MMet Meteorology and Climate with a Year in Oklahoma

Program Overview

This MMet Meteorology and Climate program combines the study of meteorology and climate at Reading, UK, with a year at the University of Oklahoma, where students will delve into severe weather systems. With a global impact and top rankings, this program provides graduates with valuable skills for careers in climate and meteorological research, forecasting, and beyond.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

If you are fascinated by storms and tornadoes, then studying MMet Meteorology and Climate with a year in Oklahoma will be the perfect chance to study severe weather systems up close. Global impact We are ranked 1st in the UK for environmental and ethical performance (People and Planet University League 2023/24). In 2023, the University of Reading was the first ever winner of the Times Higher Education (THE) award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership. The University has been awarded a 2021 Queen's Anniversary Prize in recognition of our world-leading research, teaching, stewardship and outreach on climate change. We are ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Times Higher Education, Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021). We are ranked 5th in the world for Atmospheric Science (ShanghaiRanking 2023 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects). We are ranked 6th in the UK for Earth and Marine Sciences (Guardian University Guide, 2024). The University of Reading is the most represented organisation in the UK on the Reuters Hot List of the world’s top climate scientists 2021. Our climate scientists played a leading role in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which warns that damaging effects of climate change are already being seen across the globe. We gave the world climate stripes. Designed by Professor Ed Hawkins, the climate stripes present a compelling visualisation of how global temperatures have risen since the mid-19th century due to human-caused climate change. The stripes have been shared by the likes of Greta Thunberg and the United Nations, as well as thousands of others around the world. Meteorology is a vital tool for tackling the biggest issues facing the planet today, including ozone depletion and climate change. This course is approved by the Royal Meteorological Society and leads to a masters-level qualification. It is ideal for someone who is considering a career in climate or meteorological research. The first two years are identical to the BSc Meteorology and Climate course and will cover all aspects of meteorology and climate, including atmospheric science and oceanography. Teaching is divided between lectures and practical work, but the ratio depends on options selected. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to carry out a range of experiments using our extensive fluid dynamics and instrument labs, and atmospheric observatory. You will then spend your third year at the University of Oklahoma. The modules during this part of the course will be geared towards the weather of the US High Plains regions and the methods used to observe and forecast it. During your final year you will carry out an independent research project and can choose from an extended range of options at masters level. Many of our excellent teaching staff are world leaders in their fields and a number are Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) authors and Fellows of the Royal Society. We also have a Regius Professor of Meteorology and Climate Science, and the University is one of only 19 institutes in the UK to have been awarded one of these prestigious positions by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Whichever research topic you pick, you can be sure of getting expert advice. This course is approved by the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) and is your first step towards becoming professionally accredited as either a Registered Meteorologist (RMet) or Chartered Meteorologist (CMet). Placement The department benefits from a specialist placement officer and strong links with industry. A number of students carry out work experience during their summer vacations. Popular destinations include the Met Office, MeteoGroup and EDF Trading.

Outline:

Year 1

• Introduction to Meteorology
• Physics of the Natural World
• Weather and Climate Fundamentals
• Skills for Environmental Science
• Calculus
• Linear Algebra

Year 2

• Climate Change
• Numerical and Statistical Methods for Weather and Climate Science
• Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics
• Atmospheric Physics
• Mathematical Methods for Weather and Climate
• Optional modules:
• Weather Forecasting
• Air Pollution: Chemistry, Transport and Dispersion

Year 3

• Modules taken at the University of Oklahoma

Year 4

• Undergraduate Research Project
• Optional modules:
• Dynamics of Weather Systems
• Atmospheric Electricity and Space Weather
• Remote Sensing Methods and Applications
• Surface and Boundary Layer Meteorology
• Global Climate Dynamics
• Fundamentals of Ocean Circulation and Climate
• Numerical Modelling For Weather and Climate Science
• Data Science and Climate Services

Careers:

A degree in Meteorology and Climate will provide you with a range of transferable skills, including teamwork, presenting, computing, data set analysis, numeracy, scientific writing and the ability to work to deadlines. Overall, 93% of graduates from Meteorology are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation; of those in full-time employment, 94% are in graduate-level roles (based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2020-2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey combining graduates from 2017/18-2020/21; includes all Meteorology responders ). As a graduate of this degree, you will be well-placed to move on to postgraduate research, and may choose to return to the USA to study for a master's or PhD at Oklahoma or other universities. You can also go on to work as a forecaster or research scientist for a national organisation, such as the UK Met Office, or a commercial company. Financial businesses are increasingly employing weather forecasters to advise traders of the possible outcomes of the weather on prices of commodities, and a number of our graduates now work in this area. Additionally you can choose to become a broadcast meteorologist, and appear regularly on BBC networks or regional independent broadcasters such as STV. You may also decide to move into a career within environmental and physical sciences or mathematics, such as flood modelling or pollution prediction.

• New UK/Republic of Ireland students:
£9,250
• New international students:
£27.650