Overview of the School

The OU School of Meteorology is internationally recognized for innovative, state-of-the-art education and research in the Atmospheric Sciences. It is one of the leading programs nationwide in developing forward-looking curricula to prepare undergraduate and graduate students for careers in the 21st century. The School is an academic program within the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and is located in the National Weather Center on the University’s 271-acre Research Campus. The Research Campus brings university programs together with State and Federal research and operational facilities, including several NOAA organizations and private-sector companies. This provides for a diverse and collaborative meteorological community, where learning extends beyond the classroom, and research is linked directly to practical applications. The School offers a diverse research portfolio with expertise in the following areas:

  • aerosol-climate interactions
  • atmospheric chemistry and air quality
  • atmospheric dynamics
  • atmospheric radiation and passive remote sensing
  • boundary layer meteorology and land surface processes
  • climate variability and change
  • cloud physics and lightning
  • data assimilation
  • ensemble forecasting
  • hydrometeorology
  • machine learning methods
  • mesoscale meteorology
  • numerical weather prediction
  • polar meteorology
  • radar meteorology
  • radar meteorology
  • radar remote sensing
  • radio physics
  • statistical analysis
  • synoptic meteorology
  • tropical meteorology
  • tropospheric-stratospheric exchange

We anticipate having several GRA and GTA opportunities covering the breadth of the research expertise within the School of Meteorology and our co-located research centers.
More information on research expertise can be found here. Faculty expansion and diversification are ongoing.

Graduate Degrees

The University of Oklahoma offers MS and Ph.D. degrees in Meteorology. Graduate students work toward these degrees under the support of graduate teaching (GTA) and/or graduate research assistantships (GRA) offered through the School and other entities. Students may work with advisors in a variety of research specialties. A hallmark of our program is that the School partners with several organizations in the National Weather Center to allow opportunities for students to receive GRA offers from research scientists who are employed by entities such as NOAA, CIMMS, etc. and serve as adjunct faculty members. Of course, regular faculty members also serve as advisors for Meteorology graduate students as their funding allows.

Students typically receive an MS degree and then either seek employment or begin their Ph.D. studies. However, students can also meet the requirements to “Direct Track” into the Ph.D. program early in their second year of MS studies. Detailed information about the degrees offered at the School of Meteorology, admission practices, and other important policies related to the School of Meteorology graduate programs can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook as well as on our FAQ page. Please review this document carefully, as it also provides information related to graduate student funding and student organizations.

Knowledge Expectations for Incoming Graduate Students

Incoming graduate students at the School of Meteorology are generally expected to have a working knowledge of calculus, vector analysis, linear algebra, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, statistics, and computer programming.  However, because of the diverse educational backgrounds of our incoming students, some students may be required to complete courses on prerequisite material. This is typically done during the first year. In particular, please note that a course in Partial Differential Equations (or equivalent coursework, such as a course on Mathematical Methods for Physicists) is required for one of the core classes, METR 5113: Advanced Atmospheric Dynamics I. For further information on course prerequisites, please consult the course listings.

Please visit the “How to Apply” page for more information.