The Department of Atmospheric Sciences offers the B.S. degree in Meteorology. The undergraduate curriculum in meteorology emphasizes weather and weather forecasting, but also includes courses in climatology, atmospheric chemistry, cloud physics and remote sensing of the atmosphere with radar and satellites. As a discipline, atmospheric science has close connection to oceanography and hydrology. As the meteorology curriculum makes clear, physics, chemistry and mathematics are the foundations of the study of the atmosphere.

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences occupies upper floors of the 15-story Oceanography and Meteorology Building. The Doppler weather radar on the roof of the building is a campus landmark, and the department also operates two mobile Doppler radars for research and teaching. The department receives a continuous, comprehensive stream of meteorological data from ground stations, balloons, aircraft, radars and satellites around the world. Two well-equipped computer labs are regularly upgraded to provide state-of-the-art educational equipment.

Students in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences enjoy low student-to-teacher ratios and small classes. Undergraduates have opportunities for individual study and participation in faculty research projects, including regional, national and international field programs.

Many students who receive B.S. degrees in Meteorology obtain employment with the National Weather Service, private meteorological consulting and weather forecasting companies, air quality consulting firms, airlines, TV stations, energy trading companies, universities, state governments, agricultural firms and computer-related industries. Some students choose to enter the military services as weather officers. Positions in teaching and research normally require a graduate degree.

Students interested in cooperative education arrangements should contact the head of the department for information.

Students of other disciplines may choose to complete a minor in meteorology if they take a minimum of 16 hours in Atmospheric Sciences or upper-division geosciences. At least 9 of these hours must be 300-level or above, including at least 3 400-level hours. The selection of courses must be made in agreement with an advisor from the Atmospheric Sciences faculty.