Doctor's degree Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences - South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Doctor's degree Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a Campus Ph.D Enviroment degree that prepares you for a Science career. Program Summary The Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences (AES) program links expertise in atmospheric science, biogeochemistry, geology, and hydrology to address regional and local issues that may also be nationally or globally significant. The program began at the School of Mines as the Atmospheric , Environmental and Water Resources Program; AES is a reorganization of that program. The fundamental objective lies in developing the predictive capability to address linkages between earth system components and land management practices in a way that benefits decision-making at regional and national levels. We use the Black Hills of South Dakota and the surrounding Great Plains as a natural laboratory for the development of methodologies to link fundamental observations of the environment across a range of temporal and spatial scales, and integrate them with state-of-the-art modeling, visualization, and analysis. Objectives Enhance interdisciplinary research at the School of Mines in atmospheric and environmental topics Combine theory, experiment, and applications to address regional and local issues (that may be globally significant) Link field and laboratory research with larger-scale observations, such as remote sensing Build predictive capabilities, useful in regional resource management and climate-sensitive economic development Generate marketable applications of regional and global significance< Create a nationally and internationally recognized research program that produces cutting-edge research Prepare its students well for a lifetime of scholarly and/or entrepreneurial activity with particular emphasis on building teams to solve complex problems. Outcomes Students demonstrate a broad understanding of general scientific knowledge in physics, chemistry, and the geosciences. Students can utilize tools available for measuring, monitoring, visualizing, modeling, and analyzing environmental systems. Students demonstrate specialized advanced knowledge in atmospheric and/or environmental studies. Students work effectively with teams to identify and develop solutions to problems requiring multidisciplinary approaches. Students achieve familiarity with scientific literature in their area of specialization, including an understanding of the main issues and advances under development. Students demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the milestones and of the key contributors whose work marks the progression of knowledge in their area of focus. Students can frame a fundamental research problem and develop a technically sound research plan to address it. Students can communicate effectively in written standard scientific English. Students can communicate effectively in oral presentations. Students can identify weaknesses of written and oral presentations, and provide tactful constructive criticism. Students demonstrate intellectual honesty when working with data and ideas. They understand the concepts of attribution and plagiarism, as well as the differences between opinion, consensus, hypothesis, theory, and fact. Students have made an original contribution to science or engineering. Students can define the scope of their contribution and defend the methodology employed based on an understanding of the underlying fundamental concepts. Students demonstrate critical thinking skills: to sift through vast quantities of information, to assimilate knowledge and to identify errors, and to develop logical plans to solve problems. Program Description Measuring, monitoring, and modeling earth and atmospheric systems increasingly demands an interdisciplinary approach, because problems in earth processes impacting society often cannot be solved by studying the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and/or biosphere in isolation. Managing wildfire potential, for example, includes components of atmospheric dynamics, precipitation patterns, vegetation distribution and condition, topographic factors, and more. The key to success lies in training scientists to form interdisciplinary teams that can simultaneously tackle the broad range of processes needed to achieve understanding and prediction of such complex phenomena. The Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences program links expertise in atmospheric science, biogeochemistry, geology, and hydrology to address regional and local issues that may also be nationally or globally significant. The fundamental objective lies in developing the predictive capability to address linkages between earth system components and land management practices in a way that benefits decision-making at regional and national levels. We use the Black Hills of South Dakota and the surrounding Great Plains as a natural laboratory for the development of methodologies to link fundamental observations of the environment across a range of temporal and spatial scales, and integrate them with state-of-the-art modeling, visualization, and analysis. Key interrelated research themes drive the research and teaching program, building on ongoing research and disciplinary strengths already present at SDSMT, including meteorology , biogeochemistry, ecology, geology, climatology, hydrology, remote sensing, and geographic information systems. Specific examples include: Carbon cycling and the potential effects of local and regional climate change, including the frequency and severity of storms, drought cycles, and wildfire potential Water quality and quantity as it impacts regional growth and environmental systems Wildfire dynamics and associated issues related to fire prevention, suppression, and post-fire mitigation Physical meteorology and storm processes, including impacts on hydrology and fire issues. In situ atmospheric measurements of storms, aerosols, trace gas concentrations, etc. using specially adapted storm-penetrating aircraft Many South Dakota School of Mines faculty members who are actively involved in the AES program have externally funded research projects. These projects provide research assistantship opportunities for AES students. In addition to graduate research assistantships, support is also possible through graduate teaching assistantships and various fellowships and scholarships. AES students are strongly encouraged to work with their advisors and faculty colleagues to apply for research funding or fellowships to support their studies after the first year. View more details on South Dakota School of Mines and Technology . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Enviroment courses.