Academic Programs at the Prescott Campus
Applied Meteorology
Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Meteorology provides a practical
understanding of the physics and dynamics of the atmosphere and prepares the graduate
for a range of meteorologist positions in government or industry. Students use a state-ofthe-art Weather Center and computer-equipped classrooms to understand and forecast
complex atmospheric phenomena ranging from severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, to
cyclones, fronts and jet streams, to global climate and how it is changing. Emphasis is
placed on applying theory to operational weather forecasting and decision making for
weather-sensitive industries, including possible hands-on experience as a meteorology
intern. The program prepares graduating students for careers as meteorologists with the
government, military, television or the private sector, or for graduate studies toward a
career in research. All areas of concentration meet all the requirements for undergraduate
study in meteorology recommended by the American Meteorological Society, the
National Weather Service and the US Air Force. All graduates also meet U.S. Office of
Personnel Management Qualification Standards for the position of Meteorologist
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Meteorology requires successful completion
of a minimum of 120 credit hours and can be attained in eight semesters, as outlined
below. Students must complete both general education courses and Applied Meteorology
courses in order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Meteorology. All
students entering the Applied Meteorology Program should have completed four years of
high school science and mathematics. Proficiency in trigonometry and pre-calculus is
essential to enter this program. Students should be prepared to enter Calculus I in their
first semester.
Students should be aware that several courses in each academic year may have pre- or corequisites. Check the course descriptions at the back of this catalog before registering for
classes to ensure that these requirements are met. In particular, many courses have math
prerequisites or co-requisites. Students should plan to begin the required math-calculus
sequence as soon as they are eligible. Notice that students completing the Research AOC
will be eligible to declare a Minor in Mathematics.
In addition, the meteorology (WX) courses in the Junior and Senior years are only
offered once a year. Students must adhere to the separate Fall and Spring plan given
below for these years. Failure to do this will result in graduation being delayed by one
year.
There are three areas of concentration. The Research Area of Concentration is for nonflying , non-military students. The Meteorology with Flying area of concentration is for
non-military students who wish to complete 15 credit hours of Flying and ground schools
while earning the Applied Meteorology degree. The Military Meteorologist area of
concentration is for the ROTC student. The area of concentration must be declared at the
time of enrollment or during the first semester.
The courses necessary to earn the degree are listed below.
RESEARCH AOC
FRESHMAN YEAR
Course
AS 120
COM 122
HU 14x
MA 222
MA 241
MA 242
PS 150
PS 216
UNIV 101
WX 201
WX 261
Title
Principles of Aeronautical Science
English Composition and Literature
Lower-level Humanities
Business Statistics
Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
Calculus and Analytical Geometry II
Physics I for Engineers
Physics I Laboratory
College Success Seminar
Meteorology I
Applied Climatology
Total Credits
Credits
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
1
(1)*
3
3
30
*Meets open elective or credit in excess of degree requirement
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Course
COM 219
COM 222
EGR 115
HU/SS 1xx/2xx
MA 243
PS 160
WX 352
WX 353
WX 363
WX 365
Title
Speech
Business Communication
Intro to Computing for Engineers
Lower-level Humanities or Social Science elective
Calculus and Analytical Geometry III
Physics II for Engineers
Meteorology II
Advanced Meteorology I
Thunderstorms
Satellite and Radar Weather Interpretation
Total Credits
Credits
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
31
JUNIOR YEAR
Course
FALL
SS 1xx/2xx
MA 345
WX 320
WX 354
