New Major Added to the University of Maryland's List of Majors: Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

On October 18, 2011 the department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science announced on its website the addition of an undergraduate major to its educational programs.


Adding this major to the long list of majors available at the University of Maryland was much needed, and can only benefit those students who declare themselves Atmospheric and Oceanic Scieance (AOSC)  majors. Jeff Stehr, Assistant Research Scientist , and Associate Director, Professional Masters & Undergraduate Programs for the department discusses why the new major is better than any other universities atmospheric programs.

 The Atmospheric and Oceanic Science major has been designed to teach broad based knowledge in meteorology, oceanography, climate and air pollution. The degree satisfies the requirements for federal service positions as a meteorologist or oceanographer, and also follows the American Meteorological Society's statement on bachelor's degrees in Atmospheric Science.The process the department went through to get the major approved was long, and tedious. Dr. Jeff Stehr explains what had to be done in order for the department to be recognized as a major. 

Dr. Jeff Stehr went on to explain from a departmental prospective why the new major was much needed on the University of Maryland's campus. 

There are many concepts that are learned about, and applied in the Atmospheric and Oceanic science major. The departments website explains the major: 

"Fundamental concepts from mathematics, chemistry, physics, and computer science are applied to understand the basic principles that control our weather and climate, from extreme events like tornadoes to the millennial changes of ice ages and the results of human modification of our environment. Coursework in the first two years emphasizes mastery of these fundamentals. Coursework in the last two years provides a comprehensive survey of atmospheric and oceanic science, while specialty courses and guided research allow the student to develop expertise in an area of concentration. The Department has particular strengths in computer modeling and remote sensing of the atmosphere and ocean, atmospheric chemistry, and climate studies. In addition to the Department, nearby research laboratories such as the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center offer the student many research opportunities."

For more information on the newly added Atmospheric and Oceanic Science major visit their website.