Department Chair: Jon T. Kilpinen,
Ph.D.
Kallay-Christopher Hall 201 A| 219-464-5157
Jon.Kilpinen@valpo.edu
Majors
offered:
Meteorology, B.S.
Links to Web sites:
Department of Geography & Meteorology
(department maintained)
Catalog: Department of
Geography & Meteorology
VALPO METEOROLOGY MAJORS get around, whether chasing tornadoes or attending national scientific conferences. They seek to learn about and predict the movements of the ever-changing atmosphere.
What Is Distinctive About Valpo's Program?
Students and faculty members within the Department are responsible for maintaining the Valparaiso University Weather Center and providing weather data and weather service forecasts for Northwest Indiana. The department's new state-of-the-art facilities are designed to help students gain "hands-on" experience. The Weather Center is equipped with 20+ individual computer workstations, through which students can access the UNIDATA McIDAS - X data retrieval and display system, GEMPAK analysis software, WeatherTap, and NWS Doppler radar and satellite feeds. The new facility is also equipped with an instrumentation tower, which provides real - time local weather data, and a Vaisala radiosonde system. A new simultaneous dual - polarization Doppler radar will be the central feature of the Department's cutting - edge observational instrumentation. The radar tower itself will be situated on campus and the department's students and faculty will have continuous access to all data.
Students interested in a career in broadcast meteorology are able to practice their communication and presentation skills in the fully-equipped Weathercasting Studio, complete with a new weather graphics system. The campus radio station, WVUR, is completely student-run, and offers meteorology majors another opportunity to gain experience in the broadcasting field.
What Can You Do with a Meteorology Major?
Degree, Skills or Experience Needed for Beginning A Job In This Field:
The National Weather Service's adjustment to a tighter federal budget, environmental concerns, and industry user needs have led to an increased demand for meteorologists in the private sector. Therefore, the opportunities for Meteorology graduates are expected to be good over the next several years. The Valpo program prepares students for careers in government, industry, and academia.
Types
of Work Available in Meteorology:
Weather and climate forecasting, analysis, and research; air pollution
modeling and forecasting; radio and television weathercasting; and aviation
forecasting.
Potential
Hiring Institutions:
National Weather Service regional forecasting offices and labs, private
meteorological consulting firms, air quality agencies, airlines, utilities,
media, military, and universities.
What Beyond-the-Classroom Opportunities Does Valpo Offer You in Geography?
Extracurricular
Groups:
VUSIT:
The Valparaiso University Storm Intercept Team (VUSIT) is one of the best-equipped educational storm-chase organizations in the nation. VUSIT's popular ten day severe storm field study trips to the Great Plains offer students a unique opportunity to learn about forecasting severe weather. VUSIT possesses its own instrumented chase vehicle, as well as numerous other portable temperature, humidity, and wind sensors. During the chases, VUSIT also has access to satellite data feeds (which can be displayed on a laptop computer) to aid in the short - term forecasting of severe storms.
Northwest Indiana Chapter of the National Weather Association:
The Northwest Indiana Chapter of the National Weather Association was founded in 1996 at Valparaiso University. Founded in 1975, the NWA is a professional organization that strives to promote excellence in Operational Meteorology and related activities though it's members and chapters. The chapter regularly hosts guest speakers and other activities to help further this cause. Every year, the chapter organizes and sponsors the Great Lakes Meteorology Conference.
Chi Epsilon Pi:
Founded in 1951 at UCLA, Chi Epsilon Pi is the national meteorology honor society. The Valparaiso University Chapter is proud to promote academic excellence and achievement. Chapter members strive towards serving their fellow students, through regular tutoring sessions, and the community. Every year, the Chapter organizes a "Met Field Day," in which local school teachers and students visit the Valparaiso campus to learn about the weather.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Internships:
Meteorology students gain valuable experience in their field by completing
internships, which are often taken for college credit. The department
maintains active relationships with many off-campus co-operative education
and internship -granting institutions. Internship experiences with television
stations, such as WGN-TV in Chicago, and other broadcast stations nationwide
have helped our students learn about broadcast meteorology and make connections
with others in the field. Every year, a large portion of eligible Valparaiso
meteorology students obtain competitive positions within Research for
Undergraduate Experiences (REUs) at major research institutions, such
as the University of Oklahoma and the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
Valparaiso meteorology students have also completed internships with local
National Weather Service weather forecasting offices.
Visit
the Department of Geography and Meteorology Web Site
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