Atmospheric Chemists

I. JOB SUMMARY

Main Topic: Physical Geography
Secondary Topic: Environment and Society

Overview: Atmospheric scientists study the weather and climate to understand how they affect human activity and the earth. There are several types of atmospheric scientists including atmospheric chemists. Atmospheric chemists’ study atmospheric components, reactions, measurement techniques, and processes usually to better understand pollutants. They can spend time doing fieldwork and traveling, however most of the time is spent organizing, interpreting, and arranging collected data to create graphs or other write papers. Their focus on the changing atmosphere includes studying climates, gases, and chemical reactions in the cloud. Atmospheric Chemists also study ultraviolet radiation and its effects. They are typically employed in the public sector including federal agencies; however, they can work in the private sector as consultants or research and development.

Geographers at work: Physical geographers, Environmental geographers, Climatologists, Meteorologists

Recommended College Courses: Introduction to Physical Geography, Environmental Management, Weather and Climate, Research Methods in Geography, Introduction in Environmental Geography, Air Quality Management, Meteorology, Climatology

Skills: GIS, remote sensing, geospatial technology, climate and weather forecasting, Quantitative Methods, Environmental Mapping and modeling, Field Methods, Meteorology

Occupation Group: Life, Physical, and Social Science

Learn more about Atmospheric Chemists from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/atmospheric-scientists-including-meteorologists.htm#tab-2