Meteorology Advising Guide

Department of Earth Sciences

What is Meteorology?

Meteorology, atmospheric science, is the study of atmospheric processes and weather phenomena, which are governed by scientific principles based in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. While meteorology may be most commonly associated with weather prediction and forecasting, the science of meteorology is much broader, including atmospheric research, computer programming, numerical modeling, meteorological instrumentation, broadcasting, climatology, climate change, remote sensing (such as satellite meteorology and radar meteorology), geographic information systems and mapping, and much more.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for atmospheric scientists was $94,570 in May 2021. Almost 100% of graduates with a B.S. in Meteorology from the University of South Alabama find employment in their field.

The Meteorology program at the University of South Alabama (USA) emphasizes operational meteorology and forecasting and is highly regarded by the National Weather Service and private weather companies for producing exceptional weather forecasters, as well as by the broadcast meteorology field for producing excellent television meteorologists. However, the USA meteorology curriculum also provides students interested in graduate school and research with the necessary foundation to pursue graduate degrees.

Operational meteorologists typically enter careers revolving around some aspect of weather forecasting and analysis, instrumentation, remote sensing, numerical modeling, or mapping. Broadcast meteorologists focus on clearly communicating the weather to the public and include mediums such as TV and radio, as well as social media platforms. Research meteorologists typically pursue Masters and/or Doctoral degrees, with an added emphasis on computer programming skills as well as higher-level mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

Career Opportunities in Meteorology

An undergraduate degree in meteorology provides opportunities for numerous career paths. These careers can include work within the government (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Weather Service, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy), private weather companies, private and government research centers, teaching, broadcasting/media, instrumentation, aviation, and many others. Generally speaking, a graduate degree is not a requirement to receive employment in many meteorology fields (although a graduate degree certainly can help in your job pursuit).

Job opportunities include the following, among others:

Weather forecasting
Weather analysis
Broadcasting
Computer programming
Numerical modeling
Geographic information systems and mapping
Meteorological instrumentation
Teaching (note that teaching at the collegiate level requires a graduate-level degree)
Research
Insurance and reinsurance industries
Data analytics
Combat weather
Aviation meteorology
Climate and Climatology
Air quality and air pollution

Salary Trends in Meteorology

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for meteorologists was $94,570 in May 2021. There can be significant variations in starting salary depending on the particular career path one chooses. For example, the starting salary for broadcast meteorologists typically is much lower than for research scientists. However, there usually is the potential for relatively quick salary increases in many Meteorology fields.

Unlike more vocationally-oriented majors, such as majors in business, engineering, or the health professions, A&S majors tend to study a greater range of topics outside of their immediate major area. This greater breadth provides an interdisciplinary perspective that complements the more linear education in the student’s major area and provides a wider range of areas As a result, A&S majors are compatible with a wide range of career options.

High School Preparation

Most high school students receive relatively little exposure to atmospheric science and meteorology outside of topics covered in basic geography and climatology courses. If you do not learn much about meteorology in high school, do not be scared of pursuing it in college! You will not be the only one in your class in this position, and you will not be behind!

Even if your school does not offer meteorology or atmospheric science courses, you will find that taking as much math, physics, and chemistry in high school as possible will help you in your pursuit of a Meteorology degree in college. In particular, a strong background in math is most important because the Bachelor of Science in Meteorology requires Calculus I, II, and III (12 total semester hours of calculus), calculus-based statistics, and ordinary differential equations. Computer skills and effective communication skills also are helpful, as are any courses that promote critical thinking, independent analysis, and problem solving.

How to Major in Meteorology

At USA, students will take a minimum of 49 semester hours in meteorology. All students must take a total of 33 semester hours of core meteorology courses -- MET 140/140L, MET 353, MET 354, MET 355, MET 356, MET 360, MET 443 (W), MET 454, and MET 455. In addition to the 33 core meteorology credits, students must pick a track/concentration with an additional 16 semester hours. The track does not have to be picked upon arrival at USA. Students are encouraged to choose which track they would like to pursue by fall of their sophomore years so that the meteorology faculty advisors can begin to build the courses specific to the chosen track into individual student course schedules. All students also must take a minimum of 15 credit hours of mathematics at the Calculus I level and higher, 3 credit hours of calculus-based statistics, and 8 credit hours of calculus-based physics. Since Meteorology is a discipline that requires a strong background in mathematics, it is essential that students proceed as quickly as possible into calculus, as calculus represents the foundation for most meteorology and physics courses.

There are no prerequisites to be admitted into the Meteorology program at USA; that is, students do not have to meet a minimum university GPA or have taken a minimum number of credit hours to get into the MET program. Students are welcome to declare their majors in meteorology as early as desired.

