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As Mark Twain said, "Everyone complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it." Atmospheric scientists may not be able to change the weather, but their research contributes to our understanding of weather patterns and phenomena and helps communities prepare for and respond to severe weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes and droughts. Additionally, atmospheric science addresses critical environmental issues such as air quality and pollution. As an atmospheric science major at UC Davis, you will work with recognized experts in the field as you develop an understanding of the roles our atmosphere plays in making Earth a habitable planet.
Real World
Atmospheric science majors from UC Davis have gone on to careers in federal and state government agencies, research and development in the private sector and the broadcasting industry. About half of our graduates continue their education by seeking an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in atmospheric science.
Major Requirements
You will begin your studies by developing a strong foundation in mathematics and the natural sciences. At the upper-division level, you will take a series of courses in weather observation, analysis and forecasting as the groundwork for the courses in specialized weather and science topics that follow. In addition to your coursework in atmospheric science, you will take advanced courses in other disciplines (such as chemistry, environmental studies or computer programming) to broaden your understanding of modern meteorology.
Major Adviser
Name: Elizabeth Shull
Contact: lawradvising@ucdavis.edu,
A Student Perspective
I've always been interested in weather, and I'm working toward a career as a forecaster for the National Weather Service. UC Davis' program has given me the chance to combine academic learning with extracurricular opportunities related to this field. I'm the co-president of the Davis chapter of the American Meteorological Society, and I completed an internship with the chief meteorologist of KCRA-3 News last fall. I learned what goes into preparing a news forecast for live radio and TV and was able to record my own audition tape of a weather segment. I'm currently interning at the National Weather Service in Sacramento and sharpening my career-related skills.
~ Jamie Smith
A Faculty Perspective
Sure, the stereotypical atmospheric scientist is the TV meteorologist, but this is only a very small portion of the field. Atmospheric science is a wonderful and diverse field: computer modeling of storms, the physics of global climate change, the chemistry of smog formation in cities and the biology of pollutant emissions from plants are all covered in this program. The professors in our group have a lot of expertise in a wide range of areas, from meteorology and atmospheric chemistry to plant/atmosphere interactions. In fact, we're the only undergraduate atmospheric science program in California that meets the guidelines of the National Weather Service.
~ Cort Anastasio, associate professor
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