korendyke, PhD Defense

Jul 21, 2025, 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Mary Korendyke, Doctor of Philosophy in Climate Dynamics Holistic Forecasting of z500: A Combined Oscillation-Regime Framework Mon, 21 Jul, 1:00pm, Exploratory Hall rm 3301 Adviser: David Straus The difficulty in predicting the atmospheric circulation and weather beyond two weeks in advance arises because the predictability arising from knowledge of the

Graduate Symposium

2025 Earth System Observations and Modeling Graduate Symposium, April 11th. Accepting Abstracts. 

 

Excerpt from ESOM flyer

Funding Graduate School

Financial support is available for graduate students

Climate Dynamics Students

A research powerhouse pushing boundaries of climate dynamics and prediction

Students learn the fundamentals of weather and atmospheric dynamics, participate in the research leadership of AOES in climate modeling, and benefit from the many facilities conducting atmosphere-related research and operations in the Washington, D.C. area.

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Visit Us On Campus

Contact our program coordinators or main office to learn more about the department or schedule a visit.

Fairfax Campus, Exploratory Hall 3451 and Research Hall 109 
4400 University Drive, MSN 5F2, Fairfax, VA 22030  
Phone: 703-993-5394

  • Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences
  • Campus Map
Exploratory Hall at George Mason University Fairfax Campus

Why AOES at Mason?

Over 80,000

Approximate number of times AOES faculty articles were cited in the scientific literature.

20

Average class lab size. 

6

Number of degree programs offered by the department to undergraduate and graduate students.

* The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.