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Program Information | Degree Requirements | Career Outlook

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN

APPLIED METEOROLOGY

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Embry-Riddle's Meteorology Degree Program Will Give You the Knowledge and Skills to Succeed in Several Weather-Related Career Tracks

As corporations pay more attention to the climate’s impact on business, they are including weather professionals at the decision-making level. In the Meteorology program, you’ll focus on the theory and study of climatology, as well as its applications to industrial and business operations.

You’ll study with a faculty of seven meteorologists in modern facilities where you can simulate conditions ranging from tornadoes to global climate. You’ll learn how to communicate complex atmospheric phenomena in the practical language of decision- makers. Students also take courses in an area of concentration from among four options:

  • Flight weather
  • Commercial weather
  • Media weather
  • Research

The program aims to produce graduates with the necessary knowledge, analytical skills, and operational expertise to succeed in the industry. Graduates will be competitive for jobs in aviation and aerospace, radio and television, and business and government operations.

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PROGRAM INFORMATION

Meteorology Students Will Choose One of
Four Areas of Concentration

If you pursue the Applied Meteorology degree, you have the option of selecting one of four areas of concentration (AOC). Generally, you will select an AOC by the end of your fourth semester. All students must complete the general education courses, Applied Meteorology core courses, and the courses required to complete one AOC in order to complete the requirements for the Applied Meteorology degree.

Your junior and senior year programs depend on the AOC chosen.

The Flight Weather AOC offers courses geared toward careers involved with providing weather services to the aviation/aerospace industry.

If you select the Commercial Weather AOC, you'll learn how businesses are run and how weather impacts operations. By selecting appropriate courses, you can complete a minor in Business Administration.

Select the Media Weather AOC if you're interested in journalism, radio, and television. You'll combine meteorology with studies in verbal and written communications. Internships may be conducted with newspapers, radio stations, or network/cable television channels.

The Research AOC will prepare you for graduate studies. You'll also qualify for federal and military professional meteorology positions.

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DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Our Program Produces Meteorology Experts
Who Make Flying Safer

This program offers those students with a passion for the weather the opportunity to study, learn, and simulate atmospheric conditions ranging from global climate to the tornado. Besides mastering the essentials of meteorology, students will acquire those communicative skills necessary to translate complex atmospheric phenomena into the practical language of operational decision makers. The program aims to produce graduates with the necessary knowledge, analytical skills, and operational expertise to add value to any decision impacted by the weather. Graduates will be competitive for jobs ranging from the aviation and aerospace industry to radio and television or business and government operations of the 21st century.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Meteorology requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours and can be attained in eight semesters. Students pursuing the Applied Meteorology degree will select one of four areas of concentration (AOC) from among Flight Weather, Media Weather, Commercial Weather, or calculus-based Research AOC, generally by the end of their fourth semester. All students must complete the general education courses, Applied Meteorology core courses, and the required courses fro one AOC in order to graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Applied Meteorology. Students wishing to become eligible for employment in the U.S. government as a meteorologist must complete the Research AOC in order to meet U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards. All students entering the Applied Meteorology program must take a math placement test or show suitable advanced placement. Because many courses have prerequisites or corequisites, students in the Research AOC should prepare to begin the required calculus sequence as soon as they are eligible.

University General Education
Course Title Credit
  Communication Theory and Skills 9
  Computer Science Elective 3
  Lower-Level Humanities (HU) 3
  Lower-Level Social Sciences (SS) 6
  Upper-Level HU/SS Elective 3
  Math (see specific AOC) 6 or 7
  Physics (see specific AOC) 6
Total Credits 36 or 37

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Applied Meteorology Core
Course Title Credit
UNIV 101 College Success 1
CE AAS Co-op/Internship or Approved Electives 6
PS 105 General Chemistry 4
WX 201 Survey of Meteorology 3
WX 261 Applied Climatology 3
WX 270 Weather Information Systems 3
WX 353 Thermodynamics of the Atmosphere 3
WX 354 Dynamics of the Atmosphere 3
WX 355 Weather Analysis 5
WX 365 Satallite & Radar Weather Interpretation 3
WX 390 Atmospheric Physics 3
WX 427 Forecasting Techniques 3
WX 422 Statistical Applications for Meteorological Data Analysis 3
WS 457 Weather Operations Seminar 3
Total Credits 46

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Flight Weather Area of Concentration
Course Title Credit
* Indicates courses in the Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Program.
AS 121 Private Pilot Operations 5
AS 221 Instrument Pilot Operations* 3
AS 321 Commercial Pilot Operaions* 3
AS 272 Advanced Aeronautics* 3
AS 309 Aerodynamics 3
AS 310 Aircraft Performance* 3
AS 410 Air Dispatch Operations* 3
AT 300 Air traffic Management I* 3
WS 364 Weather for Aircrews 3
  Applied Meteorology Elective 2
Total Credits 30

