Accelerated BS/MS Atmospheric Sciences

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The accelerated B.S./M.S. program encourages outstanding students in the Atmospheric Sciences B.S. program at the University of Nevada, Reno to obtain an M.S. degree in a shorter amount of time (five years). Students in the accelerated program can obtain either a Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis) M.S. degree.

An accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program allows outstanding University of Nevada, Reno students to obtain both a baccalaureate and a master’s degree in an accelerated timeframe. To be eligible you must have completed at least 75 credits toward the bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 cumulative UNR GPA. Students will complete the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program form and submit the completed form to the Graduate School. Twelve (12) graduate credits taken during the student’s undergraduate career may be applied towards both the undergraduate and graduate program.

Students in the accelerated program can obtain either a Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis) M.S. degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical basis and observational methods for study of atmospheric physics, air pollution, meteorological and climate-scale processes in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Demonstrate knowledge of the design and use of instrumentation, computer software, data interpretation methods for atmospheric research and monitoring. (QR)
Explain ideas and results through written, numerical, graphical, spoken, and computer-based forms of communication. (C)
Assess and adapt to new avenues of scientific inquiry which offer interdisciplinary and practical applications to commercial and public needs for atmospheric studies. (CT)

Contact Information

ATMS Undergraduate Program Director: Dr. W. Patrick Arnott (arnottw@unr.edu)

ATMS Graduate Program Director: Dr. Xiaoliang Wang (Xiaoliang.Wang@dri.edu)

Admission Requirements

APPLICANT CRITERIA

At least 75 credits toward bachelor’s degree completed.
Minimum 3.0 GPA (only UNR courses are included in the GPA calculation).
Application for Accelerated Program must be completed before completing the bachelor’s degree.
A student must complete the bachelor’s degree at UNR to be part of the Accelerated Program.

GUIDELINES AND TIMELINE FOR ACCELERATED PROGRAM

Consult with the undergraduate and graduate Atmospheric Sciences program advisors prior to submitting the Accelerated B.S./M.S. program application.
Submit accelerated program application after completing 75 credits toward your bachelor’s degree (typically, spring of junior year).
Take up to 12 credit 600-level or 700-level courses that could apply to both B.S. and M.S. during senior year
Apply to Graduate School for admission to the M.S. program during senior year before completing the BS degree.
B.S. graduation
Complete M.S. requirements (typically in one year)
M.S. graduation

ACCELERATED B.S./M.S. PROCESS

Step 1 - Students must meet with undergraduate AND graduate advisors, choose classes, and request signatures from both advisors via the DocuSign application.

Note: Though students usually list two semesters of classes on the application, the Graduate School can give enrollment permissions only for the first semester classes. Students must contact the Graduate School (gradadmissions@unr.edu) prior to the opening of registration for the second semester to get enrollment permissions for the second semester classes. For example, if the student has Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 classes listed on the form, once approved, the Graduate School will give permissions to enroll for Spring 2025 classes. The student must contact the Graduate School (gradadmissions@unr.edu) in March 2025 to request enrollment permissions for the Fall 2025 graduate classes.

Step 2 - After the advisors determine that the student has met the criteria for participation, then the form will go to the Graduate School for approval.

Step 3 - Once the approval is complete, the student will receive a copy of the accelerated application and an email confirming that they can enroll in the class.

Step 4 - The student enrolls in the approved classes when their MyNevada registration appointment time arrives.

Note: To make changes to their approved course list, students must resubmit the application form, which will require them to start over from Step 1.

GRADUATE APPLICATION INFORMATION

View program-specific admission requirements, deadlines and directors http://www.unr.edu/grad/degrees-and-programs/at-a-glance.

Program Requirements

Students admitted into the program may take up to 12 credits (at least 3 courses) for their B.S. degree at the 600-level or 700-level courses. These 600-level or 700-level courses may also be applied to a master’s degree, provided the student passes each of these courses with a “B” or better. The graduate courses that students select for this purpose must be approved by their undergraduate advisor, the ATMS graduate program director, and the Graduate School. In order to stay in the program, a student must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in their UNR degree required courses. Several 600-level courses are listed below：

ATMS 601 - Introduction to Atmospheric Physics (4 units)
ATMS 610 - Airflow and Weather Dynamics (3 units)
ATMS 612 - Introduction to Air Pollution (4 units)
ATMS 613 - Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology (3 units)
ATMS 615 - Introduction to Python for Atmospheric Science (3 units)
ATMS 621 - Climatology (3 units) OR
GEOG 621 - Climatology (3 units)

CONTINUATION REQUIREMENTS

Continuation in the accelerated program requires that students maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. If a student’s cumulative GPA drops below 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation within the program for one semester. If the student raises their GPA to 3.0 or higher, they will be removed from probation and returned to good standing in the program. If after one semester the student is not able to raise their cumulative GPA sufficiently, they will be removed from the accelerated program. At such point they may pursue BS and MS degrees through normal requirements.

Financial Impact

Students should note that only the graduate courses identified to meet both BS and MS requirements on the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program Application; may apply towards the 12 credits required for full time undergraduate standing for Federal Financial Aid. Students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships regarding financial aid eligibility. The graduate-level courses will require payment of graduate credit tuition. Non-thesis MS students are not eligible for research assistantships, but thesis MS students may check with graduate advisor if research assistantship is available once in graduate standing.