Broadcast Meteorology

The Broadcast Meteorology Program (BMP) track prepares students for a career as a Broadcast Meteorologist. Students may earn an undergraduate (B.S.) degree in Geosciences with an emphasis in broadcast meteorology or a graduate (M.S.) degree in Geosciences with an emphasis in broadcast meteorology. In addition to the meteorology core curriculum, students selecting the BMP track take four semesters of broadcast meteorology courses (Practicum in Broadcast Meteorology I through IV).

The Facilities: BMP students have the opportunity to gain beneficial hands-on experience in the classroom, climate lab, and broadcast meteorology studio. In the classroom, students take a series of upper-level meteorology course where they learn the meteorological theory and concepts, and apply that knowledge to forecasting in a series of weather analysis and forecasting courses. Within the climate lab and broadcast meteorology studio students learn how to produce weather graphics using the WSI WEATHERproducer, Weather Central Genesis, and AccuWeather Galileo graphics systems. Students combine these state-of-the-art graphics systems with our Baron NEXTRAC © radar, Automated Weather Source (AWS) and Roof Cam, in our fully upgraded broadcast meteorology studio facilities. The studio is equipped with DVC PRO digital editing equipment, and television studio quality production equipment allowing the students the ability to produce quality weathercasts. Students take a series of broadcast meteorology practicum courses where they are assigned actual weather shows including radio and television stations in the local area, allowing them an opportunity to gain on-camera experience.

Careers: Recent graduates from the BMP have obtained jobs at affiliate television stations across the nation, and some have obtained jobs at cable stations, including The Weather Channel. Many of our graduates currently working in the field have obtained their seals of approval from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and National Weather Association (NWA).

Click here to see recent graduates' videos and resumes

BMP Faculty: The department of Geosciences has 8 professors and instructors directly related to the broadcast meteorology program.

Renny Vandewege, M.S., Instructor
Practicum in Broadcast Meteorology

Doug Gillham, M.S., Instructor
Weather Forecasting I, Weather Forecasting II

Mike Brown, PhD., Associate Professor
Satellite & Radar Meteorology, Mesoscale Meteorology

Charles Wax, PhD., Professor / State Climatologist
Introduction to Meteorology, Applied Climatology

John Rodgers, PhD., Associate Professor
Natural Hazards

Jamie Dyer, PhD., Assistant Professor
Dynamic Meteorology I, Dynamic Meteorology II, Physical Meteorology, Statistical Climatology

Grady Dixon, PhD., Assistant Professor
Synoptic Meteorology, Weather Analysis I, Weather Analysis II

John Mylroie, PhD., Professor
Water Resources

Broadcast Meteorology Undergraduate
Programs of Study (B.S. Degree)

Recently changes have been made to programs of study both at the university and department level. Undergraduate students take the standard university required and geosciences core courses in addition to their meteorology program of study courses. In addition, students are required to take a series of communications courses (Public Speaking, Theater, Mass Media, Voice and Articulation, TV Production, Advanced TV Production, Broadcast Performance, and News Writing) earning a minor in communication. Students can now select from two different program tracks in broadcast meteorology:

(1) Broadcast Meteorology Program - This program is designed for the student interested in obtaining a job as a broadcast meteorologist. A student within this program will take all the basic upper-level meteorology courses, a series of communication courses (earning a minor in communication), and a series of practicum in broadcast meteorology courses. Other science requirements outside the department include Calculus I, Calculus II, General Physics I, General Physics II, and General Chemistry. A student selecting this program will obtain the background needed to eventually apply for a seal of approval from the National Weather Association (NWA) once working in television.

Click here for: Broadcast Meteorology Program List of Required Courses
Click here for: Broadcast Meteorology 4-year Course Schedule

(2) Professional Meteorology (Broadcast Emphasis) Program - This program is designed for the student interested in obtaining a job as a meteorologist who will do on-air work at a television station. A student within this program will take all upper-level meteorology courses, a series of communication courses (earning a minor in communication), and a series of practicum in broadcast meteorology courses. Other science requirements outside the department include Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Differential Equations, Physics I (Calculus Based), Physics II (Calculus Based), and Fundamentals of Chemistry with Lab. A student selecting this program will obtain the background needed (Pending approval by the American Meteorological Society) to meet the qualifications to apply for the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) once working in television.

