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Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC under Dept. of Meteorology)

Program Officer

CDR Shelley Caplan 

Spanagel Hall, Room 304

(831) 656-2045, DSN 756-2045

shelley.caplan@nps.edu

Academic Associates

Scott Powell, Ph.D.

Code MR, Root Hall, Room 255

scott.powell@nps.edu

and

James MacMahan, Ph.D. (Oceanography)

Spanagel Hall, Room 327C

(831) 656-2379, DSN 756-2379

jacolosi@nps.edu

Brief Overview

The program in meteorology and oceanography involves approximately 109 quarter-hours of classroom lectures, supplemented by an additional 42 quarter-hours of laboratory exercises. This program is designed to provide the student with:

  • A thorough understanding of the principles governing the physical and dynamic properties of the oceans and atmosphere.
  • The ability to observe, assimilate, analyze, interpret, and predict oceanic and atmospheric parameters and conditions using field experimentation, direct and remote sensing observational techniques, statistical analyses, and numerical models.
  • A thorough understanding of the effects of oceanic and atmospheric properties and conditions on weapon, sensor and platform performance while conducting and supporting naval warfare, with particular emphasis on ocean acoustics and electromagnetic/optical propagation.
  • An oceanographic or meteorological research experience germane to naval warfare culminating in a thesis of professional quality.
  • A knowledge of Joint Strategy and Policy.
  • Thesis with multi-authors is not allowed.

This education will enhance performance in all duties throughout a career, including operational billets, technical management assignments and policy making positions. Students will develop graduate-level technical ability based upon scientific principles, acquire diverse professional knowledge, and develop analytical ability for practical problem solving.

Requirements for Entry

This program is open to METOC (1800) Officers, officers from other services, International Officers and DoD civilians.

A baccalaureate degree in the physical sciences, mathematics or engineering is required. Completion of mathematics through differential and integral calculus and one year of calculus-based college physics are required. An APC of 233 is required for direct entry. Waivers may be obtained with a one-quarter refresher.

Convenes

January and July

Program Length

The METOC program is normally a ten-quarter course of study. If further information is needed, contact the Program Officer. Academic questions may be referred directly to either of the Academic Associates.

Degree

Master of Science in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography.

Subspecialty

Completion of this program qualifies an officer as a METOC Subspecialist with a subspecialty code of 6401P. The Program Sponsor is the Oceanographer of the Navy (CNO N2/N6E).

Typical Subspecialty Jobs

METOC Officer aboard CV(N)/LHD

Submarine Group Staff

Numbered Fleet Staff

CARSTRKGRU Staff

OIC Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Detachment

NAVMETOCCOM Mobile Warfare Teams

National Geospatial Agency

Office of Naval Research

Typical Course of Study - Summer Start

Quarter 1

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MA1113Single Variable Calculus I

4

0
MA1114Single Variable Calculus II with Matrix Algebra

4

0
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 2

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
OC3230Descriptive Physical Oceanography

3

1
MA1115Multi Variable Calculus

4

0
MA1116Vector Calculus

3

0
MA2121Differential Equations

4

0
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 3

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR3480Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Radiative Processes

4

1
 
MR2020Computer Computations in Air-Ocean Sciences

2

2
-or-
OC2020Computer Computations in Air-Ocean Sciences

2

2
 
MA3132Partial Differential Equations and Integral Transforms

4

0
 
MR3140Probability and Statistics for Air-Ocean Science

3

2
-or-
OC3140Probability and Statistics for Air-Ocean Science

3

2
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 4

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR3222Meteorological Analysis/Laboratory

4

3
 
MR3150Analysis of Air/Ocean Time Series

3

2
-or-
OC3150Analysis of Air Ocean Time Series

3

2
 
OC3260Fundamentals of Ocean Acoustics

4

1
 
MR3321Air-Ocean Fluid Dynamics

4

0
-or-
OC3321Air-Ocean Fluid Dynamics

4

0
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 5

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR4322Dynamic Meteorology

4

0
 
MR4413/OC4413Air-Sea Interaction

4

0
-or-
OC4413/MR4413Air/Sea Interaction

4

0
 
MR3522Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Ocean/Laboratory

4

2
-or-
OC3522Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Ocean/Laboratory

4

2
 
OC3240Ocean Circulation Analysis

4

0
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 6

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR4323Air and Ocean Numerical Prediction Systems

4

2
-or-
OC4323Air and Ocean Numerical Prediction Systems

4

2
 
MR3234Tropospheric and Stratospheric Meteorology/Laboratory

4

4
OC4800Advanced Courses in Oceanography

V

0
OC3212Polar Meteorology/Oceanography

4

0
OC4211Ocean Dynamics II

4

0
 
MR4900Directed Study in Meteorology

V

0
-or-
OC4900Directed Study in Oceanography

V

0
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 7

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR3252Tropical Meteorology/Laboratory

3

4
 
MR4800Advanced Topics in Meteorology

V

0
-or-
OC4800Advanced Courses in Oceanography

V

0
 
NW3230Strategy and War

4

2
OC3212Polar Meteorology/Oceanography

4

0
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 8

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR4240Coastal Meteorology

3

1
OC4335Naval Ocean Analysis and Prediction

3

2
OC4210Littoral Field Studies

2

4
 
MR0810Thesis Research

0

8
-or-
OC0810Oceanography Thesis Research

0

8
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 9

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR4416Atmospheric Factors in Electromagnetic and Optical Propagation

