Overview
The Master of Professional Science (M.P.S.) in Atmospheric Sciences (ATM) program offers three tracks: Broadcast Meteorology, Climate and Society, and Weather Forecasting.
Broadcast Meteorology Track
The Broadcast Meteorology (BME) track provides a greater understanding of the broad environmental issues of the 21st Century and prepares students with the tools, training, and education necessary for careers in broadcast meteorology.
Climate and Society Track
The Climate and Society (CS) track emphasizes the relationship between weather, climate and societal impacts, and responses. This program provides advanced training for individuals seeking careers in government, insurance, energy, and a number of other climate-impacted industries. Students in this track are fluent in the fundamentals of business and management, science-society interactions, and the physical and social sciences.
Weather Forecasting Track
The Weather Forecasting (WFC) track is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in meteorology or a related science and seek graduate-level training and experience in applied weather forecasting.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.)
Note: Deficiencies in required coursework may be considered on a case-by-case basis for otherwise highly qualified students or those demonstrating experience with the underlying knowledge and/or skills.
All application requirements are available here.
Broadcast Meteorology Track
- One year of calculus and a minimum of 12 credits in natural science strongly recommended
Climate and Society Track
- Open to all undergraduate majors. Previous coursework in science or policy strongly recommended.
Weather Forecasting Track
- Undergraduate degree in meteorology or a closely related field (e.g., mathematics, physics, or geosciences), including coursework in calculus and differential equations.
Curriculum Requirements
Broadcast Meteorology Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ATM 651 | Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics | 3 |
| or ATM 614 | Introduction to Weather and Climate | |
| ATM 632 | Broadcast Meteorology | 3 |
| ATM 662 | Advanced Weather Forecasting | 3 |
| RSM 620 | Climate and Society | 3 |
| Electives | 12 | |
| The remaining courses may be selected from the following list or other courses approved by the academic advisor. * | ||
| General Circulation of the Atmosphere | ||
| Writing and Reporting Across Platforms | ||
| Television News Reporting | ||
| Interactive Storytelling | ||
| Internship 1 | ||
| ATM 805 | MPS Internship | 2-6 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Research Ethics | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- *
Refer to the list of additional elective options.
- 1
Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of fewer than 2 internship credits must be approved by the M.P.S. Program Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the M.P.S. Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.
Additional Elective Options
Students may substitute elective coursework for one or more of the above courses with the consent of their academic advisor. Below are a few examples of courses that past students in this program took as electives.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ATM 611 | Geophysical Fluid Dynamics I | 3 |
| ATM 633 | Atmospheric Boundary Layer | 3 |
| ATM 663 | Mesoscale Meteorology and Severe Storms | 3 |
| ATM 731 | Air-Sea Interaction | 3 |
| ATM 732 | Climate Dynamics | 3 |
| ATM 765 | General Circulation of the Atmosphere | 3 |
| RSM 620 | Climate and Society | 3 |
| JMM 633 | Social Media | 3 |
Climate and Society Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ATM 651 | Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics | 3 |
| or ATM 614 | Introduction to Weather and Climate | |
| ATM 653 | Climate Change | 3 |
| EVR 611 | The Science of Actionable Knowledge | 3 |
| EVR 660 & EVR 661 | Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory | 3 |
| RSM 620 | Climate and Society | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | |
The remaining courses may be selected from the following list or other courses approved by the academic advisor. * | ||
| Intermediate Spatial Analysis | ||
| General Circulation of the Atmosphere | ||
Additional Elective | ||
| Internship 1 | ||
| ATM 805 | MPS Internship | 2-6 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Research Ethics | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- *
Refer to the list of additional elective options.
- 1
Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of fewer than 2 internship credits must be approved by the M.P.S. Program Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the M.P.S. Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.
Additional Elective Options
Students may substitute elective coursework for one or more of the above courses with the consent of their academic advisor. Below are a few examples of courses that past students in this program took as electives.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ATM 765 | General Circulation of the Atmosphere | 3 |
| EVR 603 | Interdisciplinary Environmental Research: Introduction to the Why and the How | 3 |
| EVR 610 | Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement | 3 |
| EVR 620 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| EVR 624 | Statistics and Data Analysis for Environmental Science and Policy | 3 |
| EVR 635 | Oceans of Thought: Exploring Marine and Environmental Literature | 3 |
| MGS 776 | Paleoclimatology | 3 |
| RSM 616 | Florida Topics in Environmental Law Policy | 3 |
| ARC 639 | Adaptation to Climate Change | 3 |
| ECS 603 | Interdisciplinary Environmental Methods | 3 |
| EPH 633 | Policy Management of the Health Effects of Climate | 3 |
| EPH 640 | Urban Environment and Public Health | 3 |
| EPH 646 | Climate and Health | 3 |
| EPH 727 | Climate, Environment, and Health: Data Integration and Management | 3 |
| GEG 648 | Climate Change and Public Health | 3 |
Weather Forecasting Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ATM 651 | Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics | 3 |
| ATM 662 | Advanced Weather Forecasting | 3 |
| ATM 765 | General Circulation of the Atmosphere | 3 |
| EVR 660 & EVR 661 | Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory | 3 |
| Electives | 12 | |
| The remaining courses may be selected from the following list or other courses approved by the academic advisor. * | ||
| Applied Data Analysis | ||
| Hurricanes | ||
| Climate Change | ||
| Mesoscale Meteorology and Severe Storms | ||
| Climate and Society | ||
| Internship 1 | ||
| ATM 805 | MPS Internship | 2-6 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Research Ethics | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- *
Refer to the list of additional elective options.
