Undergraduate Programs

Choose one of our emphases to explore your interests while gaining research experience. As a member of our close-knit community, you'll learn from the best. We're proud to be the home of distinguished research professors, American Meteorological Society Certified Consulting Meteorologists, and presidential teaching, enegagement and Board of Trustees professors.

Earth Atmosphere and Environment

Emphases within the earth, atmosphere and environment major include:

• Climate science
• Earth and planetary science
• Earth and space science education
• Environment and society
• Geospatial systems
• Water and soil science 

Meteorology

Meteorology involves the study of the atmosphere and its interaction with the earth's surface, oceans and living things. Meteorologists make weather forecasts and examine issues ranging from the mechanisms that fuel severe storms to how plants, buildings and landscapes affect atmospheric processes. With a meteorology degree, you'll have many exciting career options in such areas as weather forecasting; climate-impact analysis; broadcast and research meteorology; and hazard risk and disaster assessment.

Our program was the first of its kind to be offered by an Illinois public university. It meets American Meteorological Society standards for an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science, as well as federal civil service requirements for meteorologists seeking careers in the National Weather Service.

Learn more about our meteorology major.

Core requirements Meteorology Lab

Minors

• Geography 
• Geology 

Certificate Program

Learn more about our Geographic Information Systems certificate.

Training and Fieldwork

• Field Experience in Meteorology (MET 291)
• Field Methods in Environmental Geosciences (EAE 477)
• OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations (HAZWOPER) Training

Research Opportunities

We're leaders of research in areas such as climate change, extreme weather, critical minerals, hydrogeology and GIS. You'll have many opportunities to get involved. From investigating a particular area in one of our labs to participating in field schools and on-site research, you'll gain skills while connecting with students and faculty.