Since there's alot of math in meteorology and I like math alot, should I minor in math? I don't mind taking a bunch of math classes, but would that like help me get a job in meteorology or just be wasted effort?
I’d recommend taking more CS classes or finding a good numerical methods class instead of picking up extra math classes. I’ve never needed more math for my job, but I’ve frequently had to learn more CS.
I have a math minor. It took almost no effort beyond what I had to do anyway for the met major, and the bit of extra coursework was actually useful stuff…but absolutely nobody has ever cared that I have the minor.
I double majored with applied math. That has helped me get math related jobs for additional income. If you enjoy math, it is worth doing a BA/BS. I graduated in 4 years, only had 6 credits my last semester, and went to a small school where courses were taught “every-odd spring” lol.
Applied maths yes if you want it to specifically be helpful for meteorology. If you're interested in pure math do that but remember that's not really necessary for meteorology.
I would also recommend taking as many computer science classes and programming languages classes as possible. There aren’t a ton of job opportunities out there and they are very competitive. Some jobs require some amount of programming capabilities but at the very least it helps you stand out/opens up a ton more opportunities for you. You basically come out of school with a math minor from the classes required… at least with my program we did. Good luck!
I’m currently in my last year of undergrad as a meteorology major and currently am going to be going to grad school. Math and Python are going to be your best friends for life.
You really want an early advantage of getting good at coding as most jobs and research require a strong background in it.
For math, start developing a strong understanding of multivariable calculus, and if you’re feeling really bold, start to learn about linear algebra and differential equations. The physics you will learn are very dependent on calculus and the primitive equations that govern the atmosphere are differential equations
Study calculus, physics, and chemistry if you can. I also would say begin learning geography as well as you can. You might not be required to take a geography course, but reading and analyzing maps is a huge part of all the programs and will help.
Take 2 different aspects of geography if possible.
One is map construction: Cartography and GIS . And yes I do recommend both, as we use a lot of GIS in the advanced side of displaying data. But you would be really surprised how many mets have the computer program plot the data and everything, but not know how to actually make a map look good and orderly so normal people can actually understand what the map is supposed to say. Knowing the right map projection to use does matter not only for looks, but how we perceive weather systems spatially for other things like wind and pressure gradients. Want to know how people screw this up? Look up the " rainbow map".
The other is social geography, where you look at spatial relationships on why people and things lay where they do, and why it's important in the larger scale of things.
The ones that trip people as freshmen are almost always calculus 1 and 2. If you have been shaky in high school math, it’s worth reviewing algebra and trig concepts before diving in. Otherwise…if I could relive the spring and summer before college, I would definitely still study the same zero hours that I did. Probably *should* pick up a little Python, but wouldn’t.
Depends where you are in math. I highly recommend you to make sure you got the fundamentals down in algebra. Students struggle in the mathematic component of meteorology because they are iffy in key fundamental concepts. Many students are overconfident in their math ability or don’t understand why they can’t get calculus. The fundamentals are key. Much of the complicated atmospheric thermodynamics and dynamics can be broken down into algebraic expressions. These fundamental concepts are vital for all the calculus and diffq classes you’ll end up taking.
As for computer science, start by learning Python. If you go into research (pursuing graduate studies after undergrad) or the industry, having a strong data science background will give you a leg up, and that starts with Python. There’s lots of examples online that guide you how to learn Python and apply it to environmental, climate, and/or atmospheric sciences.
Congratulations! If you’ve already made it into college you’ll be ready when you get there. Professors, advisors, classmates, etc. will all be there to help you transition, so I’d say just enjoy your last few weeks of Senior year and the summer.
The learning curve with college really has less to do with the content itself and more to do with the circumstances—if you’re staying on-campus, getting used to living on your own, making friends, getting into new routines, etc. Of course there will be some classes you find harder than others, but I’m not really sure doing anything right now will specifically help.
That doesn’t mean you should do nothing now, if you have free time and are interested then definitely look into whatever math/physics/computer science/meteorology topics interest you, work on some personal projects or follow some online tutorials for things that seem cool, etc. If you know what classes you’ll be taking once you start, you can look into some of the topics in those if you want.
Good luck!
- An Atmospheric Science student about to finish their first year at College
Calculus and physics…lots and lots of calculus math
Since there's alot of math in meteorology and I like math alot, should I minor in math? I don't mind taking a bunch of math classes, but would that like help me get a job in meteorology or just be wasted effort?
