DESIGN AND TEST OF A HANDS-ON APPLIED CLIMATE COURSE IN AN UNDERGRADUATE METEOROLOGY PROGRAM

Job opportunities for undergraduate meteorology students are decreasin g. An innovative course in applied climatology has been designed and t ested to help prepare such students for the career options developing in the private sector. Students are trained to use their meteorologica l knowledge and analytical skills to work interactively with weather-s ensitive users in utilities, agribusinesses, water-resource agencies, recreation firms, and transportation companies. The students develop a nd test climate relationship-decision models in a real-world environme nt for these organizations. The models they develop bridge existing in formation ''gaps'' between climatologists and weather-sensitive manage rs who 1) do not understand climate information, and/or 2) do not know how to apply it to their environmental or economic decisions. As a re sult, students receive applied research experience and important ''edu cation-to-career'' opportunities; that is, students can apply what is learned through direct and often beneficial interactions with decision makers. These efforts address problems similar to those they likely w ill encounter after employment. Other long-term objectives of this cou rse are to develop a more effective information flow between climatolo gists and weather-sensitive users and to assist climatologists by iden tifying the types of needs for climate information.