Arts & Sciences Meteorology-Climatology
Description
The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences offers a bachelor of science (BS) degree only with a major in meteorology-climatology. This degree program is comprehensive, but flexible so that you can pursue your own interests within the broad field of atmospheric sciences while meeting the federal government requirements for employment as a meteorologist. If you choose to further your education, your degree also prepares you for graduate school in the atmospheric sciences and related fields.
The major in meteorology-climatology fulfills the recommended curriculum of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). The major and degree also meets or exceeds the minimum hiring requirements for employment as a meteorologist with the Federal government, thus preparing you for employment with federal agencies such as the National Weather Service, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, National Park Service, and military. With this major, you can also work in private weather consulting; broadcast meteorology; and the agriculture, education, and energy sectors.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a member of UCAR.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates with a major in meteorology-climatology will be able to:
- Explain fundamental atmospheric processes and develop conceptual models of the atmosphere, as well as its interaction with other components of the Earth system.
- Analyze and interpret weather and climate data using mathematical, statistical, and computer programming tools.
- Synthesize a broad understanding of basic weather and climate processes and system-scale interactions to generate short- and long-term predictions of the weather and climate.
- Integrate disciplinary knowledge, technical proficiency, information collection, and data synthesis and analysis to conduct and interpret scientific research.
- Communicate weather and climate information to diverse audiences using multi-media presentations and written scientific reports.
Academic and Career Advising
Academic and Career Advising Center
Not sure where to go or who to ask? The Advising Center team in 107 Oldfather Hall can help. The Academic and Career Advising Center is the undergraduate hub for CAS students in all majors. Centrally located and easily accessed, students encounter friendly, knowledgeable people who are eager to help or connect students to partner resources. Students also visit the Advising Center in 107 Oldfather Hall to:
- Choose or change their major, minor, or degree program.
- Check on policies, procedures, and deadlines.
- Get a college approval signature from the Dean’s representatives.
CAS Career Coaches are available by appointment (in-person or Zoom) and located in the CAS Academic and Career Advising Center, 107 Oldfather Hall. They help students explore majors and minors, gain experience, and develop a plan for life after graduation.
Assigned Academic Advisors
Academic advisors are critical resources dedicated to students' academic, personal, and professional success. Every CAS student is assigned an academic advisor based on their primary major. Since most CAS students have more than just a single major, it is important to get to know the advisor for any minors or additional majors. Academic advisors work closely with the faculty to provide the best overall support and the discipline specific expertise. They are available for appointments (in-person or Zoom) and through weekly virtual drop-ins. Assigned advisors are listed in MyRED and their offices may be located in or near the department of the major for which they advise.
Students who have declared a pre-health or pre-law area of interest will also work with advisors in the Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center (Explore Center) in 127 Love South, who are specially trained to guide students preparing to enter a professional school.
For complete and current information on advisors for majors, minors, or pre-professional areas, visit https://cas.unl.edu/major-advisors, or connect with the Arts and Sciences Academic and Career Advising Center, 107 Oldfather Hall, 402-472-4190, casadvising@unl.edu.
Career Coaching
The College believes that Academics + Experience = Opportunities and encourages students to complement their academic preparation with real-world experience, including internships, research, education abroad, service, and leadership. Arts and sciences students have access to a powerful network of faculty, staff, and advisors dedicated to providing information and support for their goals of meaningful employment or advanced education. Arts and sciences graduates have unlimited career possibilities and carry with them important career competencies—communication, critical thinking, creativity, context, and collaboration. They have the skills and adaptability that employers universally value. Graduates are prepared to effectively contribute professionally and personally with a solid foundation to excel in an increasingly global, technological, and interdisciplinary world.
Students should contact the career coaches in the Arts and Sciences Academic and Career Advising Center in 107 Oldfather Hall, or their assigned advisor, for more information. The CAS career coaches help students explore career options, identify ways to build experience and prepare to apply for internships, jobs, or graduate school, including help with resumes, applications, and interviewing.
