DEPARTMENT OF EARTH, OCEAN, AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE

Undergraduate Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

Chair: Robert Hart; Professors: Baco-Taylor, Bourassa, Cai, Chanton, Chassignet, Dewar, Fuelberg, Fuentes, Hart, Huettel, Humayun, Liu, Mason, Misra, Mookherjee, Nicholson, Salters, Spencer, Stukel, Wang, Wu, Ye; Associate Professors: Atwood, Holmes, Owens, Parfitt, Sura, Wing, Young; Assistant Professors: Bono, Diamond, Evans, Herbert, Nam, Stewart, Stokes; Teaching Faculty: Chagnon, Goddard; Professors Emeriti: Ahlquist, Burnett, Clarke, Cowart, Ellingson, Hsueh, Iverson, R. Krishnamurti, T.N. Krishnamurti, Landing, Loper, MacDonald, Marcus, Nof, O'Brien, Odom, Parker, Pfeffer, Staley, Stern, Sturges, Thistle, Tull, Weatherly, Winchester, Wise

In 2010, the departments of Geological Sciences, Oceanography, and Meteorology merged to form the department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science (EOAS). While retaining their perspective programmatic focus, the geology, oceanography, and meteorology faculty offer a new level of interdisciplinary integration. This creates fresh opportunities for undergraduate and graduate education in the geosciences. The department provides students with an opportunity for holistic study of Earth's physical environment in preparation for professional careers in government, private, and academic sectors. Due to concerns about climate change, environmental sustainability, availability of natural resources, and environmental pollution and degradation, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an overall 5-7% increase in geoscience-related occupations between 2019 and 2029, which is the average growth rate for all U.S. occupations. The opportunities for study and the degree requirements are described below for:

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy
Bachelor of Science in Geology
Bachelor of Science in Meteorology
FSU Teach Geoscience Program (BS)
FSU Teach Environmental Science Program (BS)

The Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science maintains the resources of the three original departments. Our oceanography and meteorology programs are among the leading programs in the country. Our meteorology program is the flagship program in the southeastern United States and is considered one of the top five comprehensive meteorology programs in the nation.

Research programs are conducted within the department and may involve collaborative work with members of the departments of Physics and Chemistry, the College of Engineering, the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute, the Department of Scientific Computing, the Center for Ocean and Atmospheric Prediction Studies, and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. Within EOAS, the Geology department conducts cooperative programs with the Florida Geological Survey, Northwest Florida Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, and the United States Geological Survey.

The Florida Climate Center and Office of the State Climatologist are housed in the department and are equipped with archives of Florida weather and climate records. An instrumentation facility is also located in the department, including data loggers and a variety of modern and historical instruments, and a rooftop meteorological tower for real-time local observations. The National Weather Service Forecast Office, located in the adjacent Love Building, facilitates interactions between faculty and students with professional operational forecasters.

The department has a complete television studio equipped with state-of-the-art broadcasting technology, where students prepare weathercasts for class (MET 3940) and for regular broadcasts on Florida State University's cable television channel, which is seen in surrounding counties and streamed over the Internet. Students often use this experience to develop internships with television stations and to gain employment. Other internship opportunities through private companies or state, local, or federal agencies also are possible. In particular, partnerships and internships with the headquarters of state government agencies located in Tallahassee continue to offer opportunities for our students.

Available for use on student projects is a full array of equipment for investigating radon and radium in the environment, and three mass spectrophotometers capable of measuring stable isotope ratios. The department has equipment for investigating carbon dynamics including greenhouse gasses in the laboratory and the field. The geochemistry program at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory has facilities to measure trace level concentrations of most elements of the periodic table as well as measure the isotopic composition of many stable and radioactive elements. These capabilities allow researchers to fingerprint the sources of different elements in the environment as well as to trace chemical processes. Students and faculty have access to five different types of mass spectrometers to take measurements based on their area of specialization. The laboratories also include a “clean lab” which allows processing of small samples as well as determining concentrations at very low levels. The department also houses a large array of equipment for investigation of microbial ecology including equipment for the cultivation of anaerobic microorganisms.

Graduate Study in Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science

Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science offers the Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geology, Meteorology, and Oceanography, a non-thesis Master of Science in Aquatic Environmental Science, and a Professional Science Master's in Aquatic Environmental Science, a Law and Aquatic Environmental Science and a Physical Environmental Science PhD program.

Undergraduates interested in Oceanography or Geology graduate degrees will find the Environmental Science BS degree excellent preparation for graduate study. Students may choose a specific area of emphasis including geology (coursework will permit graduates to take the examination leading to Professional Geologist Certification), environmental engineering, biogeochemistry, atmospheric science, or marine biology.

