What does it take to become a meteorologist?

According to Federal Civil Service GS1340 (1998)

1.  New federal civil service requirements (GS 1340) effective in 1998.      (Bulletin of American Meteorological Society, 76, 552-553)

1.1. A degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science that includes the following:

a.  at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in meteorology/atmospheric science, including

• 6 semester hours in atmospheric dynamics, *

• 6 semester hours in analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale),

• 3 semester hours of physical meteorology, and

• 2 semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or  instrumentation;

b.  6 semester hours of physics with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions;*

c.  3 semester hours of ordinary differential equations; and

d.  at least 9 semester hours of course work for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, chemistry, physical climatology, agronomy, computer science, advanced electricity and magnetism, statistics, physical oceanography, radiative transfer, advanced thermodynamics, and light and optics. 

or

1.2.     A combination of education and experience — course work shown in item 1 plus appropriate experience or additional education.

*  Prerequisite or co-requisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations.   Calculus courses must be appropriate for a physical science major.

1.3.    Course requirements for majors in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences.

1.3.1.  Cognate courses:

1.3.2.  Meteorological courses:

1.3.3. Additional required courses for Climatology Track majors:

*  Differential Equation is not required but strongly recommended for Weather Forecasting concentration (track).

Department of Atmospheric Sciences, CPO #2450, UNC Asheville, One University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804
Phone: (828) 251-6149  Fax: (828) 232-5046  Email: ahuang@unca.edu