Program Overview
University Catalog
The University Catalog provides comprehensive information about the academic programs offered at NC State University.
Meteorology (BS)
The degree of Bachelor of Science in Meteorology is offered in the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. A concentration in Marine Science may also be chosen.
Meteorologists study a diverse array of topics, including climate, air pollution, environmental impacts, weather analysis and forecasting, remote sensing, atmospheric physics and interactions between the atmosphere and other components of the earth system. Our undergraduate students pursue careers in air quality, weather forecasting, meteorological research, broadcast meteorology and positions with the armed forces.
Plan Requirements
The plan requirements for the Meteorology (BS) program include:
- Course List Code | Title | Hours
- Orientation
- COS 100 | Science of Change 1 | 2
- English / Communication
- ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 2 | 4
- Select one of the following Advanced Writing courses: | 3
- ENG 331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology
- ENG 332 | Communication for Business and Management
- ENG 333 | Communication for Science and Research
- Math / Statistics
- MEA 217 | Introduction to Computing in the Geosciences 2 | 3
- or MA 116 | Introduction to Scientific Programming (Math)
- or PY 251 | Introduction to Scientific Computing
- or CSC 113 | Introduction to Computing - MATLAB
- MA 141 | Calculus I 2 | 4
- MA 241 | Calculus II 2 | 4
- MA 242 | Calculus III | 4
- MA 341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3
- ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics | 3
- or ST 370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers
- or ST 371 | Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory
- Chemistry / Physics
- CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 2 | 3
- CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1
- Chemistry Option | 4
- PY 205 & PY 206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 2 | 4
- Meteorology Core
- MEA 100 | Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections | 4
- MEA 215 | Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences | 4
- MEA 312 | Atmospheric Thermodynamics 2 | 4
- MEA 315 | Mathematics Methods in Atmospheric Sciences 2 | 4
- MEA 321 | Fundamentals of Air Quality and Climate Change 2 | 3
- MEA 412 | Atmospheric Physics 2 | 3
- MEA 421 | Atmospheric Dynamics I 2 | 3
- MEA 422 | Atmospheric Dynamics II 2 | 3
- MEA 443 | Synoptic Weather Analysis and Forecasting | 4
- MEA 495 | Junior Seminar in the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences | 1
- Major Electives
- Geophysical Science Option | 3
- MEA Restricted Electives | 9
- Approved Electives 3 | 16
- GEP Courses
- GEP Humanities | 6
- GEP Social Sciences | 6
- GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2
- GEP Elective | 3
- GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
- GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement)
- World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
- Total Hours | 120
- Orientation
MEA Restricted Electives
The MEA Restricted Electives include:
- Course List Code | Title | Hours
- MEA 415 | Climate Dynamics | 3
- MEA 425 | Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry | 3
- MEA 444 | Mesoscale Analysis and Forecasting | 4
- MEA 455 | Micrometeorology | 3
- MEA 458 | Introduction to Tropical Meteorology | 3
- MEA 463 | Fluid Physics | 3
- MEA 467 | Marine Meteorology | 3
- MEA/CE 479 | Air Quality | 3
- MEA 488 | Meteorology for Media | 3
- MEA 493 | Special Topics in MEAS | 1-6
- MEA 498 | Internship in MEAS | 1-6
- MEA 510 | Air Pollution Meteorology | 3
- MEA 511 | Introduction to Meteorological Remote Sensing | 3
- MEA 514 | Advanced Physical Meteorology | 3
- MEA 515 | Climate Dynamics | 3
- MEA 517 | Fundamentals of Climate Change Science | 3
- MEA 518 | Adaptation to Climate Change | 3
- MEA 519 | Barriers to Climate Change Literacy | 3
- MEA 525 | Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry | 3
- MEA/CE 579 | Principles of Air Quality Engineering | 3
- MEA 580 | Air Quality Modeling and Forecasting | 4
- MEA 581 | Fluid Mechanics in Natural Environments | 3
- MEA/GIS 582 | Geospatial Modeling | 3
- MEA 593 | Special Topics in Atmospheric Science | 1-6
Chemistry Option
The Chemistry Option includes:
- Course List Code | Title | Hours
