Nope. Not the exact same thing as meteorology, which is just one of the areas you鈥檒l learn about if you choose to major in Atmospheric Science. Atmospheric Science, according to the University of Washington, includes 鈥渨eather forecasting, air pollution and air chemistry, climate change, radiative transfer, and boundary layer processes.鈥 Not as simple as flinging magnetic disks shaped like suns onto a metal weatherboard.
Interested in the environment? You might want to concentrate on the study of air quality, health issues, energy, and pollution. Or you might choose to study Atmospheric Science as it relates to the ocean. Then there鈥檚 climatology, which is the study of how the atmosphere in one area of the world has changed and will change over long periods of time. Still another specialization is aeronomy, which defines as the study of 鈥渢he photochemical processes of the upper atmosphere.鈥 And, of course, you have the option of studying meteorology, where you鈥檒l learn how to analyze and predict the weather.
You鈥檒l be required to use advanced math and computer skills in your investigation of the atmosphere, which in this day and age will come in handy when searching for a job, even if it鈥檚 not for a weatherman鈥檚 position.
Air Quality Modeling
Atmospheric Kinematics and Dynamics
Atmospheric Motions
Atmospheric Physics
Climates of the World
Global Environmental Chemistry
Long Range Forecasting
Meteorology of the Biosphere
Ocean Circulation
Physical Climatology
Remote Sensing for Meteorology and Natural Resources
Thermodynamics and Cloud Processes
Weather Briefing
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