Meteorology is the study of science that works on understanding and predicting short-term and long-term weather and climate. A program in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology will focus on chemistry, physics of the atmosphere, learning about the ozone, pollution, and research within the field. These programs work hard to provide students with the tools that they will later on use to improve today’s world. Some of these programs allow you to specialize in certain interests within the field such as, air-quality studies, atmospheric sciences, climatology, environmental meteorology, weather forecasting and communications, and weather risk management.
To major in this program, it’s necessary that you have a strong foundation in mathematics, science, and computers. Courses will vary, as it’s important to have a strong background in the three areas mentioned above. Here are a few courses you may see:
Many schools offer wonderful programs in this field, and there are many options of future students. There are programs available in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology at Bachelor degree, Master’s degree and Doctorate degree levels.
In this program, you will develop a number of skills that will help you, as you become a professional in the field. Here are some skills you can expect to develop:
There are many prestigious schools that offer programs in Atmospheric Science and Meteorology. Penn State University has programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. Iowa State University, Indiana University, and Purdue University also offer wonderful programs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a possible career choice for those interested in this field is to become an atmospheric scientist. An average of about 34% of these scientists are employed by the government, and work in the National Weather Service. In 2008, atmospheric scientists held about 9,400 jobs (this is not including those employed by colleges and universities). Employment within the 2008-2018 decade is expected to increase faster than average with a growth of 15% to 10,800 jobs.