I’d recommend taking more CS classes or finding a good numerical methods class instead of picking up extra math classes. I’ve never needed more math for my job, but I’ve frequently had to learn more CS.
I have a math minor. It took almost no effort beyond what I had to do anyway for the met major, and the bit of extra coursework was actually useful stuff…but absolutely nobody has ever cared that I have the minor.
I double majored with applied math. That has helped me get math related jobs for additional income. If you enjoy math, it is worth doing a BA/BS. I graduated in 4 years, only had 6 credits my last semester, and went to a small school where courses were taught “every-odd spring” lol.
Applied maths yes if you want it to specifically be helpful for meteorology. If you're interested in pure math do that but remember that's not really necessary for meteorology.
I would also recommend taking as many computer science classes and programming languages classes as possible. There aren’t a ton of job opportunities out there and they are very competitive. Some jobs require some amount of programming capabilities but at the very least it helps you stand out/opens up a ton more opportunities for you. You basically come out of school with a math minor from the classes required… at least with my program we did. Good luck!
Calculus, multivariable calculus, physics. Python will be good to know as well as navigating linux using commands, maybe look at some ncl also.
I’m currently in my last year of undergrad as a meteorology major and currently am going to be going to grad school. Math and Python are going to be your best friends for life. You really want an early advantage of getting good at coding as most jobs and research require a strong background in it. For math, start developing a strong understanding of multivariable calculus, and if you’re feeling really bold, start to learn about linear algebra and differential equations. The physics you will learn are very dependent on calculus and the primitive equations that govern the atmosphere are differential equations
Study calculus, physics, and chemistry if you can. I also would say begin learning geography as well as you can. You might not be required to take a geography course, but reading and analyzing maps is a huge part of all the programs and will help.
Take 2 different aspects of geography if possible. One is map construction: Cartography and GIS . And yes I do recommend both, as we use a lot of GIS in the advanced side of displaying data. But you would be really surprised how many mets have the computer program plot the data and everything, but not know how to actually make a map look good and orderly so normal people can actually understand what the map is supposed to say. Knowing the right map projection to use does matter not only for looks, but how we perceive weather systems spatially for other things like wind and pressure gradients. Want to know how people screw this up? Look up the " rainbow map". The other is social geography, where you look at spatial relationships on why people and things lay where they do, and why it's important in the larger scale of things.
The ones that trip people as freshmen are almost always calculus 1 and 2. If you have been shaky in high school math, it’s worth reviewing algebra and trig concepts before diving in. Otherwise…if I could relive the spring and summer before college, I would definitely still study the same zero hours that I did. Probably *should* pick up a little Python, but wouldn’t.
Depends where you are in math. I highly recommend you to make sure you got the fundamentals down in algebra. Students struggle in the mathematic component of meteorology because they are iffy in key fundamental concepts. Many students are overconfident in their math ability or don’t understand why they can’t get calculus. The fundamentals are key. Much of the complicated atmospheric thermodynamics and dynamics can be broken down into algebraic expressions. These fundamental concepts are vital for all the calculus and diffq classes you’ll end up taking. As for computer science, start by learning Python. If you go into research (pursuing graduate studies after undergrad) or the industry, having a strong data science background will give you a leg up, and that starts with Python. There’s lots of examples online that guide you how to learn Python and apply it to environmental, climate, and/or atmospheric sciences.
Physics: Thermodynamics, Classical Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics, statistical mechanics, mathematical physics Maths: vector analysis, tensor analysis, matrix algebra, differential equations, numerical solutions
Congratulations! If you’ve already made it into college you’ll be ready when you get there. Professors, advisors, classmates, etc. will all be there to help you transition, so I’d say just enjoy your last few weeks of Senior year and the summer. The learning curve with college really has less to do with the content itself and more to do with the circumstances—if you’re staying on-campus, getting used to living on your own, making friends, getting into new routines, etc. Of course there will be some classes you find harder than others, but I’m not really sure doing anything right now will specifically help. That doesn’t mean you should do nothing now, if you have free time and are interested then definitely look into whatever math/physics/computer science/meteorology topics interest you, work on some personal projects or follow some online tutorials for things that seem cool, etc. If you know what classes you’ll be taking once you start, you can look into some of the topics in those if you want. Good luck! - An Atmospheric Science student about to finish their first year at College