HU offers Ph.D. in Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences

Hampton, VA - Hampton University has added a new doctoral program to its academic curriculum, becoming the only Historically Black College and University to offer a Ph.D. in Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (APS). This degree is offered under the new APS department.

Dr. James Russell III and Dr. M. Patrick McCormick will co-chair the existing Center for Atmospheric Sciences that will be included in the department.  Dr. Bill Paterson, planetary sciences professor, will chair the department, which is the only one in Virginia. They all hope this new addition will increase the number of minorities in the APS field.

Hoping to see science enrollment triple in the next five years, McCormick shares his excitement of how this new degree can add more qualified researchers and scientists to the field. “With the new department, we will be able to recruit graduate students that share our vision for excellence in the atmospheric and planetary sciences. Our academic and research program will be tailored to produce outstanding and highly marketable graduates,” he says.

Russell and McCormick joined Hampton University in 1996, coming from NASA / Langley Research Center where they helped build an atmospheric sciences program and led the science for several earth satellite missions.

“The planetary aspect is vital to support the nation’s efforts in these areas,” says Russell, commenting on exploration of the solar system, projecting more visits to the moon and Mars.  “This country has many satellites in orbit producing enormous amounts of data without enough sufficiently trained people to look at these data.”

McCormick and Russell are confident Hampton University can produce these future scientists. “This new program also includes an existing minor degree for undergraduates that introduces science and non-science majors to our research,” says Paterson.

The first anticipated graduates of the Ph.D. program will be in the Spring 2008.