University of Wyoming,
Atmospheric Science,
EN 6034
Dept. 3038
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307)766-3245
Email: jfrench@uwyo.edu
What is the InMAS dual-MS degree?
Why pursue an InMAS dual-MS degree?
When do semesters start and end?
Information about the InMAS consortium members
The “International Master in Atmospheric Sciences” (InMas) program is a double-degree program, normally completed in two years. The first year normally is completed at the "home" institution (the University of Wyoming, or UW), and the second year at one of our partners in Europe (the "host"). Students will obtain two degrees, a regular "M.Sc. degree in Atmospheric Sciences" (with thesis) at UW, plus another M.Sc. degree from any of the programs listed below:
This consortium may grow. Currently negotiations are under way for Wageningen University in the Netherlands to join.
UW InMAS students need to complete 18 credits (course + thesis credit) at UW, typically in Year 1, before they can complete their InMAS degree at one of the InMAS partners, where they complete 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits, normally in Year 2. Hereby 50% of the credits will be obtained from a second (host) university of the list above. Upon successful completion of 18 UW credits plus 60 ECTS credits, the student will be awarded the two Master degrees, one from UW, and one from the host university. These degrees will be accompanied by a supplement specifying the context of the “International Master in Atmospheric Sciences” program.
The International Master in Atmospheric Sciences (InMAS) program aims to link the complementary strengths of research institutes in atmospheric sciences, to enable you to specialize in a research subject outside the area of expertise of the University of Wyoming, and fulfills your personal interest in travel and professional experience abroad. It is designed in particular for top students that want to pursue a career in research, teaching or enterprise in atmospheric or related sciences.
Whereas the climate science community is generally working from a global perspective, the research on smaller scale processes determining climate change, meteorology and air quality is more diverse. Due to the high costs of advanced equipment and the associated mandatory competence, there are not many laboratories working on more specialized subjects, such as cloud physics. In particular, research on cloud processes and air quality is conducted in only few labs across the globe, even though these processes are fundamental to the climate system and to weather forecasting.
The idea of the InMAS degree is to give you access to top-quality instructors and scientists, and their tools. The consortium initially is composed of four universities, each hosting specialized, complementary lab resources that are internationally recognized. Together, they can provide you with experience with the latest in situ & remote instrumentation and modelling tools.
The InMAS partners are all relatively small units, in terms of student and faculty numbers, but they have access to internationally recognized research labs. This will assure individualized student support and mentoring, and at the same time, exposure to state-of-the-art technology. In addition, the universities are located in small to medium sized cities in Europe and the USA, which makes them attractive, with modest living expenses.
The InMAS degree will increase your chances of success in a transnational discipline in a globalized world. Whether you want to pursue a career as a scientist or an environmental manager, you will benefit from an exposure to a transnational culture. The InMAS degree will foster excellence, quality improvements, innovation and internationalisation, and will improve the level of competence and skills of Master graduates in the labor market.
UW students are defined as students interested in the InMAS program from the UW side, i.e. those for whom UW will be the "home" institution.
If you are not yet at UW as MS student in Atmospheric Science, then you need to apply to UW for admission as MS student. When you have logged in at the UW Admission site, make sure to check "MS in Atmospheric Science with InMAS dual-degree". If you already are enrolled as a regular UW MS student, and you have your Advisor's approval, then you simply add the InMAS dual-degree option with the Registrar. (You may be a "PhD bound" MS student, and thus be listed as "dual-degree" in UW lingo.)
Note that the InMAS program is an exchange program, and that incoming MS students from Europe do not receive a graduate assistantship from their home institution, or from UW. Normally, you do not receive a graduate assistantship either, although your MS Advisor may make an exception, either for your first year (at UW) or for both years (UW + abroad). Special tuition rates apply for the "non-residential" UW MS students in the InMAS program.
Where to go in Year 2? Once you are admitted to the UW InMAS program, towards the end of your second semester, you need to indicate your choice host university in Europe and proposed program of study, using the InMAS host selection form. At the same time, you need to apply at the host university (or universities) you want to attend. We recommend that you apply at at least two partner universities. There is no need for you to demonstrate fluency in the local language, since all InMAS instruction at the European partner universities will be in English. The InMAS coordinator at the partner university will serve as your contact and will advise you in the application process and in the compilation of the study program.
Eligibility: As long as you have a BS degree in a relevant discipline from a domestic or an international university, you can apply. The application is competitive, and specific admission criteria apply, regarding GRE scores and (if English is not your native language) English language competency (see application procedure). The target is 3 incoming and 3 outgoing InMAS students per partner university per year. The number may vary, depending on the number of incoming European students. Partner universities also aim to take in three InMS students per year.
So you selected UW as (one of) your choice destinations for your Year 2 of the InMAS program on the InMAS host selection form. Welcome!. The next step is to create an account and to log in at the UW Admission site, and proceed with the UW admission application. Make sure to check "InMAS dual-degree from partner institution". Otherwise the application procedure is the same as that for students applying for admission in the normal (non-InMAS) MS degree. Your transcripts need to demonstrate that by the time of your admission at UW, you will have completed 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits in the MS program at your home institution. The application is competitive, and the same admission criteria apply as for other aspirant UW MS students, regarding GRE scores and English language competency (see application procedure).
The UW InMAS coordinator will serve as your contact and will advise you in the application process and in the composition of the study program.
The local coordinators for the consortium are currently:
These people constitute the "InMAS Committee". The InMAS host selection form must be sent to atsc-inmas@uwyo.edu. This is an alias that forwards the form to all four members of the InMAS Committee.
The deadlines to start the Fall semester (in late August) are as follows. Exceptionally, students are allowed to start in the Spring semester.
All qualifying students applying to UW for the InMAS dual-degree will be admitted. Current UW MS students wanting to add on the InMAS dual-degree must receive approval of their advisor.
Regarding the Year 2 exchange destination, all applications will be examined by the InMAS Committee and ranked, taking into account the following:
In general, a slot will be offered to those applicants who appear to have the highest potential for graduate study and who, with the benefit of a graduate education, are the most likely to contribute substantially to their academic or professional fields through teaching, research, or professional practice. Once accepted by the InMAS committee, you will have to await the decision by the host university, which has final authority on the administrative admission decisions. In general, once you are accepted by the InMAS committee, you will also be accepted by the host university.
The additional cost in Year 2, while in Europe, is very modest:
Fall Semester:
Spring semester:
Vacation dates : Spring break, one week in mid-March
Q. In what language are the InMAS courses conducted at the partner universities? In English
Q. Can I sign up for the InMAS dual-MS degree program while I have a graduate assistantship? Only if your Advisor agrees. InMAS students from Europe don't have a GA stipend, and UW InMAS students generally don't either.
Q. Does UW offer travel grants? Yes there are some grants, e.g. through the Cheney International Center. Start here at the UW Abroad homepage.
University of Wyoming,
Atmospheric Science,
EN 6034
Dept. 3038
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307)766-3245
Email: jfrench@uwyo.edu