The MS degree prepares the student for higher level professional responsibility, independent research and continued graduate work in atmospheric science. Graduate level theoretical and applied meteorology courses and a substantial research project lead to the preparation of the master's thesis, the culmination of the MS course of study. In addition to the formal BS and MS curricula, there are many other opportunities to make contacts with prospective employers via professional seminars sponsored by the department and by the Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society. Opportunities also arise for related work experience for students at both the BS and MS levels. These include assistantships in departmental research programs and internships at local companies and in government laboratories.
Details are available through the department office.
The meteorology faculty has a wide range of expertise, including cloud and aerosol physics, urban meteorology and pollution, meteorological modeling and measurements, aviation meteorology, atmospheric hydrodynamics, weather analysis and prediction, atmospheres of other planets, global climatic change, meteorological data processing, data communications, data acquisition and data display. Although one of the smaller departments in the university, the Meteorology Department is one of the most active departments in research, providing students at all levels with opportunities for a variety of research experiences and financial support. Department alumni include top scientists and forecasters in The National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration, United States Air Force, United States Navy, NASA, various state and federal air pollution agencies, the aerospace industry and aviation operations. Our alumni also include university faculty members, high school and community college teachers, TV forecasters, meteorologists in the wind power, electric, gas and oil industries, science writers and consultants for legal cases, air pollution problems and building design. Advisement Each student majoring in meteorology will meet with their academic advisor at least once a semester.