Program Overview

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences - Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The atmospheric and oceanic sciences (ATOC) Bachelor of Arts degree is the first of its kind at CU Boulder for students interested in an in-depth understanding of the physical basis for the role of the atmosphere and oceans in Earth's climate system. An ATOC degree will prepare students to pursue a wide range of careers in areas as diverse as the energy sector, insurance, military, air and water quality monitoring, weather and aerospace industries. It will provide a solid foundation for advanced degrees in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences, and for professions in scientific research and academia.

Overview

ATOC's curriculum responds to demands of current students for more interactive learning opportunities and to demands of employers for graduates who have been trained to provide quantitative solutions to real-world problems. It is designed to provide students with a core set of knowledge and skills related to atmospheric and oceanic sciences, and to engage students in hands-on, interactive learning early and often. To that end, it requires students to take several "methods" courses that emphasize quantitative problem-solving by focusing on some combination of data analysis, observations and/or modeling; all of these courses will incorporate some level of computer programming or scientific computing.

Requirements

• On This Page
  • Required Courses and Credits
    • ATOC Major Requirements
    • Required Ancillary Coursework from Outside ATOC
  • Graduating in Four Years

Students receiving a BA in atmospheric and oceanic sciences (ATOC) must satisfy the basic requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences (General Education, graduation, and credit requirements) and fulfill the requirements listed below.

Required Courses and Credits

ATOC Major Requirements

• Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours
  • Introductory Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Requirement
    • Select one of the following: | 3
      • ATOC 1050 | Weather and the Atmosphere
      • ATOC 1060 | Our Changing Environment: El Nino, Ozone, and Climate
      • ATOC 2050 | Introduction to Atmospheric Research
      • ATOC 2500 | Special Topics in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences - Lower Division
      • FYSM 1000 | First Year Seminar (ATOC offered sections)
  • Core Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Requirements
    • Select three of the following courses: | 9
      • ATOC 3050 | Principles of Weather
      • ATOC/GEOL 3070 | Introduction to Oceanography
      • ATOC 3300 | Analysis of Climate and Weather Observations
      • ATOC 3500/CHEM 3151 | Air Chemistry and Pollution
      • ATOC 3600 | Principles of Climate
  • Fundamentals of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
    • Select three of the following courses: | 9
      • ATOC 4200 | Biogeochemical Oceanography
      • ATOC 4710 | Introduction to Atmospheric Physics
      • ATOC 4720 | Atmospheric Dynamics
      • ATOC 4730 | Physical Oceanography and Climate
  • Methods in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
    • Select 12 credit hours of the following, 6 of which can be from independent research (ATOC 4900, ATOC 4950 or ATOC 4990). Some courses offered as ATOC 4500 Special Topics may satisfy this requirement. | 12
      • ATOC 4500 | Special Topics in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences - Upper Division
      • ATOC 4700 | Weather Analysis & Forecasting
      • ATOC 4815 | Scientific Programming, Data Analysis and Visualization Laboratory
      • ATOC 4830 | Remote Sensing Lab
      • ATOC 4840 | Field Observations and Measurements Laboratory
      • ATOC 4850 | Numerical Methods Laboratory
      • ATOC 4860 | Data Science Lab
      • ATOC 4870 | Climate Modeling Laboratory
      • ATOC 4875 | Weather Modeling Laboratory
      • ATOC 4890 | Synoptic Dynamic Meteorology
      • ATOC 4900 | Independent Study
      • ATOC 4950 | Honors Thesis
      • ATOC 4990 | Internship
  • ATOC Electives
    • (At least 12 credit hours in ATOC courses not used to fulfill a requirement above.) |
      • Upper-Division ATOC Electives | 9
      • Upper- or Lower-Division ATOC Elective | 3
  • Total Credit Hours | 45

