Programs in Atmospheric, Climate, and Environmental Science

The Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences is an internationally recognized leader in research and education in atmospheric, climate, and environmental sciences.

Program in Atmospheric Science

The undergraduate program in atmospheric science provides a broad background in three fundamental areas of atmospheric science: synoptic (observations and weather forecasting), dynamic (theory and computer modeling), and physical (lightning, cloud physics, atmospheric chemistry). Because the department has a highly active research program in these areas, many opportunities exist for undergraduate research projects and part-time jobs.

The first two years of the program provide basic training in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and introductory atmospheric science. All students are encouraged to take one or two 100-level courses for enjoyment and experience (these count as electives but not as courses for the major). In the junior and senior years, requirements in the fundamental areas of atmospheric science are combined with electives, including advanced courses on atmospheric physics, atmospheric dynamics, weather forecasting, tropical meteorology and hurricanes, solar energy, air pollution, climatology, and computer applications.

Many opportunities exist for students to become involved in department activities. Each semester, students can take part in internship programs with the on-campus office of the National Weather Service (NWS), the New York State Mesonet, the New York State Office of Emergency Management; and many others.

In addition, a weather forecasting competition is held in the department each semester while classes are in session. The forecasting contest, along with concurrent weather discussions led by a faculty member, are open to all undergraduate majors. Undergraduates hired part-time and during the summer through research grants have the chance to work closely with a faculty member while contributing to current meteorological research. The Eastern New York Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) meets regularly and provides speakers of general interest on a variety of meteorological topics. Through these and other activities, the department offers exciting and varied opportunities to any student curious about the science of the atmosphere around us.

Careers

Graduates obtain employment in weather forecasting, environmental engineering, TV broadcasting, scientific consulting, and other private firms; in university departments and research laboratories; and in federal and state agencies such as the National Weather Service, U.S. Air Force, and NY State Department of Environmental Conservation. Graduate school and the pursuit of an advanced degree is an expected option for our graduates. (The department offers full financial support and a complete tuition waiver to most students accepted into our graduate program.)

Degree Requirements for the Major in Atmospheric Science

General Program B.S.:

A minimum of 70 credits for the combined major and minor including:

Required Atmospheric Science Courses:

A ATM 209 Investigating the Atmosphere (1)
A ATM 210 Atmospheric Structure, Thermodynamics and Circulation (3)
A ATM 211 Weather Analysis and Forecasting (4)
A ATM 315 Environmental Statistics and Computation (4)
A ATM 316 Dynamic Meteorology I (3)
A ATM 317 Dynamic Meteorology II (3)
A ATM 320 Atmospheric Thermodynamics (3)
A ATM 321Y Physical Meteorology (4)
A ATM 350 Meteorological Data Analysis and Visualization (2)
A ATM 419 Applications of Numerical Weather Prediction (3)
A MAT 214 Calculus of Several Variables (4)

Choose one of the following Chemistry options:

A CHM 115 General Chemistry I and Lab (4)
A CHM 120 General Chemistry I (3) and A CHM 124 General Chemistry Lab I (1)
T CHM 130 Honors General Chemistry I and A CHM 124 General Chemistry I Lab or T CHM 135 Honors General Chemistry Lab I

Choose one of the following Calculus I Options:

A MAT 111 Algebra and Calculus II (4)
A MAT 112 Calculus I (4)
A MAT 118 Honors Calculus I (4)
T MAT 118 Honors Calculus I Honors College (4)

Choose one of the following Calculus II Options:

A MAT 113 Calculus II (4)
A MAT 119 Honors Calculus II (4)
T MAT 119 Honors Calculus II Honors College (4)

Choose one of the following Physics I Options:

A PHY 140 Physics I: Mechanics (3)
APHY 141 Advanced Physics I: Mechanics (3)
T PHY 141 Honors Physics I: Mechanics (3)

Choose one of the following Physics II Options:

