Program Overview
Saint Louis University's Ph.D. in Meteorology program equips graduates to become professional meteorologists through coursework, research opportunities, and internships. The program emphasizes the study of physical processes related to atmospheric phenomena, preparing students for careers in government agencies, the private sector, and academia. Graduates are skilled in assessing scientific literature, applying research methods, and communicating complex atmospheric science to various audiences.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Doctor of Philosophy in Meteorology at Saint Louis University (SLU) focuses on the study of physical processes related to atmospheric phenomena, including radiation transfer, air motion dynamics, and convection leading to severe storms, flash floods, and hurricanes. The program prepares students to become professional meteorologists.
Objectives:
The program aims to equip graduates with the following abilities:
- Assess relevant literature or scholarly contributions in the earth and atmospheric sciences.
- Apply major practices, theories, or research methodologies in the earth and atmospheric sciences.
- Apply knowledge from the earth and atmospheric sciences to address problems in broader contexts.
- Articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience in oral forms.
- Articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience in written forms.
- Evidence scholarly and/or professional integrity in earth and atmospheric sciences.
Outline:
The Ph.D. program requires 30 credits beyond the master's degree, including 12 credits of dissertation research. Students can pursue the Ph.D. directly from the baccalaureate with the program director's permission.
Required Courses:
- EAS 5080 Dynamics of the Atmosphere (3 credits)
- EAS 5090 Physics of the Atmosphere (3 credits)
- EAS 5300 Seminar in Atmospheric Science (1 credit)
- EAS 5330 Communicating in Research (2 credits)
Elective Courses:
Students must select 9-39 credits from the following:
- EAS 5110 Computing in Atmospheric Science
- EAS 5270 Meteorology of Severe Storms
- EAS 5340 Cloud Physics
- EAS 5380 Stat Methods in Meteorology
- EAS 5360 Principles of Radiative Transference
- EAS 5600 Atmospheric Chemistry
- EAS 5640 Principles of Dynamic Meteorology II
- EAS 5650 Radar Meteorology
- EAS 5700 Convection in the Atmosphere
- EAS 5980 Graduate Reading Course
- EAS 6480 Gen Circulation of Atmosphere
- EAS 6930 Special Topics
- EAS 6980 Graduate Reading Course
Dissertation Research:
- EAS 6990 Dissertation Research (12 credits, taken over multiple semesters)
Non-Course Requirements:
- Written and oral preliminary exam.
Course Schedule:
The program provides a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study, assuming full-time enrollment. The plan includes critical courses and milestones that must be completed in the designated semesters for timely graduation.
Assessment:
Assessment Methods:
- Preliminary exam: This exam assesses students' knowledge and understanding of the core concepts and theories in meteorology.
- Dissertation: The dissertation is a major research project that demonstrates the student's ability to conduct independent research and contribute to the field of meteorology.
Assessment Criteria:
- Academic performance: Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
- Dissertation quality: The dissertation is evaluated based on its originality, significance, methodology, and clarity of presentation.
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
- Lectures: Lectures provide students with a foundation in the core concepts and theories of meteorology.
- Seminars: Seminars offer students the opportunity to engage in critical discussions of current research and to present their own work.
- Field trips: Field trips to the National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office provide students with hands-on experience in operational meteorology.
- Research: Students participate in research projects under the guidance of faculty members.
Faculty:
- The faculty members in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences are experts in their respective fields and are actively involved in research.
Unique Approaches:
- Collaboration with national centers: SLU faculty and students collaborate with meteorologists at national centers, such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).
- Real-time data access: The department has a dedicated synoptic computer lab and receives real-time data from satellite downlink and the internet.
- Research: Students have opportunities to conduct research projects that can lead to publications and presentations at conferences.
Outcomes:
- Professional meteorologists: Graduates are prepared to work as professional meteorologists in a variety of settings.
- UCAR membership: SLU's Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is a charter member of UCAR, which manages NCAR.
