The Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences is an internationally recognized leader in research and education in atmospheric, climate, and environmental sciences.
Program in Atmospheric Science
The undergraduate program in atmospheric science provides a broad background in three fundamental areas of atmospheric science: synoptic (observations and weather forecasting), dynamic (theory and computer modeling), and physical (lightning, cloud physics, atmospheric chemistry). Because the department has a highly active research program in these areas, many opportunities exist for undergraduate research projects and part-time jobs.
The first two years of the program provide basic training in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and introductory atmospheric science. All students are encouraged to take one or two 100-level courses for enjoyment and experience (these count as electives but not as courses for the major). In the junior and senior years, requirements in the fundamental areas of atmospheric science are combined with electives, including advanced courses on atmospheric physics, atmospheric dynamics, weather forecasting, tropical meteorology and hurricanes, solar energy, air pollution, climatology, and computer applications.
Many opportunities exist for students to become involved in department activities. Each semester, students can take part in internship programs with the on-campus office of the National Weather Service (NWS), the New York State Mesonet, the New York State Office of Emergency Management; and many others.
In addition, a weather forecasting competition is held in the department each semester while classes are in session. The forecasting contest, along with concurrent weather discussions led by a faculty member, are open to all undergraduate majors. Undergraduates hired part-time and during the summer through research grants have the chance to work closely with a faculty member while contributing to current meteorological research. The Eastern New York Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) meets regularly and provides speakers of general interest on a variety of meteorological topics. Through these and other activities, the department offers exciting and varied opportunities to any student curious about the science of the atmosphere around us.
Careers
Graduates obtain employment in weather forecasting, environmental engineering, TV broadcasting, scientific consulting, and other private firms; in university departments and research laboratories; and in federal and state agencies such as the National Weather Service, U.S. Air Force, and NY State Department of Environmental Conservation. Graduate school and the pursuit of an advanced degree is an expected option for our graduates. (The department offers full financial support and a complete tuition waiver to most students accepted into our graduate program.)
Degree Requirements for the Major in Atmospheric Science
General Program B.S.:
A minimum of 70 credits for the combined major and minor including: A ATM 209, 210, 211, 315, 316, 317, 320, 321, 350, 419; at least 15 additional credits from A ATM 301 and higher level courses including one of A ATM 311 and 405 and one of A ATM 306, 405, 415, and A ENV 450; A CHM 115 or 120/124 (or T CHM 130/124 or T CHM 135); A CHM 116 or 121/125 (or T CHM 131/124 or T CHM 136); A MAT 111 or 112 or 118 or T MAT 118; A MAT 113 or 119 or T MAT 119; A MAT 214; A PHY 140 or 141 or T PHY 141; A PHY 145; A PHY 150 or 151 or T PHY 151; C INF 108. No more than 6 credits from A ATM 490, 497, 498, or 499 may be applied toward the major requirements; further, a maximum of 3 credits from A ATM 490 will apply.
A solid foundation in physics and mathematics is recommended for all students planning to major in atmospheric science. It is recommended that all students considering this major meet with a representative of the department before each of the freshman and sophomore registration sessions.
Departmental Honors Program
Students who have by the end of their fourth semester attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in courses required of the major in atmospheric science may apply to the department chair for the program leading to a B.S. degree with honors in atmospheric science. Applications must be submitted before the end of the first semester of the student’s junior year and must be accompanied by letters of recommendation from at least two faculty members.
To be admitted to the program, a student must have completed two semesters of physics (A PHY 140 or 141 or T PHY 141, A PHY 145, A PHY 150 or 151 or T PHY 151), three semesters of mathematics (A MAT 111 or 112 or 118 or T MAT 118, A MAT 113 or 119 or T MAT 119, A MAT 214), and must be enrolled in or have completed A ATM 316. These requirements may be altered, upon request, for qualified transfer students. At the end of the junior year, the student’s program will be reviewed by the Honors Committee to see if satisfactory progress is being made.
To be eligible for a degree with honors, students must complete a minimum of 82 credits specified as follows: (1) the general program B.S.; (2) any two additional A ATM courses from 301 or higher, or A MAT 215 or 220; and (3) 6 credits of A ATM 499 taken over at least two semesters culminating in a significant undergraduate thesis and an honors seminar in the student’s final semester. No more than 9 credits from A ATM 490, 497, 498 or 499 may be applied to the major requirements; a maximum of 3 credits from A ATM 490 will apply. Students in the program must maintain both a minimum grade point average of 3.25 overall and 3.50 in the major coursework during the junior and senior years.
