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Atmospheric science

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

Upcoming Events

More Events
Nov19

Rainfall Changes in West Africa: zooming in and out

November 19, 2025

Nov 19, 2025, 1:30 - 2:30 PM

Speaker: Michela Biasutti, Columbia University Title: Rainfall Changes in West Africa: zooming in and out Host: Meredith Parish Time: Wed, 19 Nov, 1:30pm Location: Horizon Hall, Room 4014 (Email xdu5@gmu.edu for Zoom link) Abstract: The Sahel region, just south of the Sahara desert, has experienced remarkable trends in precipitation over
Nov19

Preparing for the FY2027 Congressional Earmark Season Webinar

November 19, 2025

Nov 19, 2025, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Since 2022, George Mason faculty have successfully competed for Congressional earmarks in the House and Senate. It is a dynamic process and every year presents new challenges. In an effort to continue this success, all interested faculty and administrators are strongly encouraged to join a webinar from 2:00 to 3:00
Nov20

CSER Webinar Series: Thomas Jones, Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO)

November 20, 2025

Nov 20, 2025, 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Virtual

REGISTER NOW Bio From 2010 to the present, Thomas has been employed as a Research Scientist at CIMMS/CIWRO as part of the Warn-on-Forecast (WoFS) project. He received his PhD at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in May 2006. His primary duty involves developing and testing methods to assimilate satellite

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.

Cloud Cover

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
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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.