Bachelor’s Degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
In the atmospheric and oceanic sciences, the basic laws of physics are applied to study the Earth’s atmosphere. In nearly all aspects there is heavy reliance on mathematics, the tool of the physical sciences. Students interested in pursuing a career in atmospheric and oceanic sciences should include a good deal of mathematics, physics and chemistry in their high school program. Algebra, geometry and trigonometry are essential. If available, some work in calculus and computer science is recommended in high school. Those who have difficulty with mathematics will have difficulty pursuing this degree.
The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences is part of the College of Letters and Science (L&S). Students must satisfy the degree requirements of L&S and those of the department. The L&S breadth requirements are described in the Undergraduate Catalog. General guidance is available from Student Academic Affairs, 70 Bascom Hall. L&S students are required to formally select a major in their junior year, but it is desirable to obtain guidance from an undergraduate advisor in Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences as early as possible.
An atmospheric and oceanic sciences major receives a thorough introduction to the basic concepts and tools in the required core sequence (ATM OCN 310, 311, 330, 340) normally taken in the junior year. An array of elective courses is offered in the senior year that allows for a wide variety of specialization areas to be pursued. Elective choices are to be tailored individually according to the career and specialty interests of the student.
The following table summarizes four elective groupings and lists some ideas for courses in the following areas: weather systems, earth and environmental sciences, general, and applied. Note that selected electives may cut across the groupings shown in the Table and may include courses that are not in the table. Please note that there are no formal elective tracks. The elective groupings are only suggestions to help each student to decide which courses are the most interesting and beneficial. See the full listing of courses before making any decisions.
| Elective Groupings | Weather Systems | Earth/Environmental Sci. | General AOS | Applied (Air Quality, Measurements, and other applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strongly Recommended Courses | 452 (4cr) 453 (4cr) |
425 (3cr) AOS/PHYS 472 (3cr) |
425 (3cr) 660 (3cr) |
540 (4cr) 454 (3cr) |
| Additional Suggested Courses | 425 (3cr) 454 (4cr) |
511 (3cr) 528 (2cr) 532 (3cr) 660 (3cr) |
425 (3cr) 660 (3cr) |
425 (3cr) 534 (3cr) 535 (3cr) 623 (4cr) 637 (3cr) 660 (3cr) |
| Additional * suggestions for graduate school preparation |
611 (3cr) Extra Physics, Math, Comp. Sci. and Statistics |
601 (3cr) 607 (3cr) 661 (3cr) Extra Physics, Chemistry, Math, Comp. Sci. and Statistics |
611 (3cr) Extra Physics, Math, Comp. Sci., Chemistry and Statistics |
Extra Physics, Chemistry, Comp. Sci., Math and Statistics |
* Relevant intermediate courses outside of AOS include:
- Physics: 205, 244, 311
- Math: 321, 322, 319, 340
- Chemistry: 110, 561
- Computer Science: 367, 412
- Statistics: 224, 301, 311