A degree in Meteorology with honors also is available both through the USA Honors College and through the Earth Sciences Department honors program. More information on the Honors Program at USA is available at https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/honors/. For more information on departmental honors, please contact the Earth Sciences Department chair, Dr. Sytske Kimball, at skimball@southalabama.edu.

All Meteorology majors must declare a minor in another discipline. Most MET majors elect to pursue a Mathematics minor because the amount of math required for the Meteorology major leaves students only one 3-hour 300+ level math course shy of completing the Math minor. However, students also sometimes choose minors in Communications (particularly MET majors following the Broadcast Track), Geography, and Geographic Information Technology; some students also elect a double minor.

The minimum requirements for a B.S. in Meteorology are as follows:

B.S. in Meteorology -- Core Courses

MET 140/140L (4 cr.): Introduction to Meteorology and Lab
MET 353 (4 cr.): General Meteorology
MET 354 (3 cr.): Dynamic Meteorology I
MET 355 (3 cr.): Dynamic Meteorology II
MET 356 (3 cr.): Physical Meteorology
MET 443 (W) (3cr.): Climatology
MET 454 (6 cr.): Synoptic Meteorology I
MET 455 (6 cr.): Synoptic Meteorology II

Professional Track – Additional Requirements

MET 357 (2 cr.): Meteorological Instrumentation
MET 358 (4 cr.): Radar Meteorology

-OR-

MET 370 (3 cr.): Satellite Meteorology

MET 420 (4 cr.): Computer Applications in Meteorology

-OR-

GIT 460 (4 cr.): Introduction to Geographic Information Technology

6-7 additional hours of electives from the list of meteorology electives provided below

Graduate School Track – Additional Requirements

MET 420 (4 cr.): Computer Applications in Meteorology
MET 358 (4 cr.): Radar Meteorology

-OR-

MET 370 (3 cr.): Satellite Meteorology

8-9 additional hours of electives from the list of meteorology electives provided below
- Note that at least one of the electives chosen must be a 2+hr course at the 400 level or higher

Broadcast Meteorology Track—Additional Requirements

MET 342 (3 cr.): Severe Weather
MET 358 (4 cr.): Radar Meteorology
MET 359 (2 cr.): Introduction to Television Weather
MET 496 (1 cr.): Internship in Meteorology
MET 497 (3 cr.): Broadcast Meteorology Practicum I
3 additional hours of electives from the list of meteorology electives provided below

Meteorology Electives (Additional electives beyond the list below may be approved on a case-by-case basis)

MET 191 (1 cr.): Tropical Weather Discussion
MET 342 (3 cr.): Severe Weather
MET 357 (2 cr.): Meteorological Instrumentation
MET 358 (4 cr.): Radar Meteorology
MET 359 (2 cr.): Introduction to Television Weather
MET 370 (3 cr.): Satellite Meteorology
MET 410 (3 cr.): Meteorological Phenomenology (W)
MET 420 (4 cr.): Computer Applications in Meteorology
MET 440 (2 cr.): Air Pollution Meteorology
MET 442 (2 cr.): Tropical Meteorology
MET 456 (3 cr.): Applied Climatology (W)
MET 490 (1-3 cr.): Special Topics in Meteorology
MET 492 (1-3 cr.): Seminar in Meteorology
MET 495 (1-2 cr.): Mesonet Internship
MET 496 (1-3 cr.): Internship in Meteorology
MET 497 (3 cr.): Broadcast Meteorology Practicum I
GY 425 (4 cr.): Hydrology
GIT 460 (4 cr.): Introduction to Geographic Information Technology
MGT 300 (3 cr.): Management Theory and Practice
MKT 320 (3 cr.): Principles of Marketing

Minor in Meteorology

To minor in Meteorology, a student must take a total of 20 credit hours of meteorology. All MET minors must take MET 140/140L, MET 353, and MET 443 (W). Students then should complete 9 additional credit hours of meteorology coursework. Students interested in the MET minor should contact a meteorology faculty member for a short advising session since many of the meteorology courses are offered only once per year rather than every semester. Additionally, the meteorology program has arranged specific sets of courses that are best-suited for particular majors. For example, Communications majors likely would be advised to take different courses than Geography majors. If you are interested in the Meteorology minor, please contact the department chair Dr. Sytske Kimball at skimball@southalabama.edu.

