A minimum of 30-credits are necessary to complete the MS in Applied Meteorology degree. You may choose either a thesis or non-thesis degree option. For the thesis option, you’ll complete at least 24 credits of coursework and 6 credits of thesis research. For the non-thesis option, you’ll complete at least 27 credits of coursework and 3 credits of independent study.
By taking the thesis option, you’ll take fewer formal courses and make up credits through thesis research. The non-thesis option will require you to complete a shorter research paper through a three-credit independent study course. As part of your coursework, you must take a one-credit graduate seminar course each full semester. Only three credits from this course may count toward the 30-credit degree requirement.
Some upper-division undergraduate courses are co-listed as graduate courses. Graduate students enrolled in these courses will be expected to complete additional coursework, such as papers and projects, to earn graduate credit in these courses. The co-listed courses are as follows:
- Co-listed Meteorology Courses
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3MT 5150/4150 Air QualityEncompasses an extensive overview of the science of Air Quality. Topics include atmospheric chemistry, air quality meteorology and forecasting techniques, air pollution sources, sinks and effects (atmospheric, environmental), including an examination of historical and current policy issues relevant to each topic. Spring of even years. Prerequisite(s): (CH 2340 or CH 2140), MT 2110, (MA 2490 or MA 2550), or equivalents.
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3-4MT 5280/4280* Synoptic Meteorology IIIntermediate weather analysis and forecasting techniques are used to understand synoptic-scale weather systems with an emphasis on structure and evolution of extratropical cyclones. Topics include: climatology of mid-latitude surface and upper-air flow regimes and extratropical cyclogenesis; life cycle of extratropical cyclones including frontal evolutions; application of hydrodynamical equations and balanced systems to weather analysis and forecasting; ageostrophic winds; jet streak circulations. Students participate in weekly forecasting exercises culminating in a quantitative precipitation forecasting exercise at the end of the semester. Additional course fee required. Springs. Prerequisite(s): MT 3300 or equivalent. Corequisite(s): MT 4320 or MT5320.
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3MT 5310/4310* Dynamic Meteorology IThis course is an introduction to geophysical fluid dynamics including the development of the fundamental equations governing atmospheric motion, basic approximations, simplified flows, and physical interpretation of the corresponding theory. Fall term. This course is co-listed with MT4310 in the undergraduate curriculum.
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3MT 5320/4320* Dynamic Meteorology IIThis course will cover the advanced topics in geophysical fluid dynamics including circulation theory, vorticity, planetary boundary layer, quasi-geostrophic theory and introductory numerical modeling concepts. Spring term. This course is co-listed with MT4320 in the undergraduate curriculum.
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3MT 5410/4410* Atmospheric PhysicsThis course will provide an application of the basic laws of physics to atmospheric processes. Topics discussed include gravitational effects, properties of atmospheric gases, cloud physics, solar and terrestrial radiation, atmospheric electricity and optical and acoustical phenomena. Fall term. This course is co-listed with MT4410 in the undergraduate curriculum.
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3MT 5420/4420 Tropical Weather and ClimateAn in-depth view of various topics related to tropical weather and climate, including tropical climatology, easterly waves, tropical cyclones, monsoons, El Nino, La Nina and the Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and other types of tropical variability. Spring of odd years. Prerequisite(s): MT 3300 or equivalent.
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3MT 5430/4430 Climate ChangeThis course will provide an overview of the methods for examining climate change. Included are time series analysis and climate proxies such as tree-ring analysis, oxygen-18/oxygen-16 ratios, pollen and carbon-14 dating. Also covered are a variety of possible causal factors such as orbital variations, plate tectonics, volcanic eruptions, CO 2 variations and El Nino. The results of paleoclimatic modeling are also discussed. This course is co-listed with MT4430 in the undergraduate curriculum.
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3MT 5450/4450 Advanced Synoptic MeteorologyUse of advanced analytical techniques for multiscale weather systems throughout the globe with an emphasis on synoptic-scale, mid-latitude weather. Topics include: forecasting applications of the quasi-geostrophic height tendency and omega equations, frontogenesis, Q-vector analysis, isentropic analysis, Hovmoller diagrams, potential vorticity concepts and the use of dynamic tropopause maps. Weekly weather discussions and forecasting exercises focus on these advanced techniques and areas of current or future applied research topics. Recent articles in the scientific literature are reviewed and used throughout the course. Fall terms. This course is co-listed with MT4450 in the undergraduate curriculum.
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3MT 5470/4470 MicrometeorologyStudents will study the processes involving the exchange of momentum, heat and moisture between the lowest portion of the atmosphere and the underlying surface of the earth. Topics will include: local energy budgets, soil heat transfer, the planetary boundary layer, turbulence, and neutral and diabatic surface layers. Spring term of even years. This course is co-listed with MT4470 in the undergraduate curriculum.
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3MT 5480/4480 Mesoscale MeteorologyFocuses on the detailed descriptive aspects of mesoscale phenomena and processes with an emphasis on the structure. Defines what is meant by the term 'mesoscale' and to what kinds of systems it applies. Deals with internally generated mesoscale circulations. Examines various mesoscale convective systems. Discusses externally forces mesoscale systems. Using observational cases, covers terminology, characteristics, and behavior of mesoscale events. Springs. Prerequisite: MT4320 or MT5320 or equivalent.
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3MT 5550/4550 Topics in MeteorologyCovers material related to a major subdiscipline in Meteorology that is not covered in the regular curriculum. May be repeated with a different topic so that students can receive exposure to a variety of subject areas. Prerequisite(s): MT 3300, MT 4310, or equivalents and permission of the instructor.