Click here for: Professional Meteorology (Broadcast Emphasis) List of Required Courses
Click here for: Professional Meteorology (Broadcast Emphasis) 4-year Course Schedule
Click here for: Professional Meteorology (Broadcast Emphasis) Course Checklist

For more information about the BMP undergraduate (BS Degree) programs, please contact Ms. Martha Wilson, via email or by calling 662-325-3915.

Broadcast Meteorology Graduate
Programs of Study (M.S. Degree)

Most students interested in obtaining a graduate degree in broadcast meteorology have some type of communications or science related background at the undergraduate level and is now interested in combining that knowledge with the meteorology. While you would be earning a masters degree, it is a non-thesis track, meaning you would have an increased course load each semester (~13 hours) over a 2-year period (4 semesters).

Application and Requirements: To enter this program, you will need to complete the standard application to graduate school and meet the university requirements. Once accepted to the university you then need to be accepted to the program and meet certain requirements. Applications for our program are only accepted during fall semesters, given a set rotation/order of courses. The following department requirements must be met:

(1) Introduction to Meteorology: You will need to either: (1) Take a Background
Assessment Test (BAT) for Introduction to Meteorology and pass that test with a B or better; or (2) if you fail the BAT or wish to forgo taking the BAT, you would need to complete an Introduction to Meteorology course with a grade of a B or better (this is offered via Distance Learning during the summers through our department). This must be completed before you begin the program.

(2) Calculus I and II: You must complete a Calculus I and Calculus II course, prior to
starting the program, if you have not already done so during you undergraduate studies.

Program of Study: Onc e the above requirements are met, the student will meet with his/her advisor and develop a Program of study. Most BMP graduate students have a set program of study, however students with can petition for an altered program. If a student wishes to do a thesis, he/she must petition the department, and they must have a professor who is willing to be their thesis advisor.

Click here for: List of Required Courses and 2-year Course Schedule

Deadlines: Geosciences Department Deadlines for application to our BMP Graduate program are as follows: (Note that these deadlines are required my the Geosciences Department. They will differ from the University Graduate School deadlines.)

(1) April 1 - Once accepted to the university, the BAT must be completed by this date,
prior to a fall semester start.

(2) April 15 - If needed, you should sign up for the Introduction to Meteorology summer
course via Distance Learning by this date, prior to a fall start.

(3) August - Calculus I and II should be completed before the start of your fall semester.

Assistantships: Full time-time ($1200+/month) and half-time ($600/month) teaching assistantships are often available for graduate students. Full-time TA's teach two or three lab sections per week; half-time TA's usually teach one lab section and assist in one other. Departmental TA's usually last for two years and include a tuition waiver. Research assistantships are also often available to graduate students. RA's are usually required to teach labs in addition to working on a research project. The amount of the monthly RA stipend is dependent on a particular project and grant but can be as much as $1500/month plus tuition waiver.

For more information on the BMP graduate (MS degree) application process for the Department of Geosciences, and information about Teaching / Research Assistant positions within our department, please contact: Dr. Chris Dewey, Geosciences Graduate Coordinator.

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BMP Classes

GR 4502/6502: Practicum in Broadcast Meteorology I - This course includes two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory. This course focuses on an introduction to the technology in broadcast meteorology and how it is changing. Emphasis is placed on the use of meteorological data, its application to the production of television weather graphics, and its use during television performances. An introduction to basic chroma key mechanics and development of a weather story is covered during the lab portion of this course.

GR 4512/6512: Practicum in Broadcast Meteorology II - This course includes two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory. Topics focus on the studio performance of a weathercast with emphasis placed on vocal and mechanical skills, adapting meteorological knowledge, developing a weather story and broadcast appearance. These topics are supported by practice during the lab portion of this course.

GR 4522/6522: Practicum in Broadcast Meteorology III - This course contains two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory. Topics include the aspects of all weather segments in a television newscast including weather-related field reporting, severe weather coverage, and also the interaction of television and the Internet. Advanced topics dealing with weather graphics are also covered. Students are assigned actual television weather shows, which augment a continued performance emphasis during the lab portion of this course.

GR 4532/6532: Practicum in Broadcast Meteorology IV - This course includes two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory. Topics include the interaction of television media and the weather. Emphasis is placed on the weather in the television news business, the changing job market, and performance issues in television. Students focus on the polishing of their weathercast and the production of a resume tape during the lab portion of this course.