SPRING
MA 441
WX 355
WX 390
SUMMER
CE AAS
Total Credits
Title
Credits
SS Lower-level elective
Differential Equations and Matrix Methods
Atmospheric Thermodynamics
Advanced Meteorology II
Open elective (if no Co-op)
3
4
3
3
(3)
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
Weather Analysis
Atmospheric Physics
Open elective (if no Co-op)
3
5
3
(3)
Co-op/Internship (or Fall/Spring Open electives)
6
30
SENIOR YEAR
Course
FALL
HU/SS 300/400
WX 270
WX 427
WX 490
SPRING
WX 457
WX 491
Title
Credits
Upper-level elective
Weather Information Systems
Forecasting Techniques
Dynamic Meteorology I
Open elective
3
3
3
3
3
Weather Operations Seminar
Dynamic Meteorology II
Open electives
3
3
8
Total Credits
29
TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS
120
APPLIED METEOROLOGY WITH FLYING AOC
FRESHMAN YEAR
Course
AS 132
AS 133
COM 122
FA 132
FA 133
MA 241
MA 242
PS 150
PS 216
UNIV 101
WX 201
WX 261
Title
Basic Aero I
Basic Aero II
English Composition and Literature
Commercial Pilot Flight I
Commercial Pilot Flight II
Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
Calculus and Analytical Geometry II
Physics I for Engineers
Physics I Laboratory
College Success Seminar
Meteorology I
Applied Climatology
Total Credits
Credits
3
3
3
1
1
4
4
3
1
(1)*
3
3
29
*Meets open elective or credit in excess of degree requirement
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Course
AS 232
EGR 115
FA 232
HU 14x
MA 243
PS 160
WX 352
WX 353
WX 363
WX 365
Title
Intermediate Aero
Intro to Computing for Engineers
Commercial Pilot Flight III
Lower-level Humanities
Calculus and Analytical Geometry III
Physics II for Engineers
Meteorology II
Advanced Meteorology I
Thunderstorms
Satellite and Radar Weather Interpretation
Total Credits
Credits
3
3
1
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
29
JUNIOR YEAR
Course
FALL
AS 272
FA 272
MA 345
SS xxx
WX 320
WX 354
SPRING
COM 219
MA 222
WX 355
WX 390
Total Credits
Title
Credits
Advanced Aero
Commercial Pilot Flight IV
Differential Equations and Matrix Methods
SS Lower-level elective
Atmospheric Thermodynamics
Advanced Meteorology II
2
1
4
3
3
3
Speech
Business statistics
Weather Analysis
Atmospheric Physics
3
3
5
3
30
SENIOR YEAR
Course
FALL
HU/SS 1xx/2xx
WX 270
WX 427
WX 490
Title
Credits
Lower-level Humanities or Social Science elective
Weather Information Systems
Forecasting Techniques
Dynamic Meteorology I
Open electives
3
3
3
3
4
Business Communication
Upper-level elective
Weather Operations Seminar
Dynamic Meteorology II
Open electives
Total Credits
3
3
3
3
4
32
TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS
120
SPRING
COM 222
HU/SS 3xx/4xx
WX 457
WX 491
MILITARY METEOROLOGIST AOC
FRESHMAN YEAR
Course
COM 122
HU 14x
MA 241
MA 242
PS 150
PS 216
COM 219
UNIV 101
WX 201
WX 261
Title
English Composition and Literature
Lower-level Humanities
Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
Calculus and Analytical Geometry II
Physics I for Engineers
Physics I Laboratory
Speech
College Success Seminar
Meteorology I
Applied Climatology
ROTC
Total Credits
Credits
3
3
4
4
3
1
3
(1)*
3
3
2
29
*Meets open elective or credit in excess of degree requirement
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Course
COM 222
EGR 115
HU/SS 1xx/2xx
MA 243
PS 160
WX 352
WX 353
WX 363
WX 365
Title
Business Communication
Intro to Computing for Engineers
Lower-level Humanities or Social Science elective
Calculus and Analytical Geometry III
Physics II for Engineers
Meteorology II
Advanced Meteorology I
Thunderstorms
Satellite and Radar Weather Interpretation
ROTC
Total Credits
Credits
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
30
JUNIOR YEAR
Course
FALL
MA 345
SS xxx
WX 320
WX 354
SPRING
MA 222
WX 355
WX 390
Total Credits
Title
Credits
Differential Equations and Matrix Methods
SS Lower-level elective
Atmospheric Thermodynamics
Advanced Meteorology II
ROTC
4
3
3
3
3
Business statistics
Weather Analysis
Atmospheric Physics
ROTC
3
5
3
3
30
SENIOR YEAR
Course
FALL
WX 270
WX 427
WX 490
Title
Credits
Weather Information Systems
Forecasting Techniques
Dynamic Meteorology I
ROTC
Open electives
3
3
3
3
4
SPRING
HU/SS 3xx/4xx Upper-level elective
WX 457
Weather Operations Seminar
WX 491
Dynamic Meteorology II
Open electives
ROTC
Total Credits
3
3
3
3
3
31
TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS
120