South Dakota - School of Mines and Technology
Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences
Rapid City, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 29,200 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
What is Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences?
Put simply, atmospheric and environmental science is the study of weather and climate. This field of study strives to study short-term weather patterns as well as long-term climate processes.
What does an Atmospheric and Environmental Scientist do?
With climate change impacting our planet daily, there is no better time, or more important time, to study our climate than now. And with our location in the Black Hills, an area widely known for its unpredictable weather, there is no better place to study atmospheric and environmental science than at South Dakota Mines.
At Mines, you will study weather, climate, and the impact both have on the earth and its inhabitants.
Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences Research
As an undergraduate student studying atmospheric and environmental sciences at Mines, you will be able to get involved in research from day one. Our students have the opportunity to participate in research with faculty and be actively involved in research projects in areas involving air quality and convection in the atmosphere, ecosystem structure, and the effects of climate on our earth's ecosystems.
This degree also serves as excellent preparation for graduate study in meteorology, atmospheric sciences, and related fields. Courses range from those in traditional operational meteorology to those in earth system sciences.
International students may seek scholarship opportunities but should be aware that many scholarships are limited to US citizens or permanent residents. South Dakota Mines does not offer scholarships specifically for international students. You must be ADMITTED by January 15 of the year you are planning to enroll in the fall semester if you wish to be considered for scholarships. Scholarships are only awarded for a start date of the fall semester. Please see the Scholarships website for information on Mines scholarships.
International students are NOT eligible for South Dakota Mines or federal loan programs and should not apply for such financial assistance.
Freshman Year
First Semester
- General Chemistry
- General Chemistry I Lab
- Composition
- Calculus
- Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences
Second Semester
- General Chemistry II
- General Chemistry II Lab
- Introduction to Computer Programming/Lab (OR) Computer Science I/Lab (OR)Programming for Engineers and Scientists
- Calculus II
- General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s)
- Sophomore Year
First Semester
- Communication in the STEM Workplace
- Calculus III
- University Physics
- General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s)
Second Semester
- Explorations in STEM Communications
- Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society
- Differential Equations
- University Physics II
- University Physics II Laboratory
- Atmospheric Thermodynamics
Junior Year
First Semester
- Synoptic Meteorology I/Lab
- Atmospheric Dynamics
- Principles of Ecology
Second Semester
- Global Environmental Change
- Radar Meteorology
- Synoptic Meteorology II/Lab
- Program Approved Electives
Senior Year
First Semester
- Atmospheric Physics
- Writing and Research in Science, Technology, and Society
- Program Approved Electives
Second Semester
- Program Approved Electives
- Undergraduate Research/Scholarship
- Operational Meteorology (Weather Forecasting)
- Atmospheric Research
- Broadcast Meteorology
- Environmental Consulting
- Industrial and Commercial Forecasting
- Air and Water Quality, Pollution
- Transportation
- Military, Emergency Response
- Agriculture or Energy Industries
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