Department of Atmospheric Sciences

Undergraduate Program Information

For inquiries about undergraduate or graduate study contact:
Christie Dunn cdunn@ariel.met.tamu.edu, Room 1204, Eller O&M Building.
Phone: 979-845-7671
Fax: 979-862-4466

For the most current information please refer to the current undergraduate catalog.

Information from this page may be downloaded in PDF format at the end of the page.

Table of Contents

Undergradute Programs of Study
Facilities and Equipment
Career Opportunities
Financial Assistance and Scholarships
Preparation for Admission
Transferring to Atmospheric Sciences
Student Organizations
Awards and Honors
Advising and Counseling
Undergradute Courses
Directed Studies
Information Downloads

Undergraduate Programs of Study

Atmospheric science is the study of the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere. The atmospheric sciences include meteorology and climatology, as well as fields such as atmospheric chemistry and remote sensing of the atmosphere. Atmospheric science has close connections to oceanography and hydrology. In common with the other physical sciences, physics, chemistry, and mathematics are the foundations of the study of the atmosphere. One of the goals of atmospheric science is to understand the atmosphere well enough to make predictions of weather, climate, and urban air quality.

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. Information about undergraduate research opportunities can be obtained from students' academic advisors. General information is available at the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Students who complete the undergraduate course of study receive the degree of Bachelor of Science in Meteorology. The B.S. degree in Meteorology requires a minimum of 128 credit hours. Details of course requirements are given below and in the Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog. Information on undergraduate admissions, including how to order a catalog, can be obtained from the Office of Admissions.

At Texas A&M University, the Department of Atmospheric Sciences is part of the College of Geosciences , which also includes the departments of Geography, Geology and Geophysics, and Oceanography. Interdisciplinary study, either within the College of Geosciences or with other departments in the University, is strongly encouraged.

Facilities and Equipment

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences occupies upper floors of the 15-story Oceanography & Meteorology Building. The Doppler weather radar on the roof of the building is a campus landmark. Students gain hands-on experience operating the radar in courses and research projects. The department is part of a consortium that is building two truck-mounted 5-cm wavelength Doppler radars, the Shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching Radars. These radars will be used in national and international field campaigns to study cloud physics, remote sensing, and storm dynamics. The department also receives a continuous, comprehensive stream of meteorological data from ground stations, balloons, aircraft, radars, and satellites around the world. Data and forecasts are available from the department web site , and are archived for research and teaching purposes. Two well-equipped computer labs are regularly upgraded to provide state-of-the-art equipment. The university provides computing infrastructure such as campus networking and high-speed Internet access. In addition to campus libraries, the Department of Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanography together maintain a Working Collection of scientific journals, books, and reports.

There are several institutes and offices associated with the Department of Atmospheric Sciences. The Cooperative Institute for Applied Meteorological Studies (CIAMS) is affiliated with the Southern Region Headquarters of the National Weather Service located in Fort Worth. The Institute employs research scientists and graduate students in a broad program of applied research and service to Texas and surrounding states in the areas of weather forecasting, lightning and severe weather research, and Doppler radar and computer model studies of precipitation and severe storms.

The Office of the State Climatologist (OSC) is a component of the Department and the Texas Center for Climate Studies. The OSC maintains a large climatic database covering Texas, publishes regular reports and monographs, and undertakes research on climate patterns and applied climatology.

Career Opportunities

Many students who receive B.S. degrees in Meteorology obtain employment with government agencies such as the National Weather Service, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the military services. Other employers include 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. Positions in teaching and research normally require a graduate degree.

The job market for holders of B.S. degrees fluctuates, in large part due to changes in hiring by the federal government. In general, the job market for meteorology graduates is quite good. Because meteorology students have a good background in physics, mathematics, and computer sciences, the potential job market extends well beyond meteorology.

Financial Assistance and Scholarships

A variety of financial aid programs exist to help students attend Texas A&M. The programs include scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, grants-in-aid, short and long term loans, and part-time student employment. More information about financial aid can be obtained from the Department of Student Financial Aid .

Scholarships and grants-in-aid are available under the Opportunity Awards Program. This program provides awards to high school graduates who are capable of outstanding scholarship achievement and /or who need financial assistance to attend the University. The scholarships are made possible through the Association of Former Students, the Texas A&M University Development Foundation and by interested citizens and organizations. Also, scholarships are available for undergraduate students already enrolled in the university.

In the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, scholarships are available each year to incoming freshman and continuing meteorology majors. Scholarships with awards of at least $1000 in an academic year waive out-of-state tuition non-Texas residents.

