General degree requirements
An overview of degree requirements for a Bachelor of Science
in atmospheric sciences or meteorology is provided here (courtesy
of the American Meteorological Society).
Specific degree requirements
Requirements of specific degree-granting
institutions are listed to provide a sample of the similarities
and differences in the Bachelor of Science in atmospheric sciences
or meteorology. This list is not intended to be complete and
the inclusion (or exclusion) of a given institution should not
be considered as an endorsement by the Oklahoma Climatological
Survey. |
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| The
University of Oklahoma |
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Requirements for the Bachelor of
Science in Meteorology
College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences |
| Effective
Summer 2004 through Spring 2005 |
Minimum
Credit Hours and Grade Averages Required
Total Credit Hours...........................................125-126*
Total Upper-Division Credit Hour.............................52
Grade Point Averages:
Minimum in OU Coursework..................................2.00
Minimum in OU Coursework..................................2.00
Overall........................................................................2.00 |
| Year |
FIRST
SEMESTER |
Hours |
SECOND
SEMESTER |
Hours |
| 1st |
ENGL
1113, Principles of English Composition
(Core I)
5MATH
1823,Calculus & Analytic
Geometry I (Core I)
CHEM
1315, General Chemistry (Core
II)
HIST
1483 or 1493, U.S. (Core
III)
METR 1111, Orientation to Professional Meteorology |
3
3
5
3
1
|
ENGL
1213, Principles
of English Composition (Core I)
5MATH
2423, Calculus & Analytic
Geometry II (Core I)
5CS
1313, Programming for Non-Majors
PHYS
1311, General Physics Laboratory I
5PHYS
2514, General Physics for
Engr. & Science (Core
II)
P SC 113 , American Federal Government
(Core III) |
3
3
3
1
4
3
|
| |
TOTAL
CREDIT HOURS |
15 |
TOTAL
CREDIT HOURS |
17 |
| 2nd |
MATH
2433, Calculus & Analytic Geometry
III
5METR
2014, Intro to Meteorology I Lab
5METR
2014, Intro to Meteorology I
5PHYS 2524, General
Physics for Engr. & Science
Majors
PHYS 1321, General
Physics Lab II
1Gen
Ed Understanding Artistic Forms Elective (Core
IV) |
3
1
3
4
1
3
|
5MATH 2443, Calculus & Analytic
Geometry IV
5METR 2021
, Intro to Meteorology II Lab
5METR 2024 , Intro to Meteorology II
1 Gen Ed , Western Civilization & Culture
(Core IV)
2GEOL 1114; ASTR
1504; BOT 1114; CHEM 1415; or ZOO 1114
1Gen Ed Social
Sciences (Core III) |
3
1
3
3
4-5
3
|
| |
TOTAL
CREDIT HOURS |
15 |
TOTAL
CREDIT HOURS |
17-18 |
| 3rd |
ENGL
3153, Technical Writing
5MATH
3413, Phys. Mathematics
I
5METR 3113, Atmospheric
Dynamcs I: Intro to Atmospheric
Kinematics and Dynamics
5METR
3213, Physical Meteorology I:Thermodynamics
5METR 3613, Meteorological Measurements |
3
3
3
3
3
|
ENGR
3723, Numerical Methods for Engr. Computation
5METR
3123, Atmospheric Dynamics
II: Theory of Atoms. Flows
5METR
3223, Physical Meteorology II: Cloud Physics, Atmospheric Electricity
and Optics
3Math Elective, or minor/area of concentration
4Science Elective, or minor/area of concentration |
3
3
3
3
3
|
| |
TOTAL
CREDIT HOURS |
15 |
TOTAL
CREDIT HOURS |
15 |
| 4th |
5METR
4911, Senior Seminar
(Capstone)
1 of the following 2:
METR 4303, Statistical Meteorology
MATH
4753, Applied Statistical Methods
5METR
4133, Atmospheric Dynamics
III: Mid-Latitude Synoptic-Scale
Dynamics
5METR
4233, Physical Meteorology
III: Radiation & Climate
5METR
4424, Synoptic Meteorology Laboratory
1Gen Ed Non-Western Culture (Core IV) |
1
3
3
3
4
3
|
METR
4433, Mesoscale Meteorology
METR
4922, Senior Seminar II (Capstone)
Meteorology, Hydrology or Climatology Elective, or Minor
4Science Elective, or minor/area of concentration
4Science Elective, or minor/area of concentration |
3
2
3
3
3
|
| |
TOTAL
CREDIT HOURS |
17 |
TOTAL
CREDIT HOURS |
14 |
*
Students who have not completed two years of
the same foreign language in high school are
required to take two college courses in the
same foreign language. This additional coursework
may add 6-10 hours to the min i mum hours required
for graduation.