A PHY 150 Physic II: Electromagnetism (3)
A PHY 151 Advanced Physic II: Electromagnetism (3)
T PHY 151 Honors Physic II: Electromagnetism (3)

Choose one of the following Options:

A ATM 311 Severe and Hazardous Weather and Forecasting (4)
A ATM 405 Water and Climate Change (3)

Choose one of the following Options:

A ATM 306 Climate Variability and Change (3)
A ATM 405 Water and Climate Change (4)
A ATM 415 Climate Laboratory (3)
A ENV 450 Paleo Climatology (3)

Additional 9 credits must be chosen from the following options; no more that six credits may come from A ATM 496, A ATM 497, A ATM 498, or A ATM 499; further, a maximum of 3 credits from A ATM 490 will apply.

A ATM 301 Surface Hydrology and Hydrometeorology (3)
A ATM 304/Z Air Quality and Air Pollution Policy (3)
A ATM 305 Global Physical Climatology (3)
A ATM 307/Z Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry (3)
A ATM 327 Meteorological and Environmental Measurement (3)
A ATM 335 Meteorological Remote Sensing (3)
A ATM 400 Synoptic Meteorology I (4)
A ATM 401 Synoptic Meteorology II (3)
A ATM 408 Hydrometeorology (3)
A ATM 409 Atmospheric Precipitation Process (3)
A ATM 413 Weather, Climate Change, and Societal Impacts (3)
A ATM 414 Air Pollution Meteorology (3)
A ATM 418 Dynamic Meteorology III (3)
A ATM 421 Tropical Meteorology (3)
A ATM 440 Applications of Subseasonal to Seasonal Dynamics (3)
A ATM 450 Computer Applications in Atmospheric Science (3)
A ATM 480 Special Topics in Atmospheric Science (1-4)
A ATM 496 Internship in Atmospherics Science (1-3)
A ATM 497 Independent Study II (1-3)
A ATM 498 Computer Applications in Meteorological Research (3)
A ATM 499 Undergraduate Research in Atmospheric Science (3)

A solid foundation in physics and mathematics is recommended for all students planning to major in atmospheric science. It is recommended that all students considering this major meet with a representative of the department before each of the freshman and sophomore registration sessions.

Departmental Honors Program

Students who have by the end of their fourth semester attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in courses required of the major in atmospheric science may apply to the department chair for the program leading to a B.S. degree with honors in atmospheric science. Applications must be submitted before the end of the first semester of the student’s junior year and must be accompanied by letters of recommendation from at least two faculty members.

To be admitted to the program, a student must have completed two semesters of physics (A PHY 140 or 141 or T PHY 141, A PHY 145, A PHY 150 or 151 or T PHY 151), three semesters of mathematics (A MAT 111 or 112 or 118 or T MAT 118, A MAT 113 or 119 or T MAT 119, A MAT 214), and must be enrolled in or have completed A ATM 316. These requirements may be altered, upon request, for qualified transfer students. At the end of the junior year, the student’s program will be reviewed by the Honors Committee to see if satisfactory progress is being made.

To be eligible for a degree with honors, students must complete a minimum of 82 credits specified as follows: (1) the general program B.S.; (2) any two additional A ATM courses from 301 or higher, or A MAT 215 or 220; and (3) 6 credits of A ATM 499 taken over at least two semesters culminating in a significant undergraduate thesis and an honors seminar in the student’s final semester. No more than 9 credits from A ATM 490, 497, 498 or 499 may be applied to the major requirements; a maximum of 3 credits from A ATM 490 will apply. Students in the program must maintain both a minimum grade point average of 3.25 overall and 3.50 in the major coursework during the junior and senior years.

Upon completion of the requirements, the honors committee will make its recommendation to the faculty to grant the degree with honors in atmospheric science based upon the candidate’s (1) academic record, (2) research project report, (3) honors seminar, and (4) faculty recommendations.

Combined B.S./M.S. Program

The combined B.S./M.S. program in atmospheric science provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill simultaneously undergraduate and graduate course requirements in their senior year, thereby accelerating progress toward the M.S. degree. A carefully designed program can permit a student to complete the B.S. and M.S. degrees one year sooner than is otherwise possible.