Environmental Science

Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science offers two degrees in Environmental Science. Environmental Science is the interdisciplinary study of environmental systems from a scientific perspective. Drawing principally from the areas of oceanography, geology, and meteorology, the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science will prepare students in the broader and technical area of geoscience where the greatest expansion in employment opportunities is predicted. It is an attractive option for students seeking a broader interdisciplinary major with the rigor of mathematics and the physical sciences at its core. The BS degree will provide a strong basis for graduate study in environmental and earth sciences.

The department also offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Policy. This degree differs from the traditional BS degree in its lower-level mathematics requirements and a greater emphasis on policy. These programs aim to prepare exceptionally well-qualified graduates equipped to work in the interdisciplinary earth sciences, whether in government agencies, NGOs, or the private sector. For additional information, see the department's website at https://eoas.fsu.edu.

Geology

Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science offers the Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Science (MS), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in geology. Emphasis is on fundamental applications of chemistry, physics, biology, and the scientific method in the study of the earth; field experience is also stressed. Faculty members offer coursework in many areas of surficial, tectonic, environmental, and stratigraphic geology; hydrology; and geochemistry.

The major program is intended to provide a well-rounded introduction to the study of the Earth as well as to prepare the student for more advanced study in the fields of natural resources, environmental planning, oceanography, geophysics, and other earth science specialties.

Various scholarships are offered (and part-time work is available) within Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, with the Florida Geological Survey of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and with other agencies of the state and federal governments.

Honors in the major can be earned by talented juniors and seniors by engaging in an independent project ending in an honors thesis. For requirements and other information, please see the Honors section.

Meteorology

Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science offers the Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Science (MS), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in meteorology. Meteorology traditionally is divided into four branches: physical, dynamical, synoptic, and applied meteorology. Physical meteorologists deal with topics such as the physics of rain formation, atmospheric electricity, radiative transfer, and remote sensing. Dynamical meteorologists work in such areas as the mathematical representation of atmospheric flow patterns and the numerical prediction of these patterns. Synoptic meteorologists are involved with the description of atmospheric disturbances and with weather forecasting. Applied meteorologists deal with the application of meteorological and climatological knowledge to such areas as agriculture, architecture, ecology, and air pollution. The undergraduate curriculum provides a broad overview of these branches of meteorology while graduate students are encouraged to specialize in one of them. Meteorologists are needed in research, forecasting, and operational positions to study, interpret, and predict weather and climate processes and patterns and to relate these to human activities. Severe storms, floods, droughts, and air pollution are examples of atmospheric phenomena, that influence health, transportation, agriculture, and business activities.

Digital Literacy Requirement

Students must complete at least one course designated as meeting the Digital Literacy Requirement with a grade of “C–” or higher. Courses fulfilling the Digital Literacy Requirement must accomplish at least three of the following outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret the accuracy, credibility, and relevance of digital information
Evaluate and interpret digital data and their implications
Discuss the ways in which society and/or culture interact with digital technology
Discuss digital technology trends and their professional implications
Demonstrate the ability to use digital technology effectively
Demonstrate the knowledge to use digital technology safely and ethically

Each academic major has determined the courses that fulfill the Digital Literacy requirement for that major. Students should contact their major department(s) to determine which courses will fulfill their Digital Literacy requirement.

Undergraduate majors in applied geosciences/FSU-Teach satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of “C–” or higher in CHM 1045L or ISC 3523C. Undergraduate majors in environmental science and environmental science and policy satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of “C–” or higher in CHM 1045L or BSC 2011L. Undergraduate majors in geology satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of “C–” or higher in CHM1045L. Undergraduate majors in meteorology satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of “C–” or higher in CHM1045L.

State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites for Earth Ocean Atmosphere Sciences

The Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) houses the statewide, internet-based catalog of distance learning courses, degree programs, and resources offered by Florida's public colleges and universities, and they have developed operational procedures and technical guidelines for the catalog that all institutions must follow. The statute governing this policy can be reviewed by visiting https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2021/1006.73.

FLVC has identified common program prerequisites for the degree program in Earth Ocean Atmosphere Sciences. To obtain the most up-to-date, state-approved prerequisites for this degree, visit: https://cpm.flvc.org/programs/1232/3529.

Specific prerequisites are required for admission into the upper-division program and must be completed by the student at either a community college or a state university prior to being admitted to this program. Students may be admitted into the University without completing the prerequisites but may not be admitted into the program.