This option provides students with a strong background in dynamics, synoptic meteorology and weather forecasting, and provides the coursework required for entry into the National Weather Service, military forecasting careers and graduate school in the atmospheric and climate science. Students who complete the Meteorology option are eligible for the rating of professional meteorologist given by the United States Civil Service Commission.

Meteorology Option Coursework (32-36 credits total)

If you declared your major prior to Autumn 2023, please check here.

Courses listed below are required to complete a BS in Atmospheric and Climate Science in the Meteorology Track and are in addition to ATMOS core coursework and UW College of Environment general education requirements.

Optional recommended courses are listed at the bottom of this list.

Advanced Math (Required; 10-16 credits total)
These courses (or their equivalent) should be completed as soon as possible as they are pre-requisites for upper-division ATMOS coursework. All of these courses have their own pre-requisites.

NOTE: Students only need to complete one of the sequences listed below.

AMATH 351 Introduction to Differential Equations and Applications (3cr, AWSpS)
AMATH 353 Partial Differential Equations and Waves (3cr, SpS)
MATH 224 Advanced Multivariable Calculus (4cr, AWSpS)

or

MATH 207 Introduction to Differential Equations (4cr, AWSpS)
MATH 208 Matrix Algebra with Applications (4cr, AWSpS)
MATH 209 Linear Analysis (4cr, AWSpS)
MATH 224 Advanced Multivariable Calculus (4cr, AWSpS)

*For transfer students – some WA-state community colleges offer equivalents to the courses listed above. Consult your institutional adviser or the UW Equivalency Guide for more information.

ATMOS Courses (Required; 20 credits total)
These courses must be completed in the order listed below – all courses have pre-requisites.

ATMOS 358 Fundamentals of Atmospheric Chemistry (3cr, Spr)
ATMOS 441 Atmospheric Motions I (3cr, Aut)
ATMOS 442 Atmospheric Motions II (5cr, Win)
ATMOS 451 Instruments and Observations (4cr, Win)
ATMOS 452 Weather Forecasting and Advanced Synoptic Meteorology (5cr, Spr)

Computing (Required; 3-4 credits total)

ATMOS 310 Programming for Atmospheric Data Analysis (3cr, Aut) or
CSE 160 Data Programming (4cr)

Recommended Additional Coursework (Optional)

ATMOS 380 Weather and Climate Prediction (3cr, Win)
ATMOS 490 Current Weather Analysis (1cr, repeatable up to six times)

Degree Plans

Most Atmospheric and Climate Science majors take their major courses during the junior and senior years, although it is certainly possible to begin the major course work as a sophomore if the prerequisites are met. ATMOS core courses are offered only once per academic year, with the first course beginning in Autumn Quarter.  It is crucial that ATMOS courses are taken in the recommended sequence.

Below are two suggested degree plans for students interested in the Meteorology Track – the first is a four-year plan, designed for freshmen. The second is a two-year plan designed for transfer students and UW students who decide to major in Atmospheric and Climate Science in their sophomore or junior year.

Plans do not include UW College of Environment general education requirements and may vary, depending on the individual. Please note that non-ATMOS courses are subject to the home departments’ scheduling discretion and may not be offered as listed in degree plans. It may also be possible to complete some non-ATMOS courses prior to the quarter(s) listed in the degree plans below, depending on pre-requisites and quarters offered. To discuss this plan, contact the Academic Advisor.

METEOROLOGY – FOUR YEAR PLAN

4-Year Plan Meteorology Option Worksheet (Printed Version)

Recommended for freshmen interested in majoring in Atmospheric and Climate Science. This plan is also appropriate for students on track to complete the MATH and PHYS sequences by autumn quarter of their sophomore year.

METEOROLOGY – TWO YEAR PLAN

2-Year Plan Meteorology Option Worksheet (Printed Version)

Recommended for transfer* students and UW students who decide to major in ATMOS in their sophomore or junior year. This plan assumes that at least two years of college-level courses – including the pre-requisite MATH and PHYS sequences – have already been completed.

NOTE: Many non-ATMOS courses can be taken in summer quarter (not represented in degree plan).

*Students planning on transferring to the UW should consult with their institutional adviser or the UW Equivalency Guide for more information on equivalencies for the courses listed in these plans.