METEOROLOGY
From planning deployments and air strikes, to scheduling space launches and issuing proper protective clothing, weather considerations influence many of the decisions made by Air Force officers. Throughout history, weather has played a pivotal role in the outcome and execution of important campaigns—the debacle of Napoleon’s army in Russia, the scheduling of the Normandy invasion and the destruction of Germany’s counter attack in the Battle of the Bulge. Knowledge of the weather is still important in the modern battlefield.
Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and the weather that it generates. At the U.S. Air Force Academy, the meteorology major uniquely focuses on the impact of weather on military operations. The growth of meteorology and weather forecasting is intimately linked with the emergence and rise of aviation and space power through the 20th and into the 21st century. The basic properties of the atmosphere and resulting weather phenomena are literally of life and death importance to pilots and consequently, to the Air Force. According to Sun Tzu, “…know the ground, know the weather; your victory will then be total.”
The Meteorology major teaches cadets how to analyze and predict atmospheric behavior over a broad range of time and space scales. These phenomena include small features such as thunderstorms and tornadoes; medium-sized features such as squall lines, hurricanes and blizzards; and even larger features such as continental weather, waves in the jet stream, and climate change.
This program requires a foundation in physics, geospatial science and mathematics, as well as an aptitude for problem solving. This interdisciplinary major is jointly administered by the Department of Physics and the Department of Economics and Geosciences.
POTENTIAL JOB ASSIGNMENTS
Within the Air Force
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Outside the Air Force
Industries – Government, private, universities |
SAMPLE COURSES
- Meteorology and Aviation Weather
- Climatology
- Atmospheric Dynamics
- Weather Analysis and Forecasting
SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE
4th CLASS YEAR (FRESHMAN) | 3RD CLASS YEAR (SOPHOMORE) | 2ND CLASS YEAR (JUNIOR) | 1ST CLASS YEAR (SENIOR) |
---|---|---|---|
Beh Sci 110 Chem 100 Com Sci 110 English 111 Engr 101 For Lang 1 For Lang 2 History 100 Math 141 Math 142 Physics 110 |
Biology 315 Chem 200 Econ 201 English 211 Engr Mech 220 Law 220 Math 356 Meteor 320 MSS 200 Physics 215 Pol Sci 211 |
Academy Opt Aero Engr 315 BehSci 310 ECE 315 History 300 Meteor Elec Meteor 325 Meteor 330 Meteor 331 Meteor 352 Meteor 430 Philos 310 |
AstroEngr310 English 411 Meteor 431 Meteor 440 Meteor 451 Meteor 452 Meteor 470 Meteor 490 Meteor Elective Mgt 400 MSS 415/416 SocSci 412 |
For full program requirements and course descriptions, download the current Course of Instruction Handbook.
VALIDATION AND TRANSFER CREDITS
For information on what classes may receive transfer credits, please speak with an AIC.
CONTACT US
Image Maj Edward “Joe” Rozak
Director and Senior Instructor of Meteorology
(719) 333-8733
edward.rozak@usafa.edu