About Option Four

This option is designed for students with strong interests in weather and climate.  The approach is to employ the general principles of science in systematic investigations of earth-atmosphere system and subsystem dynamics, and to train students in the use of technology (satellites, radar, automated weather observations, and numerical weather prediction) to analyze these systems on a variety of spatial and temporal scales.

The Program

Two tracks have been developed within Option 4 to address a variety of student career interests within the fields of operational meteorology and climatology.  The General Track is intended for students seeking positions in which knowledge of operational meteorology and climatololgy is somewhat peripheral in satisfying primary task objectives.  Examples include emergency management, environmental analysis, and transportation planning.  The Professional Meteorologist Track meets American Meteorological Society (AMS) qualifications for the title "meteorologist," and Federal Civil Service requirements (GS1340) for employment by the National Weather Service.

Weathercasting

In addition to our General and Professional Meteorologist Tracks, we also offer a minor in Operational Meteorology and Climatology for Weathercasters.  This minor is intended for students with declared majors in the Department of Telecommunications that wish to pursue weathercasting as a career option.  Fulfillment of the minor requirements would provide students enough background to effectively communicate weather information to the public in a broadcast format.  Students that complete this option would most likely work to achieve the National Weather Association (NWA) Broadcast Seal of Approval (http://www.nwas.org/seal-proc.html) after graduation.  To fulfill the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Broadcast Seal of Approval educational requirements (http://www.ametsoc.org/amscert/approv.html), students would need to complete the Professional Meteorological Track under Option 4. 

Option 4 Tracks

General Track

Professional Meteorologist Track

Extracurricular Opportunities for Students Studying Option Four

A variety of extracurricular activities have been developed for operational meteorology and climatology students, or any other Ball State student with interests in weather and climate. These activities include:

• Local storm chasing in support of the Delaware County
  Emergency Management Agnecy (Ball State Storm Chase Team)
• Great Plains Storm Chase Field Course (GEOG 490).
• Participation with Ball State's National Collegiate Weather Forecast Team.
• Membership in the Central Indiana Chapter of the National Weather Association (NWA).
• Membership in the Indiana Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (AMS).
• Participation in national and regional meteorology, climatology, and geography conferences.
• Student employment in the Ball State University Weather Station.

Employment Opportunities with Option Four

Employment opportunities for graduates of Option 4 programs are available in both the commercial and government sectors.  Recent graduates have secured positions with radio and television stations, state emergency management agencies, and private forecasting companies in both the United States and Canada.  Examples of specific job titles include Chief Meteorologist, State Emergency Management Training Coordinator, and GOES Program Data Analysis Team member.  Students have also served as interns with the Oak Ridge National Laboratories, U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, The Weather Channel, The National Weather Service, and with radio and television stations in Indiana and Michigan. 

Faculty Contacts for Option Four

Dr. Petra Zimmermann:  Assistant Professor of Geography
e-mail: pazimmermann@bsu.edu