- 1
Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of fewer than 2 internship credits must be approved by the M.P.S. Program Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the M.P.S. Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.
Additional Elective Options
Students may substitute elective coursework for one or more of the above courses with the consent of their academic advisor. Below are a few examples of courses that past students in this program took as electives.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ATM 611 | Geophysical Fluid Dynamics I | 3 |
| ATM 632 | Broadcast Meteorology | 3 |
| ATM 633 | Atmospheric Boundary Layer | 3 |
| ATM 634 | Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry | 3 |
| ATM 637 | Natural Hazards: Atmosphere and Ocean | 3 |
| ATM 652 | Introduction to Atmospheric Physics | 3 |
| ATM 713 | Predictability | 3 |
| ATM 731 | Air-Sea Interaction | 3 |
| ATM 762 | Computer Models in Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| ATM 768 | ENSO Dynamics, Prediction, and Predictability | 3 |
| EVR 611 | The Science of Actionable Knowledge | 3 |
| EVR 633 | Decision Analysis: Natural Hazards and Catastrophes | 3 |
| RSM 613 | Statistical Modeling of Extreme and Rare Events | 3 |
Suggested Plan of Study
Broadcast Meteorology Track
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ATM 651 or 614 | Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics or Introduction to Weather and Climate | 3 |
| ATM 662 | Advanced Weather Forecasting | 3 |
| JMM 615 | Writing and Reporting Across Platforms * | 3 |
| JMM 619 | Interactive Storytelling * | 3 |
| RSM 700 | Research Ethics | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| ATM 632 | Broadcast Meteorology | 3 |
| ATM 765 | General Circulation of the Atmosphere * | 3 |
| RSM 620 | Climate and Society | 3 |
| JMM 617 | Television News Reporting * | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| ATM 805 | MPS Internship 1 | 2-6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- *
or other approved Elective
- 1
Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of fewer than 2 internship credits must be approved by the M.P.S. Program Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the M.P.S. Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.
Climate and Society Track
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ATM 651 or 614 | Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics or Introduction to Weather and Climate | 3 |
| ATM 653 | Climate Change | 3 |
| EVR 660 & EVR 661 | Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory 1 | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| RSM 700 | Research Ethics | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| ATM 765 | General Circulation of the Atmosphere * | 3 |
| EVR 611 | The Science of Actionable Knowledge | 3 |
| EVR 662 | Intermediate Spatial Analysis * | 3 |
| RSM 620 | Climate and Society | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| ATM 805 | MPS Internship 2 | 2-6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- *
or other approved Elective
- 1
Can be taken in Fall or Spring
- 2
Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of fewer than 2 internship credits must be approved by the M.P.S. Program Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the M.P.S. Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.
Weather Forecasting Track
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ATM 651 | Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics | 3 |
| ATM 662 | Advanced Weather Forecasting | 3 |
| EVR 660 & EVR 661 | Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory 1 | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| RSM 700 | Research Ethics | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| ATM 765 | General Circulation of the Atmosphere | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| ATM 805 | MPS Internship 2 | 2-6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Can be taken in Fall or Spring
- 2
Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of fewer than 2 internship credits must be approved by the M.P.S. Program Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the M.P.S. Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.
Mission
Broadcast Meteorology Track
The mission of the Broadcast Meteorology (BME) track is to provide students with a solid foundation in the study of meteorology, as well as training for on-camera and behind-the-scenes careers in broadcast meteorology. In addition, the track's mission is to provide experiential learning for the development and delivery of a professional weathercast, as well as the opportunity to develop the knowledge and training necessary to enter the broader field of science journalism.
Climate and Society Track
The mission of the Climate and Society (CS) track is to draw on UM’s breadth and depth in interdisciplinary climatological and meteorological research, addressing climate risk management in the human health, fisheries, agriculture, water management, natural hazards, and coastal zone sectors. Faculty from the Rosenstiel School, Miller School of Medicine, and Geography contribute to the climate and society theme with their analysis of both climate trends and hazards, while faculty at the Schools of Law, Architecture, and the College of Engineering focus on the legal, material, and aesthetic aspects of the built environment that influence the mitigation of vulnerability and development of more resilient urban systems. Within this realm, students in the CS track understand important scientific and socioeconomic challenges, both in terms of urban planning and management of financial and other risks resulting from natural and anthropogenic climate change, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events.
Weather Forecasting Track
The mission of the Weather Forecasting (WFC) track is to provide students with graduate-level education in atmospheric dynamics, meteorology, and climate, and experience in applied weather forecasting. This education and experience will make the graduates of the program competitive for forecasting positions at the National Weather Service or other weather-related employment opportunities in agriculture, utilities, insurance, transportation, construction, and other weather-sensitive industries.
Student Learning Outcomes
Broadcast Meteorology Track
- Students will learn to research, analyze, predict, and then graphically and verbally communicate local and national weather forecasts “on camera."
- Students will demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of field and lab work during their internships.
- Students will submit a written final report and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.
Climate and Society Track
- Students will be able to understand, assess, and develop responses to social, economic, and ecological impacts of climate change and resulting chronic stressors and acute shocks, such as from rising sea levels, increasing humid heat, and extreme weather events.
- Students will demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of field and lab work during their internships.
- Students will submit a written final report and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.
Weather Forecasting Track
- Students will gain a graduate-level understanding of weather and climate and become familiar with research directions in these areas.
- Students will be able to analyze and prepare weather forecasts using a variety of global and regional weather models and apply this information to a variety of end-users.
- Students will demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of field and lab work during their internships.
- Students will submit a written final report and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.
