Atmospheric Sciences Department

Contact Information

Dr. Andrew Detwiler (Head)
Department of Atmospheric Sciences
Mineral Industries 201
(605) 394-2291
E-mail: Andrew.Detwiler@sdsmt.edu

Faculty

Professor Detwiler; Emeritus Professors Helsdon, Hjelmfelt and Smith; Associate Professors Capehart, Kliche, and Sundareshwar; Assistant Professors French and Kunza; Instructors Clabo; Adjunct Professors Stamm, Johnson, and Monfredo; Adjunct Research Scientist Bunkers.

The purpose of the atmospheric sciences curriculum is to educate students to the level of scientists and engineers who are capable of developing and applying knowledge concerning physical, dynamical, and chemical processes in the atmosphere.

Federal Certifications as a Meteorologist

Students in the undergraduate minor or IS programs desiring to be qualified for federal employment as meteorologists (with the National Weather Service or other federal government agencies employing meteorologists) should contact a Department of Atmospheric Sciences advisor to ensure that their plan of study meets the strictly enforced civil service requirements. The IS ATM academic program from catalog year 2010 and onward satisfies these requirements. The basic requirements for federal civil service qualification as a meteorologist (as dictated by the United States Office of Personnel Management):

Degree: meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that includes

At least 24 semester hours (36 quarters) of credit in atmospheric science/meteorology including a minimum:
1. Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics
2. Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale)
3. Three semester hours of physical meteorology and
4. Two semester hours of remote sensing of atmosphere and/or instrumentation
Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions
Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations
At least 9 semester hours of coursework appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer science.

OR: Combination of education and experience-coursework as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Note: There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus, physics, and differential equations for coursework in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a physical science major.

Undergraduate Minor in Atmospheric Sciences

A minor in atmospheric sciences is offered to any student enrolled in any undergraduate degree program that allows minors at the School of Mines. For some majors this would require an additional semester or more of study beyond the normal four years. A minimum of 18 credits in atmospheric science coursework must be earned. Two courses, Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences (ATM 201 ) and Global Environmental Change (ATM 403/503 ) are required for the minor.

Specialization in Atmospheric Sciences with the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Sciences Degree Program

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Sciences (IS) degree program may choose a specialization in atmospheric sciences. 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, the student 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 also is suitable for preparation toward graduate study at the M.S. and Ph.D. level.

The IS Bachelor of Science degree program offers a specialization in atmospheric sciences. General requirements for a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences are described Interdisciplinary Sciences: Atmospheric Sciences Specialization, B.S. Required coursework for the atmospheric sciences specialization includes

Atmospheric Sciences Undergraduate Curriculum Scheduling

It is the student’s responsibility to check with his or her advisor in the atmospheric sciences department for any course offering or other program modifications that may occur after the publication of this catalog. Most atmospheric science courses are offered only every other year. Attention must be paid to this two-year cycle in planning a program of study.

Master of Science Graduate Degree Program

A master of science graduate program in the atmospheric sciences is offered to students with undergraduate degrees in atmospheric sciences or meteorology, physics, mathematical sciences, biology, chemistry, or engineering. A resident undergraduate student in any of these fields may take upper division courses in meteorology as electives, either as part of their undergraduate degree program or otherwise, and proceed directly to graduate work in meteorology upon receipt of the bachelor’s degree. In addition to meeting the goals listed above for undergraduate minor and IS atmospheric science graduates, the master of science graduate will be able to review the literature; devise strategies for attacking a problem in atmospheric sciences; acquire, organize, and interpret data; and prepare results for both oral and written presentation. He or she is expected to be able to carry out such original investigations both individually and as a member of a team.

A master of science degree requires 24 credit hours of coursework, with an additional 6 semester hours of research credit for completing a thesis. There are two specializations in the program, meteorology and earth systems. See here for more details. A properly-prepared undergraduate science or engineering graduate with minimal meteorological background may use the M.S. program to complete sufficient coursework to satisfy the federal civil service requirements for employment as a meteorologist. The M.S. program can be a stepping-stone to Ph.D. work in the atmospheric and environmental sciences, as well as a terminal degree leading to employment in private industry or government.

Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Graduate Program

In addition to the M.S. program in atmospheric sciences, the atmospheric sciences department participates in the Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences (AES) Ph.D. program. Faculty in several departments are involved in delivering the program, including civil and environmental engineering, geology and geological engineering, and atmospheric sciences. Degree candidates are expected to complete courses in a broad range of topics selected from these disciplines. For complete information on the AES program, please refer to the AES section of this catalog beginning here .