Program Overview

Introduction to the Atmospheric Sciences, BS/Climate Science, Accelerated MS Program

The Atmospheric Sciences, BS/Climate Science, Accelerated MS program is a bachelor's/accelerated master's degree program designed for academically strong undergraduates who wish to advance their education and obtain both the Atmospheric Sciences, BS and the Climate Science, MS degrees within an accelerated timeframe. Upon completion of this 141 credit accelerated program, students will be exceptionally well prepared for entry into their careers or into a doctoral program in the field or in a related discipline.

Program Structure and Requirements

Students are eligible to apply for this accelerated program once they have earned at least 60 undergraduate credits and can enroll in up to 18 credits of graduate coursework after successfully completing 75 undergraduate credits. This flexibility makes it possible for students to complete a bachelor's and a master's in five years.

Accelerated Option Requirements

After the completion of 75 undergraduate credits, students may complete 3 to 12 credits of graduate coursework that can apply to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. In addition to applying to graduate from the undergraduate program, students in the accelerated program must submit a bachelor's/accelerated master's transition form to the College of Science's Office of Academic and Student Affairs by the last day to add classes of their final undergraduate semester.

Reserve Graduate Credit

Accelerated master's students may also take up to 6 graduate credits as reserve graduate credits. These credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree, but will reduce the master's degree by up to 6 credits. With 12 graduate credits counted toward the undergraduate and graduate degrees plus the maximum 6 reserve graduate credits, the credits necessary for the graduate degree can be reduced by up to 18.

Admission Criteria

Successful applicants will have an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00. Three letters of recommendation, including one from a prospective thesis or project advisor, are required. GRE scores are not required for students in this accelerated program.

Graduate Course Suggestions

The following list of suggested courses is provided for general reference:

• CLIM 511 Atmospheric Dynamics (1 credit)
• CLIM 512 Physical Oceanography (1 credit)
• CLIM 601 Midlatitude Synoptic Meteorology (1 credit)
• CLIM 610 Introduction to the Physical Climate System (3 credits)
• CLIM 614 Land-Climate Interactions (3 credits)
• CLIM 631 Urban Climate (3 credits)
• CLIM 670 Earth System Modeling (3 credits)
• CLIM 680 Climate Data (3 credits)
• CLIM 690 Scientific Basis of Climate Change (3 credits) To ensure an efficient route to graduation and post-graduation readiness, students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor before registering for graduate-level courses. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher in all graduate coursework and should consult with their faculty advisor to coordinate their academic goals.