The combined program requires a minimum of 138 credits, of which at least 30 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.S., students must meet all University and college requirements, including the requirements of the undergraduate major described previously, the minimum 60-credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, the general education requirements, and residency requirements. In qualifying for the M.S., students must meet all University and college requirements as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits and any other conditions such as a research seminar, thesis, comprehensive examination, professional experience, and residency requirements. Up to 9 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.S. and M.S. programs.

In the summer following the senior year, the student will begin work on his or her graduate research. In preparation for this accelerated research program, the student will be required to take two semesters (6 credits) of A ATM 499, Undergraduate Research, during the junior or senior year. These 6 credits may be counted toward the undergraduate elective requirement from either of the following requirements: (1) from any four additional A ATM courses at the 400 or 500 level as advised or (2) from 6 additional credits in mathematics or sciences as advised.

Students may apply for admission to the combined degree program in atmospheric science at the beginning of their junior year or after the successful completion of 56 credits. A cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher and three supportive letters of recommendation from faculty are required for consideration.

Program in Climate Science

The undergraduate program in climate science focuses on conceptual understanding of the Earth’s complex climate system and the solving of problems relating to climate and environmental science. While still science-centered, the climate science curriculum places less emphasis on theoretical meteorology than the atmospheric science program and greater emphasis on acquiring a holistic view of climate as a system and its interaction with the environment and human society. As a consequence, the climate science program requires fewer physics and math classes than the atmospheric science program and instead prioritizes chemistry, statistics and data analysis, oceans and hydrology, and climate modeling, among other subjects. This will appeal to students who are interested in the policy and the societal aspects of climate and climate change as well as the opportunity (via elective coursework) to explore them.

The climate science program is a combined major/minor and thus no formal (additional) minor is required. However, the program also contains 24 free elective credits that can be used, perhaps in combination with courses applied to the major, to pursue minors such as Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, Geography, Informatics, and other options, as well as certificate programs such as those in Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity and Geographic Information Systems. The student may not declare a minor in Atmospheric Science.

Careers

Potential careers include jobs in the private sector (e.g., environmental consulting, risk management, assessment, and mitigation, and renewable energy) and the public sector (e.g., policy making positions at the federal, state, or local level) that require understanding of the climate system and its interconnections, feedbacks, and climate change. Graduates may also pursue postgraduate education in climate or environmental science, opening up careers in research and/or higher education. Additionally, graduates with this degree are well prepared to consider advanced degrees in other fields such as business administration (M.B.A.), law (J.D.), or K-12 education. The climate science curriculum satisfies the NYSED preparation requirements for students pursuing a Master’s degree in Earth Science education.

Degree Requirements for the Major in Climate Science

General Program B.S.:

A minimum of 72 credits for the combined major and minor including:

A ATM 210 Atmospheric Structure, Thermodynamics, and Circulation (3)
A ATM 306 Climate Variability and Change (3)
A ATM 405 Water and Climate Change (3)
A CHM 115 General Chemistry I (4)
A CHM 116 General Chemistry II (4)
A ENV 105 Introduction to Environmental Science (3)
A ENV 106 Introduction to Environmental Science Laboratory (1)
A ENV 221 Understanding the Earth (3)
A ENV 302 Ocean Science (3)
A ENV 315 Environmental Statistics and Computation (4)
A ENV 327 Meteorological and Environmental Measurement (3)
A ENV/ATM 415 Climate Laboratory (3)
A ENV 450 Paleoclimatology (3)
A ENV 490 Major Topics in Environmental Science (3)
C INF 108 Programming for Problem Solving (3)

Choose one of the following Calculus I Options:

A MAT 111 Algebra and Calculus II (4)
A MAT 112 Calculus I (4)
A MAT 118 Honors Calculus I (4)
T MAT 118 Honors Calculus I Honors College (4)