3

0
OC4270Tactical Oceanography

3

4
 
MR0810Thesis Research

0

8
-or-
OC0810Oceanography Thesis Research

0

8
 
MR0810Thesis Research

0

8
-or-
OC0810Oceanography Thesis Research

0

8
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 10

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR3262Operational Atmospheric Prediction/Laboratory

3

5
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
 
MR0810Thesis Research

0

8
-or-
OC0810Oceanography Thesis Research

0

8
 
MR0810Thesis Research

0

8
-or-
OC0810Oceanography Thesis Research

0

8
 
MR0999Seminar in Meteorology

2

0
-or-
OC0999Thesis Seminars

2

0

Typical Course of Study-Winter Start

Quarter 1

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MA1113Single Variable Calculus I

4

0
MA1114Single Variable Calculus II with Matrix Algebra

4

0
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 2

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
OC3230Descriptive Physical Oceanography

3

1
MA1115Multi Variable Calculus

4

0
MA1116Vector Calculus

3

0
MA2121Differential Equations

4

0
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 3

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR3480Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Radiative Processes

4

1
 
MR2020Computer Computations in Air-Ocean Sciences

2

2
-or-
OC2020Computer Computations in Air-Ocean Sciences

2

2
 
MA3132Partial Differential Equations and Integral Transforms

4

0
 
MR3140Probability and Statistics for Air-Ocean Science

3

2
-or-
OC3140Probability and Statistics for Air-Ocean Science

3

2
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 4

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR3222Meteorological Analysis/Laboratory

4

3
 
MR3150Analysis of Air/Ocean Time Series

3

2
-or-
OC3150Analysis of Air Ocean Time Series

3

2
 
OC3260Fundamentals of Ocean Acoustics

4

1
 
MR3321Air-Ocean Fluid Dynamics

4

0
-or-
OC3321Air-Ocean Fluid Dynamics

4

0
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 5

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR4322Dynamic Meteorology

4

0
 
MR4413/OC4413Air-Sea Interaction

4

0
-or-
OC4413/MR4413Air/Sea Interaction

4

0
 
MR3522Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Ocean/Laboratory

4

2
-or-
OC3522Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Ocean/Laboratory

4

2
 
OC3240Ocean Circulation Analysis

4

0
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 6

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR4323Air and Ocean Numerical Prediction Systems

4

2
-or-
OC4323Air and Ocean Numerical Prediction Systems

4

2
 
MR3234Tropospheric and Stratospheric Meteorology/Laboratory

4

4
OC4800Advanced Courses in Oceanography

V

0
 
MR4900Directed Study in Meteorology

V

0
-or-
OC4900Directed Study in Oceanography

V

0
 
OC4211Ocean Dynamics II

4

0
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 7

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR3252Tropical Meteorology/Laboratory

3

4
 
MR4800Advanced Topics in Meteorology

V

0
-or-
OC4800Advanced Courses in Oceanography

V

0
 
MR4416Atmospheric Factors in Electromagnetic and Optical Propagation

3

0
NW3230Strategy and War

4

2
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 8

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR3262Operational Atmospheric Prediction/Laboratory

3

5
MR4325METOC for Warfighter Decision Making

3

2
OC4210Littoral Field Studies

2

4
 
MR0810Thesis Research

0

8
-or-
OC0810Oceanography Thesis Research

0

8
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 9

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
OC4270Tactical Oceanography

3

4
OC3212Polar Meteorology/Oceanography

4

0
 
MR0810Thesis Research

0

8
-or-
OC0810Oceanography Thesis Research

0

8
 
MR0810Thesis Research

0

8
-or-
OC0810Oceanography Thesis Research

0

8
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Quarter 10

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MR4240Coastal Meteorology

3

1
 
MR0810Thesis Research

0

8
-or-
OC0810Oceanography Thesis Research

0

8
 
MR0810Thesis Research

0

8
-or-
OC0810Oceanography Thesis Research

0

8
 
MR0999Seminar in Meteorology

2

0
-or-
OC0999Thesis Seminars

2

0
 
MR0001METOC Colloquium

0

1
-or-
OC0001METOC Colloquium

0

1

Educational Skill Requirements (ESR)

Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) Program

Subspecialty Code: 6401P

  1. Integration of Oceanic and Atmospheric Parameters: The officer must be able to observe, assimilate, analyze, and predict oceanic and littoral water conditions, and atmospheric conditions using direct and remote sensing observation techniques, statistical analysis, and numerical models. The officer will have a sound understanding of polar, mid-latitude and tropical atmospheric and oceanographic dynamics, including the impact of these region's conditions on military operations and systems.
  2. Numerical Prediction Systems: The officer will have a thorough understanding of numerical prediction systems as it applies to the physics and dynamics of the ocean and the atmosphere. This understanding should include a broad understanding of the modeling systems to include strengths, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities; the state of current models and techniques; and appropriate applications of deterministic and stochastic techniques.
  3. Ocean/Atmosphere Problem Solving: The officer must develop critical thinking skills and conduct independent analyses to solve environmentally challenging problems in the fields of Physical Oceanography and/or Meteorology as they apply to Naval/Joint operations, using modern scientific research techniques, field experience, tools, and equipment.
  4. Decision Superiority: The officer must have a thorough understanding of open-ocean and near-shore oceanographic and atmospheric dynamics and properties. The officer must have the ability to apply this knowledge to warfighter decisions using sound decision theory, taking into account available courses of action, assessments of vulnerability, uncertainty, and risk.
  5. Other NPS Requirements: The officer must successfully complete all NPS requirements for the Master's Degree in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography.