The Bio-Atmospheric Interactions Graduate Specialization
The Bio-Atmospheric Interactions specialization was designed to provide students with a unique learning environment to promote understanding of the interactions between the atmosphere and the biosphere and to encourage cooperation among the community of scientists within the bio-atmospheric research area.
Resources/Facilities
The School of Natural Resources (SNR) is housed in the newly renovated Hardin Hall on UNL’s beautiful East Campus. The new building has excellent laboratory, office and classroom facilities to support research, teaching and outreach regarding natural resources.
In addition, the SNR includes the Agro-Meteorology Laboratory at the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead; measuring stations for the National Atmospheric Deposition Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture UV-B Monitoring Network; the High Plains Climate Center and its Automated Weather Data Network; and the National Drought Mitigation Center.
Faculty Point-of-Contact
If you are interested in the Bio-Atmospheric Interactions graduate specialization, please feel free to contact the following SNR faculty member:
| Advising Faculty | Specialty Area |
| Mark R. Anderson | Synoptic/Satellite Meteorology |
| Timothy J. Arkebauer | Soil-Plant-Water Relationships |
| Tala N. Awada | Plant Ecophysiology |
| Kenneth F. Dewey | Climate Variations |
| Kenneth G. Hubbard | Climate Modeling |
| Qi (Steve) Hu | Regional/Global Climate Variations |
| Clinton M. Rowe | Physical Meteorology/Climatology |
| Shashi B. Verma | Micrometeorology |
| Elizabeth A. Walter-Shea | Remote Sensing/Micrometeorology |
| Albert Weiss | Microclimate |
| Donald A. Wilhite | Climate Impact Assessment/Drought Management |
Example Courses
- Agricultural Climatology (NRES 907)
- Bio-Atmospheric Intstrumentation (NRES 469/869)
- Climate and Society (NRES 452/852)
- Crop Growth and Yield Modeling (NRES 906)
- Global Climate Change (NRES 467/867)
- Microclimate: The Biological Environment (NRES 408/808)
- Regional Climatology (NRES 454/854)
- Solar Radiation Interactions at the Earth's Surface (NRES 908)
- Turbulent Transfer in the Atmospheric Surface Layer (NRES 954)
Admission Requirements
All potential SNR M.S. graduate students must meet the following minimum requirements or provide the requested information:
- A bachelor’s degree with a background that includes at least one course in each of the following disciplines with a minimum of eight courses total
- Mathematics (must include one semester of Calculus)
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Life Sciences (Agronomy, Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Wetlands, etc.)
- Earth Sciences (Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography, Soils, etc.)
- GRE scores of 500 verbal, 620 quantitative, and 4.0 analytical writing
- TOEFL score of 600 paper-, 300 computer- or 79 web-based (applies only to international applicants for whom English is not the first language)
- GPA of 3.0 (on a 4-point system)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
In addition to the SNR minimum admission requirements, the student should have an appropriate science background. This minimum background should include two semesters of calculus and two semesters of physics.
Program Requirements
Print a document containing complete program requirements.
Career Opportunities
Students with this specialization may find employment in teaching, research or applied fields. Possible job titles for students completing the program include: teacher at the secondary level, research project assistant, and atmospheric specialist.
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