OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25
Physics/Meteorology Major (B.S.) |
Major code BS3338
College of Arts and Sciences
Physics and Astronomy
Clippinger Labs 251
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1718
physics@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/cas/physics-astronomy
David Tees, contact person
tees@ohio.edu
Program Overview
Physics/Meteorology is an interdisciplinary program in the Departments of Geography, Mathematics, and Physics that is designed to prepare you for graduate training in the fields of meteorology, climatology, and atmospheric physics. The program can be taken with an emphasis in geography, mathematics, or physics. If you choose the geography or mathematics emphasis, contact the Geography Department or the Mathematics Department for advising. The physics/meteorology program has a strong focus on basic physics and mathematics and it is ideally suited for graduate school preparation.
Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements. However, it is recommended that students entering the program have at least a Math Placement Level II, or an ACT Math score of 24, or a SAT Math score of 560.
Change of Program Policy
No selective or limited admission requirements. However, it is recommended that students changing into the program have at least a Math Placement Level II, or an ACT Math score of 24, or a SAT Math score of 560.
External Transfer Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements. However, it is recommended that students entering the program have at least a Math Placement Level II, or an ACT Math score of 24, or a SAT Math score of 560.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
Students with a degree in physics/meteorology are prepared for careers with the National Weather Service, the private sector (including jobs with agriculture and energy industries, insurance agencies, and others), and federal and non-federal careers where forecasting is the primary job responsibility. This degree also prepares students for advanced graduate training in the fields of meteorology, climatology, and atmospheric physics.
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Requirements
University-wide Graduation Requirements
Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – University-wide page.
Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement
View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .
Physics Hours Requirement
Complete a total of 23 semester credit hours of PHYS coursework, including all the requirements below.
General Physics Sequence
General Physics I
Complete one of the following courses/sequence:
- PHYS 2051 - General Physics Credit Hours: 5
- PHYS 2051H - General Physics for Physics and Astronomy Majors Credit Hours: 5
- PHYS 2054 - General Physics 1 classical mechanics and thermodynamics Credit Hours: 3
-
and
- PHYS 2055 - General Physics 1 laboratory course Credit Hours: 1
General Physics II
Complete one of the following courses/sequence:
- PHYS 2052 - General Physics Credit Hours: 5
- PHYS 2052H - General Physics for Physics and Astronomy Majors Credit Hours: 5
-
or
- PHYS 2056 - General Physics 2 electricity and magnetism Credit Hours: 3
-
and
- PHYS 2057 - General Physics 2 laboratory course Credit Hours: 1
Other Physics Courses
Complete the following courses:
- PHYS 2053 - Contemporary Physics: Relativity and Quantum Phenomena Credit Hours: 3
- PHYS 3001 - Mechanics Credit Hours: 4
Seminar and Electronics Lab
Complete the following courses:
- PHYS 1901 - Physics Seminar Credit Hours: 1
- PHYS 2701 - Electronics Laboratory Credit Hours: 2
Advanced Physics Requirement
Complete the following course.
- PHYS 3011 - Thermal Physics Credit Hours: 3
Mathematics Requirements for Physics Meteorology
Complete the following courses:
- MATH 2301 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 2302 - Calculus II Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 3300 - Calculus III Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 3400 - Elementary Differential Equations Credit Hours: 3
- MATH 4410 - Fourier Analysis and Partial Differential Equations Credit Hours: 3
Chemistry Requirement
Complete the following course.
- CHEM 1510 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
Programming Requirement
Complete the following course.
- ET 2100 - Engineering Programming Credit Hours: 4
Geography Requirements for Physics Meteorology
Complete the following courses:
- GEOG 1100 - Physical Geography Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 2710 - Introduction to Statistics in Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3010 - Meteorology Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 3020 - Climatology Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 3031 - Meteorological Observations Credit Hours: 2
- GEOG 3040 - Practicum in Meteorology and Forecasting Credit Hours: 1
- GEOG 4060 - Synoptic Meteorology Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4070 - Mesoscale Meteorology Credit Hours: 4
Physical Meteorology
Complete the following course.
- GEOG 3050 - Physical Meteorology Credit Hours: 3
Dynamic Meteorology
Complete a sequence of two Dynamic Meteorology courses.
-
Sequence Option One:
- GEOG 4080 - Dynamic Meteorology I Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4090 - Dynamic Meteorology II Credit Hours: 3
-
Sequence Option Two:
- PHYS 4811 - Dynamic Meteorology 1 Credit Hours: 3
- PHYS 4812 - Dynamic Meteorology 2 Credit Hours: 3
Physics Meteorology Electives
Complete one of the following courses:
- GEOG 2400 - Environmental Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 2680 - Introduction to GIS and Mapping Sciences Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4660 - Principles of Remote Sensing Credit Hours: 4
- GEOL 1010 - How The Earth Works Credit Hours: 4
- GEOL 2110 - Introductory Oceanography Credit Hours: 3
- MATH 3600 - Applied Numerical Methods Credit Hours: 3