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For Incoming Students

Introduction

This page is designed for prospective high school students, incoming freshmen at CofC, or incoming transfer students who would like more information regarding our program. Whether one chooses to pursue a career in broadcast meteorology, weather forecasting, consulting work, or any other related fields, students who major in meteorology or atmospheric physics need a strong background in science, mathematics, and computer skills. In high school, students should take earth sciences, physics, chemistry, and mathematics through at least pre-calculus. Generally, students who have complated a course in calculus and/or a course in computer programming will have an advantage when starting their meteorology and/or atmospheric physics studies.

Curriculum Roadmap

Currently, our meteorology courses are offered over a two-year rotation. The table below lists the courses that are explicitly listed as a required course, an elective, or key prerequisite route with the PHYS prefix (apart from the introductory physics sequence).

Fall of Even Years Fall of Odd Years Spring of Even Years Spring of Odd Years
PHYS 225: Climate PHYS 105: Introduction to Meteorology PHYS 215: Synoptic Meteorology PHYS 210: Air Pollution
PHYS 230: Modern Physics PHYS 230: Modern Physics PHYS 230: Modern Physics PHYS 230: Modern Physics
PHYS 340: Photonics PHYS 370: Experimental Physics PHYS 272: Methods of Applied Physics PHYS 272: Methods of Applied Physics
PHYS 370: Experimental Physics PHYS 409: Electromagnetism I PHYS 301: Classical Mechanics PHYS 301: Classical Mechanics
PHYS 409: Electromagnetism I PHYS 419: Research Seminar PHYS 370: Experimental Physics PHYS 370: Experimental Physics
PHYS 419: Research Seminar PHYS 459: Cloud and Precipitation Physics PHYS 405: Thermal Physics PHYS 405: Thermal Physics
PHYS 457: Satellite Meteorology PHYS 419: Research Seminar PHYS 415: Fluid Mechanics
PHYS 419: Research Seminar
PHYS 425: Mesoscale Meteorology


The following roadmaps provide a way for students to navigate our programs in meteorology and atmospheric physics.

  1. Meteorology BA Program
  2. Operational Meteorology Concentration
  3. Atmospheric Physics Concentration

Certifications for Meteorology

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) offers two certificates: the Certificate for Broadcast Meteorology (CBM) and the Certificate for Consulting Meteorology (CCM).

The Certificate for Broadcast Meteorology (CBM)

Students will fulfill the requirements for the CBM from the AMS if they complete the following coursework, in addition to those required by the Meteorology B.A. degree with a concentration in operational meteorology:

  1. CHEM 111/111L (Principles of Chemistry) (4 cr.)
  2. CSCI 220/220L (Computer Programming) (4 cr.)
  3. MATH 250 (Statistical Methods) (3 cr.)

Plus one of the following:

  1. BIOL 204 (Man and the Environment) (3 cr.)
  2. ENVT 200 (Introduction to Environmental Studies) (3 cr.)
  3. GEOL 213 (Natural Hazards) (3 cr.)
  4. GEOL 288 (Global Change: A Geological Perspective) (3 cr.)

The Certificate for Consulting Meteorology (CCM)

Students will fulfill the requirements for the CCM from the AMS if they complete the following coursework, in addition to those required by the Meteorology B.A. degree:

  1. MATH 221 (Calculus III) (4 cr.)
  2. PHYS 272 (Methods of Applied Physics) (3 cr.) OR [MATH 203 (Linear Algebra) (3 cr.) and MATH 323 (Differential Equations) (3 cr.)]
  3. PHYS 215 (Synoptic Meteorology) (3 cr.) (not additional to the BA if this is selected as the emphasis area)

Plus 3 out of the 4 following tracks:

  1. Track 1: PHYS 459 (Cloud and Precipitation Physics) (3 cr.)
  2. Track 2: PHYS 230 (Modern Physics) and PHYS 405 (Thermal Physics)
  3. Track 3: PHYS 301 (Classical Mechanics) and PHYS 415 (Fluid Dynamics)
  4. Track 4: GEOL 438 (Hydrogeology) and PHYS 105 (Introduction to Meteorology) (3 cr.)
NOTE: Students may not use PHYS 101/102 to satisfy the requirement of a year in introductory physics if they wish to obtain this certificate.