2002-2003 Edition
Texas A&M University Undergraduate CatalogTexas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog
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Curriculum in
Meteorology

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences offers the B.S. degree in Meteorology. The undergraduate curriculum in meteorology emphasizes weather and weather forecasting, but also includes courses in climatology, atmospheric chemistry, cloud physics and remote sensing of the atmosphere with radar and satellites. As a discipline, atmospheric science has close connection to oceanography and hydrology. As the meteorology curriculum makes clear, physics, chemistry and mathematics are the foundations of the study of the atmosphere.

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences occupies upper floors of the 15-story Oceanography and Meteorology Building. The Doppler weather radar on the roof of the building is a campus landmark, and the department also operates two mobile Doppler radars for research and teaching. The department receives a continuous, comprehensive stream of meteorological data from ground stations, balloons, aircraft, radars and satellites around the world. Two well-equipped computer labs are regularly upgraded to provide state-of-the-art educational equipment.

Students in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences enjoy low student-to-teacher ratios and small classes. Undergraduates have opportunities for individual study and participation in faculty research projects, including regional, national and international field programs.

Many students who receive B.S. degrees in Meteorology obtain employment with the National Weather Service, private meteorological consulting and weather forecasting companies, air quality consulting firms, airlines, TV stations, energy trading companies, universities, state governments, agricultural firms and computer-related industries. Some students choose to enter the military services as weather officers. Positions in teaching and research normally require a graduate degree.

Students interested in cooperative education arrangements should contact the head of the department for information.

Students of other disciplines may choose to complete a minor in meteorology if they take a minimum of 16 hours in Atmospheric Sciences or upper-division geosciences. At least 9 of these hours must be 300-level or above, including at least 3 400-level hours. The selection of courses must be made in agreement with an advisor from the Atmospheric Sciences faculty.

In the curriculum presented, students are advised to note carefully the prerequisites for many of the courses.

 
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr

 

Second Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr
ATMO 201 Atmospheric Sciences
(3-0)
3
   CHEM 102 Fund. of Chemistry II
(3-3)
4
ATMO 203 Weather Forecasting Lab.
(0-1)
1
   MATH 172 Calculus 1
(4-0)
4
CHEM 101 Fund. of Chemistry I
(3-3)
4
   PHYS 218 Mechanics
(3-3)
4
ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric
(3-0)
3
   U.S. history elective 2
3
MATH 171 Analytical Geom. and Calc. 1
(4-0)
4
    
15
 
15
   
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
ATMO 251 Weather Obs. and Analysis

(2-2)

3

 

ATMO 335 Atmospheric Thermodynamics

(3-0)

3
ATMO 363 Atmospheric Chemistry
(3-0)
3
   MATH 308 Differential Equations 1
(3-0)
3
MATH 251 Engineering Math. III 1
(3-0)
3
   PHYS 221 Optics and Thermal Physics
(3-0)
3
PHYS 208 Electricity and Optics
(3-3)
4
   POLS 206 American Natl. Govt.
(3-0)
3
U.S. history elective 2
3
   Computer science elective 3
3
 
16
  * KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity
(0-2)
1
 
   
16
 
JUNIOR YEAR
ATMO 324 Physical and Regional Climatology

(2-2)

3

 

POLS 207 State and Local Govt.

(3-0)

3
MATH 311 Topics in Applied Math. I
(3-0)
3
   Atmospheric sciences or technical electives 5
6
STAT 211 Principles of Stat. I
(3-0)
3
   Communication elective 7
3
Life sciences elective 4
3
   Humanities elective 2
3
General elective
3
   Oceanography elective 6
3
* KINE 199 Required Physical Activity
(0-2)
1
    
18
 
16
    
 
SENIOR YEAR
ATMO 336 Atmospheric Dynamics

(3-2)

4

 

ATMO 446 Physical Meteorology

(3-0)

3
Atmospheric sciences or technical electives 5
6
   Atmospheric sciences or technical electives 5
6
Visual and performing arts elective 2
3
   Social and behavioral sciences elective 2
3
General elective
3
   General electives
4
 
16
   
16
Total Hours 128

NOTES: 1. A grade of C or better is required for Meteorology majors in MATH 171, 172, 251 and 308 (or equivalent).

2. To be selected from the University Core Curriculum. See U.S. History and Political Science.

3. Computer science course must include programming in a high-level computer language.

4. RENR 205, BIOL 113, BOTN 101, FRSC 302 or ZOOL 107.

5. Atmospheric sciences and technical electives are selected with approval of the department and typically include a course in speech communication.

6. Any 400-level course in Oceanography.

7. ENGL 210, 301 or, with approval of the department, any University Core Curriculum communication course. See University Core Curriculum.