Skip to main
Atmospheric science
George Mason University

J. Shukla Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and 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.

 

J. Shukla Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences News & Events

Latest News

More news
Smoke in NYC caused by Canadian Fires

IN THE MEDIA: Why wildfire smoke still catches cities off guard

Bloomberg: By Summer Maxwell
Professor Luis Ortiz with his Micrometeorological Modeling class. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

This course turns climate science into real-world impact for Virginia communities

Jenn Pocock
Center for the Arts and cherry blossom trees reflect in the Mason pond on the Fairfax Campus.

George Mason University authorized to host State Climate Office

Flooding in Old Town Alexandria

IN THE MEDIA: Virginia Creates State Climate Office at George Mason University's College of Science

Upcoming Events

More Events
Sep3

ScienceConnect 2026 - Fairfax Campus

Sep 3, 2026, 12:00 - 4:30 PM

Exploratory Hall Atrium

Join us for ScienceConnect this September and get to know the Mason Science community. Start off the semester by meeting College of Science faculty, staff, and students while exploring college programs, research, and professional opportunities. Be sure to grab some food and win college swag! Register to attend.
Sep8

ScienceConnect 2026 - SciTech Campus

Sep 8, 2026, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Katherine G Johnson Hall

Join us for ScienceConnect this September and get to know the Mason Science community. Start off the semester by meeting College of Science faculty, staff, and students while exploring college programs, research, and professional opportunities. Be sure to grab some food and win college swag! Register to attend.
Oct19

Study Leave Deadlines: Term and Instructional Faculty

Oct 19, 2026, 8:30 AM - 11:45 PM

Study Leave for Tenured Instructional Faculty Study Leave for Tenured Instructional Faculty, funded by the Provost, is intended to provide paid temporary leave for the support of advancing scholarly research, teaching, and/or creative activity, including the development of innovative teaching approaches and methods. The college encourages its full-time, tenured faculty

Graduate Symposium

The 2026 Earth System Observations and Modeling Graduate Symposium was a great success. 

Stay tuned for more information and the abstract submission deadline for the 2027 symposium!

ESOMlogo2.0

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

  • J. Shukla 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.