Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Sciences
George Mason University
Key Information
Campus location
Fairfax, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 4,897 / per semester **
Application deadline
01 Jun 2024*
Earliest start date
Aug 2024
* for International student | Domestic student is 1st of February
** in-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 16,980 - out-of-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 1,803 - mandatory student fee
Introduction
The science of weather and climate
The undergraduate program in atmospheric sciences gives students a strong quantitative undergraduate education in atmospheric, climate, and related sciences to understand the basic principles behind current and emerging issues in weather, climate variability, and climate change.
Students completing the atmospheric sciences degree will be prepared for a full range of career paths including forecast and analysis, operations, and research support in meteorology, atmospheric sciences, and climate.
Program Highlights
- The undergraduate curriculum meets the American Meteorological Society’s recommendations and the US Government Civil Service GS -1340 qualification in meteorology.
- AOES faculty and the scientists in the Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies are world leaders in the simulation and prediction of seasonal and longer-term climates.
- Students have access to internships and other opportunities due to Mason’s proximity to federal facilities such as forecasting at the National Weather Service’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction and Earth monitoring at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
"Everybody Talks About the Weather, But Nobody Does Anything About It"
Never has there been a better time to help disprove the statement above. For example:
- Insurance companies are preparing for more severe floods and longer droughts.
- The government is working to prevent food insecurity in a changing climate.
- The electrical industry is learning to cope with drops and spikes in solar energy and wind power.
- Society is debating its influence on, and response to, climate change.
Program Outcome
- Students will apply mathematical tools to study atmospheric processes.
- Students will construct and interpret weather charts, maps, and diagrams.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of the physical laws governing the structure and evolution of atmospheric phenomena spanning a broad range of spatial and temporal scales.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to plan, execute, and communicate research in the atmospheric sciences.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics into an understanding of how the climate has changed and may change in the future.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to apply advanced mathematical and computational methods to the simulation and analysis of atmospheric phenomena.
Career Opportunities
Launch a Career in Atmospheric Sciences
An Atmospheric Sciences Bachelor's Degree at George Mason University is a great way to launch a career doing something about weather and climate because
- Graduates are prepared for a wide range of paths including research (via graduate school) and operations in meteorology and climate.
- The undergraduate curriculum meets the American Meteorological Society’s recommendations and the US Government Civil Service GS -1340 qualification in meteorology.
- In North Virginia, we are close to the National Weather Service, NOAA Climate Prediction Center, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, and some of the leading private sector weather firms.
- AOES faculty and the scientists in the Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies are world leaders in the simulation and prediction of seasonal and longer-term climates.
Curriculum
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
This is a Green Leaf program.
A GPA of at least 2.00 is required for all core courses, with an overall GPA of at least 2.50.
Atmospheric Sciences Core
- CLIM 102 Introduction to Global Climate Change Science (Mason Core) 4
- CLIM 111 Introduction to the Fundamentals of Atmospheric Science (Mason Core) 3
- CLIM 112 Introduction to the Fundamentals of Atmospheric Science Lab (Mason Core) 1
- CLIM 301 Weather Analysis and Prediction 4
- CLIM 408 Senior Research 1 3
- CLIM 411 Atmospheric Dynamics 3
- CLIM 429 Atmospheric Thermodynamics 3
- PHYS 475 Atmospheric Physics 3
Total Credits 24
Chemistry
- CHEM 211 General Chemistry I (Mason Core) 3
- CHEM 213 General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) 1
Total Credits 4
Computer Science
Select one of the following: 3-4
- CDS 130 Computing for Scientists (Mason Core)
- CS 112 Introduction to Computer Programming (Mason Core)
Total Credits 3-4
Mathematics
- MATH 113 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) 4
- MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 4
- MATH 213 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III 3
Total Credits 11
Statistics
- STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) 3
Total Credits 3
Physics
- PHYS 160 University Physics I (Mason Core) 3
- PHYS 161 University Physics I Laboratory (Mason Core) 1
- PHYS 260 University Physics II (Mason Core) 3
- PHYS 261 University Physics II Laboratory (Mason Core) 1
Total Credits 8
Options
Students in the atmospheric sciences major will select one of the following options in addition to the required courses above. These options reflect faculty expertise and provide two areas of research emphasis. The options will help in creating educated professionals who have the requisite training to support future weather and climate research, enabling the graduate's potential for providing substantial societal benefits.