Special Programs, Co-ops, Internships

Local broadcast television stations work closely with USA broadcast meteorology majors; in fact, the two primary broadcast meteorology courses are taught by the chief meteorologist at the local NBC affiliate (WPMI NBC 15) and the morning meteorologist at the local CBS affiliate (WKRG-5). The nearby stations also provide numerous internship opportunities, both on-air and producing/reporting, for USA MET students. All broadcast meteorology majors are required to complete at least one 1-credit internship at a broadcast news station. The Mobile National Weather Service office is located no more than 10 minutes away from campus; the NWS typically selects 2 students per academic year to hold an internship at its office. Students also have the ability to intern at the Red Cross and the recently-built state-of-the-art NOAA Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center (DRC). The DRC exists to provide services before, during, and after extreme events, and assists in the delivery of information to emergency managers and others as they make decisions to protect and restore the Gulf Coast’s resources. The Meteorology program’s proximity to the Keesler Air Force Base and the Hurricane Hunters provides yet another chance for a summer internship for students interested in tropical meteorology. Students also have performed internships at Stennis Space Center on the Mississippi coast and through the NASA DEVELOP national program in Mobile. Research opportunities with USA faculty and NWS meteorologists also exist, in addition to directed studies, as do internships at the Coastal Weather Research Center.

The University of South Alabama also is home to two unique opportunities for meteorology students -- the Coastal Weather Research Center (CWRC) and the South Alabama Mesonet. The Coastal Weather Research Center was established in January 1988 to promote meteorological education and research through the following:

Meteorology workshops and seminars
A climatological and hurricane data archive
Research on the interaction of coastal and oceanic environments
The operation of a weather laboratory and information center.

The most visible aspect of CWRC’s operation is the daily activity that occurs in the Weather Center. CWRC is a fully-operational weather forecast center, providing daily mid-latitude weather forecasts, tropical forecasts, winter weather forecasts, and severe weather warnings (among other specialized products) to clients across the Gulf Coast and surrounding states. The Weather Center is a truly unique facility in that it is housed on-campus and promotes accessibility to the Meteorology program student body. CWRC is always open to USA Meteorology students during normal daytime hours of operation. Students are able to intern with the staff meteorologists at CWRC, which gives meteorology students a unique perspective of how private weather companies serve their clients, along with the opportunity to combine classroom theory with actual weather forecasting applications. CWRC also sponsors the annual weather conference on-campus (Southeastern Coastal and Atmospheric Processes Symposium, or SeCAPS https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/earthsci/meteorology/secaps/).

The South Alabama Mesonet is a network of 26 weather stations spanning 13 Gulf Coast counties across 3 states. The Mesonet is nationally recognized, as evidenced by its participation in the National Mesonet Program. The Mobile, Alabama, National Weather Service, the Coastal Weather Research Center, and local TV meteorologists use data from the USA Mesonet on a daily basis to enhance their forecasting capabilities and to assist with the issuance of more precise severe weather warnings and watches. Mesonet data also are routinely used in classroom settings. USA Meteorology students have the ability to work for the Mesonet as student weather station technicians, where they can further develop meteorological instrumentation skills as they assist with the care and maintenance of instruments at the USA Mesonet locations. For more information see http://chiliweb.southalabama.edu/

In summary, internship and/or volunteer opportunities for USA Meteorology students are available in the following areas, among others:

National Weather Service
American Red Cross
NOAA Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center
Keesler Air Force Base Hurricane Hunters
TV stations – broadcast, production, and reporting
Coastal Weather Research Center
South Alabama Mesonet
USA faculty and NWS meteorologist research
Stennis Space Center
NASA DEVELOP
USA Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

Meteorology Highlights

Below are a few examples of what makes the USA Meteorology program unique.

Acquire extensive real-world meteorology experience by discussing current active weather situations in almost every class, beginning with MET 140.
Learn operational forecasting skills in Synoptic Meteorology as you make daily weather forecasts and present real-time weather briefings to your professor and classmates.
Compete as a senior in the annual Synoptic Meteorology forecast contest.
Attend small classes and receive individual attention. Most class sizes average 10-15 students, allowing for ample one-on-one time with professors.
Receive course and career advice directly from your USA MET faculty rather than from a general department or college advisor.
Experience the virtual weather laboratory that is the Alabama Gulf Coast. Mobile, Alabama, is the wettest major city in the United States with one of the highest thunderstorm frequencies in the nation. Tropical cyclones and mid-latitude severe weather certainly are no strangers to the region!
Participate in the Meteorology program’s annual Southeastern Coastal and Atmospheric Processes Symposium (SeCAPS). Our MET students play an extensive role in contacting speakers and organizing the conference. Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to develop contacts with potential future employers!
Interact (and even intern) with the staff meteorologists at the Coastal Weather Research Center to see how private weather companies serve the individual needs of their clients.
Participate in our active USA Meteorology Club, attending career development, social, athletic, academic, volunteer, and fundraising events.
Attend guest lectures at USA Meteorology Club “Weather Wednesdays,” at which local meteorologists come to speak to our students about how to obtain jobs in the field and what day-to-day meteorology work is really like.
Conduct research in directed studies and internships with USA faculty, NWS meteorologists, and NASA DEVELOP, among others.
Volunteer and/or intern at the National Weather Service, American Red Cross, NOAA Disaster Response Center, Stennis Space Center, or with the Hurricane Hunters at Keesler Air Force Base.
Attend broadcast meteorology classes taught by local TV meteorologists.
Volunteer and/or intern at local TV stations to gain additional experience with TV weathercasting, reporting, and producing.
Work for the South Alabama Mesonet to gain invaluable hands-on experience with maintaining and calibrating meteorological instruments.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Studying abroad is an exciting and meaningful experience that will contribute to your academic and personal development. Participating in a study abroad program can be one of the most profound decisions of your college life, and can lead to many new and interesting opportunities. It can help develop your critical thinking skills, sense of independence, and confidence. When you depart on your study abroad program, you will go with excitement, trepidation, and uncertainty about the world and your place in it. When you return home, your deep connection and affection for your host culture will be overwhelming, and will only be matched by a newfound respect and appreciation for your home.

