Undergraduate Research
Experiential Learning That Sets You Apart
UNC Asheville, a national leader in undergraduate research and founder of the National Council for Undergraduate Research (NCUR), offers Atmospheric Sciences students hands-on opportunities typically reserved for graduate study. Faculty mentor undergraduates on projects ranging from snowstorm modeling and tropical cyclone intensification to tornado impacts, rainfall patterns, and climate studies for transportation safety. Students often publish and present their findings at conferences, and qualified sophomores, juniors, and seniors can join the program by attending a fall orientation. Participants may earn course credit (ATMS 499) or, in some cases, a stipend through funded projects.
of UNC Asheville students participate in undergraduate research
students and alumni have been awarded prestigious Fulbright Scholarships
National Conference on Undergraduate Research Member
One of the first random projects I thought up was to take pre-made 2D fall foliage maps that displayed average timing of peak color and overlay them onto a 3D surface. So that 3D surface was really a valuable visual for helping people understand the variation in timing. The goal is to improve accuracy, help more people find really good fall color, and learn more about the science of fall foliage, and how exactly the weather plays into that using statistical methods."
Jump Start Your Career with Undergraduate Research
Jump Start Your Career with Undergraduate Research
The Undergraduate Research Program at UNC Asheville empowers students to design and conduct original research in partnership with faculty mentors. Open to all undergraduates, the program supports scholarly and creative projects across all disciplines, with opportunities to earn academic credit, present at conferences, and publish in the university’s research journal. Students develop independent inquiry skills while working closely with faculty to pursue questions that matter to them. The program offers funding, symposia, and national recognition, including a University Research Scholar designation for those who both present and publish.
Ready for What's Next?
Our Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Sciences gives you a comprehensive education in real-world contexts and applications of the discipline. Your liberal arts education is enriched by hands-on learning experiences and three specialized concentrations, allowing you to delve deeper into your passions and prepare for your career.