Program Overview

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Introduction to Aviation Meteorology at Florida Tech

Aviation meteorology studies Earth's atmosphere and forecasts weather conditions to assess their impact on aviation operations. The program at Florida Tech develops a strong background in aviation with experience in modern meteorology technology and industry best practices.

Program Overview

The B.S. in Aviation Meteorology will take students from a basic understanding of the effects of weather on aircraft and other aviation operations to having a firm grasp of synoptic weather systems and basic predictive techniques for flight planning. Courses focus on meteorological codes, charts, and bulletins, air masses and fronts, convection, and other atmospheric conditions. Advanced courses cover topics in depth, such as causes of turbulence, wind shear, microbursts, and more.

Why Choose Florida Tech for Aviation Meteorology?

Florida Techs aviation meteorology program focuses on meteorology, aeronautical sciences, and physical sciences relevant to the aviation field, preparing students for a career with major airlines, corporate aviation, and other aviation organizations. Completing the program fulfills the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's requirements for federal employment as a meteorologist.

Personalized Learning

The close-knit academic community provides small class sizes and ample one-on-one time with professors, ensuring personalized attention. Students benefit from resources expected at a larger university and the expertise of world-class faculty members.

Learn from the Experts

College of Aeronautics faculty members are established experts in all aspects of aviation. They are pilots and experts in aviation law, safety, avionics, and environmental science. Faculty members are available to mentor students for academic assistance, internship, and research mentorship.

Top-Notch Facilities and Resources

At Florida Tech, students find facilities and resources that measure up to other national aviation universities. The Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research provides a state-of-the-art aircraft fleet, facilities for weather and flight planning, simulators, and more, offering a comprehensive environment for aviation training and research.

Careers in Aviation Meteorology

Meteorologists play a vital role in government and private sector aviation, communications, and environmental, marine, and space enterprises. Florida Tech graduates have been recruited by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and private weather forecasting services, among others.

Advanced Degree Options

After receiving their aviation meteorology degree, many students go on to graduate school for advanced degrees in meteorology, aviation human factors, atmospheric science, and related fields. On-campus and online options are available, including master's and doctoral programs in applied aviation safety, aviation human factors, and aviation sciences.

Curriculum

The B.S. in Aviation Meteorology curriculum includes courses such as:

• Aviation Meteorology
• Atmospheric Thermodynamics
• Remote Sensing for Meteorology
• Mesoscale Meteorology Highlights of the senior year include a capstone research project and the Flight Observation Lab, where students gain experience in the flight operations environment.

Related Programs

Students might also be interested in:

• Aviation Meteorology Flight, B.S.
• Aviation Human Factors and Safety, B.S.
• Aeronautical Science, B.S. These programs offer a strong meteorological and physical science background, preparing students for careers as professional pilots or in technical aspects of aviation.

Beyond the Classroom

Aviation majors gain leadership and professional experience through participation in academic organizations and honor societies, student government, and student organizations, including the Collegiate Aviation Business Executives (CABE), Women in Aviation, and Alpha Eta Rho (AHP), a professional collegiate aviation co-ed fraternity.