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Media Weather Area of Concentration
Course Title Credit
AS 120 Principles of Aviation Science 3
COM 225 Science & Technology Communications 3
COM 260 Introduction to Media 3
COM 265 Introduction to News Writing 3
COM 320 Communications Law & Ethics 3
COM 330 Environmental Communications 3
HU 330 Values and Ethics 3
-OR-
COM 360 Media Relations I 3
WS 202 Current Weather Discussion 1
WX 280 Introduction to TV Weathercasting 3
  Applied Meteorology Electives 5
Total Credits 30

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Commercial Weather Area of Concentration
Course Title Credit
AS 120 Principles of Aviation Science 3
BA 221 Advanced Computer Based Systems 3
BA 311 Marketing 3
BA 325 Social Responsibility and Ethics Management 3
EC 210 Microeconomics 3
EC 420 Economics of Air Transportation 3
  Applied Meteorology Electives 6
  Business Electives 6
Total Credits 30

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Research Area of Concentration
Course Title Credit
AS 120 Principles of Aviation Science 3
CS 225 Computer Science II 4
MA 242 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II 4
MA 245 Applied Differential Equations 3
PS 216 Physics I Laboratory 1
PS 220 Physics III Laboratory 1
PS 219 Physics III 3
WX 420 Advanced Atmospheric Thermodynamics 3
WX 490 Advanced Dynamic Meteorology I 3
WX 491 Advanced Dynamic Meteorology II 3
Total Credits 31

 

OTHER LINKS

Applied Aviation Sciences Department - Daytona Beach, FL
http://www.erau.edu/omni/db/academicorgs/dbaasd/degrees.html

Operational Weather Cafe - Applied Meteorology
http://opwx.db.erau.edu/

Aviation Weather Center
http://aviationweather.noaa.gov/


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CAREER OUTLOOK

The Embry-Riddle Connection Gives You Best Shot At Meteorology Jobs in Aviation/Aerospace, Media, and Business and Government Operations

The largest employer of meteorologists in this country is the United States government. Many work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which include the National Weather Service. Some are on active duty with the military services, primarily the Air Force and the Navy, while others are civilian employees of the Department of Defense. Other federal agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Energy, and the Department of Agriculture also employ meteorologists. Other major employers include universities and private industry.

The Embry-Riddle Advantage: The Career Services Office

One of the most valuable benefits of being a student or alumnus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is access to the resources of the Career Services Office.

The Career Services Office provides career development assistance to all students and alumni of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, regardless of campus affiliation. The Daytona Beach office serves Daytona Beach, Worldwide Campus, and Worldwide Online students. Prescott campus students are served by the Prescott office.

The Career Services Web site offers students and alumni:

  • A virtual library of job search aids including interview tips
  • An alumni network which enables students to contact alumni throughout the United States and abroad to learn more about their careers and employers.
  • Sample résumés and cover letters
  • Company profiles and employment hotlines
  • Cooperative education opportunities
  • Current job listings; and
  • A Web-based résumé referral service

A career fair is hosted at the Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses each fall. Throughout each year, dozens of companies visit the campuses to recruit students and to provide information about their industry. On-campus interviews are also scheduled year-round.

The Career Services Office employs a staff of program managers to provide one-on-one career advisement, mock interviews, and résumé critique services. The Career Services Office encourages students to make contact early in their Embry-Riddle educations to explore career options and develop a successful job search strategy.

More From the Career Services Office

Career Advisement
Several degree-specific program managers are available for assistance with career choice/change, exploration of career opportunities, and development of job search techniques.

Career Resource Center
The Career Resource Center is a library of information that includes addresses and information on potential employers, as well as information on hiring trends, salaries, and other career references. The Career Resource Center is continuously updated and expanded to meet student needs. The Career Services Web site also serves as a virtual resource center with links to job listings, salary information, sample résumés, interview preparation, and company Web sites.

EagleHire Network
The EagleHire Network allows students and alumni to submit résumés directly to employers seeking full-time and co-op/internship candidates. EagleHire is a free service and is available to all students and alumni of the University.

Cooperative Education/Internship Program
Cooperative education positions provide an opportunity for students to gain valuable work experience while earning college credit, learn about their chosen field, and establish contacts in the industry. Co-ops and internships are opportunities to earn college credit while gaining career-related work experience for undergraduate and graduate students.