Contents

  1. DEPARTMENTAL INTRODUCTION
    1. Description of the OU School of Meteorology
    2. Available fields of study
    3. Summary of M.S. and Ph.D. programs
    4. Department contact information
    5. Research Opportunities
  2. DEPARTMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES
    1. Student Associations and Activities
    2. Career Opportunities
    3. Procedures for Graduate Students in Meteorology
      1. Procedures for M.S. Students
      2. Procedures for Ph.D. Students
    4. Public Documents
      1. Graduate Degree Requirements
        1. Master of Science in Meteorology
        2. Master of Science in Meteorology , Non-Thesis Option
        3. Master of Science in Professional Meteorology
        4. Doctor of Philosophy in Meteorology
      2. Exam Policy Documents
        1. M.S. Comprehensive Exam Policy
        2. Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Policy
        3. Ph.D. General Exam Policy
  3. SCHOOL OF METEOROLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM CONTACTS

In the summer of 2009, we understood that the GC was preparing a print version of the Graduate College Handbook with pages specific to the School of Meteorology. It is unclear that such a document will ever appear. But is here it the result of the collective effort of Brian Fiedler and Evgeni Fedorovich.

DEPARTMENTAL INTRODUCTION

Description of the OU School of Meteorology

The OU School of Meteorology (SoM; http://weather.ou.edu/) is one of the largest meteorological programs in the nation, with over 300 undergraduate and 100 graduate students. It is ranked first in the nation in mesoscale and severe storms research, and is among the top seven programs overall. The SoM is housed in the National Weather Center (NWC), a facility it shares with other OU weather and climate programs and with units of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration such as the National Severe Storms Laboratory and the Storm Prediction Center. This structure allows SoM students and faculty to interact closely with the researchers and practitioners of the NWC units. The NWC contains state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, computer labs, a library, student center, several lounge areas distributed around a spacious atrium, an observation deck on the roof, and a high-bay garage for the mobile radar vehicles. Together with the Geography department, the SoM is part of OU’s College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, which has many diverse research, academic, and operational components. Emphasis on interdisciplinary projects involving meteorologists, geographers, and OU students from other programs allows the College to address the challenges that society faces in areas of renewable energy, weather hazards and climate change.

More information about our graduate programs, graduate assistantships, admission procedures, and/or application requirements may be obtained by contacting the school or visiting our website at http://weather.ou.edu/.

Available fields of study

Air Quality, Atmospheric Convection, Atmospheric Dynamics, Atmospheric Electricity and Lightning, Boundary and Surface Layer Meteorology, Climate Variability, Cloud Physics, Hydrometeorology, Mesoscale Meteorology, Numerical Weather Prediction, Data Assimilation, Radar Meteorology, Synoptic Meteorology, and Tropical Meteorology.

Summary of M.S. and Ph.D. programs

Specific degree requirements can be found at http://weather.ou.edu/. A masters's degree requires two years of enrollment (or more), a Ph.D. an additional three years (or more). About half of the entering master's students are employed as Research Assistants when they enter their program, with their thesis advisor and topic known at the time of enrollment. The other half of master's students enter as teaching assistants, and usually know their topic and advisor after the first or second semester. Ph. D. students almost always enter the program with a known research topic and advisor.

Department contact information

For information about application procedures, applicants should contact Ms. Celia Jones, cjones@ou.edu. For information about degree requirements, contact the current Graduate Liaison of the School of Meteorology, Dr. Brian Fiedler at bfiedler@ou.edu

Research Opportunities

The graduate program emphasizes participation in the professional research activities with the faculty of the School of Meteorology and the scientists of the NWC. The student's contributions to such research is remunerated with an appointment as a Research Assistant, with salaries ranging from $1700 to $2100 per month, generally depending on the degree level (M.S. of Ph.D.) and progress towards the degree. Usually the research activity of the assistantship is identical with the research activity required for the degree, meaning the thesis or dissertation research.

DEPARTMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES

Student Associations and Activities

The Student Affairs Committee (SAC; http://weather.ou.edu/~sac) is an elected body which facilitates formal communication between students and faculty in the School of Meteorology. It is comprised of four undergraduate representatives, one M.S. representative, one Ph.D. representative, one international student representative, and a faculty advisor. The SAC is the official body for gathering student input on issues such as curriculum changes, degree requirements and computing resources, and for representing student opinions at faculty meetings.

