Weather patterns and the various elements that make up the Earth’s atmosphere are studied in meteorology. For those interested in pursuing a career in meteorology or who are required to take at least one science class while pursuing a degree in a different subject matter, universities and colleges offer a variety of meteorology courses. Short-term meteorology courses are also available from some employers and community colleges, which prepare people to work as weather presenters on television or radio.
Many universities offer meteorology degree programs in which students take a series of classes covering topics like climatology, physical meteorology, and thermodynamics. Other colleges and universities offer degree programs in meteorology that focus on a specific aspect of the subject, such as atmospheric studies or environmental science. Students who are pursuing a non-science degree may be able to enroll in one of the low-level meteorology classes offered during their first or second year of study.
Post-graduate degree programs in meteorology are sometimes pursued people who have completed undergraduate meteorology courses. Some of these are classified as advanced or master’s degree programs, which typically take a year to complete. These courses, like undergraduate degrees, may cover the topic in general or focus on a specific aspect of the science. Some students continue their education after completing master’s degree programs enrolling in doctorate or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs. Students must write a lengthy dissertation and pass an examination as part of these meteorology courses, which can last several years.
As weather presenters, television networks and radio stations frequently hire meteorological graduates, but some prefer to hire people who have completed broadcasting degree programs or who have prior presenting experience. Presenters who do not have a background in meteorology are frequently enrolled in short-term training courses at community colleges, where they learn about atmospheric dynamics, weather patterns, and climatology. Some companies even have in-house meteorologists who prepare weather forecasts, and these people are often in charge of setting up on-the-job training for new presenters.
Non-profit organizations and government agencies occasionally offer meteorology courses to people who are interested in the subject. These programs are frequently enrolled in amateur forecasters who use traditional methods. Furthermore, some of these organizations and groups go to schools and hold brief training sessions where young children are taught about science. These school-based sessions frequently tie into the geography or science curriculum that students are required to learn.