Bachelor of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
The Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, BS is a STEM degree program that focuses on the study of interactions among the Earth’s atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere aimed at understanding global climate and environmental change. The program offers a broad spectrum of instruction across multiple disciplines in meteorology, solid earth processes, climate dynamics, hydrology, coastal processes, oceanography, remote sensing, and geographical information science (GIS).
At a Glance
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Credit hours: 120 s.h. minimum
- Format: On-campus
- Concentrations: Atmospheric Science; Earth Science
Dr. Hong-Bing Su
Program Director
As a student in EAS, you’ll study how the atmosphere, land, water, and coast are connected. You can focus on Atmospheric Science if you are interested in weather, climate, forecasting, and radar or satellite data, or choose Earth Science if you want to work more with geology, water, coasts, field methods, lab work, and mapping.
Why Study Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at ECU?
Program Overview
The BS in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences requires 120 semester hours. Students pursue one of two concentrations. The Earth Science concentration prepares students for careers or graduate study through coursework in geoscience topics including hydrogeology, coastal and sedimentary processes, mineralogy, petrology, geophysics, structural geology, and plate tectonics. Students put these concepts into practice in GEOL 4000, the Summer Geology Field Course, a capstone geology field experience.
The Atmospheric Science concentration prepares students with foundational knowledge in physical and dynamic meteorology, along with practical skills in weather forecasting, operation of in-situ meteorological instruments, satellite and radar image analysis, and GIS applications in weather and climate.
Courses
The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. The requirements below follow the 2026-2027 ECU Undergraduate Catalog.
1. General Education Requirements – 40 s.h.
- CHEM 1150 – General Chemistry I and CHEM 1151 – General Chemistry Laboratory I
- MATH 1065 – College Algebra or higher approved general education mathematics course
- PHYS 1250 – General Physics I or PHYS 2350 – University Physics I
2. Core – 20 s.h.
- ATMO 1300 – Weather and Climate
- GEOL 1500 – Dynamic Earth
- GEOL 1550 – Oceanography
- GEOL 2300 – Current Topics in Geoscience
- GEOG 2350 – Climate Change: Science and Society
- GEOG 3420 – Remote Sensing of the Environment I
- GEOG 3430 – Geographic Information Systems I
3. Cognates – 10-11 s.h.
- MATH 1083 – Precalculus
- MATH 2121 – Calculus for the Life Sciences I or MATH 2171 – Calculus I
- MATH 2228 – Elementary Statistical Methods I
- PHYS 1251 – General Physics Laboratory I
4. Concentrations – 21 or 25 s.h.
Choose one of the following concentrations.
Atmospheric Science Concentration – 21 s.h.
- ATMO 2510 – Physical Meteorology and Thermodynamics
- ATMO 3230 – Global Climates
- ATMO 3520 – Dynamic Meteorology
- ATMO 4510 – Meteorological Instruments and Observations
- ATMO 4540 – Coastal Storms
- ATMO 4550 – Applied Synoptic Meteorology: Analyses and Forecasting
- ATMO 4580 – Radar and Satellite Meteorology
Earth Science Concentration – 25 s.h.
- GEOL 1501 – Dynamic Earth Laboratory
- GEOL 1600 – Earth and Life Through Time
- GEOL 3070 – Earth Materials and Resources
- GEOL 3071 – Earth Materials and Resources Laboratory
- GEOL 3200 – Introduction to Field Methods
- GEOL 3201 – Introduction to Field Methods Laboratory
- GEOL 3300 – Structural Geology
- GEOL 3301 – Structural Geology Laboratory
- GEOL 3500 – Hydrogeology and the Environment
- GEOL 3501 – Hydrogeology and the Environment Laboratory
- GEOL 4000 – Field Course in Geology (Course details)
- GEOL 4900 – Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
- GEOL 4901 – Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Laboratory
5. Electives – 18 s.h.
Choose 18 s.h. of ATMO, GEOG, GEOL, or PLAN courses, including at least one course in each prefix. Twelve s.h. must be over 1999.
See the full Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, BS entry in the ECU Catalog for all degree requirements.
Career Relevance
The coursework in the Atmospheric Science concentration prepares students for work involving weather, climate, environmental data, forecasting, instrumentation, remote sensing, GIS, and environmental analysis. Graduates may use these skills in public agencies, private forecasting and environmental firms, research support, emergency management, aviation or transportation support, utilities, consulting, or related technical roles.
The Earth Science concentration prepares students for work involving earth materials, water, natural resources, environmental problems, field observation, laboratory analysis, mapping, and technical reporting. Graduates may work in environmental consulting, geotechnical support, natural resource work, water resources, public agencies, education, research support, or related fields. Some students continue into graduate or professional programs.
The occupations below are examples of fields connected to geology and atmospheric science coursework, not a complete list. Job titles, salaries, and advancement depend on experience, location, employer, degree level, licensure, and any additional training or certification.
Atmospheric Science Career Examples
| Example O*NET Occupation | Why It Fits Applied Atmospheric Science Skills | Median Annual Salary | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | Weather analysis, forecasting, climatology, atmospheric physics, observations, and interpretation of meteorological data | $99,880 | Average (3% to 4%) |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | Environmental monitoring, climate and weather context, data analysis, field and laboratory science, and communication of environmental risk | $80,060 | Average (3% to 4%) |
| Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | Satellite and radar data, image interpretation, environmental monitoring, geospatial analysis, and atmospheric applications of remote sensing | $117,960 | Slower than average (1% to 2%) |
Earth Science Career Examples
| Example O*NET Occupation | Why It Fits Geology | Median Annual Salary | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | Field studies, geological data, earth materials, structures, resources, hazards, and technical reports | $99,240 | Average (3% to 4%) |
| Hydrologists | Groundwater, surface water, hydrogeology, water samples, data analysis, and water-resource reporting | $92,060 | Below average |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | Environmental data, soil and water samples, pollution, land degradation, compliance, and environmental reporting | $80,060 | Average (3% to 4%) |
Occupation data obtained from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data reflect 2024 national median wages, and projected growth reflects 2024-2034 national employment projections.
How to Apply
The Bachelor of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is an on-campus program. New first-year and transfer students apply through ECU Undergraduate Admissions. Current ECU students should contact the Program Director to discuss changing majors or adding the program as a second major.
Plan a Visit
To visit our department and learn more about our programs and research, fill out the Contact Form or call us at 252-328-6230. If you have specific research interests, let us know and we can match you with the right faculty and facilities. You can also meet us during the spring ECU Pirates Aboard and fall ECU Open House events, or take a campus tour at any time.
Cost of Study
For current tuition, fees, and room and board, see the ECU cost of attendance.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Departmental, university, and external scholarships are available to undergraduate students based on merit, financial need, or both. Visit ECU Financial Aid for application procedures and deadlines.
Questions?
For questions about the BS in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, contact Program Director Dr. Hong-Bing Su at suh@ecu.edu or 252-328-1040. Dr. Su’s office is Brewster A-221.