Bachelor of Science (BS) with a major in Atmospheric and Climate Science

This is a minimum requirements major. A student may declare Atmospheric and Climate Science 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 in courses required for admission:

• 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 and climate science curriculum are:

• ATMOS 220 Exploring Atmospheric and Climate Science (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 and Climate Science must also complete the UW College of Environment general education coursework. 180 total credits are required to complete a BS in Atmospheric and Climate Science.

It is also recommended that all students interested in majoring in Atmospheric and Climate Science take ATMOS 101 or ATMOS 111 (or equivalent).

To declare Atmospheric and Climate Science (ATMOS) as your major, contact the department Academic Advisor (atmosadv@uw.edu) for an appointment. 

For questions about the ATMOS major, please reach out our academic advising by emailing to atmosadv@uw.edu.

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 ATMOS approved courses:

• ATMOS 301 (required)
• In addition to ATMOS 301, at least 10 credits in ATMOS 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 ATMOS minor: 

ATMOS 300-400 level recommended courses:

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

ATMOS 100-200 classes:

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

Independent study credits:

• ATMOS 390 Honors Tutorial in Atmospheric and Climate Science
• ATMOS 492 Readings in Meteorology or Climatology
• ATMOS 497 Undergraduate Internship