WHAT IS ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE?
Atmospheric Science is the study of the atmosphere, including the physical processes of the atmosphere, and the atmosphere's interaction with the earth's land and oceans. One of the most prominent characteristics of the weather and climate is its changeability, and the problems of forecasting the day-to-day weather and the climate are also encompassed in this field.
The main sub-disciplines of Atmospheric Science are meteorology and climatology, and professionals use numerical computer models of the local or global airflow to guide weather prediction and storm forecasting and aid in understanding environmental conditions such as air pollution.
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS?
Atmospheric Science students can expect to study of many disciplines, including biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics, and applied fields such as computer science, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, hydrology, and optics.
Advanced coursework focuses on the behavior of weather and climate, and its applications to the problems of weather forecasting and climate prediction. Specific courses we've seen include:
- Atmospheric Physics
- Global Climate Change
- Physical Meteorology
- Thermodynamics
- Hydrostatics
- Cloud Physics
- Geographical Information Systems
- Air Pollution
- Physical Climatology
- Atmospheric Fluid Dynamics
- Atmospheric Radiation
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Career Guidance
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- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Differential Equations
- Microclimatology
- Atmospheric Monitoring
- Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry
- Wind and Solar Energy
- Cloud Electrification
- Fluid Mechanics
- Aircraft Instrumentation
- Atmospheric Turbulence
CAREERS AND SALARY OUTLOOK
Atmospheric Science graduates often find employment as weather forecasters or with environmental and engineering consulting firms. Careers are also found in the private, public, nonprofit and academic sectors in the air pollution field, either in a regulatory enforcement capacity or as a technician. Research opportunities in all sectors of the economy may also become even more abundant, as issues of global climate change continue to receive public attention.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that median annual earnings of atmospheric scientists in 2002 were $60,200. The middle 50 percent earned between $39,970 and $76,880. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,000. However, BLS also reports that graduates may face increased competition if the number of degrees awarded in atmospheric science and meteorology remain near current levels. Check out full report from BLS on careers in Atmospheric Sciences here.
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