Atmospheric Sciences, B.S.

What You’ll Learn 

Vermont State’s program in Atmospheric Sciences provides a comprehensive foundation you’ll build on for your career path by choosing one of five concentrations.   

In the program core, the same for all concentrations, you’ll lay the groundwork with coursework in: 

• Meteorology 
• Climatology 
• Software and other tools used in atmospheric science 
• Math and physics  

Then, you’ll choose one of the following concentrations: 

• Broadcasting: Take courses in communication and studio production while getting plenty of hands-on experience for jobs in traditional or digital media. 
• Climate Change: Get equipped to engage in further study or advocacy with advanced coursework in climatology, meteorology, and related electives. 
• Graduate School: Thinking about an academic or research career? This track will strengthen your credentials and prepare you for studies at the next level. 
• National Weather Service: The NWS is a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). It provides weather, water, and climate data across our country. Prepare to pursue work at one of their numerous offices with this track. 
• Private Industry: There are many meteorologist and climatologist jobs with companies in a number of industries. Get ready for the private sector with advanced coursework in atmospheric sciences plus electives in communications and business. 

Outside the Classroom, In the Community 

At Vermont State, prepare to put what you’re learning to use right away in real-world contexts that will build your skills, experience, and confidence. Depending upon your concentration, you’ll enjoy opportunities like: 

• Internships: Gain intensive, extended experience over the summer or during a semester. Recent students have found placements with Santa Rosa Emergency Management in Florida, WKRN News 2 in Nashville, and the Climate and Space Science Observation program at the University of Michigan. 
• Professional conferences: Atmospheric science students regularly attend and present at national conferences such as the American Meteorological Society and American Geophysical Union annual meetings.  
• Vibrant Student Organizations: Get involved with the local student chapter of The American Meteorological Society/National Weather Association. In addition to hikes and other social gatherings, the club hosts the annual Northeastern Storm Conference, the largest and longest-running student-organized event of its kind in the nation. 
• Paid Forecasting Internships: Join over half our third- and fourth-year students who have participated in paid forecasting internships. 
• Research Opportunities: Indulge your curiosity and build your skills as a researcher by participating in a research project with one of our faculty members. Recent projects include working to better predict power outages ahead of wet snow and ice storms, learning how shortwave radiation has been changing in the Northeastern U.S., and using regional climate models to understand how climate change will impact regional weather. 

Special Facilities

• The Donald and Carmella Dalton Weather Center: Take advantage of advanced equipment and data for climate and weather research. As a program participant, you’ll have access to the center 24/7 so you’ll always have the resources you need for your studies. 
• John Marshall Observation Deck: You’ll have an ideal location to observe weather conditions and launch weather balloons. Our observation deck is located close to our atmospheric sciences classrooms and provides 360-degree views of the beautiful surrounding area. 
• TV Studio: Choose the broadcast concentration and have access to the Electronic Journalism Arts (EJA) department’s facilities, which include WSI Max weather graphics computers (the same as used by commercial TV stations) and EJA’s full television studio. You’ll help create daily live broadcasts, available on News 7’s Facebook page.