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SOUTH DAKOTA
SCHOOL OF MINES
& TECHNOLOGY
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Atmospheric Sciences Specialization in Interdisciplinary Sciences
This web page is accessible through the SDSMT Home Page (http://www.sdsmt.edu) by Searching on
"ATMUNDERGRAD" or by linking directly to
http://www.hpcnet.org/sdsmt/ias/bs-atm.
Overview
Students in the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Sciences
(IS) degree program may choose a specialization in Atmospheric Sciences
(ATM). The successful student is expected to be capable of independent and
critical thinking in the areas of physical, synoptic, and dynamic meteorology;
remote sensing; and global atmospheric change. As such, he or she should
be qualified for employment where expertise in atmospheric sciences is a
primary requirement, though need not necessarily qualify as a meteorologist
by the federal government’s criteria. The curriculum is also suitable for
preparation towards graduate study at the MS and PhD level.
Entry into the IS ATM Specialization
Students interested in the program should contact an ATM undergraduate
advisor when they commit to the program. Most courses in the SDSMT ATM
curriculum is on a two-year rotation and students should be tracked towards
a given course of study as soon as possible.
IS Program Requirements
In addition to those courses required by all students seeking a Batchelor’s
degree in the South Dakota university system, and the South Dakota School of
Mines, the IS program requires the following
- All requirements for a B.S. degree at South Dakota School of Mines and
Technology
- A minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of natural sciences,
specifically:
- A minimum of three (3) semester hours in chemistry,
- Three (3) semester hours in biology,
- Six (6) semester hours in a science sequence, and
- Twelve (12) semester hours at the upper division
- A minimum of twelve (12) semester hours of approved mathematics and
computer sciences is required, specifically:
- A minimum of three (3) semester hours in math to include MATH 123
(Calculus 1) or any Math course requiring MATH 123 as a prerequisite. MATH
102 and MATH 120 may be used towards graduation requirements.
- A minimum of three (3) semester hours in computer science.
- A minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours of university-approved
humanities and social sciences is required. The minimum includes:
- Six (6) semester hours of general education coursework in
Humanities,
- Six (6) semester hours of general education coursework in Social
Sciences,
- Six (6) semester hours of upper division Humanities, and
- Six (6) semester hours of upper division Social Sciences.
- The IS Core:
ATM Specialization Requirements
Within the parameters of the IS degree requirements, the
following is required for the Specialization in Atmospheric Sciences:
- Mathematics up to Calculus 3 (MATH 225)
- One (1) semester of basic scientific computer programming (e.g., C,
C++, FORTRAN, FORTRAN 90/95): CSC 150 or ATM-approved equivalent.
(While we are developing a FORTRAN 90/95 course within the ATM
program, that course will be directed towards advanced students, and it will
not be a suitable replacement for CSC 150)
- Two (2) Semesters of Calculus-Based Physics with Lab (PHYS 211 & PHYS
213+213L).
- Two (2) Semesters of Basic Chemistry with Laboratory (CHEM 112+112L
& CHEM 114+114L).
- BIOL 311 (Fundamentals of Ecology – also satisfies the IS Biology
requirement)
- The ATM Undergraduate Core:
- ATM 301 (Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences)
- ATM 404 (Atmospheric Thermodynamics) *new course and
requirement*
- ATM 406 (Global and Environmental Change)
- ATM 450+450L (Synoptic Meteorology 1 and Lab)
Twelve (12) Hours of Additional ATM and ATM-directed CP credits
Twelve (12) Hours of additional professional development credits from
ATM, BIOL, CHEM, CEE*, CSC, CP, ENVE*, GEOE*, GEOL, MATH, or PHYS, within
the requirements of the IS program. (*Engineering course credits cannot be
counted towards IS science requirements but can be counted as general
electives).
ATM Specialization Curriculum Options
Students wishing to pursue Federal qualifications as a
Meteorologist (the Office of Personnel Management GS-1340 Meteorology
Series) should also take the following courses.
As a general policy, all students in the IS-ATM program are
strongly encouraged to take these courses.
- ATM 401 (Atmospheric Physics)
- ATM 460 (Atmospheric Dynamics)
- ATM 530 (Radar Meteorology)
- ATM 550 (Synoptic Meteorology 2)
- ATM 660 (Atmospheric Dynamics 2)
- MATH 321 (Differential Equations)
Courses in Statistics and other math and science courses are also strongly
encouraged. The formal outline of the GS-1340 Meteorology Series can be
found at
http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-
IV/B/GS1300/1340.htm
Additionally, the American Meteorological Society's formal statement on their
recommended curricula can be found at
http://www.ametsoc.org/POLICY/statement_2005_BS_deg
ree_atmospheric_science.html
Additional professional development courses outside of the ATM department
that satisfy AMS-recommended programs can include (but are not limited to)
- BADM 350* (Legal Environment of Business)
- BADM 360* (Organization and Management)
- CEE 337 (Engineering Hydrology)
- GEOL 416/416L (GIS I: Introduction to GIS)
- GEOL 417/417L (GIS II: Spatial Database and Development)
- GEOL 419/419L (GIS III: Advanced GIS Analysis)
* Also satisfies SDSM&T Humanities
requirement
Advisor Contact
Prof. Bill
Capehart
ATM Undergraduate Program Coordinator
Institute of Atmospheric Sciences
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
501 East Saint Joseph Street
Rapid City, SD 57701-3995 USA
Telephone: +1-605-394-1994
Fax: +1-605-394-6061
Email: William.Capehart@sdsmt.edu
Contact: William Capehart
This page has been visited 2 times since 07/24/2008
| http://www.hpcnet.org/sdsmt/ias/bs-atm |
Last Modified: 07/24/2008 |
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