Undergraduate students from the fields of physics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, engineering, meteorology, atmospheric science and related disciplines are invited to carry out research projects with a focused theme in the area of Earth System Science. Earth system science draws heavily on the traditional sciences of meteorology, geology, terrestrial physics, chemistry, biology, oceanography, and hydrology in its goal of understanding the linkages among these disciplines. To investigate how the elements of the earth system interact with one another, the Earth System Science Program organizes student teams that develop, test, and model observation systems to acquire relevant research data. Existing systems, such as satellites, ground-based remote sensors, in situ sensors, and simulations of physical phenomena, provide data for analysis.

Students are in residence at Clark Atlanta University (CAU) in Atlanta for 8 to 10 weeks, where they attend lectures including general background information, training in the use of computer software for plotting and analyzing data, scientific writing, and the development of oral and poster presentations. Students also attend tours and field trips designed to offer a broad exposure to the earth and atmospheric sciences and work with CAU faculty and research scientists to define and develop their research projects. Students are awarded a research stipend for successful completion of the program.

The Earth System Science Program covers room and board expenses and necessary air travel to and from Atlanta, Georgia.  At the conclusion of the summer research program, students submit a technical paper and to make oral and poster presentations of the results of their research.

Our summer research topics focus on studies of the effects of atmospheric gases and aerosols particles on solar radiation, on micrometeorological studies of the urban boundary layer, and on interactions between terrestrial surfaces and the atmosphere.