Geography - Meteorology Major B.S.
- Career preparation for public, military, and private sector positions in atmospheric science
- Preparation for graduate studies in meteorology, climatology, or atmospheric science
- American Meteorological Society and National Weather Service-based coursework
Major code BS4238
Faculty Contact: Brad Jokisch
Program Overview
The meteorology major in the Geography Department prepares students for public, military, and private sector positions in atmospheric science and for graduate studies in meteorology, climatology, or atmospheric science. The curriculum is based on guidelines from the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Service. While the major requires coursework in math and physics, the majority of courses focus on atmospheric science and are offered by the Geography Department. All meteorology majors receive forecasting experience; broadcast experience is possible in association with WOUB.
The department is committed to excellence in both teaching and advising. Several faculty members have received teaching awards, and faculty are known across campus for the quality of their advising. As a geography major, students meet one-on-one with their faculty adviser every semester during advising week, and they are always welcome to talk with their adviser at any time throughout the semester whenever questions may arise. In addition to advising students about their academic programs, the department provides timely information about internships, nationally competitive awards, and other opportunities as they arise. Many students complete internships, and several over the last few years have received nationally competitive awards.
Careers and Graduate School
The meteorology major prepares students for careers with the National Weather Service, the private sector (including jobs with agriculture and energy industries, insurance agencies, and others), and federal and non-federal careers where forecasting is the primary job responsibility. The program also adequately prepares students for advanced specialized training and education at the graduate level, including graduate education in broadcast meteorology.
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Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change to Program Policy: No selective or limited admission requirements.
External Transfer Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Degree Requirements
University-wide Graduation Requirements
To complete this program, students must meet all University-wide graduation requirements.
College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences
View the College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences.
Geography – Meteorology (B.S.)
The major requirements for the B.S. degree in Geography – Meteorology is a minimum of 73 hours, including at least 44 hours in geography and 29 hours of extra-departmental courses.
Geography Foundations
Complete the following geography foundation courses with at least the minimum grade indicated for each course:
- GEOG 1100 - Physical Geography Credit Hours: 4.0 (C or better grade required)
- GEOG 1200 - Human Geography Credit Hours: 3.0 (C or better grade required)
- GEOG 2680 - Introduction to GIS and Mapping Sciences Credit Hours: 4.0 (C or better grade required)
- GEOG 2710 - Introduction to Statistics in Geography Credit Hours: 3.0 (C- or better grade required)
- GEOG 4800 - Senior Seminar in Geography Credit Hours: 3.0
Program Requirements
Core Courses
Complete the following nine required courses:
- GEOG 3010 - Meteorology Credit Hours: 4.0
- GEOG 3020 - Climatology Credit Hours: 4.0
- GEOG 3030 - Meteorological Observations Credit Hours: 1.0
- GEOG 3040 - Practicum in Meteorology and Forecasting Credit Hours: 1.0
- GEOG 3050 - Physical Meteorology Credit Hours: 3.0
- GEOG 4060 - Synoptic Meteorology Credit Hours: 4.0
- GEOG 4070 - Mesoscale Meteorology Credit Hours: 4.0
- GEOG 4080 - Dynamic Meteorology I Credit Hours: 3.0
- GEOG 4090 - Dynamic Meteorology II Credit Hours: 3.0
Supporting Courses
Complete the following courses:
- ET 2100 - Programming in C Credit Hours: 4.0
- MATH 2301 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4.0
- MATH 2302 - Calculus II Credit Hours: 4.0
- MATH 3400 - Elementary Differential Equations Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS 2051 - General Physics Credit Hours: 5.0
- PHYS 2052 - General Physics Credit Hours: 5.0
Complete one of the following courses:
- CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4.0
- CHEM 1500 - Concepts in Chemistry Credit Hours: 4.0
- CHEM 1510 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4.0