Both teaching and research assistantships are offered according to the needs of the department. In addition, with few exceptions, all our students are appointed as research assistants for the summer semester. The department will forward applications of exceptional applicants for graduate school and other fellowships. Teaching Assistantships Students supported by teaching assistantships are involved with teaching of meteorology laboratory classes for non-majors, grading problems for instructors, or helping with advanced meteorology laboratories. Senior graduate students sometimes teach undergraduate survey courses or physical meteorology labs.
All students are encouraged to do some teaching during their graduate study.
Because teaching assistantships are only available in the fall and spring semesters, students must seek alternative sources of funding, such as research assistantships, for the summer. Students unable to secure funding for the summer may petition the Department Head for support. Granting of such support will be contingent on the availability of departmental funds and on the progress of the student. Research Assistantships Research assistantships support students as they work on their thesis research. These assistantships are funded by outside sources such as the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or Office of Naval Research, and so the number available will vary from year to year.