Marine Sciences (BS): Meteorology Concentration
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The degree of Bachelor of Science in Marine Science may be obtained by selecting one of five concentrations: Biological Oceanography, Chemistry, Geology, Meteorology, or Physics.
The degree of Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources is available with a concentration in Marine and Coastal Resources.
Marine scientists explore all aspects of the seas and coastal regions, seeking to understand how the oceans, their biological communities, the solid earth and the atmosphere interact. As professionals with interdisciplinary training, marine scientists are needed to advise business, industry and governments on the potential impact of human activities and the wise use of marine resources. Marine scientists work for consulting firms; regulatory agencies; the mass media; business and industry; federal, state and local governments; academic laboratories; research and education organizations; and nonprofit environmental watchdog groups.
Contact
For more information about our marine science programs, visit ourÌýÌýor contact:
Maggie Puryear
Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs
mwpollar@ncsu.edu
919.513.093Ìý
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Courses/Marine Science 1 | |||
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý100 | Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections | 4 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý200 | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý210 | Oceanography Lab | 1 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý250 | Introduction to Coastal Environments | 3 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý251 | Introduction to Coastal Environments Laboratory | 1 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý459 | Field Investigation of Coastal Processes | 5 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý460 | Principles of Physical Oceanography | 3 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý462 | Observational Methods and Data Analysis in Marine Physics | 3 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý495 | Junior Seminar in the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences | 1 | |
| Meteorology Concentration 1 | |||
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý215 | Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences | 4 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý321 | Fundamentals of Air Quality and Climate Change | 3 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý312 | Atmospheric Thermodynamics | 4 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý421 | Atmospheric Dynamics I | 3 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý463 | Fluid Physics | 3 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý464 | Ocean Circulation Systems | 3 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý467 | Marine Meteorology | 3 | |
| Meteorology Concentration Electives 2 | 10 | ||
| Basic Math & Sciences 1 | |||
| °ä±áÌý101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 | |
| °ä±áÌý102 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | |
| °ä±áÌý201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 1 | 3 | |
| °ä±áÌý202 | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | |
| ±Ê³ÛÌý205 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý±Ê³ÛÌý206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1 | 4 | |
| ±Ê³ÛÌý208 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý±Ê³ÛÌý209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 4 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý242 | Calculus III 1 | 4 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 | |
| ³§°ÕÌý370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 | |
| ´Ç°ùÌý³§°ÕÌý311 | Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Select one of the following Computer Science electives: | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Computing in the Geosciences | |||
| Introduction to Computing-FORTRAN | |||
| Introduction to Computing - MATLAB | |||
| Introduction to Computing - Java | |||
| College Requirements | |||
| °ä°¿³§Ìý100 | Science of Change 3 | 2 | |
| ·¡±·³ÒÌý101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 | |
| Select one of the following Advanced Writing courses: | 3 | ||
| Communication for Engineering and Technology | |||
| Communication for Business and Management | |||
| Communication for Science and Research | |||
| GEP Courses | |||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Total Hours | 120 | ||
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required in CH 101, CH 201; ENG 101; MA 141, 241; MEA 421; and PY 205. No more than one D will be accepted in MEA or concentration courses.ÌýNo more than one additional D will be accepted in other math or science courses.
- 2
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
- 3
COS 100 is for new freshmen only. Transfer students will need to select a course from the GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives course list.
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| °ä±áÌý101 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory (CP) 1 | 4 |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý141 | Calculus I (CP) 1 | 4 |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý100 | Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections 1 | 4 |
| °ä°¿³§Ìý100 | Science of Change 3 | 2 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Ìý | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| °ä±áÌý201 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý202 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| ·¡±·³ÒÌý101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý241 | Calculus II (CP) 1 | 4 |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý215 | Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences 1 | 4 |
| Ìý | Hours | 16 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Computer Science Option Elective 1 | 3 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý242 | Calculus III 1 | 4 |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý200 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý210 | Introduction to Oceanography and Oceanography Lab (CP) 1 | 4 |
| ±Ê³ÛÌý205 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý±Ê³ÛÌý206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory (CP) 1 | 4 |
| Ìý | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý341 | Applied Differential Equations I 1 | 3 |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý250 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý251 | Introduction to Coastal Environments and Introduction to Coastal Environments Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý312 | Atmospheric Thermodynamics 1 | 4 |
| ±Ê³ÛÌý208 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý±Ê³ÛÌý209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| Ìý | Hours | 15 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý321 | Fundamentals of Air Quality and Climate Change 1 | 3 |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý421 | Atmospheric Dynamics I 1 | 3 |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý460 | Principles of Physical Oceanography 1 | 3 |
| ³§°ÕÌý370 or ³§°ÕÌý311 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers 1 or Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Ìý | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Advanced Writing Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective 1, 2 | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý462 | Observational Methods and Data Analysis in Marine Physics 1 | 3 |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý467 | Marine Meteorology 1 | 3 |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý495 | Junior Seminar in the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences | 1 |
| Ìý | Hours | 14 |
| Summer | ||
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý459 | Field Investigation of Coastal Processes 2 | 5 |
| Ìý | Hours | 5 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Approved Elective 1, 2 | 4 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý463 | Fluid Physics 2 | 3 |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Ìý | Hours | 13 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Approved Elective 1, 2 | 3 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý464 | Ocean Circulation Systems 1 | 3 |
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Ìý | Hours | 12 |
| Ìý | Total Hours | 120 |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required in CH 101, CH 201; ENG 101; MA 141, 241; MEA 421; and PY 205.ÌýNo more than one D will be accepted in MEA or concentration courses.ÌýNo more than one additional D will be accepted in other math or science courses.
- 2
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
- 3
COS 100 is for new freshmen only. Transfer students will need to select a course from the GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives course list.
Career Opportunities
MEAS undergraduate degree programs provide talented students with the foundation of scientific knowledge required for careers in government, industry, or academia. Many students pursue graduate degrees and pursue careers in industry, at government agencies and in academia.
Marine Sciences graduates go on to become oceanographers, to manage our coastal resources, model air-sea interaction, and explore global climate change. They conduct basic and applied research, serving as environmental consultants for industry and governmental agencies, policy and management experts for governmental agencies, and environmental science educators. Graduates with a Natural Resources degree are versed in the fundamental processes and interdisciplinary nature of the coastal zone. As scientists, managers, administrators, and regulators, they make decisions regarding use and conservation of coastal and marine resources.
Geology graduates address society’s needs for dealing effectively with earth processes, such as water resources and the stability of land forms. They work for engineering firms, permit-issuing agencies, and industries that rely on geological resources. Historical geologists are familiar with the evolution of earth through time and provide a perspective on potential long-term reactions of the earth systems to change. Those who concentrate in Environmental Geology are trained to assess and monitor geological resources such as ground water. Marine geologists are experts in the complex issues facing industry, municipalities, and residents in the dynamic and ecologically vulnerable coastal zone.
Meteorology graduates enjoy careers in weather forecasting, air quality assessment, development of weather products and services, broadcast communications, and advanced research. Marine meteorologists study ocean-generated weather systems. Their research is yielding practical benefits such as refined prediction of storm surge, which has streamlined evacuation efforts during severe storms along the Carolina coast. Meteorology graduates with an air quality emphasis work for environmental firms, regulatory agencies, and in applied research. Study of air quality and how air pollution is transported and dispersed is a rapidly expanding field in the atmospheric sciences.
MEAS graduates play a key service role for the State of North Carolina, assisting in everything from forecasting severe storms and analyzing the impact of atmospheric pollutants on agriculture and our estuaries, to determining the effects of toxic waste disposal on quality of surface and ground water.