Major: Atmospheric science

College or School: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Degree(s) Offered: Bachelor of Science, minor

Required Credit Hours: The student is required to complete a total of 124 credit hours to earn a Bachelor of Science. Of those hours, 95 are general requirements for all students majoring in atmospheric science. The remaining 29 hours are specific to the four specialized options within the major of atmospheric science, general meteorology, air pollution meteorology, hydrometeorology and news media forecasting. For a minor in atmospheric science, students must complete 20 credit hours.

Sample of Major Courses: “Weather Forecasting,” “Unusual Weather,” “Climate and Climate Change,” “Air Pollution Meteorology,” “Special Problems in Meteorology.”

Career Possibilities: Students graduating with degrees in atmospheric science are prepared for careers in education, business, communications and various governmental sectors. In addition, there are many students who go on to work for the National Weather Service or in broadcasting. By choosing one of the four options, students also have the opportunity to enter into more specialized career fields.

Additional Opportunities: Students majoring in atmospheric science have the opportunity to graduate with honors by completing a minimum of nine hours of upper-division credit with a grade point average of 3.5 in all atmospheric science courses and a minimum 3.25 grade point average overall. The student must also complete ATMO 499, an independent study course where the student will prepare an honors paper, which he or she will present to a committee.

— Edited by Tim Burgess