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Studies & Degrees in Atmospheric Science

Atmospheric science is the study of the Earth's atmosphere: its physics, chemistry and motion, and the weather and climate that result from them. Meteorology, which deals with weather and forecasting, is its best-known branch. Climatology looks at how climate changes over time, and atmospheric chemistry at the composition of the air and its pollution. The University of Washington describes the range of the discipline as running from weather forecasting, climate change and air quality to El Niño, the ozone hole, ice ages and the weather of Mars.

It is a quantitative subject. Students learn to measure atmospheric properties such as temperature, humidity and wind, to work with radar and satellite data, and to build and run computer models. Physics, mathematics and computer programming are part of almost every programme.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's level: in the United States the subject is taught as a Bachelor of Science, either under its own name or combined with oceanic or earth sciences. The Georgia Institute of Technology, for example, offers a B.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. The University of Washington lets undergraduates choose between options in meteorology, climate, atmospheric chemistry and air quality, and data science. Some universities offer only a minor at this level: at Texas Tech University a minor in Atmospheric Science is open to B.S. and B.A. students.
  • Master's level: a Master of Science usually combines advanced courses with a research thesis. Texas Tech University offers a Master of Science in Atmospheric Science, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison has added a professional master's programme next to its research graduate programme.
  • Doctorate: research careers normally require a PhD. According to the University of Washington, most graduate students spend their first year on basic courses in atmospheric and climate science and mathematical methods, and at least half of their time on research in later years. At the University of Alabama in Huntsville, master's and doctoral students can specialise in areas such as remote sensing, atmospheric chemistry, air quality and severe weather.

Graduate programmes do not expect a first degree in the same subject. The University of Washington states that its graduate students come from physics, chemistry, engineering, atmospheric or geophysical sciences and applied mathematics; what they share is a sound background in physics and applied mathematics.

Students who want to work as forecasters for the United States government should check the course content of a degree before enrolling. Federal meteorologists need at least a bachelor's degree in meteorology, atmospheric science or another natural science that included 24 semester hours in meteorology or atmospheric science, plus at least six semester hours of physics and three of differential equations, according to the National Weather Service.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists 25 active schools for atmospheric science. Fifteen are in the United States and two in Canada; Australia, Bermuda, Ethiopia, France, India, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have one each.

In the United States the listed schools include the University of Washington in Seattle, Purdue University, Texas Tech University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Departments differ in emphasis: research at Purdue University covers extreme weather systems such as thunderstorms, tornadoes and tropical cyclones, while Texas Tech University lists hurricanes, boundary layer processes and wind power meteorology among its themes. In Canada, McGill University in Montreal has a Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences with undergraduate, graduate and diploma programmes, and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver is also listed.

Outside North America the list includes The University of Manchester, ETH Zurich, Lund University, Sorbonne Université in Paris, the University of Melbourne, Addis Ababa University and the University of Calcutta. Teaching in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia is in English. For the schools in France, Sweden and Switzerland, check the language of instruction of each programme, which can differ between bachelor's and master's level.

Careers

Graduates work as weather forecasters, climatologists, broadcast meteorologists, air quality specialists and researchers, and in environmental consulting and data science. In the United States, atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists, held about 10,700 jobs in 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The largest employers were the federal government (26%), other professional, scientific and technical services (18%), publishing and broadcasting (14%), state colleges and universities (14%) and scientific research and development services (10%).

The Bureau projects employment in the occupation to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 800 openings a year. A bachelor's degree is the usual entry requirement; research posts typically need a master's degree or a PhD.

Frequently asked questions

Is atmospheric science the same as meteorology?

Meteorology is one branch of atmospheric science, concerned with weather and forecasting. Atmospheric science also covers climate, atmospheric chemistry and air quality, and the atmospheres of other planets.

Do I need a degree in atmospheric science to start a master's or PhD?

Not necessarily. The University of Washington says its graduate students come from physics, chemistry, engineering, geophysical sciences and applied mathematics, as long as they have a sound background in physics and applied mathematics.

What do I need to work as a meteorologist for the US government?

At least a bachelor's degree in meteorology, atmospheric science or another natural science with 24 semester hours in meteorology or atmospheric science, six semester hours of physics and three of differential equations, according to the National Weather Service.

How many jobs are there for atmospheric scientists?

In the United States there were about 10,700 jobs in 2025, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3 percent growth from 2025 to 2035. It is a small occupation, so many graduates also use their modelling and data skills in other fields.