Atmospheric Science, Bachelor of Science College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
Atmospheric science is the study of the air that surrounds the planet. It includes all weather phenomena and climate including global and regional climate change, the chemistry of trace constituents and cloud and particle formation, interactions between ecosystems and the atmosphere, as well as quantitative studies of climate extremes and severe weather, including droughts, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. The study of the impacts of human and other biotic activity on the quality of the air we breathe are important topics in the major.
The Program
Modern atmospheric science is a quantitative science that is reflected in the major's curriculum. In addition to the study of daily weather events, the program deals with fundamental dynamical and physical processes that involve the general circulation of the atmosphere; turbulent mass and energy transfer at the planetary surface as well as within the free atmosphere; the transfer of solar and terrestrial radiation throughout the atmosphere; atmospheric interaction with the biosphere; climate variations; and developments in remote sensing using satellites with modern meteorological instrumentation. In addition, the program has significant expertise in the areas of air quality and its related atmospheric chemistry. As well as providing a broad background in meteorology, the major includes an informal minor area to be chosen from mathematics, computer science, environmental studies, resource management or a physical or biological science. For more information, see Atmospheric Science.
Note. Alternative options for students who are interested in atmospheric science are to minor in ATM, to major in ESM and choose the climate change and air quality track, or to major in applied physics with a concentration in atmospheric physics. However, the ATM minor, the ESM climate change and air quality track, and the applied physics major do not meet the Federal civil service requirements for meteorologists.
Internships & Career Opportunities
Atmospheric science students have participated in internships with the California Air Resources Board, various county Air Pollution Control Districts, the National Weather Service, and performing research. Job opportunities include: national weather services, weather forecasting for broadcast media or private forecasting firms, environmental consulting firms (such as environmental impact reports, wind farm siting), government agencies at all levels from local (air quality districts, planning departments, etc.) to state (Air Resources Board) to national (NOAA), and companies whose operations are impacted by weather (such as airlines, futures markets). About half of our graduates continue their education by seeking an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in atmospheric science or related areas.
Lead Faculty Advisor
Kyaw Tha Paw U
Atmospheric Science Major Advisor
Advising Center for the major, is located in 1150 Plant & Environmental Sciences Building in Land, Air & Water Resources Teaching Center; 530-752-1603.
Graduate Study
You can specialize in particular areas of atmospheric science through graduate study and research leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. For details, see Atmospheric Science (Graduate Group) & Graduate Studies.
The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Atmospheric Science Bachelor of Science is 123.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Written Expression. Also Counts Toward College English Composition Requirement | ||
| UWP 101 | Advanced Composition | 4 |
| or UWP 101V | Advanced Composition | |
| or UWP 101Y | Advanced Composition | |
| OR | ||
| Choose one: | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Special Topics | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Biology | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: History | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: International Relations | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Engineering | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Food Science & Technology | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Environmental Writing | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Human Development & Psychology | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Ethnic Studies | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Fine Arts | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Film Studies | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Community & Regional Development | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Anthropology | ||
| Writing in the Professions: Business Writing | ||
or UWP 104AV | Writing in the Professions: Business Writing | |
or UWP 104AY | Writing in the Professions: Business Writing | |
| Writing in the Professions: Law | ||
| Writing in the Professions: Journalism | ||
| Writing in the Professions: Elementary & Secondary Education | ||
| Writing in the Professions: Science | ||
| Writing in the Professions: Internships | ||
| Writing in the Professions: Health | ||
or UWP 104FV | Writing in the Professions: Health | |
or UWP 104FY | Writing in the Professions: Health | |
| Writing in the Professions: Writing for Social Justice | ||
| Writing in the Professions: Technical Writing (or Course selected with advisor's approval.) | ||
| Written Expression Subtotal | 4 | |
| Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
or ECS 032AV | Introduction to Programming | |
or course selected with advisor's approval. | ||
| ATM 060 | Introduction to Atmospheric Science | 4 |
| CHE 002A | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHE 002B | General Chemistry | 5 |
| MAT 021A | Calculus | 4 |
| MAT 021B | Calculus | 4 |
| MAT 021C | Calculus | 4 |
| MAT 021D | Vector Analysis | 4 |
| MAT 022A | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| or MAT 027A | Linear Algebra with Applications to Biology | |
| or BIS 027A | Linear Algebra with Applications to Biology | |
| MAT 022B | Differential Equations | 3 |
| or MAT 027B | Differential Equations with Applications to Biology | |
| or BIS 027B | Differential Equations with Applications to Biology | |
| PHY 009A | Classical Physics | 5 |
| PHY 009B | Classical Physics | 5 |
| PHY 009C | Classical Physics | 5 |
| PLS 002 | Botany & Physiology of Cultivated Plants | 4 |
| STA 013 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
| or STA 013Y | Elementary Statistics | |
| Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 63 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| ATM 110 | Weather Observation & Analysis | 4 |
| ATM 111 | Weather Analysis & Prediction | 3 |
| ATM 111LY | Weather Analysis & Prediction Laboratory | 2 |
| ATM 120 | Atmospheric Thermodynamics & Cloud Physics | 4 |
| ATM 121A | Atmospheric Dynamics | 4 |
| ATM 121B | Atmospheric Dynamics | 4 |
| ATM 124 | Meteorological Instruments & Observations | 3 |
| ATM 128 | Radiation & Satellite Meteorology | 4 |
| Internship | ||
| 2 units from: | 2 | |
| Atmospheric Science Internship | ||
or ATM 199 | Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates | |
| Choose two upper division Atmospheric Science (ATM) courses selected with advisor's approval; excluding 192 & 199. | 7 | |
| Choose one computer numerical programming class: | 4 | |
| Engineering Problem Solving | ||
| Introduction to Computer Methods in Physical Sciences | ||
Course selected with advisor's approval. | ||
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 41 | |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Coordinated group of courses (informal minor area) to be chosen with advisor's approval from mathematics, computer science, environmental studies, communication, resource management, or a physical or biological science (at least 10 upper division units) | 15 | |
| Restricted Electives Subtotal | 15 | |
| Total Units | 123 | |