Choose one of the following Calculus II Options:

A MAT 113 Calculus II (4)
A MAT 119 Honors Calculus II (4)
T MAT 119 Honors Calculus II Honors College (4)

Choose one of the following Physics I Options:

A PHY 140 Physics I: Mechanics (3)
A PHY 141 Advanced Physics I: Mechanics (3)
T PHY 141 Honors Physics I: Mechanics (3)

15 Upper-Division Electives from Upper-Division Courses or the following options:

A ATM 304 Air Quality and Air Pollution Policy (3)
A ATM 335 Meteorological Remote Sensing (3)
A ATM 413 Weather, Climate Change, and Societal Impacts (3)
A ENV 365 Environmental Science Field Work Experience (1)
A ENV 404 The Adirondack Environment (3)
A ENV 496 Internship in Environmental Science (1-3)
A ENV 497 Independent Study (1-3)
A ENV 498 Undergraduate Research in Environmental Science (3)
C EHC 370 Risk Assessment and Management (3)
C EHC 402 Risk, Planning, and Continuity (3)
C EHC 405 Crisis and Vulnerable Populations (3)
I ESE 301 Introduction to Environmental and Sustainable Engineering (3)
I ESE 381 Energy Engineering (3)
I ESE 431 Air Pollution Control (3)
R PAD 366 Approaches to Development (3-4)
R PAD/ R POS 399 Selected Topics (3) (relevant topic required)
or other courses by advisement.

It is recommended that all students considering this major meet with a representative of the department before each of the freshman and sophomore registration sessions.

Program in Environmental Science

In the undergraduate program in Environmental Science, students develop a holistic understanding of the Earth’s environment. The curriculum includes a foundation of coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics, atmospheric science, and environmental science that provides students the tools needed to understand environmental systems. This is complemented with coursework in other disciplines to contextualize environmental issues by approaching them from various perspectives. Additionally, students take coursework that leverages interdisciplinary approaches to analyze complex environmental issues. Students select between one of four areas of specialization to draw from in their upper-level coursework, building depth of expertise in an area of interest. Students are also encouraged to enrich their education through opportunities for research and internships.

Careers

Graduates in the major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a faculty-initiated concentration in Environmental Science will be well qualified for a broad range of positions within the highly interdisciplinary field of environmental science. Consulting firms, industry, federal and state government agencies all require employees with this type of training. The demand for individuals with such a degree is anticipated to remain strong as our society attempts to cope with and address myriad environmental impacts that are occurring on local, regional, national and global scales. Additionally, graduates with this degree are well prepared to consider advanced degrees in the sciences, or other fields such as business administration (M.B.A.) or law (J.D.).

Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a faculty-initiated concentration in Environmental Science

General Program B.S.:

A minimum of 70-71 credits (depending upon the specialization selected) for the combined major and minor including: A ATM 210, A ATM/A ENV 315, 327, A BIO 130 or 121, A BIO 131 or 120, 201, 202, 330, A CHM 115 or 120/124 (or T CHM 130/124 or T CHM 135), A CHM 116 or 121/125 (or T CHM 131/124 or T CHM 136), A ENV 105, 106, 221, 302, 490, A MAT 111 or 112 or 118 or T MAT 118, A PHY 140 or T PHY 141; the completion of one of four specializations totaling 21-22 credits.

At the time of major declaration, each student must select one of four specializations: Climate Change, Ecosystems, Geography, or Sustainability Science and Policy. No course may satisfy requirements simultaneously in both the core curriculum (above) and any specialization. Only one specialization can be declared.

Ecosystems Specialization:

22 credits overall. Required courses (7 credits): A BIO 212, 401. Elective courses (15 credits): A ANT 312/A BIO 318, A ANT 418, A ATM 301, A BIO 329, 402, A ENV 250, 404, 480, 496, A GOG 424, 433/A USP433, 496/A USP 456, R PAD 366, H SPH 321, H SPH 332. A maximum of 6 credits may be taken from R PAD 366, H SPH 321.

