organization profile

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the National Central University (NCU) in Taiwan was established in 1968. At the beginning, only undergraduate courses were offered. Ten years later, in 1978, the Graduate Institute of Atmospheric Physics, the first of its kind in Taiwan, was founded. Today, the undergraduate program provides courses in both atmospheric sciences and space science. In 1998, the College of Earth Sciences was founded at NCU. Since then, the Department of Atmospheric Sciences and the Graduate Institute of Atmospheric Physics have become two core members in this college. The research in our department and institute covers a wide spectrum in atmospheric sciences. The principal research topics include typhoon, heavy rain, local circulation, air pollution and long range transport, monsoon, climate, air-sea interaction, remote sensing (satellite and radar) technology and data analysis/assimilation, acid rain, dust storm, atmospheric chemistry simulation, and wind energy. The research grants come from various funding agencies in Taiwan, such as the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education, the Environmental Protection Administration, Water Resources Agency, National Space Organization, Central Weather Bureau, Taiwan Power Company, and so on. In recent years, the average research budget of this department reaches USD$ 3.15 million every year. And each faculty member runs at least one research project, and conducts basic and applied researches. Most of the graduate students receive financial supports from their advisors.