ACE Requirements
Students must complete one course for each of the ACE Student Learning Outcomes below. Certified course choices are published in the degree audit, or visit the ACE website for the most current list of certified courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACE Student Learning Outcomes | ||
ACE 1: Write texts, in various forms, with an identified purpose, that respond to specific audience needs, integrate research or existing knowledge, and use applicable documentation and appropriate conventions of format and structure. | ||
ACE 2: Demonstrate competence in communication skills. | ||
ACE 3: Use mathematical, computational, statistical, logical, or other formal reasoning to solve problems, draw inferences, justify conclusions, and determine reasonableness. | ||
ACE 4: Use scientific methods and knowledge to pose questions, frame hypotheses, interpret data, and evaluate whether conclusions about the natural and physical world are reasonable. | ||
ACE 5: Use knowledge, historical perspectives, analysis, interpretation, critical evaluation, and the standards of evidence appropriate to the humanities to address problems and issues. | ||
ACE 6: Use knowledge, theories, and research perspectives such as statistical methods or observational accounts appropriate to the social sciences to understand and evaluate social systems or human behaviors. | ||
ACE 7: Use knowledge, theories, or methods appropriate to the arts to understand their context and significance. | ||
ACE 8: Use knowledge, theories, and analysis to explain ethical principles and their importance in society. | ||
ACE 9: Exhibit global awareness or knowledge of human diversity through analysis of an issue. | ||
ACE 10: Generate a creative or scholarly product that requires broad knowledge, appropriate technical proficiency, information collection, synthesis, interpretation, presentation, and reflection. | ||
College Degree Requirements
College Distribution Requirements – BA and BS
The College of Arts and Sciences distribution requirements are common to both the bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees and are designed to ensure a range of courses. By engaging in study in several different areas within the College, students develop the ability to learn in a variety of ways and apply their knowledge from a variety of perspectives. All requirements are in addition to University ACE requirements, and no course can be used to fulfill both an ACE outcome and a College Distribution Requirement.
- A student may not use a single course to satisfy more than one College Distribution Requirement, with the exception of CDR Diversity. Courses used to meet CDR Diversity may also meet CDR Writing, CDR Humanities, or CDR Social Science.
- Internship (395 or 495), independent study or readings (396 or 496), research (398 or 498), and thesis (399, 399H, 499, or 499H) will not satisfy distribution requirements.
- Other courses with a 9 in the middle number (ex. PSYC 292) will not satisfy distribution requirements unless approved by an advisor.
- Cross-listed courses from interdisciplinary programs will be applied in the same area as courses from the lead department.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| College Distribution Requirements | ||
| CDR: Written Communication | 3 | |
| Select from courses approved for ACE outcome 1. | ||
| CDR: Natural, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences 1 | 3-4 | |
| Select a course from ASTR, BIOS, CHEM, GEOL, LIFE, METR, MATH, PHYS, or ANTH 242, GEOG 155, GEOG 181, POLS 250, or PSYC 273. | ||
| CDR: Laboratory 2 | 0-1 | |
| Laboratory courses may be embedded in a 4-5 credit course used in CDR Natural, Physical, and Mathematical Science (example GEOG 155), or stand alone (example LIFE 120L). | ||
| CDR: Humanities 3 | 3 | |
