Welcome to the advising page for Meteorology majors. This page is designed to provide you with the information needed about our program so you can achieve your goal of obtaining a degree in Meteorology.
The four-year roadmap for the BS in Meteorology degree is given below. In practice, most students don't follow this exact roadmap, but use it as a guide. Also, see the General Education Requirements & Courses page for detailed general education information.
We've also developed an Advising Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section. If after reading these pages, you have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact the undergraduate advisor .
Also note that mandatory advising is required of all lower division Meteorology Students at least once per year. We'll send you an email to remind you to make an appointment at the appropriate time.
Links:
Bachelor of Science - Catalog Details
Four Year Roadmap
General Education Requirements & Courses
Advising Frequently Asked Questions
Undergraduate Advisor
Forms:
Minor in Meteorology
Minor in Atmospheric and Seismic Hazards
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Q: Where can I find the prerequisites for Meteorology courses?
On our four-year roadmap page, you can click on each class to see the prerequisites.
Q: What classes should I take during my first year at SJSU?
In terms of Meteorology, plan on taking Metr 10: Weather and Climate the first semester you are here, and Metr 40: Weather Seminar in the first Spring semester. It is also important that you take the highest Math course you can get into after taking the Entry Level Mathematics exam. Once you complete Math 30P/30, then you can start taking your Physics sequence. Please consult the four-year roadmap for details.
Q: I've just now entered SJSU, but am taking Math 19 (pre calculus) my first semester. Does this mean I won't graduate in four years according to the roadmap.
Graduating in four years is not that common, but certainly possible should that be your primary aim. For us, we want out students to be successful in their professional lives so at times we will recommend that students not rush to cram in extra classes. That said, there are also times when a summer class may enable a student to 'catch up' so that they are on track to take Metr 61 in the spring. Check the roadmap and consult with your advisor should you have further questions.
Q: Is there any particular order to taking my General Education (GE) courses.
On the roadmap, we've suggested when you take your GE courses, but it's really up to you. The university suggests that you take your writing courses early, and we agree. However, for other courses, pick and choose what seems the most interesting at the time. If the load seems too high during a particular semester, then consider dropping a GE course and maybe taking that class during a summer or winter session.
Q: Are Meteorology students exempt from any GE requirements?
Yes. Meteorology students do not have to take any Area B GE course (9 units) because of the math and physics prerequisites we have.
Q: How many hours per week should I expect to study? I need to adjust my work hours.
It should be noted that if you are working much more then 15-20 hours per week, it may be difficult to manage a full time load in Meteorology, even during the first two years. Our program is challenging, and for students working a lot of hours, they often simply find it too much. And while everybody is different in their ability to manage workloads, we suggest that students give themselves a chance to succeed by making their studies their top priority and by working the fewest hours possible. Note that many of our Junior and Senior work in the department either grading papers, in computing jobs or working directly with faculty on research projects. These jobs are typically flexible and allow students further education and experience.
Q: Why are there so many Math and Physics classes as prerequisites?
Meteorology is a math and physics based science, and to really begin to develop a foundation for understanding how the atmosphere works, we need to develop certain skills in math and physics. We feel these skills will serve you well in advancing your understanding of meteorology and for your future career. The National Weather Service also feels this way, and our program completely satisfies their requirements.
Q: What is the hardest part of the major?
For many of our students, the biggest challenge will be in getting through the first two years. It is during this time, students are taking their math and physics classes and these classes can be a lot of work. However, once student get through to their Junior year, then they almost always succeed in obtaining their Meteorology degree. This is not to say that the junior/senior years are easy, but in our small classroom environment, students generally succeed by working closely with faculty and other students.
Q: What classes should I take before transferring from a community college?
As the four-year roadmap indicates, the first two years in Meteorology concentrate on developing the skills required for an in depth study of meteorology. These courses include four semesters of calculus/differential equations (Math 30P/31/32/133A), three semesters of physics (Phys 50/51/52), one class in Chemistry (Chem 1) and two computing classes (Met 50/51). In principle, all these classes can be completed before you arrive. The one lower division class that you can only take at SJSU is Metr 61: Introduction to Meteorology which is a gateway class into the Junior and Senior years. Note that this class is only offered in the Spring of each year, so you may need to plan your schedule accordingly.
Q: I plan to transfer to the Meteorology program from a community college.
Are there any special considerations when transferring?
Good question. At a community (or 4 year) college you can take most of
your first two year requirements including calculus, physics and chemistry.
You may also be able to take an equivalent to Metr 10, Weather and Climate.
However, there are other classes we require our sophomores to take,
including one year of programming (Metr 50/51) and Metr 61 that you'll have
to plan for. Metr 61: Introduction to Meteorology is a quantitative
introduction to the field including math and physics that includes a great
lab, and is typically not offered elsewhere. Also, Metr 61 is the gateway
class for all junior/senior meteorology courses, so you need to take this
before any upper division courses. One possibility is to take some of your
math/physics elsewhere, and then transfer in the sophomore year, or in the
spring semester of your sophomore year, so you can take Metr 51/61 when you
arrive. Note that Metr 51/61 are only offered in the spring semester. In
this case, you could satisfy the requirement for Metr 50 at another college
by taking some programming class such as Fortran C/C++ or JAVA.
Q: I would really like to study Meteorology because it's something I really find interesting, however I'm concerned about all the math and physics required. How do I know if this the right major for me?
This is a good question. Meteorology is a field based on math and physics, and many of our Junior and Senior level courses are theory based and require this background to understand the fundamentals of how the atmosphere works. However, while a strong background in math/physics is great, it does not necessarily mean one would make a good forecaster for example. In fact, some of our top forecasters and our most successful alumni struggled with their math and physics. As for is this the right major for you? I'd say, follow what interests you, and if it's Meteorology, then go for it! However, be prepared to work to succeed in this rewarding field. |
