4 + 1 Program (BS/MS in Meteorology/Atmospheric Science)

General Information

The 4+1 Program in Meteorology/Atmospheric Science (BS/MS) allows Rutgers SEBS students to obtain both BS (Meteorology) and MS (Atmospheric Science) degrees in five years by taking some graduate-level courses in their fourth year.

How to Apply

Students wishing to complete the 4+1 program should apply by sending a personal statement to the Undergraduate Program Director by the end of the spring semester of their second year of post-secondary study.

Requirements

Automatic Admission

Students who apply and meet the following requirements will be automatically accepted into the program:

The following prerequisites completed (with C's or higher) by end of the spring semester:
- 11:670:101 Introduction to Meteorology
- 11:670:102 Introduction to Climate Science
- 11:670:211 Meteorological Analysis
- 11:670:212 Computational Methods for Meteorology
- 01:640:151–152 Calculus for Mathematical and Physical Sciences
- 01:640:251 Multivariable Calculus
- 01:750:203–204 General Physics
- 01:750:205–206 General Physics Laboratory
11:670:323 Thermodynamics of the Atmosphere on fall schedule
No more than 30 transfer credits
Cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher (including spring and summer courses of second year)

Other Scenarios

Should an applicant not meet the requirements for automatic admission, the Graduate Program in Atmospheric Sciences Admissions Committee will consider the applicant's personal statement and all other pertinent information and make a decision on admission to the 4+1 program.

Decision Timing

All applicants will be notified about acceptance into the program by the end of August.

Degree Requirements for Undergraduate (BS) Portion of 4+1

As a member of the 4+1 program, the requirements to receive the BS degree are the same as the Operational Meteorology option (shown here), but with Tropical Meteorology not required (it is instead part of the MS requirements, as seen below).

Degree Requirements for Graduate (MS) Portion of 4+1

Core Courses (12 credits); choose any four from this list:

16:107:501 Fundamentals of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (3)
16:107:532 Atmospheric Physics (3)
16:107:545 Physical Climatology (3)
16:375:540 Atmospheric Chemistry (3)
16:712:615 Geophysical Data Analysis (3)

Seminar (1 credit)

16:107:671 Seminar in Atmospheric Science (1)

400-level Courses Counting toward Graduate Program (9 credits)

01:640:423 Elementary Partial Differential Equations (3)
11:670:444 Tropical Meteorology (3)¹
11:670:453 Air Quality Modeling (3)

¹ May be taken during the fourth year.

In addition, choose from one of these options:

Thesis Option (9 additional credits)

Note: To elect the thesis option, the student must have participated in the George H. Cook Honors Thesis program while an undergraduate.

Research (6 credits)

16:107:701 Research in Atmospheric Science (3)
16:107:702 Research in Atmospheric Science (3)

Elective (3 credits); choose one from this list

The fifth Core Course from the list above
16:107:539 Introduction to Radiative Transfer in the Atmosphere and Ocean (3)
16:107:544 Modeling of Climatic Change (3)
16:107:553 Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (3)
16:107:571 Climate Change Risk Analysis (3)
16:375:524 Source Control of Atmospheric Pollution (3)
16:375:536 Air Sampling and Analysis Techniques (3)
16:712:502 Large Scale Ocean/Atmosphere Dynamics (3)
16:960:590 Design of Experiments (3)

Non-Thesis Option (8 additional credits)

Additional Coursework (7 credits)

16:712:501 Physical Oceanography (4)
An elective chosen from the same list as in the Thesis Option

Expository Essay (1 credit)

16:107:603 Independent Study in Atmospheric Science (1)

Final Examination

Near the end of each semester, GPAS conducts a comprehensive examination. A passing score at the Master's level constitutes the Final Examination for the non-thesis M.S. degree. More information about the exam can be found on the graduate program's website.

Course Sequence

The Course Sequence below lays out one path that meets the 4+1 degree requirements. Deviations from this path may also meet the requirements, but students are strongly recommended to meet with their academic advisors to discuss the ramifications of any such deviation.

For the first three years, the recommended course sequence is the same as the recommendation for the Operational Meteorology option.

Thesis Option

Year 4

	Fall	UG	G		Spring	UG	G
11:670:433	Synoptic Meteorology	4		11:670:434	Mesoscale Meteorology	3
11:670:461	Climate Dynamics	3		11:670:414	Hydrologic Processes	3
11:554:487	GH Cook Honors Program	3		11:554:488	GH Cook Honors Program	3
	SEBS Core or Electives	3			SEBS Core or Electives	3
	GPAS Core I		3		GPAS Core II		3
					500-level elective or Trop. Met.		3
	Total Credits	13	3		Total Credits	12	6

At the end of Year 4, 120 undergraduate credits (or more) and 9 graduate credits must be completed, and the BS degree will be awarded.

Year 5

	Fall	G		Spring	G
	GPAS Core III	3		GPAS Core IV	3
11:670:452	Air Quality Modeling	3		Trop. Met. or 500-level elective	3
01:640:423	Partial Differential Eq.	3	16:107:702	Research	3
16:107:701	Research	3
16:107:671	Seminar	1
	Total Credits	13			9

At the end of Year 5, a total of 31 graduate credits will have been completed.

Non-Thesis Option

Year 4

	Fall	UG	G		Spring	UG	G
11:670:433	Synoptic Meteorology	4		11:670:434	Mesoscale Meteorology	3
11:670:461	Climate Dynamics	3		11:670:414	Hydrologic Processes	3
	SEBS Core or Electives	6			SEBS Core or Electives	6
	GPAS Core I		3		GPAS Core II		3
					500-level elective or Trop. Met.		3
	Total Credits	13	3		Total Credits	12	6

At the end of Year 4, 120 undergraduate credits (or more) and 9 graduate credits must be completed, and the BS degree will be awarded.

Year 5

	Fall	G		Spring	G
	GPAS Core III	3		GPAS Core IV	3
11:670:452	Air Quality Modeling	3		Trop. Met. or 500-level elective	3
16:712:501	Physical Oceanography	4	01:640:423	Partial Differential Eq.	3
16:107:671	Seminar	1	16:107:604	Independent Study	1
	Total Credits	11		Total Credits	10

At the end of Year 5, a total of 30 graduate credits will have been completed.

Advisory

Students should consult with their academic advisor to determine whether to take their graduate elective in the fourth year, followed by Tropical Meteorology in the fifth year, or vice versa.