Meteorology Option
This option is designed for students who are primarily interested in weather and weather forecasting. The required classes in this option emphasize atmospheric phenomena, especially those that have the greatest impact on society.
- CLIM 312 Physical Climatology 3 or GGS 312 Physical Climatology or CLIM 440 Climate Dynamics
- CLIM 314 Severe and Extreme Weather 3 or GGS 314 Severe and Extreme Weather
- CLIM 319 Air Pollution 3
Total Credits 9
Computational Atmospheric Sciences Option
The computational atmospheric sciences option gives students preparation in computational science, mathematics, and elements of numerical modeling in order to undertake quantitative research or operational work in a professional or graduate setting.
- CLIM 470 Numerical Weather Prediction 3
- MATH 214 Elementary Differential Equations 3
Select one from the following: 3
- CDS 251 Introduction to Scientific Programming
- CDS 301 Scientific Information and Data Visualization
- CDS 302 Scientific Data and Databases
- CDS 303 Scientific Data Mining
Total Credits 9
Required Electives
The required electives must be chosen from this list and be independent of courses taken in the selected option (Meteorology or Computational Atmospheric Sciences):
Select 9 credits from the following: 9
- CDS 251 Introduction to Scientific Programming
- CDS 301 Scientific Information and Data Visualization
- CLIM 312 Physical Climatology or GGS 312 Physical Climatology
- CLIM 314 Severe and Extreme Weather or GGS 314 Severe and Extreme Weather
- CLIM 319 Air Pollution
- CLIM 401 Midlatitude Synoptic Meteorology
- CLIM 409 Research Internship
- CLIM 412 Physical Oceanography
- CLIM 438 Atmospheric Chemistry
- CLIM 440 Climate Dynamics
- CLIM 456 Introduction to Atmospheric Radiation
- CLIM 470 Numerical Weather Prediction
- GEOL 420 Earth Science and Policy (Mason Core)
- GGS 354 Data Analysis and Global Change Detection Techniques
- MATH 214 Elementary Differential Equations
Total Credits 9
Mason Core and Elective Credits
In order to meet a minimum of 120 credits, this degree requires an additional 48-49 credits (dependent upon the course chosen for the Computer Science requirement), which may be applied toward any remaining Mason Core requirements (outlined below), Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees, and electives. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors to ensure that they fulfill all requirements.
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Foundation Requirements
- Written Communication (ENGH 101) 3
- Oral Communication 3
- Quantitative Reasoning 3
- Information Technology and Computing 3
Exploration Requirements
- Arts 3
- Global Understanding 3
- Literature 3
- Natural Science 7
- Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
- Western Civilization/World History 3
Integration Requirements
- Written Communications (ENGH 302) 3
- Writing-Intensive 3
- Synthesis/Capstone 3
Total Credits 40
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
AOES Scholarship for Excellence in Weather and Climate
AOES department offers 5 awards of $1,500/year for 3 years to students declaring a major in Atmospheric Sciences. The scholarship is intended for high-achieving students with a demonstrated interest in physical sciences and to help talented students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend college.
Scholarship Selection Criteria
- GPA: The student has a high-school cumulative GPA of 3.0. The same GPA applies to transfer students.
- Field of Interest: Students demonstrate an existing interest in STEM fields such as AP exam scores of 4, extracurricular accomplishments such as competing in Science Fairs, state, and national Science Olympiad tournaments, and participation in research internship programs. Transfer students have completed courses in Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, and Statistics.
- Geographic Boundaries: None.
- Demographics: The scholarship is intended for all students regardless of gender, race and ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and place of origin.