The University of Oklahoma Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (OUSCAMS; http://weather.ou.edu/~ouscams) is an organization dedicated to all students interested in meteorology at OU. The OUSCAMS allows students to interact with other students, faculty members, and meteorology professionals around the community. Professional, operational, and research meteorologists are often invited to SCAMS meetings to share their experiences and the latest meteorological information. Dues for SCAMS are $8 per year for returning members, and $10 per year for new members. The dues for OUSCAMS also provide membership in COCAMS, the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the American Meteorological Society. The COCAMS frequently holds their meetings in the NWC. The SCAMS is a great source (reference?) for tutoring and allows students to participate in meteorology-related community service activities.

The Oklahoma Weather Lab (OWL; http://owl.ou.edu/) is a School of Meteorology funded, student-run campus forecast service. The OWL provides daily forecasts for all of Oklahoma on the internet, and specific Norman forecasts for the student newspaper, The Oklahoma Daily, and the Sooner Information Network, a website specifically for OU students. The OWL seeks meteorology and non-meteorology students alike to sign up for at least one of several shifts, which meet every week during the semester. Each shift has a shift manager, usually a senior or a graduate student, and several undergraduate forecasters. The purpose of OWL is primarily to provide forecasting experience for undergraduates. Until OWL was formed, the Local Forecasting Contest and the National Collegiate Weather Forecasting Competition were the only ways to obtain this valuable forecasting experience, experience in shift work commitment, and the ability to socialize and spend time with others pursuing the same goals as meteorologists.

Career Opportunities

Careers in meteorology include weather forecasting, research in federal laboratories, teaching and research in colleges and universities, consulting for government and private industry and radio and television broadcasting. In general, advanced degrees in meteorology lead to a wider range of employment opportunities. The principal employers of meteorologists and climatologists are federal and state government, the military services, and private sector and academic institutions. Many of these hire B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. graduates. In order to become a college professor or pursue a career in high-level research, a Ph.D. degree is usually required.

The single largest employer of B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. graduates in meteorology and atmospheric science is the federal government. About 1 of every 2 graduates from the School of Meteorology finds work in weather forecasting, research, analysis and administration supported by the U.S. government. From 5 to 9% of OU SOM graduates find employment in each of the following areas: state agencies, the private sector, the military services and universities. Starting salaries average about $25,000 for B.S. graduates, about $30,000 for M.S. graduates and $45,000 for Ph.D. graduates. Depending on employment sector and demand, individual starting salaries may vary from these figures. In contrast to some other areas in science and engineering, meteorology has shown sustained growth over the past four decades. It is not characteristic of the meteorological profession to experience large swings in employee demand.

See current job listings at http://weather.ou.edu/careers_ms.php (M.S. graduates), http://weather.ou.edu/careers_phd.php (Ph.D. graduates), and http://www.ametsoc.org/careercenter/index.html (Career Center of the American Meteorological Society).

Procedures for Graduate Students in Meteorology

Procedures for M.S. Students

Students who do not have a major or supervising professor when they arrive will be advised by the Chairman of the Graduate Studies Committee.

Students should communicate with faculty members during the first semester for the purpose of selecting and asking at least three Graduate Faculty members to serve as a supervisory committee (one committee member is the major or supervising professor). Graduate Faculty include not only regular members of the faculty of the University of Oklahoma but also many other local scientists how have been approved for service on Thesis and Dissertation committeess. However, the number of regular School of Meteorology faculty members on the committee should be equal to or greater than the number of the rest of committee members. It is the student’s responsibility to keep their committee informed of their M.S. course program and research plans and progress.

When a thesis topic has been approved by the supervising committee, the "Application For Approval Of The Master’s Thesis Topic And Committee Membership" should be submitted to the Graduate College. But the Graduate College rules are contradictory about the timing of the submission of the form, for we also read there "In all cases, this form must accompany the Admission to Candidacy form." An Admission to Candidacy form must be filed in the Graduate College no later than the first Monday in March (for summer graduates), the first Monday in April (for fall graduates) and the first Monday in October (for spring graduates). The Graduate College rules also require that, after first enrolling in 5980, continuous enrollment in METR 5980, Research for Master’s Thesis (at least 2 hours each semester) until degree is completed. However, no more than 4 credit hours of METR 5980 may count toward the M.S. degree.

The first draft of the thesis should be reviewed by the major professor. Plan on at least two weeks for each review process. After the major professor has reviewed it, a draft copy of the thesis is submitted to the Graduate College for approval and authorization is obtained. This should be accomplished at least two weeks before the start of final examinations.

