大氣科學-Atmospheric Science與氣象學Meterology有相當的關係, 但是所學卻有些許的不同, 故在選系時必須要留心些.

前者探討的範圍較廣泛, 除了氣象變化的研究外, 尚有空氣污染及化學變化, 甚至是大氣幅射及高層大氣物理等科學探討, 而後者則較注重氣象/大氣/海洋研究及天氣預測.

相較下, 前者所學的課程一定會比較多, 它會涉及許多專業, 如化學, 天體物理(Astrophysics), 環境科學, 生態學, 地質, 海洋工程, 自然資源(Natrual Resources)等課程, 故它未來的出路亦相對的比較多樣化, 如下:

Air Quality Engineer	Environmental Impact Analyst	Oceanographer
Astronomer	Environmental Lawyer	Physicist
Atmospheric Scientist	Environmental Manager	Research Scientist
Climatologist	Geoscientist	Risk Manager
Ecologist	Hydrologist	Safety Engineer
Envir. Protection Specialist	Lobbyist	Science Librarian
Environmental Affairs Mgr	Meteorologist	Technical Sales Rep
Environmental Consultant	Natural Resource Manager	Technical Writer
Environmental Educator	Naturalist	Water Quality Specialist