BS in Environmental Sciences with Emphasis in Atmosphere

Degree Program Description

The Environmental Science degree combines interests in predicting and understanding weather patterns, monitoring environmental change, conserving and managing soil and biological organisms, assuring healthy streams and adequate water supplies, improving environmental quality with the shaping of new policies and educating others about the natural environment and environmental issues. Example careers include Atmospheric Scientist, Climatologist, Hydrologist, and Meteorologist. Employment may occur in a variety of sectors, including federal, state, county and city government.

Major Program Requirements

The degree combines interests in predicting and understanding weather patterns, monitoring environmental change, conserving and managing soil and biological organisms, assuring healthy streams and adequate water supplies, and improving environmental quality with the shaping of new policies and educating others about the natural environment and environmental issues. Example careers include Atmospheric Scientist, Climatologist, Hydrologist, and Meteorologist. Employment may occur in a variety of sectors, including federal, state, county and city government agencies, non-government agencies (NGOs), and private consulting firms.

Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences are required to complete all University general educationUniversity graduation, and degree requirements, including selected foundational courses, which may fulfill some University general education requirements.

Foundational

MATH 1100College Algebra3-5
or MATH 1160 Precalculus Mathematics
MATH 1400Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I3-5
or MATH 1500 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
CHEM 1400
CHEM 1401
College Chemistry I
and College Chemistry I Laboratory
4
Economics/Business Elective (select from ABM, ECONOM, FINPLN, FINANC, MANGMT, MRKTNG)3
ENV_SC 1100Introduction to Environmental Science3
ABM 2123Quantitative Applications in Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences 3
or STAT 1200 Introductory Statistical Reasoning
AGSC_COM 2220Verbal Communication in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources3
ATM_SC 1050Introductory Meteorology3
NAT_R 2325Introduction to Geographic Information Systems3
or GEOG 3040 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems GIS
ENV_SC 4560Observing the Earth from Space3
or ABM 1200 Applied Computer Applications

Core Emphasis Requirements

Mathmatical Science
MATH 1160Precalculus Mathematics5
MATH 1500Analytic Geometry and Calculus I5
MATH 1700Calculus II5
MATH 2300Calculus III3
MATH 4100Differential Equations3
Physics
PHYSCS 2750University Physics I5
PHYSCS 2760University Physics II5
Additional Emphasis Area Requirements
ATM_SC 2720Weather Briefing2
ATM_SC 3600Climates of the World3
ATM_SC 4710Synoptic Meteorology I4
ATM_SC 4310Atmospheric Thermodynamics4
ATM_SC 4550Physical Meteorology3
ATM_SC 4590Radar Meteorology3
ATM_SC 4720WSynoptic Meteorology II - Writing Intensive4
Capstone Experience
ATM_SC 4320Atmospheric Dynamics4
Electives approved by professional advisor to complete 120 credit total; select at least one additional writing intensive course20

Accelerated BS in Environmental Sciences with Emphasis in Atmosphere to MS in Natural Resources with Emphasis in Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences

The accelerated option will allow students to earn a bachelors and masters degree within five years.

Total credits required for graduation must be at least 140 total credit hours:

  • Total undergraduate credit hours: 114
  • Total dual enrollment credit hours: 14
  • Total graduate credit hours: 18
Required Core Courses
At least 15 credit hours must be 8000-level & above
ATM_SC 7310Atmospheric Thermodynamics *4
ATM_SC 7320Atmospheric Dynamics *4
ATM_SC 8085Problems in Atmospheric Science **3
NAT_R 9087Graduate Seminar in Natural Resources **1
ATM_SC 8090Masters Research in Atmospheric Science1-99
*

Taken during first year as Provisional Graduate Student.

**

Taken in second year as Graduate Student.

ATM_SC 8085 Problems in Atmospheric Science is a requirement for M.S. students on the atmospheric science track. It is a generalized atmospheric science class testing students’ all-round fundamental knowledge of atmospheric science at a graduate level. All students are required to take NAT_R 9087 Graduate Seminar in Natural Resources.

Year 1 of Master's (as Provisional Graduate Student - Dual Credit, Atmosphere Track)14
ATM_SC 7310Atmospheric Thermodynamics4
ATM_SC 7320Atmospheric Dynamics4
Atmospheric Science 7000-level Elective3
Atmospheric Science 8000-level Elective3
Year 2 of Master's (As Graduate Student)18
ATM_SC 8085Problems in Atmospheric Science3
NAT_R 9087Graduate Seminar in Natural Resources1
ATM_SC 8090Masters Research in Atmospheric Science5
Atmospheric Science 8000-level & above9

Thesis

Thesis is required for students to completed the degree.

For general information on how accelerated programs work, and for guidance on participation, refer to Accelerated Programs

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Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
MATH 15005MATH 17005 
HIST 1100 or POL_SC 11003AGSC_COM 22203 
ENV_SC 11003ATM_SC 27202 
ATM_SC 10503NAT_R 23253 
 ENGLSH 10003 
 14 16  
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MATH 23003ATM_SC 36003CHEM 1400
CHEM 1401
4
FINPLN 21833MATH 41003 
PHYSCS 27505PHYSCS 27605 
ATM_SC 20223Related Disciplinary Elective3 
 14 14 4
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
ATM_SC 47104ATM_SC 45903 
ATM_SC 45503Humanities Elective3 
ENV_SC 45603ATM_SC 4720W4 
Elective3Elective3 
Humanities Elective-Lower Level WI3  
 16 13  
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
ATM_SC 43104ATM_SC 43204 
Elective 6Related Disciplinary Electives9 
ENV_SC 26003 Elective3 
 13 16  
Total Credits: 120

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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