​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Program Description

Are you wired for weather? Do you wonder why weather changes when it does and what it is that keeps Michigan’s weather so unpredictable? Discover the answers in CMU’s meteorology program — the only such undergraduate degree in Michigan. You’ll strengthen your education by conducting field research or working on campus at CMU’s state-of-the-art weather station that’s equipped with a weather balloon and advanced technology. CMU’s program meets the requirements of the National Weather Service and produces graduates who work as lead meteorologists around the world.​​


Points of Pride

  • CMU offers the only meteorology major in Michigan. The program meets or exceeds American Meteorological Society and National Weather Service guidelines.
  • In 2014, meteorology faculty installed a state-of-the-art, electronic weather map wall that shows current and future weather forecasts by meteorologists and computer models across the country. Faculty members use it as a teaching tool in the classroom.
  • A surface weather station installed in 2013 allows students to use the same instruments as professional meteorologists to collect data about temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, solar energy, and precipitation. Meteorology faculty members also launch weather balloons that provide weather data.

Put Your Degree to Work

​U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sample data

JobMedian PayJob Growth through ​2022​
Atmospheric scientist/meteorologist$89,260 per year10% (1,100 more jobs)

For More Information

Visit the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences website or contact:

Dr. Marty Baxter
Brooks Hall 325
Email: baxte1ma@cmich.edu
Phone: 989-774-2055

Program Overview

The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.

(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)

Meteorology Major

Total: 71 semester hours Note: Students are strongly encouraged to meet with college and program academic advisors every semester, and to complete one or more of the following: MET 491 Internship, MET 497 Independent Study, a minor that complements the meteorology major.
Required Courses
(35 hours)
Note: One credit of MET 355 required.
MET 260
Introduction to Atmospheric Science
3
MET 265
Professional Development in the Atmospheric Sciences
1
MET 310
Atmospheric Thermodynamics and the Boundary Layer
3
MET 312
Meteorological Instruments and Observations
3
MET 320
Physical Meteorology
3
MET 330
Dynamic Meteorology I
3
MET 335
Dynamic Meteorology II
3
MET 340
Synoptic Meteorology I
3
MET 345
Synoptic Meteorology II
3
MET 355
Weather Forecasting Practicum
1-4
MET 450
Mesoscale Meteorology
3
MET 460WI
Global Climate Dynamics
3
MET 480WI
Atmospheric Modeling
3
Additional Requirements
(36 hours)
CHM 120
Survey of Chemistry
4
CHM 127
Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
1
CPS 180
Principles of Computer Programming
3
MTH 132
Calculus I
4
MTH 133
Calculus II
4
MTH 232
Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
3
MTH 233
Calculus III
4
PHY 145QR
University Physics I
4
PHY 146
University Physics II
4
PHY 175
University Physics Laboratory I
1
PHY 176
University Physics Laboratory II
1
STA 382QR
Elementary Statistical Analysis
3