All fees must be paid in the Bursar’s Office (consult the Class Schedule for deadline dates).

Seminar and defense date and location should be arranged with committee members several weeks in advance, and scheduled through the front office of the School of Meteorology.

Within 60 days of successfully passing the thesis defense, three copies of the thesis (signed by all committee members) must be submitted to the Graduate College. If all is in order, the copies of the thesis and a thesis card are given to the student. When the copies of the thesis have been deposited with the Librarian of the University, the properly signed thesis is returned to the Graduate College, the student can be cleared for graduation. The final day to deposit the thesis in the library in any given semester is the last day of final examinations.

In order to pursue the non-thesis option, the major or supervising professor must must submit a request to the Graduate Studies Committee and receive their approval. This non-thesis includes a special research paper acceptable to the Department faculty, a departmental seminar, and a comprehensive oral examination. The non-thesis option still requires an advisory committee, and requires that an Authority to Report form be completed and returned to the Graduate College. The form may be requested from the Academic Coordinator in the School of Meteorology office.

Procedures for Ph.D. Students

Students who do not have a major or supervisory professor when they arrive will be advised by the Chairman of the Graduate Studies Committee.

An Advisory Conference should normally be scheduled during the first semester in which the initial 9 credit hours of the doctoral program are being completed. In consultation with the major advisor, an advisory committee of at least five members should be selected (all of whom need to be Graduate Faculty members, as recognized by the Graduate College) with the intent that it will become the Doctoral Advisory Committee, one of which will be the major professor. A list of current Graduate Faculty is available at the Graduate College website. The School of Meteorology may assist in the application process for Graduate Faculty Membership for potential committee members, who are not currently Graduate Faculty. The major professor will help the student select at least one faculty member from outside the department to serve on this committee. Regular SoM Faculty cannot be in a minority on this committee. The Advisory and Doctoral Committee membership must be approved by the department Graduate Studies Committee. An Advisory Conference is requested through the Graduate College. After the advisory conference is held, the course structure type and date of the examinations are under the control of the Doctoral Advisory Committee.

Research should be initiated as soon as possible. The research program should proceed under the supervision of the Doctoral Advisory Committee, with periodic consultations. One meeting must be held for the research proposal approval. Others may be held when any major change is contemplated in the research program, and to review results prior to the initial draft of the dissertation.

The General Examination must be taken within the period set at the time of the Advisory Conference. It is usually taken at the completion of course work and must be taken at least seven months before the degree is to be conferred. Successful completion of this exam admits the student to candidacy for the Doctor’s Degree. The student must apply to the Graduate College for the General Exam at least one month before it is held. The Doctoral Advisory committee is responsible for preparing the exam. The form of the exam is determined by the Advisory Committee but must include an oral portion. A report on the Exam signed by the entire Committee must be submitted to the Graduate Dean one month later. A reading copy of the dissertation must be reviewed by the Graduate College at least two weeks before defense.

All fees must be paid in the Bursar’s Office (consult Class Schedule for deadline dates).

The reading copies are reviewed by the Advisory Committee and comments are provided to the candidate for the final draft. The date, time, and place of the Final Oral Examination are arranged with members of the Advisory Committee. The Exam is public, and the above information should be distributed at least one week before it is held. At least four members of the Committee, including the outside member and the chair, must be present. The result of the Exam should be reported to the Graduate College within 72 hours.

Within 60 days of the Final Oral Exam, three final copies of the dissertation (with original signatures of the Committee) must be delivered to the Graduate College. If all is in order, these copies are then deposited with the Library. A Library receipt and other information are then submitted to the Graduate College Office and the student is cleared for graduation.

Public Documents

Graduate Degree Requirements

Master of Science in Meteorology

Master of Science in Meteorology , Non-Thesis Option

Master of Science in Professional Meteorology

Doctor of Philosophy in Meteorology

Exam Policy Documents

M.S. Comprehensive Exam Policy

Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Policy

Ph.D. General Exam Policy

SCHOOL OF METEOROLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM CONTACTS

Director: Dr. Frederick Carr (fcarr@ou.edu)

Graduate Liaison: Dr. Brian Fiedler (bfiedler@ou.edu)

Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee: Dr. Phillip Chilson (chilson@ou.edu)

Coordinator for Academic Student Services: Ms. Celia Jones (cjones@ou.edu)