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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN GEOSCIENCE

The following paragraphs spotlight some of the most popular occupations in geoscience.

SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS Atmospheric scientists study the layers of gases that surround the earth; the circulation of the atmosphere relating to weather systems and their impact on the earth; air quality; and other atmospheric processes to determine how they affect humans, plants and animals, and the overall environment. There are several specializations in atmospheric science. • Atmospheric chemists study atmospheric processes such as air pollution, ozone depletion, and aerosol formation. They have interdisciplinary backgrounds that include expertise in climate dynamics, atmospheric physics, chemical engineering, physical chemistry, and ecology. • Climate scientists study the climate and how it changes over a long period of time. They work on the theoretical foundations and the modeling of climate change in order to better understand its effects on humans and the environment, help environmental policy makers identify and select strategies to reduce negative climate change, and meet other goals. • Climatologists study historical weather data and use computer modeling software and other tools to interpret long-term weather patterns, or shifts in climate, to better understand ongoing global climate change. • Meteorologists use special instruments and complex computer models to study the lower parts of the atmosphere (primarily

What Do Geoscientists Do?

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