Bachelor of Science
in Applied Meteorology
Presented by Dr. Mark Sinclair,
Associate Professor and Chair of Meteorology
Fascinated by weather?
Fascinated by weather?
Applied Meteorology - Prescott
A “traditional” meteorology degree
 Prepares graduates for a range of
positions in Government and Industry
 Meets 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

What will I study?
 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
Job opportunities?
 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
Source: AMS and Occupational Outlook handbook
Where will I find jobs?
 Federal
Government
 Graduate school
 Private
– Contractors
– Computing
– Engineers/architects
– Other
29%
29%
42%
31%
15%
12%
42%
A large hail stone
What does this tell us
about the atmosphere?
Source: AMS and Occupational Outlook handbook
Graduate hire

Federal Government/Military
– National Weather service, Military, NASA, USFS

Private 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 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 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 Procedures
Source: American Meteorological Society
Intern 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)
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 …
• ARKANSAS
KAIT-TV, Jonesboro, AR. Contact: Ronnie Weston, Box
790 …
etc
Source: American Meteorological Society
Meteorology Minor at Prescott


Growing
demand for
WX courses
Statistics
Fall 97
Fall 98
Fall 99
Fall 00
Spr 02

24
49
53
74
105
Compare with PRC
student population
increase of ~20% over
same period
# students
120
100
80
60
40
20
97
98
99
00
01
Meteorology Faculty
Mark Sinclair
Curtis James
Ken Parsons
Randy Tomkins
Dept Chair
• Radar
• Cyclones
• Cyclones
• Mountain
meteorology
• Dynamic
meteorology
• Weather
forecasting
• Dynamic
meteorology
• Air quality
• Military