Changes in BS Requirements for Meteorology-effective
January 2007
Integrated B.S./M.S. Program in Meteorology
The Department of Meteorology offers an integrated B.S./M.S. (IUG) Program
that is designed to allow academically superior students to obtain both
the B.S. and the M.S. degree in Meteorology in five years of study. In order
to complete the program in five years, students interested in the Integrated
B.S./M.S. Program in Meteorology must apply for admission to the Graduate
School and the Integrated B.S./M.S. program by the end of their junior year.
During the first three years, the student will follow the course scheduling
of one of the options in the B.S. degree, normally the Atmospheric Sciences
or the General option (see the Undergraduate Bulletin). Students who intend
to enter the Integrated B.S./M.S. program are encouraged to take upper level
classes during their first three years whenever appropriate. By the end
of the junior year, students normally apply for admission to both the Meteorology
Department IUG program (502 Walker Building) and to the Graduate School.
Acceptance decisions will be made prior to the beginning of the senior year
and M.S. advising committees will be appointed for successful applicants.
During the senior year, IUG students follow the scheduling of the selected
B.S. Meteorology option, with an emphasis on completing 500-level course
work as appropriate. During the senior year, IUG students will start work
on their theses or papers that are designed to meet the requirements of
the M.S. degree in Meteorology. During the fifth year, IUG students take
courses fulfilling the departmental M.S. degree requirements and complete
their M.S. theses or papers. Typical scheduling plans for students pursuing
the General or Atmospheric Sciences options are given on the departmental
web site www.met.psu.edu/dept/undprog/Sample_IUG_programs.pdf.
If a plan similar to one of these plans is followed, then the student will
have completed all requirements for the BS in Meteorology by the end of
the fourth year. If, for some reason, a student cannot continue in the integrated
program, then this student will be able to receive the undergraduate degree
upon completion of all of the B.S. requirements. Undergraduate tuition rates
will apply as long as the student is an undergraduate, unless the student
receives financial support, for example, via an assistantship requiring
the payment of graduate tuition.
Admission requirements
Students who wish to complete the Integrated B.S./M.S. Program in Meteorology
should apply for admission to both the Graduate School and the Meteorology
Department Integrated B.S./M.S. Program (502 Walker) by no later than the
end of their junior year. In this case, successful students will be admitted
formally into the graduate program in Meteorology just prior to their senior
year, if their progress has been satisfactory. Admission prior to the senior
year is also possible in some unusual circumstances. In all cases, admission
to the program will be at the discretion of the Graduate Admissions Officer
for the Department of Meteorology, who will determine the necessary criteria
for all applicants. These criteria include the setting of the minimum required
scores on the GRE and the minimum cumulative GPA for consideration.
When applying to the Meteorology Department IUG Program, provide the following
to the department:
- Recommendation letters from three faculty
- Letter of support from the Meteorology department head
- Name of an adviser who is willing to oversee the M.S. research project
- Resume showing evidence of significant research potential
Also provide to the department the following information that is required
of all applicants to graduate study:
- Penn State transcript
- GRE scores
- State of Purpose letter (a one-page essay describing your research interests
and career goals).
Requirements
The total degree requirements are as follows. The new program will fulfill
the present rigorous requirements of the existing M.S. program. In particular,
all IUG students must defend their theses or papers, as do all M.S. students,
in a public presentation toward the end of their graduate program.
B.S. Degree Portion: Total B.S. Requirements: 121 Credits (12 double-counted
with the M.S. Requirements)
General Education: 45 Credits, 24 of which are included in the requirements
for the major.
Requirements for the Major: 93-94 Credits, 24 of which are included in the
General Education requirements
Common Requirements for the Major (All Options): 75 Credits
Prescribed Courses: 56 Credits
Additional Courses: 19 Credits
Requirements for the General Option: 18-19 Credits
M.S. Portion: Total M.S. Requirements: 30 Credits (12 double-counted with
the B.S. Requirements)
Prescribed Courses: METEO 520, 521, 533, 535 (12 credits)
Additional Courses: 18 credits
6 credits are 500-level coursework
6 credits are 400- or 500-level coursework
6 credits of METEO 600 (thesis option)
or
6 credits of 400- or 500-level coursework
Sample Scheduling Plans
[View
three sample course scheduling plans for the IUG program.]
More Information
The details of the program requirements can be found in the
Graduate
Degree Programs Bulletin.
Home