- CH 201 & CH 202 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | 4
- CH 220 & CH 222 | Introductory Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 4
- CH 221 & CH 222 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 4
Geophysical Science Elective
The Geophysical Science Elective includes:
- Course List Code | Title | Hours
- MEA 101 | Geology I: Physical | 3
- MEA 200 | Introduction to Oceanography | 3
- PY 123 | Stellar and Galactic Astronomy | 3
- PY 124 | Solar System Astronomy | 3
- SSC 200 | Soil Science | 3
Semester Sequence
The semester sequence for the Meteorology (BS) program is:
- Plan of Study Grid First Year
- Fall Semester | Hours
- CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science (CP) 2 | 3
- CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1
- MA 141 | Calculus I 2 | 4
- MEA 100 | Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections | 4
- GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1
- COS 100 | Science of Change 1 | 2
- Total Hours | 15
- Spring Semester
- Chemistry Option | 4
- ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 2 | 4
- MA 241 | Calculus II 2 | 4
- MEA 215 | Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences | 4
- Total Hours | 16
- Fall Semester | Hours
- Second Year
- Fall Semester
- MA 242 | Calculus III | 4
- MEA 217 | Introduction to Computing in the Geosciences 2 | 3
- MEA 321 | Fundamentals of Air Quality and Climate Change 2 | 3
- PY 205 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I (CP) 2 | 3
- PY 206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | 1
- Total Hours | 14
- Spring Semester
- MA 341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3
- MEA 312 | Atmospheric Thermodynamics 2 | 4
- MEA 315 | Mathematics Methods in Atmospheric Sciences 2 | 4
- Approved Electives 3 | 4
- Total Hours | 15
- Fall Semester
- Third Year
- Fall Semester
- Approved Elective | 3
- MEA 421 | Atmospheric Dynamics I 2 | 3
- Geophysical Science Option | 3
- GEP Social Sciences | 3
- Statistics Option | 3
- Total Hours | 15
- Spring Semester
- Advanced Writing Elective | 3
- Approved Elective 3 | 3
- MEA 412 | Atmospheric Physics 2 | 3
- MEA 422 | Atmospheric Dynamics II 1 | 3
- MEA 495 | Junior Seminar in the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences | 1
- GEP Elective | 3
- Total Hours | 16
- Fall Semester
- Fourth Year
- Fall Semester
- Approved Elective 3 | 3
- MEA Restricted Electives | 3
- GEP Humanities | 3
- GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1
- MEA 443 | Synoptic Weather Analysis and Forecasting | 4
- Total Hours | 14
- Spring Semester
- Approved Elective | 3
- MEA Restricted Electives | 3
- MEA Restricted Electives | 3
- GEP Humanities | 3
- GEP Social Sciences | 3
- Total Hours | 15
- Total Hours | 120
- Fall Semester
Career Opportunities
MEAS undergraduate degree programs provide talented students with the foundation of scientific knowledge required for careers in government, industry, or academia. Many students pursue graduate degrees after completion of an undergraduate degree in Meteorology.
Meteorology graduates enjoy careers in weather forecasting, air quality assessment, development of weather products and services, broadcast communications, and advanced research. Marine meteorologists study ocean-generated weather systems. Their research is yielding practical benefits such as refined prediction of storm surge, which has streamlined evacuation efforts during severe storms along the Carolina coast. Meteorology graduates with an air quality emphasis work for environmental firms, regulatory agencies, and in applied research. Study of air quality and how air pollution is transported and dispersed is a rapidly expanding field in the atmospheric sciences.
MEAS graduates play a key service role for the State of North Carolina, assisting in everything from forecasting severe storms and analyzing the impact of atmospheric pollutants on agriculture and our estuaries, to determining the effects of toxic waste disposal on quality of surface and ground water.
Career Titles
- Air Traffic Controller
- Airfield Operations Specialist
- Astronomer
- Atmospheric and Space Scientist
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers
- Environmental Science and Protection Technician
- Geophysicist
- Meteorologist
- Oceanographer
- Outdoor Education Teacher
- Park Naturalist
- Pilot
- Postsecondary Teacher
- Technical & Scientific Publications Editor
- Weather Forecaster