Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences BS
The atmospheric and environmental sciences degree program is designed for students whose career goal is meteorology or atmospheric research. Working with faculty from the Atmospheric and Environmental 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 degree 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.
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, they 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.
Entry into AES Degree
Students interested in the program should contact an AES undergraduate advisor when they commit to the program. Most courses in the South Dakota Mines AES curriculum are taught on a
two-year rotation and students should be tracked towards a given course of study as soon as possible.
Undergraduate minor in Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences
A minor in atmospheric and environmental sciences is offered to students enrolled in undergraduate degree programs that allow minors at the South Dakota Mines. For some majors this would require an additional semester or more of study beyond the traditional
four years. See the
catalog for course requirements.