Applied Meteorology Program, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Program Design & Assessment
Overview
The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Meteorology provides a practical understanding of the physics and dynamics of the atmosphere and prepares the graduate for a range of meteorologist positions in government or industry. Students use a state-of-the-art Weather Center and computer-equipped classrooms to understand and forecast complex atmospheric phenomena ranging from severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, to cyclones, fronts, and jet streams, to global climate and how it is changing.
Emphasis is placed on applying theory to operational weather forecasting and decision-making for weather-sensitive industries, including possible hands-on experience as a meteorology intern. The program prepares graduating students for careers as meteorologists with the government, military, television, or the private sector, as dispatchers, or for graduate studies toward a career in research or academia.
Both areas of concentration meet all the requirements for undergraduate study in meteorology recommended by the American Meteorological Society, the National Weather Service, and the U.S. Air Force. All graduates also meet U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards for the position of meteorologist.
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Meteorology degree is housed in the Department of Meteorology in the College of Aviation.
Strengths of this program
The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Meteorology provides a practical understanding of the physics and dynamics of the atmosphere. Students use a state-of-the-art meteorology lab and computer-equipped classrooms to understand and forecast complex atmospheric phenomena ranging from severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, to cyclones, fronts, and jet streams, to global climate and how it is changing.
Types of students served
All students entering the Applied Meteorology program should have completed four years of high school science and mathematics. Proficiency in trigonometry and pre-calculus is essential to enter this program. Students should be prepared to enroll in Calculus I in their first semester. We have the highest % of female, hispanic and native american (Navajo) students in the university.
Program Goals
The goals of this program are as follows:
Emphasis is placed on applying theory to operational weather forecasting and decision making for weather-sensitive industries, including possible hands-on experience as a meteorology intern. The program prepares graduating students for careers as meteorologists, within the government, military, television, or private sectors, or as flight dispatchers or for graduate studies toward a career in research or academia.
The learning goals were informed by the following resources:
Students in the Applied Meteorology degree may choose to pursue an Emergency Response Meteorologist Certification, Aircraft Dispatch Certification, Fixed-wing or Helicopter Flight minor (leading to Commercial Pilot Certification), or a Defense Studies minor. Each of these options requires additional credits and involves unique course requirements. Students can find the requirements for the Aircraft Dispatch Certification, Flight minor, and Defense Studies minor in the course catalog.
How program goals are assessed
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Meteorology requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. Students should be aware that many courses have prerequisites and/or corequisites and should plan to begin the required math-calculus sequence as soon as they are eligible.
The research projects and presentations for the capstone Senior Thesis projects.
Design features that allow goals to be met:
Successful internships and employment by the U.S. government: NASA, NOAA (National Weather Service), U.S. Air Force, private companies, and many students attending graduate school.
It is highly recommended (but not required) that students complete an internship as part of their cooperative education during the year preceding graduation. Students may earn credit for their internship activities. This will provide practical on-the-job experience while shadowing real emergency response meteorologists at various locations around the country. Internships also provide valuable networking opportunities and open doors to future employment.
Alumni Careers
Graduation rate
45 majors, 16 or less graduates per year, 80 minors.
Careers pursued by our alumni
Employment by the U.S. government: NASA, NOAA (National Weather Service), U.S. Air Force, private companies, and many students attending graduate school.
Courses and Sequencing
Diagram of course sequencing and requirements
Entry into the degree
WX201 Survey of Meteorology,
WX203L Survey of Meteorology Laboratory, 1
WX301 Aviation Weather,
WX270 Weather Information Systems,
WX210 Intro to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Core Courses
Freshman Year Credits:
COM 122 English Composition 3
COM 219 Speech 3
MA 241 Calculus and Analytical Geometry I 4
MA 242 Calculus and Analytical Geometry II 4
PS 150 Physics for Engineers I 3
PS 216 Physics I Laboratory 1
UNIV 101 College Success 1
WX 201 Survey of Meteorology 3
WX 203L Survey of Meteorology Laboratory 1
WX 301 Aviation Weather 3
WX 353 Thermodynamics of the Atmosphere 3
Lower-level EC or SS elective 3
Sophomore Year
CHM 105 General Chemistry I 4
CS 125 Computer Science I 4
MA 243 Calculus and Analytical Geometry III 4
PS 160 Physics for Engineers II 3
WX 270 Weather Information Systems 3
WX 354 Dynamics of the Atmosphere 3
WX 363 Thunderstorms 3
WX 365 Satellite and Radar Weather Interpretation 3
Lower-level HU (HU 14X) 3
Junior Year
COM 221 Technical Report Writing 3
MA 345 Differential Equations & MatrixMethods 4
MA 441 Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics I ** 3
WX 220 Data Analysis and Visualization 3
WX 390 Atmospheric Physics 3
WX 391 Applied Synoptic Meteorology 3
WX 420 Advanced Atmospheric Thermodynamics 3
WX 492 Advanced Synoptic Meteorology 3
Lower-level EC or SS elective 3
Upper-level HU or SS elective 3
Senior Year
MA 412 Probability and Statistics 3
WX 261 Applied Climatology 3
WX 427 Forecasting Techniques 3
WX 490 Advanced Dynamic Meteorology I 3
WX 491 Advanced Dynamic Meteorology II 3
WX 493 Senior Research Thesis 3
Open electives 9
Credits Total: 120
Elective courses and Requirements
Lower-level EC or SS elective 6
Upper-level HU or SS elective 3
Open electives 9 - among them: WX210 GIS, WX322 Space Weather, WX395 Tropical meteorology, WX395F Mountain Meteorology, WX457 Hazards Mapping and Modeling,
SIS 430 Emergency Management and Contingency Planning, SIS 431 Incident Command System, WX363 Thunderstorms, WX323 Air Polution and Air Quality/Environmental Science, WX365 Climatology.
