Meteorology, Central Michigan University

Information for this profile was provided by Marty Baxter in 2009. Information is also available on the program website. Students in this program are pursuing a BS degree. Central Michigan University is a university with graduate programs, primarily masters programs.

Program Design & Assessment

Overview

Central Michigan University offers a modern, thorough curriculum to prepare students for a career in meteorology.

This curriculum serves the state of Michigan as the only BS degree in Meteorology available. It is housed within the Department of Geology, along with BS and BA degrees in Geology.

Strengths of this program

Our program meets the guidelines specified for a Bachelor of Science degree by the American Meteorological Society as well as the requirements outlined by the National Weather Service. This is considered to be the highest level of accreditation for undergraduate atmospheric science programs. Our program will provide students with the expertise necessary to attend graduate school, forecast for the National Weather Service, broadcast weather for television and radio, or work in the commercial weather industry. We have been accepted as an Academic Affiliate member of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), which requires programs meet certain standards for admission.

Types of students served

Program Goals

The goals of this program are as follows:

The mission of the meteorology program is to provide a rigorous education that synthesizes theory and application, enabling its students to think critically, develop the ability to become lifelong learners, and make productive contributions to society. The program values maintaining a competitive approach to meteorological education that includes an evolving, contemporary curriculum coupled with faculty-guided undergraduate research.

The learning goals were informed by the following resources:

How program goals are assessed

The meteorology faculty have instituted a rigorous program for continuous assessment of the quality of our program. To that end, we have established eleven student learning outcomes which specify what students should know and be able to do upon graduation. These outcomes are featured on our department website. Our assessment plan and timeline contains specific strategies and assessment instruments to assess the extent to which the learning outcomes have been met.

Design features that allow goals to be met


Alumni Careers

Graduation rate

how many students graduate

Careers pursued by our alumni

alumni do the following things:

Courses and Sequencing

Diagram of course sequencing and requirements

Entry into the program

  • Introductory Meteorology (Prerequisite: Two years of high school algebra or College Algebra)

Core courses

  • Atmospheric Radiation and Thermodynamics (Prerequisite: Calculus I, Corequisite: University Physics I)
  • Meteorological Radar and Satellites (Prerequisite: Atmospheric Radiation and Thermodynamics)
  • Cloud Physics (Prerequisite: Atmospheric Radiation and Thermodynamics, University Physics I)
  • Dynamic Meteorology I (Prerequisites: Calculus III, University Physics I, Atmospheric Radiation and Thermodynamics)
  • Dynamic Meteorology II (Prerequisite: Dynamic Meteorology I)
  • Synoptic Meteorology I (Prerequisite or Corequisite: Dynamic Meteorology I)
  • Synoptic Meteorology II (Prerequisite: Synoptic Meteorology I, Prerequisite or Corequisite: Dynamic Meteorology II)
  • Mesoscale Meteorology (Prerequisete: Dynamic Meteorology II)

Electives

Students are not required to take any electives, but may choose from these if they so desire:

  • Climatology and Climate Change
  • Computer Applications in Meteorology (Prerequisite: Atmospheric Radiation and Thermodynamics)
  • Internship
  • Independent Study
  • Special Topics courses as offered

Other required courses

  • Calculus I
  • Calculus II
  • Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory
  • Calculus III
  • Differential Equations
  • University Physics I with Laboratory
  • University Physics II with Laboratory
  • Elementary Statistical Analysis
  • Either FORTRAN Programming or Principles of Computer Programming
  • Either Survey of Chemistry and Introductory Chemistry Laboratory or Introduction to Chemistry I and Introduction to Chemistry II

Capstone

  • Numerical Weather Prediction (Prerequisites: Mesoscale Meteorology, FORTRAN Programming or Principles of Computer Programming)

Other key features of this program:

Students will receive a Mathematics minor via completion of the Meteorology curriculum.

Supporting Materials