Program Overview
The Atmospheric Sciences major at Ohio State University explores the systems that determine weather and climate, preparing students for careers as operational or broadcast meteorologists. The curriculum meets the requirements for meteorology positions within the National Weather Service and NOAA, and graduates are equipped to enter the workforce directly or pursue graduate study. The program covers topics such as atmospheric thermodynamics, microclimatology, synoptic meteorology, and dynamic meteorology.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Atmospheric Sciences major at Ohio State University focuses on exploring the systems that determine weather and climate. Students learn about the interactions between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere, which often lead to severe storms, droughts, floods, and global climate change. The undergraduate curriculum fulfills the 1340 Series curricular requirements established by the American Meteorological Society, which is required for meteorology positions within the National Weather Service and other offices within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Graduates are prepared to enter the workforce directly as operational or broadcast meteorologists.
Outline:
Course Schedule:
- Calculus and analytic geometry
- Physics
- Atmospheric Thermodynamics
- Microclimatology: Boundary Layer Climatology
- Synoptic Meteorology: Synoptic Analysis and Forecasting
- Microclimatological Measurements
- Dynamic Meteorology
Modules:
- Atmospheric Thermodynamics: The study of the physical and chemical properties of the atmosphere, including temperature, pressure, and humidity.
- Microclimatology: Boundary Layer Climatology: The study of the climate of the lowest layer of the atmosphere, which is influenced by the Earth's surface.
- Synoptic Meteorology: Synoptic Analysis and Forecasting: The study of large-scale weather patterns and the forecasting of weather conditions.
- Microclimatological Measurements: The collection and analysis of data on the climate of the lowest layer of the atmosphere.
Careers:
- Weather forecaster
- Graduate study in atmospheric sciences
- Broadcast meteorologist
- Climatic research
- Environmental monitoring
- Forensic meteorology
- Applications development
- Military