Required Ancillary Coursework from Outside ATOC

• Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours
  • Ancillary Science and Mathematics Requirements
    • The field of atmospheric and oceanic sciences is highly interdisciplinary; therefore, students must develop a basic understanding of physics, chemistry, and mathematics to be successful. The required courses in the physical sciences and math departments outside of ATOC are a critical part of the major; they are needed to build a strong foundation upon which the remaining curriculum is based. All courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better required.
    • APPM 1350 | Calculus 1 for Engineers | 4-5
    • APPM 1360 | Calculus 2 for Engineers | 4-5
    • APPM 2350 | Calculus 3 for Engineers | 4-5
    • APPM 2360 | Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4-6
    • CHEM 1113 | General Chemistry 1 | 4
    • CSCI 1200 | Introduction to Computational Thinking | 3
    • PHYS 1110 | General Physics 1 | 4
    • PHYS 1120 | General Physics 2 | 4
  • Total Credit Hours | 31-36

Graduating in Four Years

Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of "adequate progress" as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress in ATOC, students should meet the following requirements:

• In the first semester, declare the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences major.
• Students must consult with a major advisor to determine adequate progress toward completion of the major.

Sample Four-Year Plan of Study

Through the required coursework for the major, students will complete all 12 credits of the Natural Sciences area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement and the QRMS component of the Gen Ed Skills Requirement.

Not all ATOC 4500 courses satisfy all requirements. See department for more information.

Plan of Study Grid Year One

• Fall Semester | Credit Hours
  • FYSM 1000 or ATOC 1050 or ATOC 1060 or ATOC 2050 or ATOC 2500 | First Year Seminar (ATOC section) or Weather and the Atmosphere or Our Changing Environment: El Nino, Ozone, and Climate or Introduction to Atmospheric Research or Special Topics in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences - Lower Division | 3
  • APPM 1350 | Calculus 1 for Engineers | 4
  • PHYS 1110 | General Physics 1 | 4
  • Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 14
• Spring Semester
  • APPM 1360 | Calculus 2 for Engineers | 4
  • PHYS 1120 | General Physics 2 | 4
  • Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Arts & Humanities/US Perspective) | 3
  • Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 14

Year Two

• Fall Semester
  • CHEM 1113 | General Chemistry 1 | 4
  • CHEM 1114 | Laboratory in General Chemistry 1 | 1
  • APPM 2350 | Calculus 3 for Engineers | 4
  • Core ATOC course (see requirements) | 3
  • CSCI 1200 | Introduction to Computational Thinking | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 15
• Spring Semester
  • APPM 2360 | Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4
  • Core ATOC course (see requirements) | 6
  • Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/Global Perspective) | 3
  • Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 16

Year Three

• Fall Semester
  • Fundamentals ATOC course (see requirements) | 3
  • Fundamentals ATOC course (see requirements) | 3
  • ATOC Methods course (see above) | 3
  • Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3
  • Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 15
• Spring Semester
  • Fundamentals ATOC course (see requirements) | 3
  • ATOC Methods course (see requirements) | 3
  • ATOC Upper-division Elective | 3
  • Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) | 3
  • Elective | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 15

Year Four

• Fall Semester
  • ATOC Methods Course (see requirements) | 3
  • ATOC Upper-division Elective | 3
  • Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) | 3
  • Elective or Upper-division Elective (if needed) | 3
  • Elective | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 15
• Spring Semester
  • ATOC Methods Course (see requirements) | 3
  • ATOC Upper-division Elective | 3
  • ATOC Upper-division Elective | 3
  • Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3
  • Elective | 4
  • | Credit Hours | 16
  • | Total Credit Hours | 120

Learning Outcomes

ATOC’s curriculum responds to demands of current students for more interactive learning opportunities and to demands of employers for graduates who have been trained to provide quantitative solutions to real-world problems. It is designed to provide students with a core set of knowledge and skills related to atmospheric and oceanic sciences, and to engage students in hands-on, interactive learning early and often.

To that end, it requires students to take several "methods" courses that emphasize quantitative problem-solving by focusing on some combination of data analysis, observations, and/or modeling; all of these courses will incorporate some level of computer programming or scientific computing.

ATOC course learning goals include graphical literacy, investigative thinking, societal and personal relevance, and knowledge of the physical processes of weather and climate. In addition, ATOC majors should demonstrate skill in communication scientific concepts elegantly and clearly.