Upon completion of the requirements, the honors committee will make its recommendation to the faculty to grant the degree with honors in atmospheric science based upon the candidate’s (1) academic record, (2) research project report, (3) honors seminar, and (4) faculty recommendations.
Combined B.S./M.S. Program
The combined B.S./M.S. program in atmospheric science provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill simultaneously undergraduate and graduate course requirements in their senior year, thereby accelerating progress toward the M.S. degree. A carefully designed program can permit a student to complete the B.S. and M.S. degrees one year sooner than is otherwise possible.
The combined program requires a minimum of 138 credits, of which at least 30 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.S., students must meet all University and college requirements, including the requirements of the undergraduate major described previously, the minimum 60-credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, the general education requirements, and residency requirements. In qualifying for the M.S., students must meet all University and college requirements as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits and any other conditions such as a research seminar, thesis, comprehensive examination, professional experience, and residency requirements. Up to 9 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.S. and M.S. programs.
In the summer following the senior year, the student will begin work on his or her graduate research. In preparation for this accelerated research program, the student will be required to take two semesters (6 credits) of A ATM 499, Undergraduate Research, during the junior or senior year. These 6 credits may be counted toward the undergraduate elective requirement from either of the following requirements: (1) from any four additional A ATM courses at the 400 or 500 level as advised or (2) from 6 additional credits in mathematics or sciences as advised.
Students may apply for admission to the combined degree program in atmospheric science at the beginning of their junior year or after the successful completion of 56 credits. A cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher and three supportive letters of recommendation from faculty are required for consideration.
Program in Climate Science
The undergraduate program in climate science focuses on conceptual understanding of the Earth’s complex climate system and the solving of problems relating to climate and environmental science. While still science-centered, the climate science curriculum places less emphasis on theoretical meteorology than the atmospheric science program and greater emphasis on acquiring a holistic view of climate as a system and its interaction with the environment and human society. As a consequence, the climate science program requires fewer physics and math classes than the atmospheric science program and instead prioritizes chemistry, statistics and data analysis, oceans and hydrology, and climate modeling, among other subjects. This will appeal to students who are interested in the policy and the societal aspects of climate and climate change as well as the opportunity (via elective coursework) to explore them.
The climate science program is a combined major/minor and thus no formal (additional) minor is required. However, the program also contains 24 free elective credits that can be used, perhaps in combination with courses applied to the major, to pursue minors such as Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, Geography, Informatics, and other options, as well as certificate programs such as those in Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity and Geographic Information Systems.
Careers
Potential careers include jobs in the private sector (e.g., environmental consulting, risk management, assessment, and mitigation, and renewable energy) and the public sector (e.g., policy making positions at the federal, state, or local level) that require understanding of the climate system and its interconnections, feedbacks, and climate change. Graduates may also pursue postgraduate education in climate or environmental science, opening up careers in research and/or higher education. Additionally, graduates with this degree are well prepared to consider advanced degrees in other fields such as business administration (M.B.A.), law (J.D.), or K-12 education. The climate science curriculum satisfies the NYSED preparation requirements for students pursuing a Master’s degree in Earth Science education.
Degree Requirements for the Major in Climate Science
General Program B.S.:
A minimum of 72 credits for the combined major and minor including: A ATM 210, 306, 405; A ATM/A ENV 315, 327, 415; A CHM 115 or 120/124 (or T CHM 130/124 or T CHM 135); A CHM 116 or 121/125 (or T CHM 131/124 or T CHM 136); A ENV 105, 106, 221, 302, 450, 490; A MAT 112 or 118 or T MAT 118; A MAT 113 or 119 or T MAT 119; A PHY 140 or 142 or T PHY 141; C INF 108. Elective courses (15 credits): A ATM 304, 335, 413, A ENV 365, 404, 496, 497, 498, C EHC 370, 402, 405, I ESE 301, 381, 431, R PAD 366, 399 (relevant topic required), R POS 399 (relevant topic required), or other courses by advisement.
It is recommended that all students considering this major meet with a representative of the department before each of the freshman and sophomore registration sessions.
Program in Environmental Science
In the undergraduate program in Environmental Science, students develop a holistic understanding of the Earth’s environment. The curriculum includes a foundation of coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics, atmospheric science, and environmental science that provides students the tools needed to understand environmental systems. This is complemented with coursework in other disciplines to contextualize environmental issues by approaching them from various perspectives. Additionally, students take coursework that leverages interdisciplinary approaches to analyze complex environmental issues. Students select between one of four areas of specialization to draw from in their upper-level coursework, building depth of expertise in an area of interest. Students are also encouraged to enrich their education through opportunities for research and internships.
