Undergraduate

Undergraduate Degree Program

The Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering offers two degree programs in Climate and Meteorology (CM) and Space Science and Engineering (SSE). CM students begin to understand the interactions among all of the Earth system components while gaining in-depth knowledge in one of two concentrations: Meteorology or Climate Science and Impact Engineering. SSE students begin to understand the space environments of the Sun and planets (especially Earth) as they develop a deep understanding of the fundamental physical processes of energy transfer throughout the solar system.

The B.S.E. degrees in Climate & Space prepare graduates for employment in the National Weather Service, private weather forecasting companies, air-quality and water-quality management firms, NASA and the growing number of fields interested in climate change. As importantly, Climate & Space students who complete either of the two degree programs will be exceptionally well prepared for graduate studies in atmospheric science, environmental sciences, space science or space engineering.

Graduates of the Space Sciences and Engineering degree program are prepared to pursue graduate degrees in the space sciences or join the space industry, which is facing a severe workforce shortage. They can also join government agencies and federal laboratories that deal with space related disciplines.

In addition to the College of Engineering core courses, all Climate & Space undergraduate students take five Climate & Space core courses that introduce the various aspects of atmospheric, oceanic and space sciences, emphasizing the common elements of, and the interactions between, the various disciplines and the scientific basis of the phenomena that are observed. Additional courses are specific to the degree and concentration. Students have a number of technical and general electives they may also take to complete 128 credit hours. The electives must be at the 300 level or above. Completion of a concentration will be noted on the student’s transcript. For the most current information, visit the website for Climate & Space Sciences.

B.S.E. in Climate and Meteorology

Sample Schedule

Not an ABET accredited program. Click to view the current sample schedule here.

Additional information can be found on the Climate & Space Sciences Department Advising website.

Concentrations

Climate Science and Impact Engineering Concentration

The aim of the Climate Science and Impact Engineering concentration is to provide a flexible program for those interested in pursuing further graduate education or careers in industry. The Climate Science and Impact Engineering concentration prepares students for graduate studies, climate modeling, and a position in “value added” industries that provide water resources, agricultural, seasonal recreation, and transportation industries with near-term climate analyses and predictions. Positions in government agencies serving to make policy or federal laboratories conducting climate research are also open to students. The program also provides students who are interested in both climate science and in a second area of expertise, such as the traditional engineering disciplines, policy, or law the option to take courses in those areas. There is a need for scientists and engineers who can carry out evaluation and engineering activities that require expertise both in climate science and in the engineering disciplines. These include issues related to air quality, energy engineering, sustainability, and water resources.

Meteorology Concentration

Graduates with a concentration in Meteorology are prepared for careers in weather forecasting, corporations that are increasing the source of weather analyses and predictions modeling, and for graduate studies in meteorology and the technologies that enable weather and climate prediction.

Students electing this concentration are encouraged to complete an internship in a weather forecasting office.

B.S.E. in Space Sciences and Engineering

Sample Schedule

Not an ABET accredited program. Click to view the current sample schedule. Additional information can be found on the Climate & Space Sciences Department Advising website.

Concentrations

Space Science Concentration

The Space Sciences concentration is for students interested in space physics and allows students to develop their quantitative, theoretical and computational skills necessary to understand the Sun-Earth space system. Requiring depth in fundamental physical understanding enables students to be prepared for research and further graduate training.

Space Instrumentation Concentration

This concentration is for students interested in observational solar and space physics and provides a foundation of the Earth and Space Sciences with technical, laboratory and project-based learning experiences within space instrumentation and space systems.

Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering Minor

The primary goal of the Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering (Climate & Space) Minor is to provide exposure to research opportunities in atmospheric, climate and space science and engineering for those students who wish to work in the geoscience or space industry but are not majoring in Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering. The secondary goal is to increase awareness of the Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering and the educational and research opportunities in Climate & Space within the College of Engineering as a whole. This program is for undergraduate students in the College of Engineering, Ross, and LSA.

Students must have:

  • Registered no later than the last day to add courses for the semester in which they complete the last courses for the minor
  • Submitted their program of study for the minor to the Climate & Space undergraduate advisor
  • Attained a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the designated courses
  • Completed the Climate & Space Minor as part of a degree program

Requirements

A. Prerequisite coursework:

  • Math (8 Credits)
    • MATH 115, and
    • MATH 116
  • Physics: (10 Credits)
    • PHYSICS 140, 141, and
    • PHYSICS 240, 241

B. Required Coursework (9 credits)

  • One course from SPACE 101 (Introduction to Rocket Science – 3 credits)
    • CLIMATE 102 (Extreme Weather – 3 credits), SPACE 103 (Introduction to Space Weather – 3 credits), or CLIMATE 105 (Our Changing Climate – 3 credits)
  • CLIMATE 320/SPACE 320 (Earth and Space System Evolution, 3 credits) 
  • Students declaring prior to FA18, CLIMATE 321/SPACE 321 (Earth and Space System Dynamics, 3 credits) is required (with 6 credits remaining for focus courses).
  • Students declaring FA18 or later are not required to take CLIMATE 321/SPACE 321 (with 9 credits remaining for focus courses)

C. Core Focus Courses (minimum 6 credits)

  • At least two courses from one of the following tracks:
    • Meteorology
    • Climate Science and Impacts Engineering
    • Space Sciences
    • Space Engineering

For additional information, visit the website for Climate & Space Sciences.

Enrollment and Graduation Data

The University Registrar publishes the number of students enrolled annually in this program, and the number of degrees granted each term by this program.