Atmospheric and Hydrologic Sciences (AHS) Undergraduate Programs
129 ROBERT H. WICK SCIENCE BUILDING/(320) 308-3260
www.stcloudstate.edu/eas
Also see College of Science and Engineering and School of Computing, Engineering and Environment description and requirements.
Programs at a Glance
Degree programs
- BA – Earth Science
- BS – Hydrology
- BS – Meteorology
- BS – Science Teaching, Earth and Space Science
- Minors – Geology
– Hydrology
– Meteorology
Program admission and performance requirements
Admission – Teacher Education
- grades of “C” or better in ENGL 191 and CMST 192
- 2.50 GPA or higher overall
- completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours, with at least 12 semester hours in residence at SCSU
- submission of scores on the Pre-Professional Skills Test
Graduation – Teacher Education
- 2.50 GPA or higher overall
- more information in sections on Teacher Education and School of Education
University minimum requirements for bachelor’s degrees
- 120 credits
- 40 credits in Liberal Education
- 45 credits in upper-division (300-400) courses
- 30 credits in residence at SCSU
- 2.00 GPA overall, in major, and in minor (departments may set higher standards)
(See this section and the section on the College of Science and Engineering and School of Computing, Engineering and Environment for more information.)
Chairperson: Tony Hansen
Faculty: J. Fedele, A. Hansen, Hoff, Kubesh, Pound, Weisman
The atmospheric and hydrologic sciences encompass a broad range of interdisciplinary fields built on a foundation of physical sciences and mathematics. The AHS department's major programs in hydrology, meteorology, and earth and space science teaching are designed to effectively prepare students for productive careers in these professions or for continued study at the graduate level. The department is dedicated to providing an excellent learning environment for its students through the use and assessment of a variety of learning experiences including formal class work, laboratory and field work, learning through peer interaction, undergraduate research, and internships, while always being open to new and improved forms of learning.
Students considering AHS majors are encouraged to discuss their plans with AHS faculty during their freshman and sophomore years. Students should have made a solid beginning in the math, physics and chemistry coursework that form the foundation of their major prior to admission to the major. Students applying for admission to an AHS major should have completed the introductory 200 level course in their major (AHS 220 for geology majors, AHS 230 for hydrology majors, AHS 260 for meteorology majors and AHS 205 for earth and space science teaching majors). Application for admission to a major in AHS is typically done in the sophomore year.
Extensive coursework in the sciences and mathematics is required in AHS major programs. Thus, students majoring in these programs are considered to have satisfied the 9 credit general education requirement in the natural sciences (Distribution Area B) and the Core 3 Mathematics requirement. The Math Competency requirement (Core 3) is satisfied by the required math courses in the major programs in the department.
Bachelor of Arts — Earth Science
This is designed for students interested in a liberal arts Earth Science major, particularly for those students wishing to take an additional major or one or more minors. The student has an opportunity to focus in one or more areas of earth science through the choice of electives with adviser approval.
Major (48-49)
AHS 220, 230, 260, 451, 452; CHEM 210; MATH 115 or 112 and 113; PHYS 231 or
234; AHS electives (20) numbered 300 or above with adviser approval.
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science - Geology
Minor (20-23)
AHS 220 or 205, 305, 307, 325;
Electives - two courses chosen from AHS 322, 332, 423, 424, 425.
Bachelor of Science — Hydrology
The hydrology major focuses on the quantitative study of surface and ground water and provides the background for a variety of entry level job opportunities in industry and government and for those intending to pursue graduate work in the field. Students are strongly urged to consider a minor in a related field such as meteorology, geography - geographic information science, or environmental studies.
Major (68)
AHS 220, 230, 260, 332, 333, 334, 336, 338, 432, 434, 438, 451, 452; CHEM 210; GEOG 216; MATH 221, 222; PHYS
234, 235; Electives (3) numbered 300 or above with prior advisor approval.
Because of extensive coursework in the sciences and mathematics, students graduating with a major in hydrology are considered as having satisfied the 9 credit liberal education requirement in natural sciences and mathematics.
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science — Hydrology
The hydrology minor will be of particular interest to students majoring in meteorology, earth-science education, environmental studies, and biology or other technical or science majors.
Hydrology Minor (28-29)
AHS 220, 230, 260, 332, 334, 336 and 432 OR 338 and 434, GEOG 216
Bachelor of Science — Meteorology
The Meteorology program focuses on the physical and dynamical processes that govern the evolution of the earth's atmospheric circulation and weather. The meteorology major prepares students for professional employment in meteorology in the private and public sectors and for continued study in graduate school. The meteorology major meets the guidelines for bachelor's degree programs set forth by the American Meteorological Society. It also fulfills the requirements for Federal meteorologist positions specified by the National Weather Service with appropriate elective choices. Students should note that Meteorology requires prerequisites in mathematics and physics and should plan to begin this supporting course work as soon as possible. Students should plan to take the meteorology program's orientation course (AHS 160) at the earliest opportunity.
Major (76)
AHS 160, 230, 260, 364, 365, 375, 380, 385, 451, 452, 465, 468, 475, 478, 480, 481, 482, 486; MATH
221, 222, 321; PHYS 234, 235; ECE 102; Electives (6) chosen with the approval of the student's
adviser. A minimum GPA of 2.00 over the courses listed above for the
meteorology major is required for graduation.
Because of the extensive coursework in the sciences and mathematics, students graduating with a major in meteorology are considered as having satisfied the 9 credit liberal education requirement in natural sciences and mathematics.
Minor (29)
AHS 260, 365, 380; MATH 221, 222; PHYS 234; Electives (6) chosen from AHS 364, 375, 385, 420, 465, 468, 475 with the approval of the student's minor adviser.
Bachelor of Science
Earth and Space Science/General Science Education, Grades 5-12
(66)
This program provides the background required by State of Minnesota science-content
and science education licensure standards for science teachers in grades
5-8 and earth and space science teachers grades 9-12. All students interested
in science teaching are advised to complete both the 5-8 science teaching core
and a 9-12 science content emphasis. In addition to your science courses, all students in teaching programs must complete additional education courses offered through the School of Education. Students considering this major
are encouraged to contact a science education advisor in the Department
of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the earliest opportunity.
5-8 Science Education Core (43)
ASTR 106; BIOL 151, 152; CHEM 210, 211; AHS 205; PHYS 231, 232; SCI 420,
430, 440.
9-12 Earth and Space Science Education Emphasis (23)
ASTR 205; AHS 230, 260, 305, 307, 380 or 381; Electives (3) by prior adviser approval.
Bachelor of Science
Earth and Space Science Education, Grades 9-12 (63)
This program provides the background required by State of Minnesota science-content and science education licensure standards for earth and space science teachers in grades 9-12. In addition to your science courses, all students in teaching programs must complete additional education courses offered through the School of Education. Students considering this major are encouraged to contact a science education advisor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the earliest opportunity.
ASTR 106, 205; BIOL 152; CHEM 210; AHS 205 or 220, 230, 260, 305, 307, 380 or 381; SCI 420, 430, 440; PHYS 231, 232 (or 234, 235); Electives (6-9) by prior adviser approval.