Careers
Graduates in the major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a faculty-initiated concentration in Environmental Science will be well qualified for a broad range of positions within the highly interdisciplinary field of environmental science. Consulting firms, industry, federal and state government agencies all require employees with this type of training. The demand for individuals with such a degree is anticipated to remain strong as our society attempts to cope with and address myriad environmental impacts that are occurring on local, regional, national and global scales. Additionally, graduates with this degree are well prepared to consider advanced degrees in the sciences, or other fields such as business administration (M.B.A.) or law (J.D.).
Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a faculty-initiated concentration in Environmental Science
General Program B.S.:
A minimum of 70-71 credits (depending upon the specialization selected) for the combined major and minor including: A ATM 210, A ATM/A ENV 315, 327, A BIO 130 or 121, A BIO 131 or 120, 201, 202, 330, A CHM 115 or 120/124 (or T CHM 130/124 or T CHM 135), A CHM 116 or 121/125 (or T CHM 131/124 or T CHM 136), A ENV 105, 106, 221, 302, 490, A MAT 111 or 112 or 118 or T MAT 118, A PHY 140 or T PHY 141; the completion of one of four specializations totaling 21-22 credits.
At the time of major declaration, each student must select one of four specializations: Climate Change, Ecosystems, Geography, or Sustainability Science and Policy. No course may satisfy requirements simultaneously in both the core curriculum (above) and any specialization. Only one specialization can be declared.
Ecosystems Specialization:
22 credits overall. Required courses (7 credits): A BIO 212, 401. Elective courses (15 credits): A ANT 312/A BIO 318, A ANT 418, A ATM 301, A BIO 329, 402, A ENV 250, 404, 480, 496, A GOG 424, 433/A USP433, 496/A USP 456, R PAD 366, H SPH 321, H SPH 332. A maximum of 6 credits may be taken from R PAD 366, H SPH 321.
Climate Change Specialization:
21 credits overall. Required courses (12 credits): A ATM 306, 405, A ATM/A ENV 415, 450. Elective courses (9 credits): A ATM 301, 304, A ATM/A CHM 307, A ATM 335, 413, 414, A ENV 404, 496, A MAT 113, R PAD 366, H SPH 321. A maximum of 6 credits may be taken from R PAD 366, R POS 399, H SPH 321.
Geography Specialization:
22 credits overall. Required courses (10 credits): A GOG/A USP 220, A GOG 290, A GOG 496/A USP 456. Elective courses (12 credits): at least 6 credits from A GOG 304, A GOG/A LCS 354, A GOG/A USP 375, A GOG 414, A GOG/A USP 430, 460, A GOG 484, 485, A ATM 301, 405, A ENV 250, 404, 496.
Sustainability Science and Policy Specialization:
21 credits overall. Required courses (9 credits): A ATM 304, A ENV 250. Elective courses (12 credits): A ANT 418, A ATM 405, 413, A ENV 404, 480, 496, A GOG/A USP 220, A GOG/A USP 430, A GOG 460, A GOG 496/A USP 456, R PAD 366, H SPH 321, H SPH 332.
Departmental Honors Program
Students who have by the end of their fourth semester attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in courses required of the major in environmental science may apply to the department chair for the program leading to a B.S. degree with honors in environmental science. Applications must be submitted before the end of the first semester of the student’s junior year and must be accompanied by letters of recommendation from at least two faculty members.
To be admitted to the program, a student must have completed A ATM 210, A BIO 120 or 130, A CHM 120 or 130 or T CHM 130, A CHM 121 or 131 or T CHM 131, A ENV 221, A PHY 140 or 141 or T PHY 141, and A MAT 111 or 112 or 118 or T MAT 118. These requirements may be altered, upon request, for qualified transfer students. At the end of the junior year, the student’s program will be reviewed by the Honors Committee to see if satisfactory progress is being made.
To be eligible for a degree with honors, students must complete a minimum of 83-84 credits specified as follows: (1) the general program B.S. with one of four specializations; (2) A MAT 113 or 119 or T MAT 119 and an additional elective in the selected specialization at the 300-level or higher; and (3) 6 credits of A ENV 498 taken over at least two semesters culminating in a significant undergraduate thesis and an honors seminar in the student’s final semester. Students in the program must maintain both a minimum grade point average of 3.25 overall and 3.50 in the major coursework during the junior and senior years.
Upon completion of the requirements, the honors committee will make its recommendation to the faculty to grant the degree with honors in environmental science based upon the candidate’s (1) academic record, (2) research project report, (3) honors seminar, and (4) faculty recommendations.