Weather and Climate Sciences

Weather and Climate Sciences

Program Number: 908062CERT

Your Degree: Certificate

Estimated Time to Complete: 10 Credits | Finish in 1 semester

Delivery Method: 100% In Person, Some Online/Some In Person

Area of Study: Science, Math and Natural Resources

Estimated Program Cost: $2,161.10

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Program Overview

The Weather and Climate Certificate is for students interested in starting their educational journey in atmosphere studies.
These courses are designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of meteorology, climatology, weather observation, experimentation, and weather map analysis.
All classes are taught by practicing meteorologists and count towards an associate degree in University Transfer - Science, Math, and Technology.
Transfer Opportunities
Look into transfer opportunities to UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, and other four-year colleges and universities, and continue your degree work in atmospheric and climate sciences.
Flexible Course Offerings
As a Weather and Climate student at Madison College, you’ll have the opportunity to explore and learn in the classroom, lab, and outdoors.
Attend classes full- or part-time. Take classes at our Madison Truax and Goodman South campuses.
Program Courses

Here's a sample course sequence that shows how classes for full-time students are typically organized by semester.
Once you're admitted, your full curriculum and sequence—including any pre-requisites—is defined in your Degree Progress Report.
Required Courses
20-806-245
Weather And Climate
Weather & Climate examines the variability of atmospheric elements such as temperature, precipitation, clouds, and wind. Topics include storm systems, fronts, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and forecasting, climate & climate change, seasonal patterns, air composition, global wind systems, and meteorological challenges.
3 credits
20-806-248
Weather and Climate Laboratory
Weather & Climate Laboratory introduces atmospheric science through hands-on activities: weather map analysis, physical experiments, and observations. Topics include interpreting surface maps, exploring atmospheric processes, and maintaining an online journal. This 1-credit lab complements the 3-credit lecture course (20-806-245).
1 credit
20-806-250
Climate and Climate Change
Climate & Climate Change explores how climate is shaped by natural processes and human activity. Learn what defines climate, how scientists study and model changes, and the evidence supporting climate change. Topics include climate systems, feedback loops, modeling, and real-world data.
3 credits
Additional Course List
Students must complete a minimum of 3 credits from the following:
20-806-246
Survey of Oceanography
Oceanography introduces the origin of the oceans, ocean chemistry, ocean circulation, waves, tides, sediments, and the biology of the ocean. An emphasis will be placed on the connections between the ocean and the atmosphere, the structure of the ocean basins, and life in the oceans.
3 credits
20-806-252
Natural Hazards
Natural Hazards will focus on the physical processes that create environmental threats (e.g., earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather), the primary controls on their frequency and intensity, and how human decision-making can influence the magnitude of impact that they have when they inevitably occur.
3 credits
20-806-255
Aviation Meteorology
Aviation Weather introduces and explores fundamental atmospheric weather and climate principles as they apply to flight operations, including temperature, wind, clouds, precipitation, and storm systems. This course also examines and analyzes aviation-specific hazards including turbulence and icing.
3 credits
*Students may choose to complete an independent studies project/course with a related topic for up to 3 credits in place of one of the courses on this list.
*Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher may choose to complete an honors project in Meteorology for up to 3 credits in place of one of the courses on this list.
How to Apply
Earning a certificate is a great way to expand your skill set and add professionalism to your resume. Applications are always open, so apply today!
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.
There are no admission requirements for this certificate. Simply submit your application by the deadline for each term.
Application Dates
Fall 2026
Application open
Application completion deadline is November 15, 2026
Spring 2027
Application open
Application completion deadline is April 15, 2027
Fall 2027
Application available on October 15, 2026
Application completion deadline is August 31, 2027
Additional Notes
Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid.
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a certificate does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the certificate.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Weather and Climate Sciences career.
It's Free to Apply
Career Outcomes
With the Weather and Climate Sciences certificate, you will:
Make weather observations
Analyze weather maps
Explore the fundamentals of our changing climate
Gain a foundation in the behavior of our atmosphere including formation of clouds; precipitation, and storms
Be ready to continue studies in weather and climate sciences