Overview

The Bachelor of Science degree program prepares students for further graduate studies as well as for non-academic professional applications. The program follows standards established by the American Meteorological Society (AMS), emphasizing a math and physics background for understanding the physical processes governing the motion and composition of the atmosphere.

Undergraduate students are encouraged to work with the faculty and are able to earn course credit and senior theses by conducting research under the supervision of leading scientists in their field. Research encompasses atmospheric dynamics, climate science, boundary-layer processes, cloud processes, and remote sensing. Focus areas include hurricanes (modeling, data assimilation and field observations), tropical meteorology, atmosphere-ocean coupling, climate, and climate change. Many faculty are active in fieldwork.

The Bachelor of Science degree program is meant for students planning to continue with graduate studies in atmospheric science, or for those who will pursue a technical career in this area in government or private industry.

Curriculum Requirements (Applied Analysis)

Atmospheric Science
ATM 103Survey of Modern Meteorology3
ATM 243Weather Forecasting3
ATM 265Atmospheric Chemistry3
ATM 303Meteorological Instrumentation and Observation3
ATM 305Atmospheric Thermodynamics3
ATM 307Introduction to the Physics of Climate3
ATM 405Atmospheric Dynamics I3
ATM 406Atmospheric Dynamics II3
ATM 407Weather Analysis4
ATM 409Cloud Physics, Radiation, and Remote Sensing3
Mathematics Core
MTH 161Calculus I 14
or MTH 171 Calculus I
MTH 162Calculus II (fulfills the Rosenstiel BSMAS quantitative skills requirement) 14
or MTH 172 Calculus II
MTH 210Introduction to Linear Algebra3
MTH 224Introduction to Probability and Statistics3
or MSC 204 Environmental Statistics
MTH 230Introduction to Abstract Mathematics3
MTH 310Multivariable Calculus3
MTH 311Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations3
MTH 433Advanced Calculus3
or MTH 533 Introduction to Real Analysis I
MTH 461Survey of Modern Algebra3
or MTH 561 Abstract Algebra I
Applied Analysis Courses *
MTH 512Elementary Complex Analysis3
Select one of the following Sequences:6
Partial Differential Equations I
and Partial Differential Equations II
Ordinary Differential Equations
and Dynamics and Bifurcations
Additional Required Courses
MSC 111Introduction to Marine Science3
MSC 112Introduction to Marine Science Lab1
CSC 120Computer Programming I4
or MSC 203 Foundations of Computational Marine Science
PHY 201University Physics I for the Sciences4
PHY 106College Physics Laboratory I1
PHY 202University Physics II for the Sciences4
PHY 108College Physics Laboratory II1
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
WRS 107First-Year Writing II: STEM3
or WRS 106 First-Year Writing II
or ENG 106 Writing About Literature and Culture
Quantitative Skills:
Calculus I (fulfilled through the major)
Calculus I
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Electives
Additional Electives 9
Total Credit Hours120
1

Calculus I and II must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher. 

*

A track in Probability and Statistics is also available.  

Suggested Plan of Study with Applied Analysis Track

This is only a sample.  There are numerous ways students can create plans of study for the Meteorology and Mathematics major.  Students should feel empowered to use the information listed in the Academic Bulletin to take charge of their education, pursue their own academic interests, and create their own, unique plans of study.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
FallCredit Hours
ATM 103 Survey of Modern Meteorology 3
MSC 111 Introduction to Marine Science 3
MSC 112 Introduction to Marine Science Lab 1
MTH 161 Calculus I 4
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
ATM 243 Weather Forecasting 3
ATM 265 Atmospheric Chemistry 3
MSC 204 Environmental Statistics 3
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM 3
 Credit Hours16
Sophomore Year
Fall
MTH 210 Introduction to Linear Algebra 3
MTH 311 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations 3
PHY 201 University Physics I for the Sciences 4
PHY 106 College Physics Laboratory I 1
Elective #1 (ATM 244 recommended) 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
ATM 303 Meteorological Instrumentation and Observation 3
MTH 230 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics 3
PHY 202 University Physics II for the Sciences 4
PHY 108 College Physics Laboratory II 1
Elective #2 3
 Credit Hours14
Junior Year
Fall
ATM 305 Atmospheric Thermodynamics 3
MTH 310 Multivariable Calculus 3
CSC 120 or MSC 203 Computer Programming I
or Foundations of Computational Marine Science
4
Elective #3 3
Elective #4 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
ATM 307 Introduction to the Physics of Climate 3
ATM 405 Atmospheric Dynamics I 3
MTH 433 Advanced Calculus 3
MTH 461 Survey of Modern Algebra 3
Elective #5 3
 Credit Hours15
Senior Year
Fall
ATM 406 Atmospheric Dynamics II 3
ATM 407 Weather Analysis 4
MTH 513 or 515 Partial Differential Equations I
or Ordinary Differential Equations
3
Elective #6 3
Elective #7 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
ATM 409 Cloud Physics, Radiation, and Remote Sensing 3
MTH 512 Elementary Complex Analysis 3
MTH 514 or 516 Partial Differential Equations II
or Dynamics and Bifurcations
3
Elective #8 3
Elective #9 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours120
*

9 elective courses must include:

  • 3 Arts and Humanities Cognate courses
  • 3 People and Society Cognate courses

Mission

The mission of the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science is to deepen our collective knowledge of our planet through cutting-edge scientific research on the oceans, atmosphere, geology, biota, and the human dimension, while training the next generation of scientists. We transfer the knowledge gained to our students, the national and international scientific community, and to policymakers and the public.

The educational mission of the BS degree in Meteorology at the University of Miami is to graduate students with the ability and desire to integrate knowledge of meteorology into their future careers. 

Goals

Students completing this double major will be able to master a broad set of fundamental scientific knowledge in Meteorology and Mathematics, acquire valuable technical skills and learn how to apply this knowledge to real-world problems, in a time of changing climate and increasing stress on Earth’s resources and environment. The program will provide the rigor, flexibility, depth and integration to enable students to:

  • Pursue a course of study that provides both depth and breadth in Meteorology and Mathematic courses. 
  • Prepare themselves for public and private sector employment, graduate school, and successful careers.
  • Students should gain substantial problem solving and critical reasoning skills, and they should develop an understanding of the conceptual underpinnings of mathematics and meteorology. 

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to apply and use the equations that govern physical atmospheric processes and responses to explain fundamental principles and behaviors of the atmosphere and to solve quantitative problems.
  • Students will be able to utilize and interpret observations and model output to evaluate atmospheric processes and phenomena.
  • Students will be able to use a computer programming language to investigate weather and climate phenomena and to analyze and visualize data.
  • Students will be able to carry out supervised research in the field of atmospheric science.
  • Students will demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate scientific information.
  • Students will acquire a solid understanding of advanced material within a mathematics “specialty path” which synthesizes and extends their lower-division work. The path is selected by the individual student depending on his/her particular interests.