Climatologists are scientists that study weather patterns in certain areas over a period of time. They study all aspects of weather including wind, rain, temperature and the amount of sunshine. Climatologists use these patterns to predict what the weather will be like in a region during a specific season. Most climatologists work for governmental agencies, professional weather service organizations, nonprofit agencies or professional laboratories.
Bachelor's degrees related to climatology include atmospheric science, geography or meteorology. Subjects covered in these degrees include math, atmospheric studies and natural sciences. The four-year program can prepare students for careers as meteorologists or storm chasers as well as climatologists.
After obtaining a bachelor's degree in climatology or a related field, students may choose to continue their education by obtaining a master's degree. A master's degree program will usually take two years to complete. Courses taken in graduate climatology programs include advanced forecasting, atmospheric thermodynamics and dynamic meteorology. Students may be required to complete a research thesis prior to receiving their degree. A master's degree may offer climatology students an edge over their peers who have bachelor's degrees.
The doctoral degree in climatology can take three years or more to complete and involves a review of the courses taken for the master's degree and a qualifying exam. Students must then complete a doctoral dissertation on climatology. They must then defend their dissertation prior to receiving a doctorate degree. Students who are interested in teaching climatology at a university or working as a researcher should consider obtaining a doctorate degree in climatology.