Students collecting data from the globe map projection room in UAlbany's ETEC building.

Master of Science  in
Applied Atmospheric Science

Program of Study

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UAlbany's 30-credit non-thesis MS in Applied Atmospheric Science program can be completed in one year with an internship and applied research project.

From climate variability and forecasting to power solutions and Python, your coursework and research will give you expertise in areas including business, applied data analysis and programming, data visualization, and emergency management and communication.


Core Courses (12 credits)

Choose four:

  • Synoptic Laboratory II
  • Climate Variability and Predictability
  • Renewable Energy Issues
  • Advanced Geophysical Data Analysis and Visualization
  • Applications of Subseasonal to Seasonal Dynamics
  • Weather, Climate Change, and Societal Impacts
  • Climate Change
  • Applied Data Analysis in Atmospheric and Environmental Science
  • Applications of Numerical Weather Prediction
  • Energy, Environment, and Climate Change
  • Remote Sensing Applications;


Capstone Requirement (6 credits)

  • Internship in applied atmospheric sciences
  • Culminating presentation and paper summarizing the internship experience

Tracks (12 credits)

Choose four from one or more of the following tracks:

Business

  • Quantitative Analysis for Business
  • Business Systems Analysis and Design
  • Business Analytics and Data Mining
  • Databases and Business Intelligence


Data Analytics

  • Database Systems and Data Analysis
  • Analysis, Visualization, and Prediction in Analytics
  • Predictive Modeling
  • Data Mining
  • Data Analytics Practicum
  • Applied Statistics


Policy and Emergency Preparedness

  • Disaster, Crisis and Emergency Management and Policy
  • Homeland Security Intelligence
  • Disaster and Crisis Management in the Public, Private, and Nonprofit Sectors
  • Preparedness and Response
  • Mitigation and Recovery
  • Risk, Planning, and Continuity
  • Advanced Threat and Hazard Assessment
  • Risk Theory and Management
  • Professional Analytical Skills
  • Environmental Economics
  • Global Environment: Politics and Policy

Applied Research Internship


Through our internship program, you will participate in applied research in atmospheric physics, chemistry and/or dynamics in the weather, water and/or climate industry. Internships may be paid or unpaid. We will work with you and the Center of Excellence (CoE) to try to find a paid opportunity, but we cannot guarantee that all internships will be paid.

You will have the opportunity to learn Python tools to analyze weather and climate big datasets, apply weather and climate data analysis to understand energy usage, and apply weather and climate visualizations to communicate risk.

In addition, you will have access to the New York State Mesonet — a collection of over 120 advanced weather observation stations across New York State, a state-of-the-art map room to display and analyze weather data, the Albany National Weather Service office and the Weather-Climate-Emergency Preparedness Hub right on UAlbany's campus.


Opportunities for Individuals from Underrepresented Groups

We encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to contact your internship coordinator to discuss internships. Opportunities exist through industry partnerships and the Center of Excellence to craft a unique internship project.


 

 

UAlbany researchers launch a weather balloon from the roof of the ETEC building.
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Career Outcomes


With a master’s in applied atmospheric science, you will be prepared to address weather, water and climate societal challenges through a rich set of career opportunities including forecasting, decision support, science and technology development, and business execution.

Potential employers in non-governmental organizations include international companies such as Citadel, IBM, Accuweather and Jupiter Intel.

Potential job titles for an MS degree in applied atmospheric science:

  • Meteorologist
  • Climatologist
  • Data Scientist
  • Risk Analyst
  • Catastrophe Analyst
  • Energy Forecaster
  • Forensic Meteorologist
  • Program Manager
  • Climate Resilience Engineer
  • Operations Meteorologist



 

A UAlbany researcher working at the Whiteface Mountain summit weather station.
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Broadcast Meteorologist Jordan Due

International Students

This degree is designated as a STEM program. International students maintaining F-1 status are allowed to apply for up to 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion/graduation from their degree program. Currently, this degree program is also designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an eligible degree for the F-1 STEM OPT work authorization extension; students who secure qualifying employment may be eligible to apply for the STEM OPT extension for a cumulative total of up to 36 months of F-1 OPT work authorization.

Admissions Requirements
Deadlines
  • Fall: Rolling
  • Spring: November 1
  • Summer: Not Available


There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program. 

Required Application Materials
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of goals

Applications for the Fall term received by January 5 will receive priority consideration.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the general University at Albany requirements for admission to graduate study, an applicant's undergraduate preparation should include: 

  • BS in Atmospheric Science/Meteorology/Climate Science OR  
  • BS in a related field with a minor and/or specialization/concentration in Atmospheric Science

Note: GRE scores are not required when applying for admission to the MS Applied Atmospheric Science program.

Available information for International Applicants.

Application Review Process

The Atmospheric Science department’s Graduate Recruitment Committee will evaluate and rank each applicant on a holistic view (academic preparation; alignment with the program; diversity, equity and inclusiveness; self-appraisal and areas of personal growth) based on all submitted documents, such as GPA, grades for key courses, recommendations, personal statement, research experiences, any publications and supplemental materials. In addition, there may be an interview by faculty members if they have a specific interest in your application.

For questions about the application review process, contact Paul Roundy at [email protected].

Tips for Writing Your Goals Statement

A goals statement explains why you’re applying to the program and what makes you a strong applicant. A personal statement allows you to differentiate yourself by sharing a little bit about what makes you unique. It should include a brief description of your field of interest, related background, desired area of study and research emphasis/career goals.

If you feel that any aspect of your past that is included in your application could be unfavorable to your admission (for example, a poor undergraduate GPA), you should also discuss this problem area and how you have addressed it. This is also an opportunity for you to make a statement about a critical self-appraisal and your personal growth. For example, you may write about how you overcame hurdles and obstacles in the past, and what you have learned from those experiences about yourself. Or you may want to tell us more about your plans or ideas how to be aware of and better respond to challenging situations in your life as a graduate student.

Please include additional information in support of your application or anything that puts your application in a broader context. For example, we are actively working to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion from underrepresented and marginalized groups in our department. You are welcome to discuss how you can enhance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Potentials to our graduate program.

Special Notes

This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter, please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.

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Student Learning Objectives


Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Master of Science

The key educational objective is to prepare students with skillsets and competencies for careers in the weather and climate enterprise’s private sector. The learning outcomes are:

  • Demonstrate the application of atmospheric physics, chemistry and/or dynamics to interdisciplinary topics.
  • Carry out a limited-scope, directed internship in the application of atmospheric physics, chemistry, and/or dynamics in the weather, water and/or climate industry.
  • Develop effective written and oral communication skills to convey complex atmospheric science topics in the context of interdisciplinary topics related to industry.
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