Program Overview

Introduction to the Meteorology Undergraduate Program

The Meteorology Undergraduate Program at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental physical and dynamic processes governing the motions and behavior of the atmosphere. The program emphasizes the development of a broad understanding of the atmosphere and its interactions with the underlying land and ocean surfaces.

Program Description

Meteorology is the study of weather, climate, and the characteristics, structure, and processes of the atmosphere. Students in the program learn how to forecast the weather and understand climate change. The Bachelor of Science degree program in Meteorology is built on a foundation of basic courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Students who wish to pursue an undergraduate meteorology degree should have a strong high school or equivalent background in mathematics and the sciences prior to enrollment.

Program Learning Goals

A successful Meteorology graduate will be able to:

1. Conduct a weather discussion and apply diagnostic, prognostic, and technological tools to evaluate atmospheric processes across a multitude of scales.
2. Demonstrate integrated understanding of the linked Earth–atmosphere–ocean–cryosphere–biosphere system, including the roles of atmospheric chemistry and human impacts on the system.
3. Apply critical and analytical thinking to solve relevant scientific problems in both individual and collaborative settings.
4. Effectively communicate scientific information orally and in writing, including by electronic means, at an appropriate level for their audience.
5. Demonstrate mastery of the mathematical and physical foundations of meteorology and climatology as well as key atmospheric processes that occur at a variety of spatial and temporal scales.
6. Understand and utilize the principles of proper ethical behavior within the atmospheric sciences and be aware of the scientific limits of prediction.

Alumni Success Stories

Past graduates of the program have found employment in the National Weather Service, private forecasting organizations, academic/research institutions, consulting firms, the media, and Fortune 500 companies. Others apply their meteorological background in related fields such as high-school education and scientific programming. Graduates seeking advanced degrees have gone on to study at a variety of institutions, including many of the leading research universities.

Notable Alumni

• Robert Bennett, Class of 2022, is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Dodge City, Kansas.
• Dylan Dreyer, a Rutgers Meteorology alumna, is a weather anchor on the Today Show and frequently appears on the NBC Nightly News.
• Kelly Ann Cicalese, Class of 2011, is a weather broadcaster at WCVB-TV in Boston, MA.
• Alex Calamia, Class of 2016, won an Emmy for his work at WLTX in Columbia, SC, and is now at News 12 Long Island.

Program Structure

The program is structured to provide students with a comprehensive education in meteorology, including coursework, research opportunities, and hands-on experience. The program is designed to meet the U.S. federal government civil service requirements for classification as a meteorologist and the American Meteorological Society's recommendations for undergraduate meteorology programs.

Research Opportunities

Students in the program have access to a range of research opportunities, including working with faculty members on research projects, participating in field courses, and engaging in internships. The program is affiliated with several research centers and institutions, including the Rutgers Weather Center and the Center for Environmental Prediction.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program have a wide range of career opportunities, including working as meteorologists, researchers, consultants, and educators. The program's strong focus on the fundamentals of meteorology and climatology provides students with a solid foundation for pursuing advanced degrees or entering the workforce.