Atmospheric Sciences
Department Office: 101 Atmospheric Sciences Building, 105 South Gregory Street, Urbana, (217) 333-2046
The Science and Letters Curriculum in Atmospheric Sciences prepares students for careers in a wide range of disciplines within the atmospheric sciences including meteorology, environmental science, climate, remote sensing, atmospheric chemistry, computational science and other areas. The curriculum is tailored to achieve the student's long term educational goals, their career aspirations in atmospheric sciences and their general interests in the field. All students receive a firm foundation in mathematics, physics and chemistry and develop data analysis and computational skills that can be used in a wide range of applications within and beyond the atmospheric sciences. Students can emphasize specific areas of interest in their elective choices. Students majoring in Atmospheric Sciences will have opportunities for employment within agencies of government (e.g. the National Weather Service/NOAA, NASA, EPA, DOD, DOE), many private firms and in colleges and universities for those who continue with graduate education. All students take part in independent study, internship or research projects as a capstone experience in their senior year. Students interested in a research career in atmospheric sciences are encouraged to undertake research projects in the capstone experience.
The undergraduate curriculum in atmospheric sciences is modeled on the recently published recommendations of the American Meteorological Society. The American Meteorological Society is the professional society for atmospheric scientists and meteorologists in the United States. Their "recommended attributes" for undergraduate degree programs in the atmospheric sciences are guidelines for graduates to be successful in finding employment or in seeking admission to graduate programs. Therefore, we have closely adhered to these recommended attributes in designing our program.
Major in Sciences and Letters Curriculum
Email: dept@atmos.uiuc.edu
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minimum required major and supporting course work normally equates to 57-58 hours including at least 31 hours in Atmospheric Sciences.
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction: Students majoring in Atmospheric Sciences can earn distinction, high distinction, and highest distinction upon graduation. The requirements for these awards are:
For distinction: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 in all of their Atmospheric Sciences courses, and completing three Atmospheric Sciences Elective courses.
For high distinction: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.4 in all of their Atmospheric Sciences courses, and completing four Atmospheric Sciences Elective courses.
For highest distinction: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.6 in all of their Atmospheric Sciences courses, and completing five Atmospheric Sciences Elective courses.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 4 | PHYS 211 Univ Physics, Mechanics |
| 4 | PHYS 212 Univ Physics, Elec & Mag |
| 3 | CHEM 102 General Chemistry I |
| 1 | CHEM 103 General Chemistry Lab I |
| 4-5 | Select one: |
MATH 220 Calculus or MATH 221 Calculus I |
|
| 3 | MATH 231 Calculus II |
| 4 | MATH 241 Calculus III |
| 3 | MATH 285 Intro Differential Equations |
| 3 | ATMS 201 General Meteorology |
| 3 | ATMS 301 Atmospheric Thermodynamics |
| 3 | ATMS 302 Atmospheric Dynamics I |
| 4 | ATMS 303 Weather Analysis |
| 3 | ATMS 304 Atmospheric Radiation |
| 3 | ATMS 305 Computing and Data Analysis |
| 4 | ATMS 313 Weather Forecasting |
| 4 | ATMS 314 Mesoscale Processes |
| 4 | ATMS 492 Capstone Undergrad Research |
| 57-58 | Total hours |
Minor in Atmospheric Sciences
The minor in Atmospheric Sciences is designed for students who desire a significant background in Atmospheric Sciences to support work in their major field. This minor will especially benefit students who choose to pursue careers in environmental areas in which multidisciplinary background is essential. The Atmospheric Science minor can complement majors in engineering and agriculture, scientific pursuits such as chemistry, physics, biology, and scientific writing.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 0-6 | Choose from the following: |
| ATMS 100 Introduction to Meteorology | |
| ATMS 120 Severe and Hazardous Weather | |
| ATMS 140 Climate and Global Change | |
| ATMS 201 General Meteorology | |
| ATMS 202 Soc Impacts Weather and Climate | |
| 12-18 | 300- and 400-level courses from the approved course list. Please see the Atmospheric Sciences advisor for a current list. |
| 18 | Total hours |