| Select a course from ARAB, CHIN, CLAS, CZEC, ENGL, FILM, FREN, GERM, GREK, HIST, JAPN, LATN, PHIL, RELG, RUSS, or SPAN. | ||
| CDR: Social Science 4 | 3 | |
| Select a course from ANTH, COMM, GEOG, NSST, POLS, PSYC, or SOCI. | ||
| CDR: Human Diversity in U.S. Communities | 0-3 | |
| Select from the following approved courses also listed in your degree audit: ANTH 130, ANTH 412, ANTH 473, ARAB 313, COMM 311, COMM 364, COMM 465, ENGL 212, ENGL 245N, ENGL 312, ENGL 345D, ENGL 345N, ENGL 346, ENGL 376, ENGL 380, ENGL 445, ETHN 100, ETHN 201, ETHN 202, ETHN 205, FILM 344, GEOG 271, GEOG 403, GLST 350, HIST 115, HIST 246, HIST 251, HIST 323, HIST 340, HIST 351, HIST 356, HIST 357, HIST 402, PHIL 105, PHIL 106, PHIL 218, PHIL 323, PHIL 325, POLS 333, POLS 338, POLS 347, PSYC 310, PSYC 330, PSYC 421, PSYC 425, RELG 134, RELG 226, RELG 227, RELG 313, SOCI 101, SOCI 180, SOCI 200, SOCI 217, SPAN 206, SPAN 486, WMNS 101, WMNS 201, WMNS 202, WMNS 210, WMNS 356 | ||
| CDR: Language 5 | 0-16 | |
| Fulfilled by the completion of the 4th level of a single language (either in H.S. or in college). Language study at UNL is available in: ARAB, CHIN, CZEC, FREN, GERM, GREK, JAPN, LATN, RUSS, SLPA, or SPAN. | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12-33 | |
- 1
Excluded courses: BIOC 101, BIOS 100, CHEM 101, MBIO 101, PHYS 201, MATH 100A, MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 103, and MATH subject area credit at the 100 level or below.
- 2
ANTH 242L, ASTR 224, BIOS 101L, BIOS 110L, BIOS 111, BIOS 116, BIOS 213L, BIOS 214, CHEM 105L, CHEM 106L, CHEM 109L, CHEM 110L, CHEM 113L, GEOG 155, GEOL 101, GEOL 103, LIFE 120L, LIFE 121L, METR 100, PHYS 141, PHYS 142, PHYS 153, PHYS 221, or PHYS 222.
- 3
ARAB, CHIN, CZEC, FREN, GERM, GREK, JAPN, LATN, RUSS, and SPAN courses must be numbered 300 or above. ENGL courses must be ENGL 170, ENGL 180, or ENGL 200 level and above. Excluded courses: CLAS 116, ENGL 254, ENGL 300, ENGL 354, SPAN 300A, SPAN 303, and SPAN 304.
- 4
Excluded courses: ANTH 242/ANTH 242L, GEOG 155, GIST 111, GIST 311, POLS 101, POLS 250, PSYC 100, PSYC 273.
- 5
ARAB 202, CHIN 202, CZEC 202, FREN 202 or FREN 210, GERM 202, GREK 301 and GREK 302, JAPN 201 and JAPN 202, LATN 301 and LATN 302, RUSS 202, SLPA 202, or SPAN 202 or SPAN 210.
Language Requirement - BA and BS
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the College of Arts and Sciences place great value on academic exposure and proficiency in a second language. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln entrance requirement of two years of the same foreign language or the College’s language distribution requirement (CDR: Language) will rarely be waived and only with relevant documentation. See the main College of Arts and Sciences page for more details.
Experiential Learning Requirement - BA and BS
All undergraduates in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete an Experiential Learning (EL) designated course. This may include 0-credit courses designed to document co-curricular activities recognized as Experiential Learning.
Scientific Base – BS Only
The bachelor of science degree requires students to complete 60 hours in mathematical, physical, and natural sciences from disciplines within the College of Arts and Sciences or required in its majors: ACTS, ASTR, BIOC, BIOS, CHEM, CSCE, GEOL, LIFE, MBIO, METR, MATH, PHYS, STAT or ANTH 242 , ANTH 242L, ANTH 341, ANTH 385, ANTH 386, ANTH 389, ANTH 416, ANTH 422, ANTH 430, ANTH 442, ANTH 443, ANTH 444, ANTH 448, ANTH 473, ANTH 484, ANTH 487D, ENVR 201, GEOG 155, GEOG 181, GEOG 217, GEOG 281, GEOG 308, GEOG 317, GEOG 408, GEOG 417, GEOG 418, GEOG 419, GEOG 421, GEOG 422, GEOG 425, GEOG 427, GEOG 432, GEOG 444, GEOG 461, GEOG 467, PHIL 211, POLS 250, PSYC 273, PSYC 368, PSYC 370, PSYC 450, PSYC 451, PSYC 456, PSYC 458,PSYC 460, PSYC 461, PSYC 463, PSYC 464, or PSYC 465.
