CMMAP

Atmospheric Science is the study of the atmosphere - the blanket of air covering Earth. Atmospheric Scientists are commonly called meteorologists. They specialize in areas including weather forecasting and analyzing climate changes and trends. Their research is applied in air-pollution control, agriculture, forestry, transportation, defense and the study of trends in Earth's climate including drought, ozone cycles and global warming and cooling to name a few.

Careers in the Atmospheric Sciences
How to choose a school & program
Scholarships & Fellowships
Graduate programs at CMMAP home and partner institutions
Have questions? Contact a graduate student!
Want to meet some CMMAP students, researchers and faculty and find out about their research? Visit our showcase.

Careers in the Atmospheric Sciences

Career opportunities in Atmospheric Science can be found in academia, government service, and private industry. One in ten Atmospheric Scientists are employed by the Federal Governent. The field is expected to grow "as fast as average" through 2014. The median annual earnings of Atmospheric Scientists in May 2004 were $70,000 according to U.S. government statistics.

What are people doing in the field?

Meteorologists in broadcasting
Analysts of weather for industry, commerce & defense
Forecasters for agriculture, fisheries, construction, transportation, utility & insurance companies and many more
Air quality monitoring
Researchers in government and industrial labs and universities
Instructors and Professors in universities

To find out what some of our students and researchers are doing, visit our showcase.

What Education do you need?

It is recommended that students in 6th though 12th grade keep math and the physical sciences in their class schedule. Courses in earth sciences can also provide valuable insight into the atmospheric environment. Atmospheric Scientists utilize computers heavily in many applications. If you feel you are not scientifically inclined but love clouds and weather, don't let that stop you from finding out if Atmospheric Science is for you!
A bachelor's degree in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science, or in a closely related field with courses in meteorology, usually is the minimum educational requirement for an entry-level position as an Atmospheric Scientist.

An M.S. degree usually is necessary for conducting applied research and development, and a Ph.D. is required for most basic research positions. Students planning on a career in research and development do not necessarily need to major in Atmospheric Science or Meteorology as an undergraduate. In fact, a bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Physics, or Engineering provides excellent preparation for graduate study in Atmospheric Science.

Programs at CMMAP home and partner institutions