Meteorology Major
Why study meteorology at CMU?
CMU is the only university in Michigan offering an undergraduate major in meteorology. A well-rounded science curriculum prepares students for a variety of meteorology careers or for graduate study. Consider these key features of this program:
- Involved faculty members who are experts in weather forecasting, air pollution, agricultural meteorology, and tropical meteorology
- Small classes with laboratory time for practical learning on some of CMU's most powerful computers
- Professional development, resources, and contacts through student organizations such as the Mid-Michigan Meteorological Society and the American Meteorological Society
- Opportunities in the Science and Technology Residential College to live and learn with students who share your interests in science and technology
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:
- Overall employment of atmospheric scientists is expected to grow 9 to 17 percent.
- A bachelor's degree in meteorology, or in a closely related field with courses in meteorology, is the minimum educational requirement for entry level positions.
- As research leads to improvement in weather forecasting, demand should grow for private weather consulting firms to provide more detailed information, especially climate-sensitive industries.
- Making and improving global weather observations could also have a positive impact on employment.
Career options
Graduates of the meteorology program at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.
- Atmospheric Scientist
- Chief Meteorologist
- Climatologist
- Lead Forecaster
- Military Base Forecaster
- Operational Meteorologist
- Research Meteorologist
- U.S. Government Meteorologist
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires.
For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin
AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education
courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Meteorology Major
( Total: 68-72 semester hours
Note: Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor during their freshman year. )
(30 hours)
Required Courses
3
MET 240 Meteorology
Normally the first course for students majoring in Meteorology. Quantitative treatment of the atmosphere. Credit cannot be earned in both MET 201 and 240. Satisfies Group II laboratory requirement. Recommended: Two years of high school algebra or MTH 107. (Group II-B)
3
MET 310 Atmospheric Radiation and Thermodynamics
Properties of radiation and radiative transfer in the atmosphere. Thermodynamic properties of dry and moist air. Atmospheric stability. Theory and applications of thermodynamic diagrams. Prerequisites: MET 240, MTH 133, Co-requisite: PHY 145
3
MET 312 Meteorological Radar and Satellites
Principles of remote sensing of the atmosphere using meteorological radar and satellites. Prerequisite: MET 310
3
MET 320 Cloud Physics
Microphysical processes in warm and cold clouds. Formation and evolution of precipitation in convective and stratiform clouds. Prerequisites: MET 310, PHY 145
3
MET 330 Dynamic Meteorology I
Application of Newton’s laws of motion to various scales of atmospheric phenomena. Vorticity, divergence and vertical motion. Prerequisites: MTH 233, PHY 145, MET 310
3
MET 335 Dynamic Meteorology II
Quasi-geostrophic theory, potential vorticity, and their application in weather prediction and diagnosis. Atmospheric waves and baroclinic instability theory. Prerequisite: MET 330
3
MET 340 Synoptic Meteorology I
Analysis and interpretation of surface and upper-air charts with specific focus on quasi-geostrophic concepts. Cyclogenesis and frontogenesis. Pre/Co-Requisite: MET 330
3
MET 345 Synoptic Meteorology II
Advanced techniques in weather map analysis. Structure and evolution of extratropical cyclones. Prerequisites: MET 340; Pre/Co-Requisite: MET 335
3
MET 450 Mesoscale Meteorology
Structure and dynamics of atmospheric phenomena on the mesoscale including thunderstorms and mesoscale convective systems. Prerequisite: MET 335
3
MET 480 Numerical Weather Prediction
Numerical differencing techniques, stability analysis, structure and operation of one to three dimensional weather models, physical parameterizations and their implications. Prerequisites: MET 450, CPS 150 or 180
(31 hours)
Additional Requirements I
4
MTH 132 Calculus I
Limits, continuity, interpretations of the derivative, differentiation of elementary functions, applications of derivatives, antiderivatives, Riemann sums, definite integrals, fundamental theorem of calculus. Prerequisite: MTH 130. (University Program Group II-B)
4
MTH 133 Calculus II
Techniques of integration, applications of definite integrals, improper integrals, elementary differential equations, indeterminate forms, infinite series, Taylor series, polar coordinates and complex numbers. Prerequisite: MTH 132.
3
MTH 223 Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory
Systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vectors, vector spaces, eigenvalues, linear transformations, applications and numerical methods. Prerequisite: MTH 132.
4
MTH 233 Calculus III
Vectors and surfaces in R3, vector-valued functions, functions of several variables, partial differentiation and some applications, multiple integrals, vector calculus. Prerequisites: MTH 133. Pre/Co-Requisites: MTH 223 or 232.
3
MTH 334 Differential Equations
Definition and solution of first, second, and higher order differential equations. Prerequisites: MTH 133, MTH 223.
4
PHY 145 University Physics I
Normally the first physics course for majors and minors. Mechanics of single and many-particle systems, conservation laws, statistical concepts, and gravitational interaction. Pre/Co-Requisite: MTH 132. (University Program Group II-B)
4
PHY 146 University Physics II
Electromagnetic interaction, electrical circuits, electromagnetic radiation, and optics. Not open to those with credit in PHY 131. Prerequisite: PHY 145. Pre/Co-Requisite: MTH 133.
1
PHY 175 University Physics Laboratory I
Laboratory experience for PHY 145. Introduction to experimental techniques and the treatment of experimental data. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. Pre/Co-Requisite: PHY 145. (University Program Group II-B)
1
PHY 176 University Physics Laboratory II
Laboratory experience for PHY 146. Introduction to electrical measurements and instrumentation. Introduction to techniques of optical measurements. Prerequisite: PHY 175. Pre/Co-Requisite: PHY 146.
3
STA 382 Elementary Statistical Analysis
An introduction to statistical analysis. Topics will include descriptive statistics, probability, sampling distributions, statistical inference, and regression. Greater emphasis than in STA 282 will be placed on probability theory and probability distribution. Credit may not be earned in both STA 282 and STA 382. Prerequisite: MTH 130.
(2-3 hours)
Additional Requirements II
Select one of the following:
2
CPS 150 FORTRAN Programming
Algorithms, programs, and computers. Computer solution of several numerical and nonnumerical problems. Does not count toward a major or minor in CPS. Prerequisite: MTH 107.
3
CPS 180 Principles of Computer Programming
Algorithm development and problem solving methods. Design and development of computer programs in a structured programming language. Corequisite: MTH 130. (University Program Group II-B)
(5-8 hours)
Additional Requirements III
Select one of the following options:
4
CHM 120 Survey of Chemistry
Elementary concepts in chemistry. For students on curricula needing minimal chemical background or students with no or weak chemistry background who need additional preparation for CHM 131. Cannot be counted on a Chemistry or Biochemistry major or Chemistry minor. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group II-B) Recommended: High school Algebra II or MTH 105 (preferably with a B or better).
1
CHM 127 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
Elementary laboratory experiments which parallel syllabus in CHM 111 and CHM 120. Recommended for students in dietetics, sports medicine, health education, and elementary/middle school education. Pre/Co-Requisites: CHM 111 or CHM 120. (University Program Group II-B)
4
CHM 131 Introduction to Chemistry I
Fundamental concepts of chemistry including stoichiometry, gas laws, thermochemistry, and molecular structure. CHM 131 and 132 are recommended to constitute the standard one-year course for science majors. Recommended: High school Algebra II or MTH 107 (preferably with a B or better); high school chemistry or CHM 120. (University Program Group II-B)
4
CHM 132 Introduction to Chemistry II
Continuation of CHM 131 including solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, weak acids and bases, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Prerequisite: CHM 131. Recommended: a grade of C or better in CHM 131.