Meteorology Major

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Description

Meteorology majors must earn a minimum of 43 credits in required core courses, and complete three semesters of calculus and differential equations, two semesters of calculus-based physics, and one semester each of chemistry and computer programming.The major in Meteorology prepares students for careers in weather forecasting, atmospheric research, environmental consulting and air quality management. The strong physical science orientation of the program allows students to compete in related fields, such as environmental and computer science, hydrology, and alternative energy utilization. The major meets the federal guidelines for meteorologists, enabling graduates to begin careers in federal, state and private employment.

Admission to the Program

Any undergraduate student can declare this major.

General Education Requirements (34 credits)*

Major Departmental Requirements (43 credits)

Students in the meteorology major pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, and must complete the corresponding degree's requirements.

Required Core Courses

  • ESC 211 Introduction to Meteorology*
  • ESC 311 Synoptic Meteorology I
  • ESC 312 Synoptic Meteorology II
  • ESC 313 Environmental Climatology
  • ESC 314 Environmental Climatology Lab
  • ESC 350 Computational Methods in the Field Sciences
  • ESC 390 Intermediate Meteorological Analysis
  • ESC 391 Writing in the Earth Sciences
  • ESC 415 Physical Meteorology
  • ESC 416 Thermodynamics and the Boundary Layer
  • ESC 417 Dynamic Meteorology
  • ESC 420 Radar and Satellite Meteorology
  • ESC 490 Advanced Meteorological Analysis
  • ESC 494 Senior Research*
  • ESC 495 Senior Seminar*

Total Number of Core Credits (43 credits)

Major Corequisite Requirements (26 credits)

  • ESC 251 Scientific Computing
  • CHM 205 Chemistry I*
  • MTH 201 Calculus I*
  • MTH 202 Calculus II*
  • MTH 255 Differential Equations
  • PHS 235 Physics I*
  • PHS 240 Physics II

Total Number of Co-requisite Credits (26 credits)

*Denotes courses that meet both major and general education requirements.

Currently, all upper division MET courses (except for ESC 311, ESC 312, ESC 313, and ESC 314) are offered once every two years in a specific rotation.

Physics and calculus should be taken by the end of the sophomore year.

ESC 350 and ESC 391 should be taken in the junior year.

ESC 494 and ESC 495 should be taken in the senior year.

Additional mathematics, computer science, or science courses are srongly recommended, depending on individual goals. In some cases, these may be applied toward the major with written departmental approval. Recommended supporting courses, outside of meteorology, include the following:

  • CHM 206 College Chemistry II
  • ESC 318 Watershed Science
  • ESC 371 Essentials of GIS
  • ESC 431 Environmental Applications of GISMTH 203 Calculus III
  • MTH 281 Discrete Mathematics I

Electives (17 credits)

Total Credits (120 credits)

Additional Degree Requirements

• Completion of all college-wide degree requirements

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Explain the manner with which variables and data, relevant for meteorology, are properly collected using a discipline-appropriate methodology (fieldwork, instrumentation, remote sensing, or derived products from models).
  2. Properly interpret meteorology data using discipline-accepted qualitative analysis.
  3. Properly interpret meteorology data using discipline-accepted quantitative analysis.
  4. Define a scientific question and develop a methodology for answering it.
  5. Locate, evaluate, and interpret primary source scientific literature.
  6. Effectively express meteorology concepts and research results following the accepted written format for the discipline
  7. Explain meteorology concepts and communicate research results following the accepted oral format for the discipline