B.S. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS) Degree

What is an AOS degree?

The B.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS) degree will help you to become an individual that can inform society about weather and climate impacts, including helping others mitigate and adapt to changes in the Earth’s climate.

AOS allows students to explore the following:

• How the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans evolve on a variety of space and time scales affects all life on Earth and how we will live.
• How changes in weather affect how we decide our clothes for the day, planning events, and logistical decisions to maximize safety and productivity. 
• How longer-term environmental changes in climate predicts changes in habitability through sea level rise, temperature extremes, and changes in the frequency and size of weather events, including hurricanes, floods, and drought.

Within the new B.S. degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS), students will complete a computationally and quantitatively rigorous curriculum designed to prepare students for success within AOS-related careers and graduate school opportunities. Being located in the heart of Atlanta, many internship and volunteer opportunities exist with CNN, The Weather Channel, The National Weather Service (NWS), local TV networks and other AOS-related organizations. The curriculum aligns with American Meteorological Society (AMS) recommendations and is structured for completion of all GS-1340 requirements if desired for NWS meteorologist positions. Similarly, the program is eligible for AMS broadcast, consulting and teaching certifications.

Along with preparing students for careers within meteorology, students will be highly competitive for private and government sector opportunities spanning aviation, agriculture, finance, insurance, energy, industry, software development, “big data” positions, supply chain positions, the military and K-12 teaching. Students interested in research opportunities can work with our world-class AOS faculty and gain experience needed to be successful within AOS-related graduate school programs around the world.

This degree, along with the new B.S. in Solid-Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Environmental Science (Joint with Biology), grew out of current tracks within EAS, which will be retired in 2025.