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This 120 credit program is designed to be completed in four years.
Open to all undergraduate students. Learn how to apply to the Â鶹ӳ».
Atmospheric sciences encompasses many areas of study that explore our atmosphere's physical characteristics, motions and processes and how these influence all aspects of the environment and human life. Students pursuing atmospheric sciences learn how to interpret and predict weather patterns, analyze climate trends, monitor air quality and have many opportunities to combine their studies with outdoor studies, laboratory-based research, computer-based modeling and other types of active learning with mentorship by faculty and scientists.
Graduates of the bachelor's degree in atmospheric science will be able to:
Atmospheric science is based in the Department of Physics.
Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in atmospheric sciences are encouraged to complement their coursework with hands-on, experiential learning. You can complete internships and student research projects in the Desert Research Institute (DRI) Division of Atmospheric Sciences offices in Reno and Las Vegas, in the Â鶹ӳ» Department of Physics and other departments, with agencies such as the federal National Weather Service and state/county environmental offices, and employment with environmental consulting businesses.
A minor in atmospheric sciences provides a concentration of courses in the discipline that can serve as a complement to majors in related fields, including physics, environmental studies, geology and more.
The astronomy minor is designed to attract students not only from the sciences, but also such diverse majors as anthropology, journalism and education. Most departments have a range of research projects that would benefit from these studies. A senior thesis project - in which students complete an astronomical research project of their choosing - caps off the minor.
Students in the Â鶹ӳ»Teach program earn two degrees: a bachelor's degree in secondary education and a bachelor's degree in atmospheric sciences. Graduates can go on to a range of careers in atmospheric sciences as well as a teaching career at the middle- or high-school level.
The atmospheric sciences major gives you a very strong and adaptable science and math knowledge base with many career avenues. You can pursue jobs at federal agencies such as NASA, the National Weather Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Geological Surveyand the Department of Energy.
Businesses such as insurance firms, investment companies, energy companies and and environmental consulting firms also hire atmospheric scientists. Science teachers who have knowledge of climate science are also in high demand. You can also pursue opportunities in scientific laboratories and university research groups.
Some of the job duties atmospheric science graduates may be responsible for include:
76% of students receive financial aid
Almost everyone is eligible to receive some kind of aid. We offer need-based and merit-based forms of financial aid to help you afford college.
54% of all students graduate with no debt
That's right. More than half of our students leave the Â鶹ӳ» with no student debt.
At the Â鶹ӳ» Honors College, our students maximize their unique gifts and passions through a series of personalized experiences that deepen their capacity for transformative societal impact.
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