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News Release

 

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.

 

Established in 1844 and designated a center of the State University of New York in 1962, the University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research and public service engages 17,000 diverse students in eight degree-granting schools and colleges. The University is engaged in a $500 million fundraising campaign, the most ambitious in its history, with the goal of placing it among the nation's top 30 public research universities by the end of the decade. For more information about this nationally ranked University, visit www.albany.edu


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