MS: Atmospheric Science MS
Effective Fall 2026, the Atmospheric Science MS has been suspended and is no longer accepting students. Updates to this webpage are no longer being made effective 5/27/2025.
The School of Freshwater Sciences offers bachelor’s, master’s, accelerated master’s, and doctoral degrees in Freshwater Sciences. These interdisciplinary degrees prepare the next generation of scientists with the knowledge and skills to tackle environmental issues. Areas of study include: Water Policy and Economics, Water Ecosystem and Humane Health, Great Lakes Research and Management, and Water, Weather, and Climate.
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
On Campus
Alumni in the Workforce
Our faculty have had a stellar track record at helping students find their dream jobs and our alumni are working in leadership positions across the field. About one-third of our graduates work with the National Weather Service as forecasters or research scientists. Another third are in the private-sector fields ranging from scientific research to data analytics. The remaining third are in academic enterprise as faculty, researchers, or instructors.
At the School of Freshwater Sciences, students learn how to use science to address complex environmental challenges at the nation’s only School of Freshwater Sciences. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, our school offers a unique opportunity to study freshwater ecosystems, climate change, and weather patterns while applying science to shape policy and drive real-world solutions.
Freshwater and marine systems are deeply interconnected, making freshwater sciences an essential foundation for those interested in marine science or oceanography. Rivers, lakes, and groundwater feed the oceans, influencing coastal pollution, nutrient cycles, and ecosystem health. Climate change affects both freshwater and marine environments, emphasizing the need to study water systems from their sources to their broader environmental impacts to fully understand global water dynamics. A degree in freshwater sciences offers hands-on experience in water quality analysis, ecosystem monitoring, and policy development, equipping students with skills for careers in research, conservation, government, non-government agencies, consulting, and industry.
The School of Freshwater Sciences offers bachelor’s, master’s, accelerated master’s, and doctoral degrees in a range of interdisciplinary areas, preparing the next generation of scientists with the knowledge and skills to tackle environmental issues.
Atmospheric Science students that are completing the program should follow the detailed curriculum requirements in the UWM Catalog.