Weather Forecasting and Communications Option

Weather Forecasting and Communications Option (28 credits)

This option prepares students for careers in which their skills as weather forecasters are effectively used in a variety of ways, from science reporting and television broadcasting to web design, computer-based weather graphics production, and developing innovative applications of weather and climate data to industry.

Students in this option are encouraged to get involved with Weather World, the department's weekday weather magazine show, either behind-the-scenes or on-air. To be considered for on-air work, you must take the Weather Communications classes (Meteo 481 and 482) and take (or be taking) the Forecasting Practicum (Meteo 415), and get the recommendation of the 415 instructor. You must also record an audition for the show that will be evaluated by the Weather Communications Group.

Required (19 credits) 

  • METEO 414 Mesoscale Meteorology (4)

  • METEO 415 Forecasting Practicum (3)

  • METEO 436 Radiation and Climate (3)$
    or     METEO 437 Atmospheric Chemistry and Cloud Physics (3)$

  • METEO 473 Application of Computers to Meteorology (3)#

    or METEO 474 Computer Methods of Meteorological Analysis and Forecasting (3)#

  • METEO 481 Weather Communications I (3)

  • METEO 482 Weather Communications II (3)

     
    # satisfies the the meteorological data analysis course requirement.
    $ satisfies the the physical meteorology course requirement.

Select 9-10 credits from the following list:

 

  • EE 477 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing Systems (3)

  • ENGL 416 Science Writing (3)

  • GEOG 333 Human Dimensions of Natural Hazards (3)
    (Controlled course. METEO students can enroll if space is available at the beginning of the semester.)

  • GEOG 361 Cartography--Maps and Map Construction (3)+

  • GEOG 362 Image Analysis (3)+

  • GEOG 363, Geographic Information Systems (3)+

  • GEOG 417 Satellite Climatology (3)

  • GEOG 463 Geospatial Information Management (3)

  • GEOG 467 Applied Cartographic Design (3)

  • GEOSC 402Y (IL) Natural Disasters (3)

  • METEO 412 Synoptic Applications of Dynamic Meteorology (4)

  • METEO 413 Map Analysis (3)

  • METEO 416 Advanced Forecasting (3)

  • METEO 419 Air Quality Forecasting (3)

  • METEO 422 Dynamic Meteorology II (3)

  • METEO 434 Radar Meteorology (3)

  • METEO 451 Introduction to Physical Oceanography (3)

  • METEO 452 Tropical Meteorology (3)

  • METEO 454 Introduction to Micrometeorology (3)

  • METEO 466 Planetary Atmospheres (3)

  • METEO 471W Observing Meteorological Phenomena (3)

  • METEO 473 Application of Computers to Meteorology (3)*

  • METEO 474 Computer Methods of Meteorological Analysis and Forecasting (3)*

  • METEO 483 Weather Communications III (3)

  • METEO 484 Weather Communications Apprenticeship (3)

  • METEO 486 Pennsylvania Climate Studies (3 credit maximum)

  • METEO 495A,B,C,D,E Meteorological Internship (6 credit maximum)

 ____________________________

+Students wishing to take these Geography courses should take GEOG 160 Mapping Our Changing World as one of their GS courses

 *If not used to meet the required courses.