Climate Change Specialization:

21 credits overall. Required courses (12 credits): A ATM 306, 405, A ATM/A ENV 415, 450. Elective courses (9 credits): A ATM 301, 304, A ATM/A CHM 307, A ATM 335, 413, 414, A ENV 404, 496, A MAT 113, R PAD 366, H SPH 321. A maximum of 6 credits may be taken from R PAD 366, R POS 399, H SPH 321.

Geography Specialization:

22 credits overall. Required courses (10 credits): A GOG/A USP 220, A GOG 290, A GOG 496/A USP 456. Elective courses (12 credits): at least 6 credits from A GOG 304, A GOG/A LCS 354, A GOG/A USP 375, A GOG 414, A GOG/A USP 430, 460, A GOG 484, 485, A ATM 301, 405, A ENV 250, 404, 496.

Sustainability Science and Policy Specialization:

21 credits overall. Required courses (9 credits): A ATM 304, A ENV 250. Elective courses (12 credits): A ANT 418, A ATM 405, 413, A ENV 404, 480, 496, A GOG/A USP 220, A GOG/A USP 430, A GOG 460, A GOG 496/A USP 456, R PAD 366, H SPH 321, H SPH 332.

Departmental Honors Program

Students who have by the end of their fourth semester attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in courses required of the major in environmental science may apply to the department chair for the program leading to a B.S. degree with honors in environmental science. Applications must be submitted before the end of the first semester of the student’s junior year and must be accompanied by letters of recommendation from at least two faculty members.

To be admitted to the program, a student must have completed A ATM 210, A BIO 120 or 130, A CHM 120 or 130 or T CHM 130, A CHM 121 or 131 or T CHM 131, A ENV 221, A PHY 140 or 141 or T PHY 141, and A MAT 111 or 112 or 118 or T MAT 118. These requirements may be altered, upon request, for qualified transfer students. At the end of the junior year, the student’s program will be reviewed by the Honors Committee to see if satisfactory progress is being made.

To be eligible for a degree with honors, students must complete a minimum of 83-84 credits specified as follows: (1) the general program B.S. with one of four specializations; (2) A MAT 113 or 119 or T MAT 119 and an additional elective in the selected specialization at the 300-level or higher; and (3) 6 credits of A ENV 498 taken over at least two semesters culminating in a significant undergraduate thesis and an honors seminar in the student’s final semester. Students in the program must maintain both a minimum grade point average of 3.25 overall and 3.50 in the major coursework during the junior and senior years.

Upon completion of the requirements, the honors committee will make its recommendation to the faculty to grant the degree with honors in environmental science based upon the candidate’s (1) academic record, (2) research project report, (3) honors seminar, and (4) faculty recommendations.

Program in Environmental Studies

In the undergraduate program in Environmental Studies, students develop a holistic understanding of the Earth’s environmental systems and how they interface with human society. The curriculum includes a foundation of coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics, and atmospheric and environmental science that provides students the tools needed to understand environmental systems. This is complemented with coursework in other disciplines to contextualize environmental issues by approaching them from geographic, planning, cultural, ethical, historical, political, and/or economic perspectives. Towards the end of the program, students take coursework that leverages interdisciplinary approaches to analyze complex environmental issues. Students are also encouraged to enrich their education through opportunities for research and internships.

Careers

Potential careers include jobs in the private sector (e.g., environmental consulting, environmental conservation, environmental remediation and monitoring, mitigation, and renewable energy) and the public sector (e.g., NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of Health, NYSERDA, US Geologic Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, local Departments of Parks and Recreation, and policy making positions at the federal, state, or local level) that require understanding of the interactions between humans and their environment. Graduates may also pursue a postgraduate education in environmental science, opening careers in research and/or higher education. Additionally, graduates with this degree are well prepared to consider advanced degrees in other fields such as business administration (M.B.A.), environmental law (J.D.), or K-12 education.

