Master of Professional Science
Broadcast Meteorology
Broadcast Meteorology is a rapidly growing and evolving field and one of the largest employers in the private sector of meteorology. This track option allows students who have an undergraduate degree in meteorology to prepare for both on-camera and behind-the-scenes careers in broadcast meteorology, or develop the knowledge and training necessary to enter the broader field of science journalism. The curriculum integrates graduate level coursework in broadcast journalism from UM’s School of Communications with advanced courses in Meteorology from RSMAS. Students receive hands-on training in UM’s state-of-the-art digital studio and learn the proper techniques involved in preparing and presenting a complete and professional weathercast. The UMTV studio is fully equipped to deliver professional, on-air graphics with real-time data feeds and visualization software from Weather Central. Students will learn to research, analyze, predict, and then graphically and verbally communicate local and national weather forecasts “on camera”. Students will also learn how to master breaking news, severe weather bulletins, ad-libbing, deadlines, teamwork, and other skills vital to a successful career in broadcasting. Students participate in UM’s award-winning news broadcast “NewsVision”, which is aired daily on local cable channels to the university and the surrounding community. This enables students to apply their knowledge of journalism and weather forecasting in a TV studio and develop their skills in communication, computer graphics, and on-camera delivery. The coursework is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in both meteorology and broadcast journalism, in order to meet the basic requirements of the AMS Certification for Broadcast Meteorology and also provide students with a greater understanding of broader environmental issues facing society in the 21st Century.
Sample Curriculum
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Atmospheric Science (MPO 551) | Broadcast Meteorology (MPO 532) |
| Broadcast Journalism I (COM) | Broadcast Journalism II (COM) |
| News Writing and Reporting (NEW) | Carbon and Climate (RSM 570)/Or ELECTIVE |
| News Technologies/Producing TV News (NEW) | Weather Forecasting (MPO)/Or ELECTIVE |
Other Electives:
Air-Sea Interaction (MPO 631)
Climate and Society (RSM 520)
Climate Dynamics (MPO 632)
Convective and Mesoscale Meteorology (MPO 663)
General Circulation of the Atmosphere (MPO 665)
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (MPO 511)
Global Climate Change (MPO 584)
Large-Scale Ocean Circulation: Models and Observations (MPO 612)
Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer (MPO 633)
Physical Oceanography (MPO 503)
Physics of Remote Sensing (MPO 542)
Tropical Meteorology (MPO 561)
Tropospheric Chemistry (MAC 560)