Study abroad is the opportunity for USA students to spend time in a different country while earning credit towards your degree through taking classes, interning, volunteering, and more. There are many different types of study abroad available to you at USA. They include faculty-led programs, international exchange programs, and direct-enroll and affiliate programs.

Students on faculty-led programs will travel as a group led by USA professors and take classes in various locations. All courses taken on these programs are USA courses and offer USA credits that will apply to your degree. International Exchange programs are partnerships with specific universities around the world with which USA has a special, reciprocal relationship. Students enroll directly at the host university, and students from the host university attend USA. USA affiliate programs allow students to enroll at a partner university or program through a third-party provider. GPA requirements vary by program.

You should think of the Study Abroad Office as a one-stop shop for information related to your study abroad experience. The Study Abroad (https://www.southalabama.edu/studyabroad/) team is excited to assist you as you navigate through the process of choosing a program, and will help you from the advising stage until you return from your program. You can get started by coming to meet with an advisor during Walk-In Advising hours. During an advising session, you can gain general information about the many programs available, how the application process works at USA and general guidance on where to begin.

Be sure to visit the OIE Study Abroad website at https://www.southalabama.edu/studyabroad/ to begin your research. The website contains information on how to get started, financing your program, and a comprehensive list of pre-approved study abroad programs and partners. While researching a passport or visa programs, consider the following: eligibility requirements, location, course offerings, and costs. You should also meet with your faculty advisor for assistance in selecting a program based on courses related to your degree.

Studying abroad can be one of the highlights of your university career, giving you wonderful and challenging experiences that will allow you to grow both academically and professionally. Where will you study abroad?

Academic Plan

Following an academic plan is essential to staying on track and graduating within four years. In accordance with university policy, during your freshman year, university advisors through the College of Arts and Sciences First-Year Advising Center will assist you with academic plans. The Meteorology program faculty also welcomes and encourages freshmen to stop by our offices to discuss academic and career aspirations. After your freshman year, all advising is done directly by the USA Meteorology faculty. The Meteorology faculty will strive to keep you on a solid academic plan and on track to graduate within 4 years.

Most students will take MET 140 immediately during the first semester of their freshman year. However, delaying taking MET 140 by one semester will not affect your ability to graduate within four years.

*It is recommended (but not required) that students choosing to minor in mathematics, elect a math W course to satisfy both their writing and minor requirements.

Degree plans are intended to be suggestions only. Make sure to meet with your academic advisor (either through the Meteorology program or through the Advising & Transfer Services) to create the schedule that is right for you.

For additional degree information, visit the undergraduate bulletin.

If you transfer into our program from a community college or other institution, you will be able to take MET 140 and MET 353 online over the Summer. These online courses are also available to students around the country interested in Meteorology.

For More Information

If you have any questions about our program or would like additional information, please contact Dr. Kimball at skimball@southalabama.edu.

You can find us on campus at either of the locations listed below.

Alabama Power - USA Coastal Weather Research Center
University of South Alabama
6041 USA South Drive
Science Laboratory Building, Room 110
Mobile, AL 36688
(251) 460-6915

Department of Earth Sciences
5871 USA Dr. N.
Life Sciences Building 136
Mobile, AL 36688
(251) 460-6381

Website: https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/earthsci/meteorology/index.html

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/University-of-South-Alabama-Meteorology-107143680991/

* The information on this page should be considered general information only. For more specific information on the Meteorology program, please refer to the USA bulletin or contact the Coastal Weather Research Center. *