Excluded courses include: BIOC 101, BIOS 100, CHEM 101, MATH 100A, MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 103, MBIO 101, PHYS 201 as well as any course numbered 395, 495, 399, 399H, 499, or 499H. MATH subject area credit at the 100 level or below is also excluded.
Up to 12 hours of scientific and technical courses offered by other colleges may be accepted toward this requirement with approval of the College of Arts and Sciences. See your assigned academic advisor to start the approval process.
Minimum Hours Required for Graduation
A minimum of 120 semester hours of credit is required for graduation from the College of Arts and Sciences. A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 is required.
Grade Rules
Restrictions on C- and D Grades
The College will accept no more than 15 semester hours of C- and D grades from other domestic institutions except for UNO and UNK. All courses taken at UNO and UNK impact the UNL transcript. No transfer of C- and D grades can be applied toward requirements in a major or a minor. No University of Nebraska–Lincoln C- and D grades can be applied toward requirements in a major or a minor. International coursework (including education abroad) with a final grade equivalent to a C- or lower will not be validated by the College of Arts and Sciences departments to be degree applicable.
Pass/No Pass Privilege
University policy for the Pass/No Pass (P/N) privilege:
- Neither the P nor the N grade factor into your GPA.
- 'P' is interpreted to mean a grade of C or above. A grade of C- or lower results in a ''N'.
- A change to or from a Pass/No Pass may be made until mid-term (1/2 of the course - see the academic calendar for specific dates per term).
- The Pass/No Pass or grade registration cannot conflict with the policy of the professor, department, college, or University policy governing the grading options.
- Changing to or from the Pass/No Pass grading option requires using MyRED, or processing a Schedule Adjustment Form.
- For undergraduates, the University maximum of 24 'Pass' credit hours and/or college and department limits will apply. These limits do not include courses offered on a 'Pass/No Pass' basis only. Consult your advisor or the Undergraduate Catalog for restrictions on the number of 'Pass' hours you can apply toward your degree.
- The 'Pass/No Pass' grading option cannot be used for the removal of 'C-', 'D+', 'D', 'D-', or 'F' grade factors.
NOTE: See Course Repeats
College of Arts and Sciences policy on the Pass/No Pass (P/N) privilege:
- Pass hours can count toward fulfillment of University ACE requirements and college distribution requirements up to the 24-hour maximum.
- Most arts and sciences majors and minors do not permit any courses graded Pass/No Pass to apply, or limit them to no more than 6 hours. Students should refer to the major section of the catalog for clarification.
- Departments may specify that certain courses of theirs can be taken on a P/N-only or on a graded-only basis.
Grading Appeals
A student who feels that he/she has been unfairly graded must ordinarily take the following sequential steps in a timely manner, usually by initiating the appeal in the semester following the awarding of the grade:
- Talk with the instructor concerned. Most problems are resolved at this point.
- Talk to the instructor’s department chairperson.
- Take the case to the Grading Appeal Committee of the department concerned. The Committee should be contacted through the department chairperson.
- Take the case to the College Grading Appeals Committee by contacting the Dean’s Office, 1223 Oldfather Hall.
