Graduate Programs
Master of Science in Atmospheric Science
Our graduate program allows students to develop skills in analytical, numerical, and laboratory techniques by conducting independent research on important topics such as extreme weather, air quality, ocean-atmosphere interactions, climate change, and forecasting. Our faculty and graduate students are engaged in a broad range of research projects that are scientifically challenging and important to society. A solution to even a single problem will be an important contribution to this exciting field. We look forward to working with you to make that happen.
The M.S. program provides a rigorous training in atmospheric dynamics, physics (thermodynamics, radiative transfer, microphysics) and chemistry, as well as their application in one of the areas of weather forecasting, remote sensing (satellite and radar), numerical modeling, air quality, cloud formation, and climate change. The program prepares students to gain strong communicative, analytical and computer skills for positions in research, education, management, and environmental protection.
The M.S. program prepares students to either continue on in a Ph.D. program or directly enter careers in environmental management and protection, or technical research positions in university, government or private sector laboratories where hands on project experience is desirable. A research thesis is required. Students complete the M.S. program in an average of 2.5 years.
The Ph.D. program provides the same foundation as the M.S. program, while providing an interdisciplinary approach to prepare students to become effective and independent problem solvers towards cutting edge atmospheric science problems. Students will be free to emphasize their own interests in atmospheric science but are expected to acquire a broad base of interdisciplinary knowledge preparing them for future complex scientific and societal challenges. Our graduates are prepared for postdoctoral appointments and faculty appointments as well as positions directing research at government or industrial laboratories, and managerial positions at not-for-profit and government agencies. It is not necessary to have a masters degree to apply to the Ph.D. program.
Students in these programs take a series of core courses in their discipline, including work in theory, methodology, analysis, and history. The first year often involves one or two semesters of intensive ear-training in MUS 505-506. Historians take MUS 500, Introduction to Musical Research, and several other topics seminars. In addition to regular composition lessons, composers often take MUS 501, an intensive review of counterpoint and tonal harmony; they also take MUS 515-516, the introduction to electronic music. In the second year of the masters program, historians write a short thesis growing out of seminar work, and composers develop a portfolio to be reviewed by the composition faculty. At the end of the second year, all masters students take comprehensive exams in musical analysis; history/theory students also take a comprehensive exam on basic repertoire and literature in their respective discipline.
In the first year of study, Ph.D. students are assigned a faculty directing committee, with whom they create their own curriculum by drawing up a doctoral contract The contract lists courses to be taken and projected work (compositions or research papers). Prior to advancing to candidacy (normally after two or three years in the program), history/theory candidates take an oral exam in their field of specialization, and present a prospectus for their thesis. For composers, the thesis is an extended composition.
Master of Arts in History-Theory or Ethnomusicology
Ph.D. in History-Theory or Ethnomusicology
The Department of Music at Stony Brook University offers the M.A. and the Ph.D. in the History and Theory of Music and in Ethnomusicology. The program is designed to provide students with broad exposure to the sub-disciplines of music scholarship, and to facilitate the development of research projects that build on these broad foundations.
Students typically take courses in all three sub-disciplines. Many also explore course offerings that bridge performance and scholarship (as with our performance practice workshops in contemporary music and early music), and immerse themselves in courses where new music is both created and studied.
The Department encourages students to explore courses in related fields such as Women and Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, Disability Studies, Philosophy, Asian American Studies and History.
The combined M.A./Ph.D. program is designed to take five to six years. Students usually spend the first two years completing Masters-level coursework in preparation for qualifying exams, taken at the end of Year 2. In the third and fourth year, students work with a steering committee to focus their interests, hone their research skills, and develop their dissertation project. The final two years are spent completing the dissertation.
Master of Science in Marine Science
The M.S. program consists of a rigorous interdisciplinary approach to oceanographic processes. This program is ideally suited to prepare students for positions in research, management, environmental protection, and resource development. Graduates will have a firm basis for more advanced study and the tools and training needed for effective careers.
The M.S. program prepares students to either continue on in a Ph.D. program or directly enter careers in environmental management and protection, or technical research positions in university, government or private sector laboratories where hands on project experience is desirable. A research thesis is required. Students complete the M.S. program in an average of 2.5 years.
The Ph.D. program is designed to prepare students to identify and solve problems in oceanographic science. It builds on a flexible, interdisciplinary program and prepares students to become effective, independent problem solvers. Students will be free to emphasize their own interests in oceanography but are expected to acquire a broad base of interdisciplinary knowledge. Graduates are prepared to compete successfully for postdoctoral and faculty appointments as well as positions directing research at government or industrial laboratories, and managerial positions at not-for-profit and government agencies.
The Ph.D. degree prepares students for faculty research and teaching positions, Positions as research scientists at government or private sector laboratories, and management positions at nongovernmental organizations. It is not necessary to have a masters degree to apply to the Ph.D. program.
Master of Arts in Marine Conservation and Policy
The M.A. program prepares students for positions in environmental management or not for profit conservation organizations where communicating science to the general public is required, but actual research experience is not necessary. The M.A. will also provide a strong science based foundation for students wishing to pursue complementary education in fields such as law, business, management, journalism, or teaching. The M.A. program is designed to be completed in twelve months.
In addition to formal coursework, students in the M.A. program complete either an internship with a conservation groups or agency, or a capstone project on a topic related to marine conservation and policy. M.A. students may choose to work with a member of the SoMAS faculty on their project.
First-year M.M. students typically take one or two semesters of intensive ear-training in Mus 505-506. M.M. students must also take one history and one theory course for the degree; beyond that, the focus of the program is on performance. Participation in the orchestra is required of all orchestral musicians.
Doctoral students must have a masters degree, either from Stony Brook or another institution. Under special circumstances, masters’ students at Stony Brook may begin work on their doctoral degree before they have completed all Masters requirements.
The Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
In the first year of study, DMA students create their own curriculum by drawing up a doctoral contract with a committee consisting of their major teacher and their academic advisor. The contract lists courses to be taken, projected topics for their doctoral essays and lecture-recital, and a sketch of the contents of the first four required recitals (there is a final doctoral recital in addition to these four recitals). The D.M.A. also has a foreign language requirement, and many students study a language in their first year.
In subsequent years, students complete the requirements of their contracts. They can advance to candidacy (typically after two years in the program) after they have given 3 recitals, a lecture-recital, passed the language requirement, and made a substantial beginning on their doctoral essays. The final stage of the degree is a final doctoral recital; the students are also examined on the contents of the recital by a special committee.
