Bachelor of Science [B.S] [Atmospheric Sciences] From South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Students in the bachelor of science in interdisciplinary sciences degree program may choose to concentrate in the atmospheric sciences. The atmospheric sciences specialization is designed for students whose career goal is meteorology or atmospheric research. Working with faculty from the Atmospheric Sciences Program, students can take coursework to satisfy federal guidelines (e.g., for the National Weather Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Geological Survey) for the title of meteorologist. This specialization also serves as excellent preparation for graduate study in meteorology, atmospheric sciences, and related fields. Courses range from those in traditional operational meteorology to those in earth system sciences. All students entering under the 2010 Catalog and later satisfy the US Government's requirements to qualify as a meteorologist for federal employment. For more information, students should review the resources available on the school website.

The successful student is expected to be capable of independent and critical thinking in the areas of physical, synoptic, and dynamic meteorology; remote sensing; and global atmospheric change. As such, he or she should be qualified for employment where expertise in atmospheric sciences is a primary requirement, though need not necessarily qualify as a meteorologist by the federal government's criteria. The curriculum is also suitable for preparation towards graduate study at the MS and PhD level.