Meteorology Courses in India

Meteorology Courses in India are not as popular as they are in western nations, partially because these have not aroused much interest in students possibly because of the lack of information. Meteorology is the 'Science of Weather'. The term has been derived from the Ancient Greek word ‘Meteoros’ meaning ‘High in the Sky’ and ‘Logy’ meaning ‘The study of the Sky’. Aristotle's 'Meteorologica' (c.340 ) is the oldest comprehensive treatise on meteorological subjects. It is also the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Additionally, it can be defined as ‘The branch of science concerned with the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere, especially as a means of forecasting the weather’. Largely, Meteorology deals with various meteorological factors such as the changes in temperature, air pressure, moisture and wind direction in the troposphere. Meteorology involves 3 aspects – 1) Observation 2) Understanding and 3) Predication of Weather. All these aspects are used in understanding the pattern and behaviour of climate to discover how natural processes and human activities affect our atmosphere. The study and research of Meteorology is conducted with simple instruments like the thermometer for measuring temperature or the anemometer for recording wind speed. More advanced instruments include Satellites, which are increasingly being launched and used to monitor the weather globally or locally.

The information gathered by various countries around the world is used to prepare weather charts which are analysed by professionals at forecasting centres. Weather forecasts are then made with the help of modern computers and supercomputers. Weather forecasts are essential for many activities like agriculture, aviation, shipping, fisheries, tourism, defence, industrial projects, water management and disaster mitigation. A Meteorology professional is known as ‘Meteorologist’. Meteorologists, also known as ‘Atmospheric Scientists’, study the atmosphere and its characteristics. They use various equipments such as rain gauge, anemometer, thermometer, barometer, radiosondes, remote sensing instruments (Radar, Lidar, and satellites etc), in order to measure temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed, rainfall and air quality. Meteorologists provide a variety of services to industries and other organizations. Some are consulting meteorologists with their own companies and others worked for corporations. Meteorologists help planners and contractors locate and design airports, factories and many other kinds of construction projects. They provide climatological information for heating and air conditioning engineers. Meteorologists also work in government agencies, private consultancies, research services, industrial enterprises, utilities, radio and television stations and in education.

Some of its specialized fields are -

Aeronomy – It is the study of the physics of the upper atmosphere.
Aerology – It is the study of free air not adjacent to the earth's surface.
Agricultural Meteorology – It is study of the application of meteorological information for the enhancement of crop yields and reduction of crop losses.
Applied Meteorology - It is the study and the application of weather data for specific practical problems.
Climatology – It is the study of climate of a place or regions on the basis of weather - related date gathered over a period of time.
Dynamic Meteorology – It is the study of atmospheric motions including the meteorology of other planetsand satellites in the solar system.
Physical Meteorology - It is the study of the physical properties of the atmosphere.
Synoptic Meteorology – It is the study of the movement of low pressure area, air, masses, fronts and other weather systems used for day-to-day analysis and forecasting. 

Content

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

• Atmospheric Waves and Instability.
• Introduction to Weather and Climate.
• Dynamics of Monsoon.
• Radiation.

Objectives of Meteorology Courses in India

• To develop outstanding research talent to effectively utilise atmospheric sciences for the benefit of humanity.
• To further the advancement of research by undertaking relevant scientific programmes.
• To collaborate with other institutions and minimise or eradicate the threats to atmosphere.

Basic Requirements

Meteorology Education in India- A number of institutes offer courses in meteorology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The eligibility criterion for U.G. courses is - 10+2 pass with physics, chemistry and biology, from any recognized state/national Board. For the P.G. programs, one must have passed in B.Sc., from any recognized University.

Meteorology Courses in India

Diploma in Meteorology.
Duration: 1 year.

B.Sc. – Bachelor of Science in Meteorology.
Duration: 3 years.

M.Sc. - Master of Science in Meteorology.
Duration: 2 years.

M.Sc. - Master of Science in Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences.
Duration:  2 years.

M. Tech. – Master of Technology in Meteorology.
Duration:  2 years.

M. Tech. - Master of Technology in Atmospheric Science.
Duration:  2 years.

Meteorology Colleges in India

• Andhra University – Visakhapatnam.
• Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences.
• Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
• Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala.
• IIT Kharagpur.
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
• Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.
• Shivaji University, Vidyanagar, Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

Job Perspectives

Careers in Meteorology have been flourishing ever since the advent of Global Warming and increasing occurrences of natural disasters like Tsunami. Though, a bad case scenario for the world at large, the increase in the availability of meteorological jobs is good case scenario. Apart from the environmental concerns, meteorology has application in various diverse fields like agriculture, construction, energy production, military, transport etc. After pursuing course in meteorology, one can specialize in fields such as aviation meteorology, agricultural meteorology, hydrometeorology and so on. Jobs in Meteorology exist in various meteorological centres like Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Indian Space Research Organization. These offer placements as research scholars and scientists.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recruits students at Grade II level through application submitted to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Minimum Qualification for the above is M.Sc Physics /Maths or in Applied Physics of Maths or Computer Applications; B.Tech. Engineering / Computer Application; B.Tech. Engineering / Computer Science, M.Sc. Electronic or B. Tech Electronics. Students of B.Sc. are also recruiter in the IMD through applications forwarded by the respective employment exchange. All those who have done their Master's Meteorology or Atmospheric Sciences or Geo - physics or Meteorology as one of the subjects can also apply to MD.  Those with Master's degree in Physics or Maths with Astronomy or Astrophysics as one of the subjects along with Masters degree in Science from a recognized University or equivalents are also eligible to apply. Selected students undergo - 1 year advance course in Meteorology at IMD campuses in Pune and New Delhi.

Meteorology Careers can also be pursued abroad like in U.S.A. - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture are major employers. In U.K., it is the Royal Meteorological Society. There are increasing employment opportunities for meteorologists in industry, private consulting firms, and research organizations. Many television stations employ professional meteorologists rather than reporters to present weather information to their viewers.

Remuneration

Meteorology Salary may vary according to the person's work experience in the field. Beginners in this field can earn around Rs. 10,000 – Rs. 15,000 per month. On the other hand, experienced one’s can get a salary as high as Rs. 50,000 per month.

Some Job Types

• Archive Meteorologists.
• Broadcast Meteorologists.
• Climate Meteorologists.
• Consulting Meteorologists.
• Forensic Meteorologists.
• Research Meteorologists.
• Teachers and Professors.

Some Employment Areas

• Meteorological Departments.
• Meteorology Research.
• Meteorological Educational Institutes.
• Environment Regulatory Bodies.
• Research Institutes.
• Consultancies.
• Non Government Organisations.
• Television Channels.
• Meteorological Equipment Manufacturers.
• Meteorological Equipment Service and Repair.