Degree Requirements for the Major in Environmental Studies

General Program B.A.:

A minimum of 68 credits for the combined major and minor including:

A ATM 210 Atmospheric Structure, Thermodynamics, and Circulation (3)
A BIO 130 General Biology: Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics (3)
A BIO 131 General Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Physiology (3)
A CHM 115 General Chemistry I and Lab (4)
A ENV 105 Introduction to Environmental Science (3)
A ENV 106 Introduction to Environmental Science Laboratory (1)
A ENV 221 Understanding the Earth (3)
A ENV 250 Sustainable Development: Energy and Resources (3)
A ENV 302 Ocean Science (3)
A ENV/A ATM 327 Meteorological and Environmental Measurement (3)
A ENV 490 Major Topics in Environmental Science (3)
A MAT 108 Elementary Statistics (3)

Choose one of the following Courses:

A ENV 404 The Adirondack Environment (3)
A ATM 304 Air Quality and Air Pollution Policy (3)

Choose one of the following Courses:

A HIS 329 American Environmental History (3)
A ANT 355 Environmental Anthropology (3)

Choose one of the following Calculus I Options:

A MAT 100 Precalculus Mathematics (3)
A MAT 106 Survey of Calculus (3)
A MAT 112 Calculus I (4)
A MAT 118 Honors Calculus I (4)
T MAT 118 Honors Calculus I Honors College (4)

Choose one of the following Physics Options:

A PHY 105 General Physics I (3)
A PHY 140 Physics I: Mechanics (3)
A PHY 142 Physics I: Advanced Mechanics (3)
T PHY 141 Honors Physics I: Mechanics (3)

Choose one of the following Courses:

H SPH 321 Global Environmental Issues and Their Effect on Human Health (3)
A GOG/A USP 430 Environmental Planning (3)

Choose One of the Following Courses:

R PAD/R POS 140 Introduction to Public Policy (3)
R POS 101 American Politics
R POS 102 Comparative and International Politics (3)
A ECO 110 Principles of Economics I: Microeconomics (3)
A GOG 102 Introduction to Human Geography (3-4)

Elective courses (15 additional credits, at least 9 of which must be upper division):

A ENV/A ATM 315 Environmental Statistics and Computation (4)
A ENV 365 Environmental Science Fieldwork Experience (1)
A ENV 404 The Adirondack Environment (3)
A ENV 450 Paleoclimatology (3)
A ENV 480 Special Topics in Environmental Science (1-4)
A ENV 496 Internship in Environmental Science (1-3)
A ENV 498 Undergraduate Research in Environmental Science (3)
A ATM 304 Air Quality and Air Pollution Policy (3)
A ANT 355 Environmental Anthropology (3)
A BIO 201 Biological Laboratory Investigations I (1)
A BIO 202Z Biological Laboratory Investigations II (1)
A BIO 212Y Introductory Genetics (4)
A BIO 326 Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (2)
A BIO 328 Invertebrate Ecology Laboratory (2)
A BIO 330 Principles of Ecology and Evolution (3)
A BIO 401 Ecology (3)
A BIO 402 Evolution (3)
A ECO 385 Environmental Economics (3)
A GOG 424 Landscape Ecology (3)
A GOG/A USP 430 Environmental Planning (3)
A GOG/A USP 460 People, Place, and Power (3)
A GOG 484 Remote Sensing I (3)
A GOG 485 Remote Sensing II (3)
A GOG 496/A USP 456 Geographic Information Systems (3)
A GOG 498/A USP 457 Advanced GIS (3)
A HST 302 America in the Age of Sail (3)
A HIS 329 American Environmental History (3)
A PHI 365 Environmental Ethics (3)
A USP 432 Parks, Preservation and Heritage Planning (3) missed for Degree Services
A WSS/A LCS 430Z Environmental Justice: Racism, Classism, Sexism (3)
H SPH 321 Global Environmental Issues and Their Effect on Human Health (3)
I ESE 221 Introduction to Sustainable Engineering (3)
R PAD 475 Understanding Energy Policy and Climate Change (3)