Course Level Requirements
Courses Numbered at the 300 or 400 Level
Thirty (30) of the 120 semester hours of credit must be in courses numbered at the 300 or 400 level. Of those 30 hours, 15 hours (1/2) must be completed in residence at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Residency Requirement
The term "Residency" refers to courses taken at UNL. Students must complete at least 30 of the 120 total hours for their degree at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Students must complete at least 18 hours of their major coursework, and 15 of the 30 hours required at the 300 or 400 level, at UNL.
Catalog to Use
Students must fulfill the requirements stated in the catalog for the academic year in which they are first admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. In consultation with advisors, a student may choose to follow a subsequent catalog for any academic year in which they are admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year. Beginning in 1990-1991, the catalog which a student follows for degree requirements may not be more than 10 years old at the time of graduation.
Transfer Students: Students who have transferred from a community college may be eligible to fulfill the requirements as stated in the catalog for an academic year in which they were enrolled at the community college prior to attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This decision should be made in consultation with academic advisors, provided the student a) was enrolled in a community college during the catalog year they are utilizing, b) maintained continuous enrollment at the previous institution for 1 academic year or more, and c) continued enrollment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within 1 calendar year from their last term at the previous institution. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year and within the time frame allowable for that catalog year.
Major Requirements
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| METR 100 | Weather and Climate | 4 |
| METR 153 | Introduction to Scientific Programming in Atmospheric Science | 3 |
| METR 205 | Introduction to Atmospheric Science | 4 |
| METR 223 | Atmospheric Thermodynamics | 4 |
| METR 311 | Dynamic Meteorology I | 3 |
| METR 312 | Dynamic Meteorology II | 3 |
| METR 323 | Physical Meteorology | 4 |
| METR 341 | Synoptic Meteorology | 4 |
| Select one course (ACE 10): | 4 | |
| Advanced Synoptic Meteorology-Climatology | ||
or METR 470 | The Climate System: Analysis and Prediction | |
| Select one course: | 3 | |
| Radar Meteorology | ||
or METR 464 | Satellite Meteorology | |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
Specific Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Advanced Meteorology Courses 1 | ||
| Select 12 hours of METR courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Applied Climatology | ||
Any 400 level METR course outside the core requirements. | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
Ancillary Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| MATH 106 | Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH 107 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 208 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 221 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| STAT 380 | Statistics and Applications | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 19 | |
| Physics | ||
| PHYS 211 & PHYS 221 | General Physics I and General Physics Laboratory I | 5 |
| PHYS 212 | General Physics II | 4 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 9 | |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 109A & CHEM 109L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
ADDITIONAL MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Grade Rules
C- and D Grades
A grade of C or above is required for all courses in the major, including ancillary courses.
Pass/No Pass
No course taken Pass/No Pass will be counted toward the major.
Prerequisites: MATH 101 or higher; or a qualifying Math Placement Exam score for MATH 102 or 104 or higher
Description: Physical behavior of the atmosphere; elements of weather and climate and their distribution over the earth. Weather map analysis and forecasting. Atmospheric circulation, precipitation processes, severe weather, air pollution, and the use of weather radar. Concepts of weather forecasting.
| Credit Hours: | 4 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 4 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $20 |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 4 Science |
Credit Hours:4
ACE:ACE 4 Science
Prerequisites: MATH 101 or higher; or a qualifying Math Placement Exam score for MATH 102 or 104 or higher.
Will not count toward the major in METR.
Description: Meteorological basics to help understand ice storms, blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, droughts, and other unusual weather.
This course is a prerequisite for: METR 270
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 4 Science |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:ACE 4 Science
Prerequisites: METR 100
No prior programming experience is required.
