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)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric Science | ||
| ATM 103 | Survey of Modern Meteorology | 3 |
| ATM 243 | Weather Forecasting | 3 |
| ATM 265 | Atmospheric Chemistry | 3 |
| ATM 303 | Meteorological Instrumentation and Observation | 3 |
| ATM 305 | Atmospheric Thermodynamics | 3 |
| ATM 307 | Introduction to the Physics of Climate | 3 |
| ATM 405 | Atmospheric Dynamics I | 3 |
| ATM 406 | Atmospheric Dynamics II | 3 |
| ATM 407 | Weather Analysis | 4 |
| ATM 409 | Cloud Physics, Radiation, and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| Mathematics Core | ||
| MTH 161 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| or MTH 171 | Calculus I | |
| MTH 162 | Calculus II (fulfills the Rosenstiel BSMAS quantitative skills requirement) 1 | 4 |
| or MTH 172 | Calculus II | |
| MTH 210 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MTH 224 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| or MSC 204 | Environmental Statistics | |
| MTH 230 | Introduction to Abstract Mathematics | 3 |
| MTH 310 | Multivariable Calculus | 3 |
| MTH 311 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| MTH 433 | Advanced Calculus | 3 |
| or MTH 533 | Introduction to Real Analysis I | |
| MTH 461 | Survey of Modern Algebra | 3 |
| or MTH 561 | Abstract Algebra I | |
| Applied Analysis Courses * | ||
| MTH 512 | Elementary Complex Analysis | 3 |
| 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 111 | Introduction to Marine Science | 3 |
| MSC 112 | Introduction to Marine Science Lab | 1 |
| CSC 120 | Computer Programming I | 4 |
| or MSC 203 | Foundations of Computational Marine Science | |
| PHY 201 | University Physics I for the Sciences | 4 |
| PHY 106 | College Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| PHY 202 | University Physics II for the Sciences | 4 |
| PHY 108 | College Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 107 | First-Year Writing II: STEM | 3 |
| or WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| Quantitative Skills: | ||
| Calculus I (fulfilled through the major) | ||
or MTH 171 | Calculus I | |
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts and Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
| People and Society Cognate | 9 | |
| STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| Electives | ||
| Additional Electives | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 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.
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit 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 Hours | 14 | |
| 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 Hours | 16 | |
| 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 Hours | 14 | |
| 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 Hours | 14 | |
| 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 Hours | 16 | |
| 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 Hours | 15 | |
| 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 Hours | 16 | |
| 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 Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- *
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.