1To be chosen from the University-Wide
General Education Approved Course List for
Core III (Social Science) and Core IV (Humanities). At
least three hours must be upper division out
side the major.
2GEOL
1114 also fulfills a College of Atmospheric
and Geographic Sciences
requirement for a geosciences science course
out side the major. If GEOL 1114 is
not taken, a faculty-adviser-approved geosciences
science course out side the major must be taken.
3An upper-division math course. May be ex
changed for a course in an area of concentration
or approved minor (see reverse side).
4Minimum
of nine upper-division hours of faculty-adviser-approved
courses in geosciences, engineering, math,
physical sciences and/or biological sciences
or faculty-adviser- approved courses in the
minor option. May be exchanged for a course
in an area of concentration or approved minor
(see reverse side).
5Students must attain a grade of
C or better in all MATH, PHYS, C S, and METR
courses that are direct prerequisites for
METR courses. Please see reverse side for
these pre requisites.
NOTE: No more than 48 hours
of Meteorology coursework may be taken to fulfill
the 124 minimum credit hours required. |
| University-Wide
General Education Requirements (minimum 40 hours) |
| Courses
designated as Core I, II, III, IV, or Capstone
are part of the General Education curriculum.
Students must complete a mini mum of 40 hours
of General Education courses, chosen from the
approved list, including at least one upper-
division Gen. Ed. course out side of the student’s
major. Courses graded S/U or P/NP will not apply. |
| Core I |
Symbolic and Oral
Communication (9–19 hours, 3–5
courses)
•English Com position–6
hours, 2 courses
•Mathematics–3 hours, 1 course
•Foreign Language–0–10 hours, 2 courses in the same language,
(can be met by success fully completing 2 years of the same foreign language
in high school)
•Other (courses such as communication, logic or public speaking) |
| Core II |
Natural Science (7
hours, 2 courses)
•Courses must be taken from different disciplines in the biological and/or
physical sciences; one of which must include a labora tory. |
| Core III |
Social Science (6 hours,
2 courses)
•One course must be P SC 1113, “Ameri can Fed eral Gov ern ment” |
| Core IV |
Humanities (12 hours,
4 courses)
•Understanding Artistic Forms–3 hours, 1 course
•Western Civilization and Culture–6 hours, 2 courses, including HIST
1483 or HIST 1493
•Non-Western Cultures–3 hours, 1 course |
|
| Senior
Capstone Experience (3 hours, 1 course) |
AREA OF CONCENTRATION IN
BUSINESS
The School of Meteorology has joined
with the College of Business to institute
an Area of Concentration in Business
within the meteorology curriculum in
order to accommodate interest in private
sector meteorology. Additional information
is available from your faculty adviser. |
AREA OF CONCENTRATION IN
COMPUTER SCIENCE
The School of Meteorology has joined
with the School of Computer Science in
the College of Engineering to provide
an Area of Concentration within the meteorology
curriculum for students interested in further
developing their skills in the use of
computers in science, engi neering,
and business. Additional information
is available from your faculty adviser. |
MINOR IN BROADCAST METEOROLOGY
The College of Journalism and Mass Communication
offers a minor in Broadcast Meteorology
for meteorology majors interested
in careers in broadcast media. Sixteen
hours in communication and journalism
courses are required. Additional information
is available from your faculty adviser. |
MINORS IN HYDROLOGIC SCIENCE,
MATHEMATICS, COMPUTER SCIENCE, AND PHYSICS
“Official” minors in hydrologic
science, mathematics, computer science,
and physics are available and students
considering graduate school are strongly
encouraged to pursue one or more of these
minors. Students may obtain a minor in
mathematics by taking one more math course
in addition to those required in the curriculum.
