The Meteorology Program
Meteorology at the College at Oneonta is part of the Earth Sciences Department. A course of study leading to the bachelor's degree is taught by three professors with complementary interests and experience in meteorology. Since its inception in 1970, our undergraduate meteorology program has grown into one which is highly regarded throughout the northeastern U. S.

Meteorology, the science of the atmosphere, is a steadily developing field. The concerns of weather prediction, climatic change and atmospheric pollution are only some of the challenges offered to you when you join this exciting field of science. At the government and private levels, a growing awareness of environmental problems and concerns is creating ever increasing opportunities for graduates with atmospheric expertise.

Facilities
Oneonta's meteorology facilities are located in the Science I Building. Consistent with the college-wide emphasis on technology, our PC lab allows computing to he integrated into many of our courses. Numerous meteorological instruments, many of which are remote-recording, are also in operation in the laboratory. Weather records dating back to the early 1900s are stored in the lab, as well as in the James M. Milne Library, a National Repository. A planetarium, rooftop weather observatory and department computer lab are also part of our facilities. Recognizing the need for meteorologists to be familiar with broadcasting techniques, meteorology students produce and broadcast weather shows in the College's state-of-the-art television studios using Chromakey techniques. These shows, part of the student-produced program Venue are broadcast to the local community on cable TV. Meteorology students earn independent study credit for this program.

Special Opportunities for Study
The internship program in the Earth Sciences Department provides you the opportunity to be a meteorological intern at cooperating Weather Service Offices, the State Department of Environmental Conservation, or private forecasting and consulting companies. In this program, academic credit is earned while receiving practical, on-site experience in professional meteorology.

A number of awards and recognitions are made by the Department, including the Philo C. Wilson Outstanding Senior Award, and four textbook awards made annually to academically superior students in all the Earth Science disciplines. Sophomore and junior meteorology majors may receive the Robert W. Caputo Memorial Award for excellence in academic achievement, honoring the memory of one of our meteorology graduates.

Extracurricular activities are coordinated through the Meteorology Club. Through the Meteorology Club, you can take trips to Weather Service Offices, commercial television studios, and weather conferences. Forecasting contests are also part of the club's activities, and members make weather broadcasts on campus television.

Alumni
Our meteorology graduates are employed in various weather-related fields. In a recent alumni survey, 87% of those responding indicated they were working in meteorology or a closely-related science, such as hydrology. Of those, 15% worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or National Weather Service, 20% were in other government service (including NASA), 19% as Weather Officers in the U. S. Air Force, 14% were associated with colleges or universities, either teaching or in graduate programs, 3% in broadcasting weather at commercial television stations, and 29% were working for private forecasting companies or public utilities.

When asked if the College at Oneonta prepared them well and if they enjoyed their years here, graduates were enthusiastic:

"As a sophomore transfer student from a larger 4-year SUNY school, coming to Oneonta was the best move I could have made. Everyone in the department including the professors and staff members made me feel like an individual, not a number. The smaller class sizes enabled me to receive more one-on-one attention from the professors than I would have received from a larger university. Gatherings such as the dinners at the Depot, the annual BBQ, and the Northeast Storm Conference all contributed to a positive experience educationally and socially at Oneonta Stare." Joseph DeOrio, '99, now a Graduate Student at The Florida State University)

"My education at Oneonta has helped me better understand the technical papers I am reading. The concepts I come across in reading go back to information I learned in the courses Micrometeorology and Pollution in Our World. I find my self referring back to those notes and books. I really enjoyed my years at Oneonta." (Susan Faust, '91 ,National Weather Service)

"My educational experience at Oneonta was top notch and fully prepared me for my career. In addition to an extraordinary faculty, there were numerous extra-curricular activities... [and] in a small, highly-competitive field such as meteorology, one must often reach beyond the classroom to increase chances of securing a job. In my case, working as a disc jockey at the College radio station and weather anchor for the weekly weather show was extremely important in the development of my career as a weathercaster." (Michael Latella, '87, WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY)