UAlbany
Launches Broadcast Meteorology Major
Contact:
Heidi Weber (518) 437-4980
ALBANY,
N.Y. (October 22, 2003) - The University at Albany's Department
of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is offering a new major
in broadcast meteorology this semester. The 60-credit interdisciplinary
program leads to a bachelor of arts.
Mike Landin, a UAlbany earth and atmospheric
science faculty member and broadcast meteorologist said, "The
major was created for students pursuing a meteorology career
in TV or radio broadcasting, rather than the more typical
'behind-the-scenes' weather forecasting position."
In addition to completing the weather forecasting
and analysis sequence in UAlbany's atmospheric science program,
students are required to take courses in public speaking,
theater and journalism, geography, cartography, and G.I.S.
(Geographic Information Systems). Students are also required
to participate in an internship at a TV station.
"We have been assured by several local
news directors that this combination of a likeable TV personality,
coupled with real meteorological knowledge and skill as a
weather forecaster, would be a truly formidable academic package,"
said Landin.
"We believe the graduates of this program
will have the essential skill set to be successful in many
meteorologist positions. Aside from the obvious career path
in media, this degree is highly suitable for a career in commercial
meteorology, in which private companies provide weather data
and forecast services to paying clients," said Landin.
UAlbany's Department of Earth and Atmospheric
Sciences has a long-standing reputation as being one of the
finest in the country. Bob Ryan earned his M.S. in atmospheric
science in 1973 and went on to become the principal meteorologist
for NBC. A past president of the American Meteorological Society,
he is currently the chief meteorologist for Washington, D.C.,
NBC affiliate WRC-TV. Ryan is also an executive editor for
Weatherwise magazine. Other alumni include: WNYT-TV's (NBC
Affiliate) Meteorologist Paul Caiano, WRGB-TV's (CBS Affiliate)
Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak and The Weather Channel's Ray
Stagich.
For more information about UAlbany's
broadcast meteorology major, visit www.atmos.albany.edu/deas/atmbmetba.html.
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