*If you have an undergraduate degree in meteorology or atmospheric science you are expected to have already completed these courses or their equivalents and cannot take these courses for graduate credit. If you are entering into the program without a BS in meteorology or sufficient meteorology course background, you will need to complete the four courses noted above at a minimum, but only two of those courses can be counted toward the 30-credit requirement. Any further prerequisite deficiencies would have to be made up with non-degree credits.
At least 15 of the credits counting toward the MS degree must come from the non-co-listed, 5000-level meteorology courses listed below:
- Non Co-listed Meteorology Courses – 15 credits minimum
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3MT 5200 Transportation MeteorologyStudents will learn the various weather systems that affect different modes of transportation. In particular we will study road weather, aviation meteorology, and oceanic meteorology. Advanced weather analysis and forecasting skills will be applied in order to make forecasts tailored to various industries. Prerequisite: MT4300, MT4320 and any computer programming course.
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3MT 5330 Satellite MeteorologyThis course will provide students with a broad foundation on the history, theory, data, and knowledge of meteorological satellites/sensors, so that they will be able to interpret and fully utilize these data for operational and/or research applications and understand their capabilities and limitations.
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3MT 5340 Radar MeteorologyThis course will provide a broad overview of the hardware/theory behind the application of meteorological radar data. The course will begin with a short history of radar meteorology, which will be followed by a brief summary of the radar hardware and theory applicable to meteorological use and interpretation - beam spreading, ducting, anomalous propagation, etc. The differences between reflectivity, Doppler, and polarimetric measurements will also be discussed. Much of the remainder of the course will be used to cover the different levels of NEXRAD data, the available products for each level, algorithms used to automatically analyze these data, and application to real world problems, such as quantitative precipitation estimates and severe local storms detection. Prerequisite: MT4300, MT4320, MT4410.
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3MT 5350 Boundary Layer MeteorologyThis course is designed to provide the student with the fundamentals of atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) behavior; where the atmosphere is highly influenced by the earth's surface. The student will develop an appreciation for the role of the ABL in the overall dynamics of the atmosphere. Specifically, students will come to understand the importance of fluxes in the ABL, the general diurnal structure of the ABL, the principles of turbulent flow, including Monin-Obukhov similarity theory, the application of Reynolds averaging and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation.
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3This course is designed as an intense introduction to the technological tools and techniques used by professional meteorologists in the analysis and display of meteorological and environmental data. Students will learn programming methodology and become proficient in the use of a number of open source and commercial software packages.
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3MT 5400 Numerical Weather PredictionAcquaints students with the concepts, procedures, theory, and problems associated with numerical weather prediction through discussion and by writing computer programs to process both real and simulated data. Covers the mathematical basis for various analysis and predictive techniques and their benefits and/or limitations. Students learn about the configuration and capabilities of current operational numerical analysis and prediction models. Falls. Prerequisites: MT4320 or MT5320, computer programming course (FORTRAN, C, C++, or PERL), consent of instructor.
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1MT 5700 ** Graduate Seminar: MeteorologyProvides graduate students with a forum to publicly present and discuss their results from literature reviews, case studies, and/or research. This is a required course for all MS in Applied Meteorology students. This course can be repeated for credit three times for a total of three credits.
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1-3MT 5800 Thesis ResearchStudents will develop and present a thesis research proposal, conduct detailed research, write a thesis and defend the research before a faculty committee. Signature of the faculty supervisor and the Meteorology Graduate Program Coordinator is required.
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1-3MT 5910 Independent StudyStudies undertaken will be defined by students and subject to approval by appropriate staff members. Work may involve reading; conferences; historical, experimental or theoretical projects; field investigation; statistical surveys; combinations of the foregoing or other activities deemed appropriate. Students may work in a physical or biological science or in interdisciplinary areas. Students may not be granted more than three credits. Consent of a faculty supervisor, department chair and the Associate Vice President is required.
** All students must sign up for the Graduate Seminar during each of their fall and spring semesters and may count up to three seminar credits toward the 30-credit degree requirement.
Additional non-meteorology courses can also be used to fulfill up to nine credits towards degree requirements with approval of your advisor and meteorology graduate program coordinator. Examples (not a definitive list) of such courses are listed below:
- Mathematics
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3MG 3120 Elements of Linear Algebra
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3MG 3300 Statistics II
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3MG 3410 Numerical Methods Using the Computer
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3MG 4420 Numerical Analysis Using the Computer
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3MG 4450 Seminar in Applied Mathematics
- Environment
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3ESP 5500 Special Topics: HydrologyAn in-depth study of a particular topic, contemporary issue or concern. The course will be taught by a specialist within the field being studied or, as an alternative methodology, a faculty member will coordinate a series of guest speakers who will meaningfully address the topic. Since topics vary, the course may be repeated with permission of the instructor.
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3ESP 5510 LimnologyThis course will examine the structure and function of freshwater ecosystems. Topics to be covered will include the geology, chemistry, physics and biology of such systems. Special emphasis will be given to biogeochemical cycles, energy flow and productivity, and relationships of freshwater systems to human existence. Lab work will include studies of both lotic and lentic systems.
- Total for MS in Applied Meteorology – 30 credits
Getting started is easy!
Apply today or request more info.To begin planning your program, contact:
- James Koermer, (603) 535-2574 or e-mail: koermer@plymouth.edu
