Overview of the Interdisciplinary Sciences Atmospheric Sciences Specialization Interdisciplinary Sciences Institute of Atmospheric Sciences South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, South Dakota

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.
• (Math, Comp Sci and Science credits must total a minimum of 60 credits for all IS Specializations)
• 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:
  • IS 110 (Explorations)
  • IS 201 (Introduction to Science, Technology and Society)
  • IS 401 (Writing and Research in the Interdisciplinary Sciences)
  • IS 498 (Senior Research - ATM program students take IS 498 with ATM faculty and researchers)

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) for 2009 Catalog and Earlier
• One (1) semester of basic scientific computer programming (e.g., C, C++, FORTRAN, FORTRAN 90/95): CSC 150 or ATM-approved equivalent (the graduate-level FORTRAN class offered by ATM will not count towards this requirement).
• 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 (2009 Catalog and earlier)
  • ATM 301 (Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences)
  • ATM 404 (Atmospheric Thermodynamics)
  • 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
• The ATM GS 1340 Undergrad Core (2010 Catalog and later)  New additions in italics
  • ATM 301 (Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences)
  • ATM 401 (Atmospheric Physics)
  • ATM 404 (Atmospheric Thermodynamics)
  • ATM 406 (Global and Environmental Change)
  • ATM 530 (Radar Meteorology)
  • ATM 450+450L (Synoptic Meteorology 1 and Lab)
  • ATM 455+455L (Synoptic Meteorology 2 and Lab)
  • ATM 460 (Atmospheric Dynamics)
  • MATH 321 (Differential Equations
• 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).
• (Math, Comp Sci and Science credits must total a minimum of 60 credits for all IS Specializations)

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.  These courses will be required for students entering the program under the 2010 Catalog and subsequent catalogs.

• MATH 321 (Differential Equations)
• ATM 401 (Atmospheric Physics)
• ATM 460 (Atmospheric Dynamics)
• ATM 430 (Radar Meteorology)
• ATM 455 (Synoptic Meteorology 2)

Students are also strongly recommended to take the following courses

• ATM 660 (Atmospheric Dynamics 2)
• MATH 381 (Introduction to Probability and Statistics 1)

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
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 316/316L (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

 

http://www.ametsoc.org/POLICY/statement_2005_BS_degree_atmospheric_science.html

Advisor Contact

Prof. Donna Kliche

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: +1-605-394-1957
Fax: +1-605-394-6061
Email: Donna.Kliche@sdsmt.edu