With funding from a new grant from the National Science Foundation, the Texas A&M College of Geosciences and the department are able to offer need-based scholarships of up to $10,000 per year for two years to incoming freshmen and transfer students. To be considered for these scholarships, students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) .
The Ernestine P. Scoggins Memorial Scholarship is given each year to the student with the highest GPR who has completed at least two semesters and 25 hours. This award, which partially defrays the cost of tuition in the coming semester(s), is named after the wife of a former Meteorology Department Head.
The Allan Curry Reynolds Endowed Memorial Scholarship also partially defrays tuition costs, and is given each year to one or more junior or senior students on the basis of both academic achievement and financial need.
The Lauren D. Murphy `85 and Michael J. Baker `85 Endowed Scholarship is awarded each year to an undergraduate Texas resident with at least a 3.00 GPR on the merit of academic achievement and financial need.
The T.W. Hillin `31 Endowed Scholarship is awarded each year on the basis of demonstrated academic aptitude and financial need, to a Texas resident and graduate of Texas high school with a cumulative GPR between 2.40 and 3.20.The Joan and John F. Griffiths Endowed Scholarship is awarded each year (ideally to a student with an interest in the discipline of Applied Climatology), on the basis of academic achievement and financial need.

For further information on these scholarships, please contact Christie Dunn (cdunn@ariel.met.tamu.edu or 979-845-7688).

Preparation for Admission

Students planning to pursue a degree in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences can look forward to becoming physical scientists. Incoming students should have an aptitude for mathematics and physics - few undergraduate degrees at A&M require as much mathematics and physics as the B.S. in Meteorology. Prospective students are strongly advised to take courses that prepare them for college-level calculus. Prior preparation in atmospheric sciences is not necessary.

Transferring to Atmospheric Sciences

Students transferring to Atmospheric Sciences from another department or university must satisfy all of the graduation requirements in the University Catalog. Contact the Texas A&M Office of Admissions or the Department of Atmospheric Sciences for more information about transfering credit from another university.

Student Organizations

Students are encouraged to become members of the Texas A&M Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (TAMSCAMS). Monthly meetings are held, and visiting professionals frequently meet with the student organization to discuss current research and employment opportunities. Social activities also are held. Students are also encouraged to join the national organization of meteorologists, the American Meteorological Society .

A related student organization, the Texas Aggie Storm Chasers (TASC), is also organized and run by undergraduates. Students form intercept teams that monitor and track severe weather and report damage to civil defense authorities and the National Weather Service.

Student organizations on the Texas A&M campus are numerous and varied. There are approximately 680 recognized student organizations offering a variety of activities and interests for the students, faculty and staff at Texas A&M. Organizations include academic, recreational and sports clubs, international student clubs, honor societies, social fraternities and religious organizations. Information regarding recognized student organizations may be obtained from the Department of Student Activities.

Awards and Honors

The Ed A. Felder Memorial Award is presented at the end of each spring semester to the most scholastically distinguished baccalaureate graduates in meteorology for the calendar year. These cash awards have been made since 1969-70 in memory of a former Texas A&M University student who distinguished himself in hydrometeorological studies in the state of Texas.

Undergraduate students who complete a semester schedule of at least 15 hours or a summer session schedule of at least 12 hours with no grade lower than C and with a grade point ratio of not less than 3.25 for the semester or for a summer session are designated Distinguished Students. Students who, under the same circumstances, achieve a grade point ratio of at least 3.75 are designated as members of the Dean's honor roll. Official notifications of the designations are issued to the student by the dean of the student's college.

Advising and Counseling

Academic advising is handled within the Department of Atmospheric Sciences. Following their sophomore years, students are assigned faculty advisors who oversee their progress. The small number of students per advisor allows students and advisors to get to know each other. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to become involved in research projects within the department, working for part-time pay or for academic credit.

Professional counselors and psychologists are available at the Student Counseling Service to talk with students about any concerns that affect their academic progress, educational goals, choice of career, personal-social effectiveness or emotional well-being. In counseling, the focus is to assist students in the development of academic, career planning, and personal skills; understanding their concerns; and making decisions and changes that they judge are best.

Please see the current undergraduate catalog for course requirements.

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

Please see the current undergraduate catalog for course descriptions.

DIRECTED STUDIES

Students can earn credit for independent study and internships by registering for ATMO 485, Directed Studies. Students should complete the ATMO 485 Approval Form, have it signed by their instructor, and submit it to the Department Office before registering for 485 credit. The rules for 485 credit are given on the second page of the form.