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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
May11

15th Annual College of Science Undergraduate Research Colloquium

May 11, 2026, 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Dewberry Hall, Johnson Center, Fairfax Campus

The College of Science and STEM Accelerator are pleased to welcome you to the 15th Annual Undergraduate Research Colloquium (URC). The purpose of this event is to showcase the variety of undergraduate research projects in the College to the Mason community. All students engaged in undergraduate research at any level
May19

Attn faculty: Strengthen Learning in Your STEM Courses

May 19, 2026, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Innovation Hall Rm 427

Join fellow science faculty for the STEM Education Retreat, a focused, in‑person workshop STEM for All: Applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Your Courses. This session is designed for STEM instructors who want to improve student learning and engagement using a framework which anticipates learner variability so you can
Jun9

4th Annual Air Quality Research and Development Consortium (AIRDC) Workshop 2026

Jun 9, 2026, 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM

George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, Enterprise Hall, Room 178

The 4th Annual Air Quality Research and Development Consortium (AIRDC) Workshop aims to bring together atmospheric composition and air quality modeling collaborators from the greater-DC area (and beyond) to present and discuss ongoing and emerging research and development in the areas of Emissions Inventories and Modeling, Air Quality Modeling and

Graduate Symposium

2026 Earth System Observations and Modeling Graduate Symposium, April 10th. Accepting Abstracts.

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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
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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.