Additional information is available
from your faculty adviser, Atmospheric
and Geographic Sciences Dean’s Office (hydrologic
science), Sarkeys Energy Center, Room
710, or the College of Arts and Sciences
Advising Office (mathematics and physics),
Ellison Hall. |
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COURSES IN COMPUTER SCIENCE (C
S)
1313 Computer Programming.Programming for Nonmajors.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 1523 or equivalent. Introduction
to the design and implementation of computer programs. Emphasis
on problem solving. (F, Sp)
COURSES IN ENGINEERING (ENGR)
†G3723 Numerical Methods for Engineering
Computation. Prerequisite: 1112, 1001 or Computer
Science 1313 or 1323, and Mathematics 3113. Basic methods
for obtaining numerical solutions with a digital computer.
Included are methods for the solution of algebraic and
transcen dental equations, simultaneous linear equations,
ordinary and partial differential equations, and curve
fitting techniques. The methods are compared with respect
to computational efficiency and accuracy. (F, Sp,
Su)
COURSES IN ENGLISH (ENGL)
3153 Technical Writing. Prerequisite:
1213 and Engineering or hard science majors only.
For students of the pure and applied sciences. Focuses
on the forms of report writing most frequently encountered
in research and industry. (F, Sp, Su)
COURSES IN MATHEMATICS (MATH)
1823 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I. Prerequisite:
1523 at OU, or satisfactory score on the placement test,
or satisfactory score on the ACT/SAT. Topics covered
include equations of straight lines; conic sections; functions,
limits and continuity; differentiation; maximum-minimum
theory and curve sketching. A student may not receive
credit for this course and 1743. (F, Sp, Su)
2423 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II. Prerequisite:
1823. Integration and its applications; the calculus of
transcendental functions; techniques of integration; and
the introduction to differential equations. A student
may not receive credit for this course and 2123. (F, Sp,
Su)
2433 Calculus and Analytic Geometry III. Prerequisite: 2423. Polar coordinates, parametric equations,
sequences, infinite series, vector analysis. (F, Sp, Su)
2443 Calculus and Analytic Geometry IV. Prerequisite:
2433. Vector calculus; functions of several variables;
partial derivatives; gradients, extreme values and differentials
of multivariate functions; multiple integrals; line and
surface integrals.
†G3113 Introduction to Ordinary Differential
Equations. Prerequisite: 2443 or concurrent enrollment. Duplicates
two hours of 3413. First order ordinary differential equations,
linear differential equations with constant coefficients,
Laplace transformations, power-series solutions of differential
equations, Bessel functions. (F, Sp, Su)
G4753 Applied Statistical Methods. Prerequisite:
2123 or 2423 or permission of instructor.
Estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance,
regression and correlation, goodness-of-fit, other topics
as time permits. Emphasis on applications of statistical
methods. (F, Sp, Su)
COURSES IN METEOROLOGY (METR)
1111 Orientation to Professional Meteorology. Prerequisite:
Mathematics 1523 or higher. Required of all Meteorology
majors during their first year of residence. Introduction
to the School of Meteorology and its curriculum, faculty
and staff. Presentations from different professional meteorologists
introduce career options, challenges and opportunities
in meteorology. (F)
2014 Introduction to Meteorology I. Prerequisite:
Mathematics 1823 (C or better); Corequisite: Physics 2514,
Math 2423. Introduces students to important phenomena
and physical processes that occur in earth's atmosphere,
as well as to the basic concepts and tools that are used
to study atmospheric problems. Special emphasis is put
on developing computational skills. This course focuses
on atmospheric radiation, thermodynamics, stability, moisture,
clouds, and precipitation. (F, Sp)
2024 Introduction to Meteorology II. Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in 2014 (or 1004), Mathematics 2423,
Phys ics 2514; corequisite: Mathematics 2433, Physics
2524, Computer Science 1313. Introduces students to important
phenomena and physical processes that occur in earth's
atmosphere, with special emphasis on developing information
technology skills. This course focuses on atmospheric dynamics,
wind systems, and severe storms. Other topics include
climate, climate change, boundary layer meteorology, air
pollution, forecasting, weather modification and public-private
partnerships. (F, Sp)
†G3113 Atmospheric Dynamics I: Intro to
Atmospheric Kinematics/Dynamics. Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in 2024 or 2413; Mathematics 2443,
Physics 2524. Characterization of the atmosphere mathematically,
the study of forces acting upon it, and approximations
used. Top ics include Newton's laws of motion; energy,
equilibrium and stability; coordinate systems and
forces; the equations of motion and simple force balances;
and mass and energy conservation. (F)
†G3123 Atmospheric Dynamics II: Theory of
Atmospheric Flows. Prerequisite: Grade of C
or better in 3213 and Mathematics 3113. This course continues
the study of atmospheric dynamics and kinematics begun
in Dynamics I. Topics include: natural coordinates, geostrophic
wind, inertial flow, cyclostrophic flow, gradient wind,
thermal wind, kinematics and dynamics of circulation and
vorticity, viscosity, and stress; turbulence, structure,
and dynamics of the atmospheric boundary line. (Sp)
3213 Physical Meteorology I: Thermodynamics. Prerequisite:
grade of C or better in 2024 (or 2413), Mathematics
2443, and Phys ics 2524. This course introduces the physical
processes associated with atmospheric composition,
basic radiation and energy concepts, the equation
of state, the zeroth, first and second law of thermodynamics
for dry and moist atmospheres, thermodynamic diagrams,
statics, and atmospheric stability. (F)
†G3223 Physical Meteorology II: Cloud
Physics, Atmospheric Electricity and Optics. Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in 3113, 3213, Mathematics 3113.
Cloud and precipitation processes including the role of
aerosols in cloud drop let and ice nucleation, growth
of cloud particles into rain, snow, and hail by diffusion,
coalescence, and aggregation; the Clausius-Clapeyron
equation; application of cloud physics in cloud electrification
and optical phenomena in the atmosphere; concepts of weather
radar. (Sp)
†G3613 Meteorological Measurement Systems. Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in 2024 or 2413, Mathematics 2443,
Physics 2524. Introduces the physical principles of meteorological
instruments, discusses static and dynamic sensor performance,
and explores the concepts of meteorological instruments,
and to identify sensor limitations and major error sources.
Furthermore, basic procedures of data analysis will be
discussed. (F)
G4133 Atmospheric Dynamics III: Mid-Lat
itude Synoptic-Scale Dynamics. Prerequisite: Grade
of C or better in 3123 or 3113, 3223. Concepts from kinematics,
dynamics and thermodynamics used to characterize synoptic-scale
atmosphere, emphasis on quasi-geo strophic and baroclinic
instability theory as basis for understanding extra-tropical
weather systems including cyclones, fronts and jets. Linear
theory is used to describe a variety of atmospheric
waves and their role in synoptic-scale meteorology. (F)
G4233 Physical Meteorology III: Radiation
and Climate. Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in 3123 or 3113, 3223. Fundamental
principles of radiation; absorption and emission of radiation;
solar and terrestrial radiation; radiative transfer and
heating rates; surface and global energy balances; atmospheric
general circulation; natural climate variations; greenhouse
climate change; stratospheric ozone depletion. (F)
G4303 Statistical Meteorology. Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in Mathematics 2423, Computer Science
1313 or Computer Science 1323. Offers specialized topics
in statistical meteorology such as the role of probability
and statistics in decision making, interplay between experimental
design and the physics of an underlying problem,
sampling techniques, graphical presentation of data and
model building. Emphasis will be placed on computational
aspects for meteorological data. (F)
G4424 Synoptic Meteorology Laboratory. Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in 3123 or 3113, 3223. This course
is a lecture/laboratory course designed to provide
students a physical understanding of atmospheric principles.
