McGill.CA / Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences / Programs

Diploma in Meteorology (30 Credits)

Diploma (Dip.) Meteorology(30 Credits)

    Offered by:Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences
    Degree:Diploma in Meteorology

Program Requirement:

The Department offers an intensive, one-year program in theoretical and applied meteorology to B.Sc. or B.Eng. graduates of suitable standing in physics, applied mathematics or other appropriate disciplines, leading to a Diploma in Meteorology. The program is designed for students with little or no previous background in meteorology who wish to direct their experience to atmospheric or environmental applications, or who need to fulfill academic prerequisites in meteorology to qualify for employment. For further information, contact the Undergraduate Program Director (https://www.mcgill.ca/meteo/facultystaff/staff

An exemption of up to 6 credits may be allowed for courses already taken. Students granted such exemptions are required to add complementary courses from an approved list to maintain a total credit count of 30 completed at McGill.

Required Courses (15 credits)


  • ATOC 512 Atmospheric & Oceanic Dynamics 3 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

  • ATOC 521 Cloud Physics 3 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

  • ATOC 531 Dynamics of Current Climates 3 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

  • ATOC 540 Synoptic Meteorology 1 3 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

  • ATOC 541 Synoptic Meteorology 2 3 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer


Complementary Courses (15 credits)



    6 credits selected from the courses below.
    * Students may take either ATOC 519 or CHEM 519.


    • ATOC 309 Weather Radars and Satellites 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • ATOC 315 Thermodynamics and Convection 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • ATOC 519 Advances in Chem of Atmosphere 3 Credits*
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • CHEM 519 Advances in Chem of Atmosphere 3 Credits*
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer


    9 credits ordinarily selected from:
    * Students take either PHYS 432 or MATH 555.


    • ATOC 513 Waves and Stability 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • ATOC 515 Turbulence in Atmosph&Oceans 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • ATOC 517 Boundary Layer Meteorology 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • ATOC 525 Atmospheric Radiation 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • ATOC 548 Mesoscale Meteorology 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • ATOC 557 Research Methods: Atm&Oc Sci 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MATH 317 Numerical Analysis 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MATH 319 Partial Differential Equations 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MATH 555 Fluid Dynamics 4 Credits*
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • PHYS 331 Topics in Classical Mechanics 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • PHYS 340 Majors Electricity & Magnetism 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • PHYS 342 Majors Electromagnetic Waves 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • PHYS 432 Physics of Fluids 3 Credits*
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer


    For more information, see Programs, Courses and University Regulations.

    FAQ:

    1) What is the language requirement for the diploma program?

    The Diploma program is technically an undergraduate program. So, the language requirements follow those of an undergraduate program: https://www.mcgill.ca/applying/requirements/prep.

    2) What is the fee structure for the diploma?

    The Diploma program is technically an undergraduate program. So, the fee requirements follow those of an undergraduate program: https://www.mcgill.ca/undergraduate-admissions/yearly-costs

    3) Is there a mandatory number of credits I must take per semester?

    No. Some students have taken three semesters to complete the Diploma, so it is not required to take 15 credits per term. 

    4) Can I start my diploma program in Winter semester (i.e. January)?

    No. The Diploma in Meteorology only has admissions to start in the Fall semester because of the structure of the courses. For example, some winter courses that are required to complete the program have pre-requisite courses from the fall semester.

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