Description: Introduction to problem solving with computers using MATLAB. Topics include language syntax, data types, program organization, problem-solving methods, and algorithm design and verification. Basics of problem solving with computers, and the skills necessary to analyze and visualize geophysical data sets.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 9 |
| Grading Option: | Graded |
| Offered: | SPRING |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Concepts and processes of the environment, energy, and climate change and how they are interrelated.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 4 Science |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:ACE 4 Science
Description: Conceptual foundations for synoptic and dynamic meteorology. Meteorological data analysis, the dynamics of atmospheric motions, and atmospheric thermodynamics.
| Credit Hours: | 4 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 4 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | FALL |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $20 |
Credit Hours:4
ACE:
Description: Basic thermodynamic concepts relevant to atmospheric processes, atmospheric stability, and cloud and precipitation micro-physics.
This course is a prerequisite for: METR 341
| Credit Hours: | 4 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 4 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:4
ACE:
Description: Examine climate change at the global, regional, and local scale. Develop an awareness of the human elements of climate change through an exploration of impacts, adaptations, and vulnerability to climate change. Climate change solutions from the local through global scale.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded |
| Offered: | FALL |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Topics vary.
| Credit Hours: | 1-6 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 6 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1-6
ACE:
Prerequisites: Permission.
Description: Independent reading or research under direction of a faculty member.
| Credit Hours: | 1-3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1-3
ACE:
Description: Equations of thermodynamics, momentum, and continuity are derived and applied to atmospheric motion. Energy conservation, flows, and conversions.
This course is a prerequisite for: METR 312
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Applications of the principles of dynamic meteorology to the problems of forecasting and meteorological problems.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | FALL/SPR |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Physical principles that provide the foundation for meteorology. Absorption, scattering, and transmission of radiation in the atmosphere, atmospheric optics, atmospheric electricity, and lightning.
| Credit Hours: | 4 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 4 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $20 |
Credit Hours:4
ACE:
Prerequisites: METR 223
Description: Dynamic and thermodynamic concepts and principles applied to synoptic-scale weather forecasting. Dynamics, energetics, structure, evolution, and motion of extra-tropical cyclones. Meteorological communications, interpretation and analysis of weather maps, and thermodynamic diagrams.
| Credit Hours: | 4 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 4 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $40 |
Credit Hours:4
ACE:
Prerequisites: Junior or Senior Standing
Description: Processes that give rise to spatial and temporal differences in climate. Various interrelationships between humans and climate. Influence of climate on building styles, the economy, water resources, human health, and society. Humans' inadvertent and purposeful modification of the atmosphere.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | FALL |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $20 |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Junior standing, MATH 106 or equivalent, 5 hrs physics, major in any of the physical or biological sciences or engineering.
Description: Physical factors that create the biological environment. Radiation and energy balances of earth's surfaces, terrestrial and marine. Temperature, humidity, and wind regimes near the surface. Control of the physical environment through irrigation, windbreaks, frost protection, manipulation of light, and radiation. Applications to air pollution research. Instruments for measuring environmental conditions and remote sensing of the environment.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Development of the atmospheric circulation regimes, from planetary scale (e.g., the planetary waves) to synoptic scale (e.g., the cyclones and anticyclones) and mesoscale, their seasonal variations, and their roles in horizontal vertical energy and water transport and budgets in the Earth system.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Buoyancy and parcel mixing, cloud physics instrumentation, the role of aerosols in precipitation processes, growth of liquid cloud droplets/raindrops/ice crystals, processes associated with falling precipitation particles, drop size distributions and their moments, applications to convection, and parameterizations of cloud microphysical processes for numerical modeling applications.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Basic concepts of atmospheric turbulence and fundamental dynamics, thermodynamics, and structure of the atmospheric boundary layer are discussed. Atmospheric boundary layer parameterizations used in modern weather and climate models are presented.
This course is a prerequisite for: METR 933
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: METR 341.
Description: Analysis and forecasting of subsynoptic-scale weather systems. Convection, thunderstorm models, severe local storm forecasting techniques, mesoscale convective complexes, vertical cross-sections, isentropic analysis, and weather radar.
