Undergraduate Programs
The goal of the Physics, Astronomy, and Meteorology Department is to provide students with the opportunity to understand the physical laws governing the universe. The fundamental relationships of energy and matter pursued from the age of the ancient scientists through the era of Einstein and up to the present day are studied. Applications are made to the fields of astronomy, electronics, engineering, meteorology, and to the many branches of physics from classical mechanics to quantum nuclear physics. In addition to experiencing practical applications of the laws of nature, the student is given an understanding of the role played by science and technology in contemporary society.
The meteorology degree provides its students with a broad background of fundamental skills in meteorology, mathematics, computer science, physics, and chemistry and allows them to enter professional employment in both public and private sectors. A student completing the B. S. Meteorology degree will have the necessary expertise and have met requirements to seek employment with the National Weather Service or other government agencies, apply for graduate school in the physical and environmental sciences, and get jobs with a wide range of private sector employers who value students with a solid, quantitative science degree. The B.S. Meteorology degree can also be an excellent background for students choosing to further their education in business or other professional graduate schools. Students who choose the Broadcast Meteorology option will also get media experience with weekly live radio forecasting and doing on-camera television weathercasts in our department TV studio as a member of The WestConn Weather Team, our student team of broadcast meteorologists. We have a very impressive record of placing graduating students in on-camera meteorologist positions. Paid undergraduate research assistantships are available for qualified students with our faculty. Practical experience is available to students through paid employment in the departmental Meteorological Studies and Weather Center.
Admission Requirements
Please refer to the WCSU Admissions page for admissions requirements.
| Degree Programs | |
| Bachelor of Arts | |
| Earth and Planetary Science: Astronomy Option | |
| Bachelor of Science | |
| Meteorology (options: Theoretical Meteorology, Operational Meteorology/Weathercasting) Secondary Education: Earth Science |
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| Minor Programs | |
| Astronomy Physics Earth Science Meteorology |
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| Program in Engineering Technology at Central Connecticut State University | |
| Students are advised of a special engineering technology program leading to a bachelor's degree at Central Connecticut State University. This technical specialization can be in manufacturing, industrial systems, or construction engineering technology. For further information, please contact Dr. Alice Chance, WCSU Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Meteorology, or review the program's web page. | |
Degree Requirements
Students must complete all general education requirements, the courses and credits listed below, and additional free electives to total a minimum 122 semester hours, including physical education and foreign language. See also the degree requirements.
Required Courses
B.A.: Earth and Planetary Science: Astronomy Option
- Core Requirements (32-36 SH)
- Astronomy Option Required Courses (20 SH)
AST 150 General Astronomy 4 SH AST 231 Solar and Planetary Astronomy 4 SH AST 331 Astronomical Observations and Analysis 4 SH AST 405 Astrophysics 4 SH AST 490 Advanced Topics 4 SH
| PHY 110, 111 General Physics I & II | 8 SH | |
| CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I & II | 8 SH | |
| CS 170 Computer Science I | 4 SH | |
| MAT 181, 182 Calculus I & II | 8 SH | |
| AST/PHY 450 Senior Research | 4-8 SH | |
| and/or | ||
| AST 490 Advanced Topics | 4-8 SH | |
To fulfill Natural Science, Mathematics and Computer Science general education requirements for the B.S. Meteorology, students must take Chem 110/111 General Chemistry I/II (8 SH) and Math 181 Calculus I(4 SH) or or Math 171 Calculus I with Review, in addition to the required major requirements listed below.
Natural Science, Mathematics and Computer Science General Education Courses Required for B.S. Meteorology (12 S.H.)
| MAT 181 Calculus I or MAT 171 Calculus I with Review | 4 SH | |
| CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I & II | 8 SH |
Major Requirements (69 S.H.)
| CS 140 Intro. to Programming or CS 143 Visual Basic | 4 SH | |
| MAT 120 Elementary Statistics | 3 SH | |
| MAT 182 Calculus II | 4 SH | |
| MAT 281 Calculus III | 4 SH | |
| MAT 282 Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 SH | |
| PHY 110, 111 General Physics I & II (Calculus based) | 8 SH | |
| Two of the following Earth Science and Astronomy Courses | 8 SH | |
| ES 210 Intro. to Physical Oceanography and AST 150 General Astronomy or ES 110 Physical Geology |
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| MTR 150 Meteorology | 4 SH | |
| MTR 240 Climatology | 3 SH | |
| MTR 340 Mesoscale Meteorology and Numerical Forecasting | 3 SH | |
| MTR 310 Atmospheric Thermodynamics | 3 SH | |
| MTR 311 Atmospheric Dynamics | 3 SH | |
| MTR 230 Weather Analysis and Forecasting I | 4 SH | |
| MTR 231 Weather Analysis and Forecasting II | 4 SH | |
| MTR 430 Meteorological Instrumentation | 4 SH | |
| MTR 440 Atmospheric Physics and Remote Sensing | 4 SH | |
| MTR 450 Senior Research or MTR 370 Internship in Meteorology | 4 SH | |
Optional Track in Meteorology
- Broadcast Meteorology (9 S.H. minimum)
- THR 260 Voice and Diction
- COM 268 Public Communication
- COM 310 Business and Professional Speaking
| MTR 330/331 Operational Forecasting and Weathercasting I//II | 6 SH |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 SH |
B.S.: Secondary Education: Earth Science
Please refer to the undergraduate catalog for more information on the Bachelor of Science: Earth Science degree requirements. This program is offered through the Education and Educational Psychology Department of the School of Professional Studies.
Twenty (20) semester hours of astronomy courses:
AST 150 General Astronomy 4 SH AST 231 Solar and Planetary Astronomy 4 SH AST 331 Astronomical Observations and Analysis 4 SH AST 405 Astrophysics 4 SH AST 450 Senior Research 4 SH
Twenty (20) semester hours of physics courses, including PHY 110 and 111 (General Physics I & II), and 12 semester hours by departmental advisement.
Eighteen (18) semester hours of courses noted as Earth Science. Advisement must be through department chairperson.
The courses for the meteorology minor will be comprised of the core courses for the B.S. meteorology major program, but without the Senior Research in Meteorology (MTR 450), Internship in Meteorology (MTR 370), or Earth Science requirements.
MTR 150 Meteorology 4 SH MTR 175 Analytical Meteorology 4 SH MTR 230 Weather Analysis and Forecasting I 4 SH MTR 310 Atmospheric Thermodynamics 3 SH MTR 311 Atmospheric Dynamics 3 SH MTR Elective (200 level or higher) 3 or 4 SH Total Credits:
21 or 22 SH
