The program is offered through the University's Department of Physics in partnership with the Desert Research Institute (DRI) Division of Atmospheric Sciences. Students pursue research in atmospheric chemistry, cloud and aerosol physics, instrument development, atmospheric optics and acoustics, mesoscale meteorology, numerical modeling, fire climatology and other topics. Admission requirements to the master's program include a bachelor's degree in an aspect of atmospheric sciences, physical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics or a related field, and at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in prior academic coursework.

Candidates for the M.S. degree must satisfy all of the general requirements of the Graduate School. In addition, the M.S. degree requires completion of a minimum of 30 credits, which include: 6 credits of thesis (ATMS 797), 1 credit of seminar (ATMS 790 R or PHYS 790), 12 credits of courses in the ATMS Core curriculum, 6 credits in ATMS 700-level coursework, and 5 additional credits of 700-level elective coursework. The completion of a thesis and a final oral examination is required, and these are directed by the student's graduate advisory committee.