Students are challenged to explain theoretical concepts
and to demonstrate a mastery in understanding various physical
processes including the theory and practice of weather
analysis and forecasting, surface and upper air analysis,
fronts and wave cyclones, satellite meteorology, sounding
analysis, thermodynamic diagram, cross sections, forecasting,
NMC models, MOS, radar meteorology, and severe weather.
Communications skills are emphasized. (F)
G4433 Mesoscale Meteorology. Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in 4133, 4424. Structure and dynamics
of convective and mesoscale phenomena including: mesoscale
convective systems, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes,
low-level jets, moun tain waves and hurricanes. Discussion
of the general behavior, characteristics, and dynamics
of the formation and development of these phenomena,
and the types of weather and hazards they produce. (Sp)
G4613 Satellite Meteorology. Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in 4133, 4424. Survey of satellite
meteorology and climatology. History of meteorological
satellites, radiation, orbital mechanics, satellite
systems and data processing, basic image interpretation,
cloud-drift winds, precipitation, temperature soundings,
tropical cyclone, mesoscale, and synoptic-scale analysis
and forecasting, cloud, water vapor and precipitation climatology,
radiation budget. Laboratory (Sp-alternate)
G4623 Radar Meteorology (Slashlisted
with 5623). Prerequisite: Grade of C or better
in 3223, 3613, Mathematics 3113. Develops quantitative
relationships between physical characteristics of tar gets
illuminated by a pulse of electromagnetic energy
and the quantities measured by weather radar. Capabilities
and limitations of radar designs are studied relative
to meteorological applications. Doppler principles,
including interpretation of data, are provided. Polarimetric
and phased array radar are introduced. (Sp)
G4633 Hydrometeorology. Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in 3123 or 3113, 3223. Interdisciplinary
emphasis on mesoscale precipitation processes, applications
of new hydrometeorological observing systems, and on the
interactions between meteorology and hydrology during flood
events. (Irreg.)
4911 Senior Seminar (Capstone). Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in 3123, 3223. Satisfies the capstone
course requirement. The instructor will guide senior
Meteorology majors through a research project. Inter
disciplinary topics will be encouraged, and library
work will be required. Students will be paired with regular
or adjunct faculty mentors. Senior doctoral students
may serve as mentors with permission of the instructor.
The result will be a written and oral presentation
of the senior thesis. In addition, the instructor
may present professional skills useful during the
job search and interview phases as well as early employment.
The skills will be useful whether the students are entering
the job market or going to graduate school. (F, Sp) [V]
4922 Senior Seminar II (Capstone). Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in 3123, 3223, 4911. Satisfies the
cap stone course requirement. The instructor will guide
senior Meteorology majors through a research project.
Interdisciplinary topics will be encouraged, and
library work will be required. Students will be paired
with regular or adjunct faculty mentors. Senior doctoral
students may serve as mentors with permission of the
instructor. The result will be a written and oral presentation
of the senior thesis. In addition, the instructor
may present professional skills useful during the
job search and interview phases as well as early employment.
The skills will be useful whether the stu dents are entering
the job market or going to graduate school. (F, Sp) [V]
COURSES IN PHYSICS (PHYS)
1311 Gen eral Physics Lab I. Corequisite:
2414 or 2514. Experiments in basic law of mechanics and
thermodynamics. (F, Sp, Su)
1321 Gen eral Phys ics Lab II. Corequisite:
2424 or 2524. Experiments in basic laws of electricity,
magnetism, and optics. (F, Sp, Su)
2514 General Physics for Engineering and Science
Majors. Prerequisite: Mathematics
1823. Not open to students with credit in 1205. Vectors,
kinematics and dynamics of particles, work and energy systems
of particles, rotational kinematics and dynamics, oscillations,
gravitation, fluid mechanics, waves. (F, Sp, Su)
2524 General Physics for Engineering and Science
Majors. Prerequisite: 2514 and
Mathematics 2423. Not open to students with credit in
1215. Temperature, heat, thermody namics, electricity,
magnetism, optics. (F, Sp, Su) |
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