Bachelor of Science (BS) with a major in Atmospheric Sciences

This is a minimum requirements major. A student may declare Atmospheric Sciences as a major once they have completed the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course and a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA:

• MATH 124, 125, 126 (one year of college calculus)
• PHYS 121, 122, 123 (one year of calculus-based physics); this sequence to be started after the student has taken MATH 124, usually while the student is in MATH 125
• English composition

Other required courses which are recommended before beginning the atmospheric sciences curriculum are:

• ATM S 220 Exploring Atmospheric Sciences (1 credit seminar course, to be taken twice)
• STAT 390 or Q SCI 381 (basic statistics course, may be taken while in program)

Besides these courses, there are a number of core courses and option electives that must be taken to complete the degree. Majors in Atmospheric Sciences must also complete the UW College of Environment general education coursework. 180 total credits are required to complete a BS in Atmospheric Sciences.

It is also recommended that all students interested in majoring in Atmospheric Sciences take ATM S 101 or ATM S 111 (or equivalent).

To declare Atmospheric Sciences as your major, contact the Academic Advisor

Minor in Atmospheric Sciences

The Atmospheric Sciences minor is suited for any student interested in the program who wishes to acquire more knowledge about the atmosphere and the environment.

The Atmospheric Sciences minor is open to all students who have earned 90 or more credits. The prerequisites for the minor are MATH 124, 125 and 126; PHYS 121, 122, and 123.

After completing the prerequisites, a student wishing to minor in Atmospheric Sciences should take at least 25 credits in ATM S approved courses:

• ATM S 301 (required)
• In addition to ATM S 301, at least 10 credits in ATM S 300- and 400-level courses
• Independent study credits may be used, up to a maximum of 6, as part of the 25 required credits. Consultation with the department on the selection of courses is recommended.

To declare a minor in Atmospheric Sciences, see your departmental adviser.

List of courses counting towards ATM S minor: 

ATMS 300-400 level recommended courses:

• ATM S 310 Programming for Atmospheric Data Analysis (3cr, Aut)
• ATM S 340 Thermodynamics and Cloud Processes (3cr, Win)
• ATM S 370 Atmospheric Structure and Analysis (5cr, Win)
• ATM S 321 Science of Climate (3cr, Spr)
• ATM S 341 Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (3cr, Spr)
• ATM S 431 Boundary-Layer Meteorology (3cr, Aut)
• ATM S 350 Ecological Climatology (3cr, Aut)
• ATM S 358 Atmospheric Chemistry (3cr, Spr)
• ATM S 380 Weather and Climate Prediction (3cr, Win)
• ATM S 458 Air Pollution Chemistry (4cr, Aut)
• ATM S 487 Fundamentals of Climate Change (3cr, Aut)
• ATM S 490 Current Weather Analysis (1, max. 6)

ATMS 100-200 classes:

• ATM S 100 (5cr), 101 (5cr), 103 (3cr), 111 (5cr), 211 (5cr), 212 (3cr), 220 (1cr)

Independent study credits:

• ATM S 390 Honors Tutorial in Atmospheric Sciences
• ATM S 492 Readings in Meteorology or Climatology
• ATM S 497 Undergraduate Internship