Certificate in Meteorology - Curriculum 264

Program Officer

CDR Pamela Tellado

Spanagel Hall, Room 304

[phone], DSN 756-2045

[e-mail]

Academic Associate

Scott Powell, Ph.D.

Code MR, Root Hall, Room 255

[e-mail]

Brief Overview

The Certificate in Meteorology is an intensive program in Meteorology designed to meet the requirements of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorology (BIP-M) as set forth by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) requirements for all practicing professional Meteorologists. These are set forth in their publication WMO-1083 Manual on the Implementation of Education and Training Standards in Meteorology and Hydrology (2012). The overall aim of the Certificate in Meteorology is to provide an individual with a robust and broad range of knowledge of atmospheric phenomena and processes, together with skills related to the application of this knowledge. Specifically, as stated in WMO-1083, the individual must achieve learning outcomes that cover;

• the acquisition of knowledge about physical principles and atmospheric interactions, methods of measurement and data analysis, behavior of weather systems (through the synthesis of current weather data and conceptual models), and the general circulation of the atmosphere and climate variations;
• the application of knowledge based on the use of scientific reasoning to solve problems in atmospheric science, and participation in the analysis, prediction, and communication of the impacts of weather and climate on society.

Five core courses in meteorology are required for completion of this certificate but prerequisite courses in meteorology and mathematics must be satisfactorily completed (at NPS or elsewhere) in order to enroll in the certificate and meet the educational requirements set forth in WMO-1083. This course of study is the equivalent of a Bachelor's of Science in Meteorology (major only) but the certificate is awarded in place of an undergraduate degree.

This program is primarily intended for U.S. Air Force students seeking a career in weather that do not already have an undergraduate degree in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science. Other services (except U.S. Navy or Marines), Federal civilians, or Internationals may apply if they require WMO-1083 compliance in Meteorology.

Convenes

Winter, Summer

Program Length

Four quarters

Typical Course of Study:

Quarter 1

MR4322 Dynamic Meteorology and MR4413 Air-Sea Interaction are required for the certificate and lay the initial groundwork in atmospheric dynamics and boundary layer processes.

Prerequisite Courses (must have previously been completed)

• MR3222 Meteorological Analysis
• MR3321 Air-Ocean Fluid Dynamics
• MR3480 Atmospheric Thermodynamics

Course Number	Title	Credits	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
MR4322	Dynamic Meteorology		4	0
MR4413/OC4413	Air-Sea Interaction		4	0

Quarter 2

MR3234 Tropospheric and Stratospheric Meteorology (Weather Systems) and MR4323 Numerical Weather Prediction are required for the certificate.

Prerequisite Courses (must be taken prior to these courses)

• MR3522 Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere
• MA2121 Ordinary Differential Equations

Course Number	Title	Credits	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
MR3234	Tropospheric and Stratospheric Meteorology/Laboratory		4	4
MR4323	Air and Ocean Numerical Prediction Systems		4	2

Quarter 3

MR3262 Operational Weather Prediction is culminating certificate course utilizing aspects from all prior courses to gain practice in weather forecasting utilizing numerical forecasts and understanding of weather processes and systems.

Course Number	Title	Credits	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
MR3262	Operational Atmospheric Prediction/Laboratory		3	5