Meteorology, Ph.D.

Students who graduate from Saint Louis University's meteorology programs are trained to be meteorologists. They study the dynamics of air motion; physical processes such as transfer of radiation; and convection resulting in severe storms, flash floods and hurricanes. Research is underway at SLU on heavy precipitation, regional climate and air quality using numerical weather prediction models. Faculty members collaborate with research meteorologists at national centers, as well as operational meteorologists at the St. Louis National Weather Service forecast offices.

SLU is a founding member of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, which manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), in Boulder, Colorado, under the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation and NASA's DEVELOP program.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's Doctor of Philosophy in Meteorology requires a total of 30 credits beyond the master's degree (30 credits), including 12 credits of dissertation research.

SLU's Ph.D. in Meteorology may be pursued directly from the baccalaureate with the permission of the program director.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

SLU's Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is a charter member of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) which manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, under the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation. External funding for research comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The department has a dedicated synoptic computer lab and receives real-time data from both satellite downlink and the internet.

Software for displaying and analyzing weather data comes from Unidata Program Center, the National Weather Service, and locally written code.

Careers

SLU meteorology graduates work for federal and state government agencies, such as the National Weather Service, Federal Aviation Administration, NASA and the Environmental Protection Agency. Others are employed in the private sector, conducting atmospheric and agricultural research, weather forecasting and air quality assessments.

Admission Requirements

Successful applicants possess sufficient GPA and English proficiency scores (for international students) and research interests compatible with ongoing research in the department.

An undergraduate degree in meteorology or a related field including coursework in differential equations and physics.

Application Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcript(s)
• Professional goal statement
• Résumé
• GRE scores are optional

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Application and Assistantship Application Deadlines

Students typically begin the program in the fall semester. Students who want to be considered for an assistantship must submit their applications by Jan. 2. Late applications and applications for the spring semester will be considered if positions are available.

Review Process

Faculty committee members examine qualified applicants' materials and make recommendations.

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award. 

For more information, visit http://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

1. Graduates will be able to assess relevant literature or scholarly contributions in the earth and atmospheric sciences.
2. Graduates will be able to apply the major practices, theories, or research methodologies in the earth and atmospheric sciences.
3. Graduates will be able to apply knowledge from the earth and atmospheric sciences to address problems in broader contexts.
4. Graduates will be able to articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience, in oral forms.
5. Graduates will be able to articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience, in written forms.
6. Graduates will be able to evidence scholarly and/or professional integrity in earth and atmospheric sciences.

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The doctorate may be pursued directly from the baccalaureate with the permission of the program director.

Non-Course Requirements

Written and oral preliminary exam.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Program Notes

Requirements for Ph.D. include 18 credits of course work, 12 credits of dissertation, and preliminary exam. The EAS 5300 Seminar in Atmospheric Science (0-1 cr)/EAS 5330 Communicating in Research (2 cr) combination is required for those who are admitted to the Ph.D. program with M.S. degree already.

For more information about our program, please contact:

Linda Warren, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Coordinator, Meteorology
linda.warren@slu.edu