This course is a prerequisite for: METR 944
| Credit Hours: | 4 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 4 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $40 |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 10 Integrated Product |
| Experiential Learning: | Research |
Credit Hours:4
ACE:ACE 10 Integrated Product
Description: Dynamics of various types of severe weather (blizzards, flash floods, lightning, thunderstorms and winter and summer tornado outbreaks). Interpretation of the numerical and statistical models utilized to forecast these phenomena. Synoptic case studies of severe weather occurrences. Recent research on severe weather.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: METR 311
Description: Dynamics and conceptual models of mesoscale meteorological phenomena and processes.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: METR 100
Description: Information about the history and current status of broadcast meteorology and related technology. Procedures and requirements to obtain Professional Society certification/seal in Broadcast Meteorology. Address on air requirements mandated by the Federal FCC rules and regulations and social impacts of broadcast meteorology. Opportunity to gain experience in presenting weather information through various media outlets, including the use of chromakey technology and social media.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Junior standing or above.
Offered spring semester of even-numbered calendar years.
Description: Impact of climate and extreme climatic events on society and societal responses to those events. Global in scope and interdisciplinary.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | SPRING |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Basic concepts of GIS, hands-on experience with various case studies from geology, meteorology, climatology and environmental applications.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: 6 hrs METR and MATH 107/107H.
Description: Application of univariate statistics, hypothesis testing, statistical forecasting, forecast verification, time-series analysis, principal component analysis, and cluster/multivariate analysis to atmospheric data for different applications in the atmospheric sciences (from short-term weather forecast to long-term climate prediction).
This course is a prerequisite for: METR 965
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: METR 323.
Description: The fundamental principles of weather radars and the basic application of these principles.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | SPRING |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $150 |
| Experiential Learning: | Research |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: METR 223
Description: Concepts and principles related to meteorological observations from satellites. Applications for weather analysis and forecasting.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $20 |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Junior standing; MATH 106; 4 hrs physics; physical or biological science major.
Description: Discussion and practical application of principles and practices of measuring meteorological and related variables near the earth's surface including temperature, humidity, precipitation, pressure, radiation and wind. Performance characteristics of sensors and modern data collection methods are discussed and evaluated.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Senior standing; major or minor in meteorology.
Description: Maintenance of the climate system and climate change over time. Global budgets of energy, water, and momentum and their balance. Development of simple, physically-based models of climate and of climate change.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 10 Integrated Product |
| Experiential Learning: | Research |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:ACE 10 Integrated Product
Prerequisites: METR 205.
Description: Global energy and water balance regimes of the earth and its atmosphere. Utilization of physical laws to reveal causes and effects of interrelationships in the climatic system.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: NRES/METR 370.
Description: Regional differentiation of the climates of the earth on both a descriptive and dynamic basis. The chief systems of climatic classification.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Offered spring semester of even-numbered calendar years.
Description: Interaction between earth's climate and the hydrologic cycle. Energy and water fluxes at the land-atmosphere interface. Atmospheric moisture transport, precipitation, evaporation, snowmelt, and runoff. Impacts of climate variability and change on the hydrologic cycle.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Junior standing; and METR 475/875.
Offered fall semester of even-numbered calendar years.
Description: Elements of climate systems, El Nino/LaNina cycle and monsoons, natural variability of climate on interannual and interdecadal scales. Paleoclimate, and future climate, developed climate change scenarios and climate change impacts on natural resources and the environment.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: 6 hrs METR or 6 hrs GEOL.
Description: How the Earth's climate has varied and the forcing mechanisms related to those changes. Themes that reappear through Earth's climate history and into the future; causes of climate change; the natural response times of the multiple components; and the role of greenhouse gases within the climate system at differing time scales.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Topics vary.
| Credit Hours: | 1-6 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 6 |
| Max credits per degree: | 8 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1-6
ACE:
Prerequisites: Permission.
Description: Application of meteorology-climatology learning with on-the-job training.
| Credit Hours: | 1-6 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 6 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Grading Option: | Pass No Pass |
| Experiential Learning: | Internship/Co-op |
Credit Hours:1-6
ACE:
Prerequisites: Permission.
