Is the study of atmospheric science (sometimes called meteorology) for me?
To find out, you could ask yourself: Am I curious about what causes lightning or a rainbow or a powerful thunderstorm? Do I wonder about the reasons for the changing weather? Do I enjoy finding the solutions to puzzles? Am I good at math? Do I have an imaginative and original approach to discovering the solutions to problems?
What degrees are offered?
The Atmospheric Science Program offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in atmospheric science. A Master of Science (M.S.) degree in atmospheric science is also offered. The B.S. degree offers four options that include a general atmospheric science degree option, an air pollution meteorology option, a hydrometeorology option (a branch of meteorology especially concerned with precipitation), and a news media forecasting option.
What degree option should I choose?
Atmospheric Science is a broad and diverse field, and graduates are employed in a large number of different areas. The general atmospheric science degree option is the most popular and provides students with expertise to enter a variety of specialty areas. If you are determined to follow a career path that leads to television weather forecasting, addressing air quality and environmental issues, or addressing hydrological issues, such as flooding, then one of the other options is for you.
What is the faculty like?
Faculty members in the Atmospheric Science Program are active in important research areas with ties to other departments at KU, to other universities, operational forecast centers such as the Aviation Weather Center in Kansas City, and national laboratories such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Opportunities abound for students to work with faculty members on research projects. Several students have presented their research results at scientific meetings. Atmospheric science faculty members are also strongly committed to teaching, and all atmospheric science lecture classes are taught by faculty members.