Capstone
WX493 Senior Research Thesis 3 credits
Supporting Science and Math Courses
MA 241 Calculus and Analytical Geometry I 4 credits
MA 242 Calculus and Analytical Geometry II 4
PS 150 Physics for Engineers I 3
PS 216 Physics I Laboratory 1
CHM 105 General Chemistry I 4
CS 125 Computer Science I 4
MA 243 Calculus and Analytical Geometry III 4
PS 160 Physics for Engineers II 3
MA 345 Differential Equations & MatrixMethods 4
MA 441 Mathematical Methods for Physics I ** 3
MA 412 Probability and Statistics 3
Other key features of this program:
Emergency Response Meteorologist Certification
The Emergency Response Meteorologist (ERM) Certificate* prepares graduates for employment as an ERM or Incident Meteorologist. This certification is only available to students who complete a B.S. in Applied Meteorology. It gives students additional knowledge and skill to provide decision support services more effectively to meteorology customers. This additional training will prepare graduates to work in emergency operations centers for national or local government agencies and help guide decisions related to meteorology.
Students in this certification program learn about the U.S. incident command structure, gaining official National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Intermediate and Advanced Incident Command Certification through local emergency management personnel.
Students will also achieve familiarity with geographic information systems (GIS) as essential for mapping geophysical datasets and visualizing emergency plans and incident response operations. Then, the capstone experience (WX 45X) gives students the opportunity to configure and operate various hazard models used in emergency management scenarios to predict the impacts of floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfire behavior, and the spread of hazardous materials.
Certification Requirements
The ERM Certificate is only available at the Prescott Campus to students majoring in Applied Meteorology. It requires the successful completion of the IS-100.b, IS-200.b, IS-300, IS-400, IS-700.a, IS-701.a, IS-702.a, IS-703.a, IS-706, and IS-800.b NIMS certificates, which may be earned while taking SIS 430 and SIS 4XX. It also requires satisfactory performance in all required courses, which must be completed with a "C" grade or better. This program is offered within the Applied Meteorology program at ERAU and not as separate training. To complete the Emergency Response Certification program, the student must also complete the Applied Meteorology degree and must earn a "C" grade or higher in all required courses.
Supporting Materials
Meteorology students use a state-of-the-art Weather Center and computer-equipped classrooms to understand and forecast complex atmospheric phenomena ranging from severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, to cyclones, jet streams and global climate.
The American Meteorological Society Student Chapter was founded in 2008 to bring together students and faculty of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus with an interest in weather, meteorology, and atmospheric science. It expanded upon the existing Weather club. Members have the opportunity to meet new people with a similar interest, expand their knowledge of meteorology and related disciplines and participate in a number of fun and entertaining activities, such as weather club hikes, tours of local offices and institutions (National Weather Service offices, local TV stations, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and more), annual weather calendar photo contests, the opportunity to make an impact in the local educational community (judging science fairs, giving weather lab tours to the local community, K-12 students, and more), or participating in research projects and weather balloon launches.
Anyone interested in the fields of weather and climate is encouraged to join our student chapter. Our members attend the annual AMS meetings and student conferences. Several members have received AMS and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) scholarships and fellowships.
Chapter meetings generally take place on the last Thursday of the month during the academic year (Sept.-May). Since this is a student chapter, the times and locations of chapter meetings will be adjusted each semester for the convenience of the majority of the members.