Bachelor of Science in Applied Meteorology

Presented by Dr. Mark Sinclair,

Associate Professor and Chair of Meteorology

Fascinated by Fascinated by weather?weather?

Fascinated by Fascinated by weather?weather?

Applied Meteorology - Applied Meteorology - PrescottPrescott

A “traditional” meteorology degreePrepares graduates for a range of

positions in Government and IndustryMeets all requirements for undergraduate

study in meteorology recommended by the American Meteorological Society, National Weather Service and the US Air Force

Meets US Office of Personnel Management Qualification standards for position of Meteorologist

Apply theory to understanding and forecasting weather

Use a state-of-the-art Weather Center and computer equipped classrooms

Gain a practical understanding of the physics & dynamics of the atmosphere

Decision-making for military or industry

What will I What will I study?study?

Job opportunities?Job opportunities?

Source: AMS and Occupational Outlook handbook

20,000 practicing meteorologists – 1000 entering workforce per annum– Average entry-level salary of $35,000

8,400 jobs listed in Occupational Outlook handbook (1998) had median salary of $54,000

Employment projected to increase 14% over next 10 years

Where will I find jobs?Where will I find jobs?

Source: AMS and Occupational Outlook handbook

Federal Government 29%Graduate school 29%Private 42%

– Contractors 31%– Computing 15%– Engineers/architects 12%– Other 42%

A large hail stone

What does this tell us about the atmosphere?

Graduate hireGraduate hireFederal Government/Military

– National Weather service, Military, NASA, USFSPrivate organizations – specialized services

– Detailed forecasts – airlines, routing, snow ploughs– Commodities traders – crop prices, utilities, futures – TV & radio meteorologists, sports events

Consulting meteorologists (private)– Environmental consulting – pollution, cooling towers– Design, or heating engineers– Expert testimony– Climatologists

Air Force ROTCAir Force ROTC Air Force does not have as many meteorologists as

it would like

Many full-ride scholarship offers are being made in

meteorology to qualified candidates

After 4 years, earn ~$63,000 as a Captain

ERAU has the nation’s largest ROTC cadet corps

ERAU has the nation’s largest collection of Air

Force trainee meteorologists

Outside ScholarshipsOutside Scholarships

www.ametsoc.org/amsstudentinfo/scholfeldocs

AMS (American meteorological Society) listing of Scholarships and Fellowships

Industry Minority Scholarships

Industry Undergraduate Scholarships

Undergraduate Scholarships

Graduate Fellowship in the History of Science

Industry/Government Graduate Fellowships

The Father James B. Macelwane Annual Awards in Meteorology

How to apply

Application ProceduresSource: American Meteorological Society

Intern opportunitiesIntern opportunities

Summer Employment Opportunities at Corporations/Institutions – a sampling

Flagstaff National Weather Service forecasting office is currently seeking summer interns (recent email)

Clarkson University is seeking undergraduate applicants for a Research Experience program in Marine Sciences and Engineering in China sponsored by …

The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA. Meteorology intern (behind-the-scenes) positions (1 or 2) available …

NOAA-CIRES Climate Diagnostics Center, Boulder, CO. Position: Summer Student Intern …

Source: American Meteorological Society

Intern opportunities (cont)Intern opportunities (cont)Internships at Television & Radio

Stations (by state)• ALABAMA

WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL. Period of employment: Offers unpaid internships each semester, including summer, for …

WKRG-TV, Contact Chief Meteorologist, 555 Broadcast Drive …

• ARKANSASKAIT-TV, Jonesboro, AR. Contact: Ronnie Weston, Box

790 …

etcSource: American Meteorological Society

Meteorology Minor at Meteorology Minor at PrescottPrescott Growing

demand for WX courses

StatisticsFall 97 24Fall 98 49Fall 99 53Fall 00 74Spr 02 105

Compare with PRC student population increase of ~20% over same period

20

40

60

80

97 98 99 00 01

# students

100

120

Meteorology FacultyMeteorology Faculty

Curtis James

• Radar

• Mountain meteorology

Randy Tomkins

• Weather forecasting

• Military

Ken Parsons

• Cyclones

• Dynamic meteorology

• Air quality

Mark Sinclair

Dept Chair

• Cyclones

• Dynamic meteorology