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Atmospheric Science Specialization

Atmospheric Science is the scientific study of the atmosphere on many scales, from detailed atmospheric chemistry to weather forecasting to global climate. Because atmospheric motions depend on chemical and radiative balances, as well as the interaction of the atmosphere with the oceans and plant life, meteorology provides applications of many basic physical sciences. Atmospheric Science is also a young field, and students entering it now have the opportunity to make significant contributions to understanding our environment. The Physical Sciences Program provides is ideal for students who plan to pursue graduate work in atmospheric and oceanic sciences. Because of it's multidisciplinary nature, students interested in meteorology are encouraged to take a broad range of courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, and biology, as well as atmospheric and oceanic sciences.

The following is a curriculum suggested for students who intend to pursue graduate work in atmospheric sciences:

Lower-Level Requirements:   CHEM 135/136 and 231/232  
    MATH 140, 141, 241 and 246  
    PHYS 161, 260/261 and 270/271  
    CMSC 106 or PHYS 165  
       
Areas of Concentration: I AOSC 431, 432 and 434  
  II MATH 461, 462 and STAT 400  
  III Students choose, with advice from Professor Robert Hudson and the other committee members, at least 6 credits from upper-level courses in ASTR, CHEM, CMSC, GEOL, PHYS or an engineering discipline.  

Note: Students must have their program approved by the Physical Sciences Committee whether or not students follow the suggested curriculum.

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