Description: Independent reading or research under direction of a faculty member.
| Credit Hours: | 1-3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1-3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Permission.
Description: Produce weather presentations worthy of airing live during Star City News. Learn how to develop weather presentations for production, including development of graphics, lead ins and promos. One-on-one critiquing/coaching to improve the presentation and content of the presentation will also take place throughout the semester.
| Credit Hours: | 1-3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Pass No Pass |
Credit Hours:1-3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Permission.
Description: Independent research leading to a thesis.
| Credit Hours: | 1-3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1-3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Permission.
Description: Independent research leading to a thesis.
| Credit Hours: | 1-3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1-3
ACE:
PLEASE NOTE
This document represents a sample 4-year plan for degree completion with this major. Actual course selection and sequence may vary and should be discussed individually with your college or department academic advisor. Advisors also can help you plan other experiences to enrich your undergraduate education such as internships, education abroad, undergraduate research, learning communities, and service learning and community-based learning.
Meteorology-Climatology (B.S.)
Critical - A minimum 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
- Complete 30 hours in residence at UNL.4. Complete 30 hours at the 300 or 400 level.5. Complete 60 hours of Scientific-Base courses in the Natural and Mathematical Sciences.
Career Information
The following represents a sample of the internships, jobs and graduate school programs that current students and recent graduates have reported.
Transferable Skills
- Analyze and explain data
- Use quantitative analysis techniques
- Use qualitative analysis techniques
- Define problems and identifying causes
- Apply mathematical and scientific skills to solve real-world problems
- Make predictions using mathematical, statistical, and scientific modeling methods
- Make decisions carefully, using appropriate theoretical frameworks
- Simplify complex information and present it to others
- Communicate results of scientific experiments to scientific and non-scientific audiences
- Read, understand, and critically review scientific information
- More...
- Support and communicate claims using clear evidence
- Listen actively and facilitate individual and group communication
- Collaborate with a team to develop solutions
- Communicate clearly using different forms of writing to and for a variety of different audiences
- Coordinate people, activities, and event details
Jobs of Recent Graduates
- Environment Scientist II, North Dakota Department of Environment Quality – Bismarck, ND
- Palace Acquire Program, U.S. Air Force 557 Weather Wing – Offutt AFB, NE
- Payroll Specialist, Omaha National – Omaha, NE
- Systems Engineer, Northrop Grumman – Bellevue, NE
- Systems Engineer, Raytheon – Omaha, NE
- Meteorologist, Nebraska Department of Roads – Lincoln, NE
- Meteorologist, Weather or Not – Shawnee, KS
- Coding Specialist, National Research Corporation – Lincoln, NE
- Meteorologist, National Weather Service – Silver Spring, MD
- Underwriting Assistant, National Indemnity – Omaha, NE
Internships
- Weather Intern, Channel 8 - Lincoln NE
- Research Technician, Planetary Data, Inc. - Prague NE
- Research Assistant, UNL Earth and Atmospheric Sciences - Lincoln NE
- Architectural Engineering Intern, Ezenics, Inc. - Omaha NE
- Intern, MMC Contractors - Omaha NE
Graduate & Professional Schools
- Master’s Degree, Environment and Society, Utah State University – Salt Lake City, UT
- Master’s Degree, Geospatial Analysis, East Tennessee State University – Johnson City, TN
- Master’s Degree, Meteorology, University of Wisconsin–Madison – Madison, WI
- Master’s Degree, Meteorology, University of Oklahoma – Norman, OK
- Master’s Degree, Meteorology, Penn State University – State College, PA
- Master’s Degree, Meteorology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln – Lincoln, NE
- Master's Degree, Earth & Atmospheric Science – Meteorology-Climatology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Lincoln, NE
- Ph.D., Earth & Atmospheric Science – Meteorology-Climatology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Lincoln NE