The University of Arizona is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in the science of adaptation to climate change, and associated research and outreach to understand climate change, its observed and potential impacts, and possible responses.
Atmospheric Sciences
Adaptation planning requires a firm understanding of climate change impacts and vulnerabilities. That is just what the faculty and students in Atmospheric Sciences achieve by studying a wide range of topics that all tie together under one common theme: the Earth-Atmosphere system. Most of the department's research is done through the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP). From long-term climate variability to day-to-day local forecasting, the Department of Atmospheric Sciences and the IAP strive to explore and understand the dynamic nature of the Earth-Atmosphere system.
Atmospheric Sciences and the Hydrology and Water Resources Department jointly offer the nation’s first graduate degree program in Hydrometeorology. This program provides students with a well-rounded background in the related fields of: a) atmospheric, hydrologic and systems sciences; b) tools and methods for numerical modeling, prediction, and data assimilation; and c) sensors, data sources, and data manipulation tools including remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS).