Climate Change - one of the most important challenges of our time.  New tracks and concentrations for undergraduates opens up opportunities in atmospheric sciences and oceanography.

Concentration in Atmospheric Science

A new concentration in Atmospheric Science has been created within the Earth Science major.  The new concentration is similar to a major in Meteorology, giving students a broad background knowledge of geosciences as well as expertise in atmospheric science.  This track gives students a strong, quantitative undergraduate education in atmospheric and related sciences. The curriculum meets the American Meteorological Society's recommendations for a Bachelor's degree in atmospheric science and the US Government Civil Service GS-1340 qualification in meteorology. The department's core expertise in atmospheric sciences consists of extensive research in climate dynamics (largely in collaboration with the Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies) and in hurricane and natural hazards modeling (largely through GMU's Comprehensive Atmospheric Modeling Program). Graduates of the Atmospheric Sciences concentration will be prepared for a large range of career paths including operations and research (via graduate school) in meteorology, atmospheric science and climate.

Contact: Dr. Julia Nord

New Courses in Atmospheric Science

CLIM 111/112: Introduction to the Fundamentals of Atmospheric Science

An overview the Earth's atmosphere, its history, and the physical and chemical process which determine its characteristics. The focus is on key concepts from thermodynamics, radiation, chemistry, and dynamics that are essential for understanding the state, variability, and long term evolution of the atmosphere, especially in the context of comparisons with other planetary atmospheres. 3 credit lecture component (CLIM 111) and 1 credit lab (CLIM 112). CLIM 111/112 has been approved for General Education credit in Natural Science/Laboratory.

CLIM 301 Weather Analysis and Prediction 

Introduces the observational network, numerical weather models, and prediction. Laboratory portion gives practical experience in weather analysis, prediction, and technology currently used for visualization and analysis. 4 credits (3 credits lecture, 1 credit lab).

Concentration in Oceanography and Estuarine Science

The Earth Science B.S. concentration in Coastal Oceanography and Estuarine Science has been renamed Oceanography and Estuarine Science. The shortened name represents a larger scope. The concentration will now give students a deeper understanding of the full range of oceanographic science, including the circulation, geology, chemistry, and life sciences of the ocean.

New classes have been created for the concentration:

CLIM 412 Physical Oceanography

GEOL 364 Marine Geology

GEOL/CHEM 458 Chemical Oceanography

Students who declared the Coastal Oceanography and Estuarine Science Concentration prior to Fall 2009 will have the option of fulfilling the old course requirements or the new course requirements. Students who declare the Oceanography and Estuarine Science concentration must fulfill the new course requirements.