METEOROLOGY

Description of Major
Meteorology is divided into four branches: physical, dynamical, synoptic, and applied meteorology. Physical meteorologists deal with such areas as the physics of rain formation, atmospheric electricity, and atmospheric optics; dynamical meteorologists work in such areas as the mathematical representation of atmospheric flow patterns and the numerical prediction of these patterns; synoptic meteorologists are involved with the description of atmospheric disturbances and with weather forecasting; and applied meteorologists deal with the application of meteorological and climatological knowledge to such areas as agriculture, architecture, ecology, and air pollution. The undergraduate program provides a broad overview of these branches of meteorology plus climatology, while graduate students are encouraged to specialize in one of them. Meteorologists are needed in research, forecasting, and operational positions to study, interpret and predict weather and climate processes and patterns and to relate these to human activities. Severe storms, floods, droughts and air pollution are examples of atmospheric phenomena, which influence health, safety, transportation, agriculture, and business activities.

Prerequisite Coursework:
All of the prerequisites are also part of the required collateral coursework.
MAC X311 (4) Calculus w/Analytic Geometry I
MAC X312 (4) Calculus w/Analytic Geometry II
CHM X045, X045L (3,1) General Chemistry I, Lab
PHY X048C (4) General Physics A or PHY X048/X048L (5 credits @ FSU)
PHY X049C (4) General Physics B or PHY X049/X049L (5 credits @ FSU)
Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “College Students” section of http://FACTS.org.

To prevent a delay in graduation,, students should also complete the following during their freshman/sophomore years:
MAC X313 (5) Calculus w/Analytic Geometry III
And either MAP 2302 (3) Ordinary Differential Equations or MAP 3305 (3) Engineering Mathematics

Requirements for graduation in the College of Arts and Sciences include:
The College of Arts and Science requires proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate (2220 or equivalent) level or sign language through the advanced (2614 or equivalent) level.

Admission Requirements to Major Program of Studies
Students interested in majoring in Meteorology should declare it as their major upon admission to the University and work with the departmental advisor to assure appropriate course selection.  To be certified into the upper-division of this major (move into the College of Arts and Sciences), students must either have an AA degree from a Florida college or complete at least 52 hours of credit with an adjusted GPA of 2.0 on FSU coursework to include at least half of the required hours in Liberal Studies including the freshman English Composition and mathematics requirements.  Meteorology students beginning their college coursework at FSU should complete the English Composition, mathematics, and science portions of Liberal Studies during their freshman and sophomore years; the balance of the Liberal Studies requirements should be completed prior to graduation.

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system.  Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion.  Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors.  You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Major Program of Studies at FSU:  68 hours
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all Meteorology courses numbered 2000 or higher. All 2000 and 3000 level meteorology courses must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better to continue to the 4000 level major coursework.  All other required mathematics, chemistry, physics, statistics, and meteorology courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better.  If not, the course must be retaken until a C- or better is earned.  A student who has received more than five unsatisfactory  grades (U, F, D-, D, D+) in courses required for the major (chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, or meteorology) at FSU or elsewhere, whether repeated or not, will not be permitted to graduate with a degree in Meteorology.
Major Coursework (35 hours):
MET 2700 (3) General Meteorology
MET 2101 (3) Physical Climatology
MET 3220C (3) Meteorological Computations
MET 3300 (3) Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics
MET 2507C (2) Weather Analysis and Forecasting
MET 4301 (4) Atmospheric Dynamics I
MET 4302 (4) Atmospheric Dynamics II
MET 4420 (3) Atmospheric Physics I
MET 4450 (3) Atmospheric Physics II
MET 4500C (3) Synoptic Lecture/Lab I
MET 4501C (4) Synoptic Lecture/Lab II
Collateral Coursework (33 hours):
CHM 1045, 1045L (3,1) General Chemistry I
PHY 2048C (5) General Physics A
PHY 2049C (5) General Physics B
MAC 2311 (4) Calculus w/Analytic Geometry I
MAC 2312 (4) Calculus w/Analytic Geometry II
MAC 2313 (5) Calculus w/Analytic Geometry III
MAP 2302 (3) Ordinary Differential Equations or MAP 3305 (3) Engineering Math I
STA 3032 (3) Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists

Computer Skills Competency:  0 beyond major.  MET 3220C (3).

Oral Communication Competency:  0-3 hours
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly.  This requirement may be met through appropriate high school speech training or with an approved college-level course, such as MET 3940 (1) Weathercasting.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
Liberal Studies 36*
Major and Collateral Coursework 68*
Minor Coursework 0*
Foreign Language 0-12 (depending on placement)
Computer Skills 0 beyond major
Oral Competency 0-3
Electives to bring total hours to 120
*NOTE:  MAC 1105 (3), 1114 (2), and 1140 (3) are prerequisite courses to required major and collateral courses and may be used to partially satisfy the requirements of Liberal Studies. Students may also use required science and math coursework to meet Liberal Studies requirements in those areas. The required minor is satisfied with collateral coursework in Mathematics.

Remarks:
1.  A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, thirty of which must be taken at this University.
2.  Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3.  The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. Students who plan to earn the B. A. degree must complete both a foreign language through the intermediate (2200 or equivalent) level and nine additional hours in the fields of history and humanities.

Employment Information
Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Synoptic Meteorologist, Weather Forecaster, Dynamical Meteorologist, Air Pollution Meteorologist, Physical Meteorologist, Broadcast Meteorologist, Climatologist, Industrial Meteorologist, Meteorological Technician, Assistant Oceanographers, Science Teacher.

Representative Employers: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Airlines, The Military, Television/Radio Stations, National Weather Service, Colleges and Universities, Federal and State Agencies, Research Organizations, Industrial & Engineering Firms, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Schools.

Updated:  Summer, 2011