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Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics at University of Oxford - UCAS

University of Oxford

Degree level: Postgraduate

Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics (Research)

Course options

2023 - 20242024 - 2025
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Course summary

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2022). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas. The sub-department’s research focuses on the study of physical processes in the atmospheres, surfaces and oceans of the Earth and other planets, using experimental, computational and theoretical techniques. Admission is highly competitive and is either directly to this course or via the physical climate system stream of the Environmental Research NERC Doctoral Training Partnership. How does the Earth’s climate evolve? How do we connect measurements made from space and the ground to the future direction of the Earth’s climate? What can we learn from observations of other planets to tell us more about the Earth and the evolution of the Solar System? These are the types of research problems members of the Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics (AOPP) sub-department of the Department of Physics are engaged in. The structure of the taught course components and initial (first year) assessment for a DPhil in AOPP is determined by the method of entry onto the course:

  • if you wish to enter via the Oxford Environmental Research NERC Doctoral Training Partnership, your initial training will be within the DTP, before transferring to AOPP usually at the beginning of the second term of your first year; or
  • if you applying directly to AOPP, typically for projects in the area of planetary physics or a specifically-funded research project, courses will be provided either in collaboration with the DTP in Environmental Research or via lectures given as part of fourth year major option in the University's undergraduate degree in physics, Physics of atmospheres and oceans.
Supervision For this course, the allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the Department of Physics and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Physics. You are allocated at least one supervisor who should be your primary contact for guidance throughout your research degree. Research students join an existing research group that typically comprises at least one lead academic plus postdoctoral research assistants or fellows and other research students. Research projects in AOPP can be highly interdisciplinary and students often have additional co-supervisors either within AOPP or another University department. The frequency of student supervisor meetings varies depending on the nature of the project. You are welcome to contact potential supervisors for further information. Assessment If admitted directly to AOPP, you will be assessed via the successful completion of classes and a first year transfer report, submitted during the summer of your first year. For the DTP, please see Environmental Research (NERC Doctoral Training Partnership). You are admitted as a probationary DPhil student, and transfer from a probationary status is dependent on successful completion of the taught component of the course and assessment of your first year report by at least two academics that are not directly connected to your project. A further second year report, also assessed, is required before status as a DPhil candidate is confirmed and your thesis can be submitted. The written DPhil thesis is assessed by appointed examiners that are not directly connected to the project, with the process including a DPhil viva exam.

Entry requirements

For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Additional fee information

For complete and up-to-date information about fees and funding for this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics at University of Oxford - UCAS