The Departments of Earth and Environmental Science, Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Earth and Environmental Engineering, and Chemical Engineering cooperate with each other and with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, and International Research Institute for Climate and Society in offering a graduate program in atmospheric science. The program supports research on atmospheres and climates in all their aspects, focusing on the fundamental processes that control the global circulation of the atmosphere, and upon the natural and anthropogenic changes which occur on time scales from months to millennia. Program areas include global climate modeling, atmospheric dynamics, planetary atmospheres, paleoclimate, atmospheric radiation, atmospheric chemistry, and climate impacts.

Each graduate student is enrolled in an academic department and follows the normal procedures of that department regarding admission and progression towards their degree. However, course offerings have been designed collaboratively with the needs of multiple departments in mind, and advisory committees commonly include faculty from multiple departments. Relevant seminars and other activities occur in all participating departments and institutes, providing a uniquely broad and stimulating intellectual environment for graduate study.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DEES) has research programs in many aspects of modern climate, atmospheric science, and physical oceanography. It also has major programs in paleoclimate and geochemistry, which complement the study of the modern climate.

The Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics (APAM) has research programs in atmospheric and climate dynamics, focusing on numerical modeling, theory, and diagnostics.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering (DEEE) has research programs in climate particularly through connections to water resources and geochemistry, as well as on engineering responses to the climate change problem.

In the Department of Chemical Engineering (CHEN) has research programs in atmospheric chemistry and atmospheric aerosols.

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) is the physical home of graduate research in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, but also has a distinct identity as a major laboratory for earth science. In addition to the DEES faculty, Lamont employs a staff of Lamont Research Professors, all of whom are potential advisors for PhD students.

The NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) has research programs in climate modeling, climate change, remote sensing, and atmospheric physics and chemistry. Graduate students in both DEES and APAM may work with GISS scientists.

The International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) has research programs in climate prediction and predictability on all time scales, as well as modeling and regional dynamics studies, societal impacts of climate, and the application of climate science to achieve societal benefit. Graduate students may work with IRI scientists.