UBC Atmospheric Science (ATSC) Program

Subject: How to Qualify as a Meteorologist

Under construction.


There is no "meteorologist" license or certification.  Also, there is no professional "college" or government certification board.  Instead, your Bachelor's degree in ATSC (or higher degree) is your qualification.

Nonetheless, various organizations have produced guidelines for university education as a meteorologist / atmospheric scientist. Here are the most relevant ones.


World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 

Based on Jan 2023 info at https://library.wmo.int/doc_num.php?explnum_id=7752

Guide to the Implementation of Education and Training Standards in Meteorology and Hydrology, volume I – Meteorology. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) - WMO, 2015 (2015 edition; WMO-No. 1083).


Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) requirements

Based on the Jan 2023 ECCC job posting at: https://emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/page1800?toggleLanguage=en&poster=1917621#shr-pg0

To apply for a job as a Canadian government forecaster (MT-01), you need the following:

Also, see the Jobs tab at the top of this web page, to see an example of an ECCC job posting from 2023.

Here are the slides from an excellent presentation made by Mariette Kulin (ECCC Recruitment) in Feb 2023, about ECCC jobs and UBC courses that qualify.

** The UBC ATSC Undergrad Advisor can provide you with a statement of equivalency if needed. For example: CHEM 304-Thermodynamics is equivalent to a physics course.

==> Note that ECCC is considering revised wording of the qualifications for a job as a meteorologist. As of 31 Oct 2023, here is the current draft (which is still being edited, and has NOT yet been approved by ECCC management):

 


American Meteorological Society (AMS)

The info below is based on the AMS statement currently in force (as of Nov 2023). https://www.ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams/about-ams/ams-statements/statements-of-the-ams-in-force/bachelors-degree-in-atmospheric-science/ .

Guidelines for BSc in ATSC:

The prerequisite mathematics, physics, and chemistry course work should be consistent with that required for other physical science and engineering majors. The physics coursework must be calculus-based. 

a. Prerequisites 

b. Required skills and competencies

c. Required Topics in Atmospheric Science

In that the atmosphere is a fluid, the following topics should be covered within coursework: 

In that the atmosphere is a physical and chemical system, the following topics should be covered: 

In that climate is an integral component of the Earth system, the following topics should be covered: 

In that knowledge of the atmosphere derives from measurements, the following topics should be covered: 

In that weather and climate information is vital to address societal needs, the following topics should be addressed: 

d. Capstone experience 

Every graduate from an undergraduate program in atmospheric science should complete a capstone experience for academic credit. A capstone experience in the final semesters, trimesters, or quarters of study encourages students to synthesize and apply knowledge and skills gained throughout an atmospheric sciences curriculum. It allows the student to develop a product, preferably relevant to their career goal, that provides a tangible manifestation of the student’s ability to apply the knowledge gained from academic work. Capstone experiences can be embedded in an upper-level course, or they can involve participation in an on- or off-campus research project or internship. Capstone activities may involve authentic research, field work experiences, such as storm observation or site visits to collect observational data, the development of software or instrumentation, applying atmospheric science knowledge towards solving problems within the public or private sectors, or involvement in atmospheric science education or outreach. 

Attributes of effective capstone experiences include the following: 


US National Weather Service (NWS)

Minimum required coursework for NWS Meteorologists.   https://www.weather.gov/jetstream/careers (as of Jan 2023)

Degree: Meteorology, Atmospheric Science or other natural science major that included at least 24 credits (semester hours, equivalent to 36 quarter hours) in meteorology/atmospheric science including:
CreditsTopic

While these are the minimum requirements to be considered for a position of meteorologist in the National Weather Service, the competition to enter the NWS has become extremely fierce over the last decade. So much so that some students have continued their education to the Masters level, as that will provide an advantage over someone with just a Bachelor’s of Science degree.

 


 

Other Tools in the Tools tab above allow you to see which UBC courses satisfy which meteorologist qualifications.