Required Graduate Coursework

The required classes for all entering graduate students are:

ATMS 501 (5) Fundamentals of Physical Meteorology. (A)
ATMS 502 (3) Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology. (A)
ATMS 532 (3) Radiation (Introductory) (W)
ATMS 535 (3) Cloud Physics (Sp)
ATMS 558 (3) Atmospheric Chemistry (Introductory) (Sp)

and either of the following sequences

ATMS 505 (4) Introduction to Fluid Dynamics. (A)
ATMS 509 (4) Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (W)
ATMS 542 (3) Dynamic Meteorology of Mid-Latitude Weather Systems (Sp)

or

ATMS 503 (3) Atmospheric Motions I (A)
ATMS 504 (5) Atmospheric Motions II (W)

The two-course dynamics sequence is intended for those whose research specialty will be well outside the realm of dynamic meteorology. Most students are encouraged to take the three-course sequence in dynamics. The total units for these required courses is 25 or 28.

Ph.D students are required to take a minimum of 36 units of ATMS classes 500 or higher (excluding seminars and colloquia), as well as 6 credits of related coursework outside the department. (Note that for PCC students the series of 9 credits is easily accommodated).

Master's students need 36 units to graduate - 27 graded course credits (excluding seminars and colloquia) and a minimum of 9 credits of thesis - with 24 of those units in Atmospheric Sciences courses above 500. However, those students intending to pursue a Ph.D should take all of the courses required above.

Course Descriptions

FIRST TWO YEARS
The required courses are distributed over a student’s first two years as follows:

AUTUMN QUARTER YEAR 1 (18 credits total):

ATMS 501 (5) Fundamentals of Physical Meteorology.
ATMS 505 (4) Introduction to Fluid Dynamics.
(ATMS 503 Atmospheric Motions I may replace 505 in some cases)
ATMS 520 (1) Atmospheric Sciences Colloquium
Seminar (1)
Elective (usually AMATH 401 or AMATH 567)
ATMS 600 (up to 10 credits, to bring total quarter credits to 18)

WINTER QUARTER YEAR 1 (18 credits total):

ATMS 532 (3) Radiation (Introductory)
ATMS 509 (4) Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
(ATMS 504 Atmospheric Motions II may replace 509 in some cases)
ATMS 520 (1) Atmospheric Sciences Colloquium
Seminar (1)
Elective (usually AMATH 402 or AMATH 568)
ATMS 600 (up to 10 credits, to bring total quarter credits to 18)

SPRING QUARTER YEAR 1 (18 credits total):

For those who took 503-504:
ATMS 535 (3) Cloud Physics
ATMS 558 (3) Atmospheric Chemistry (Introductory)
ATMS 520 (1) Atmospheric Sciences Colloquium
Seminar (1)
Elective
ATMS 600 (up to 10 credits, to bring total quarter credits to 18)

For those who took 505-509:
ATMS 542 (3) Dynamic Meteorology of Mid-Latitude Weather Systems
And two of the following:
ATMS 535 (3) Cloud Physics
ATMS 558 (3) Atmospheric Chemistry (Introductory)
And all of the following:
ATMS 520 (1) Atmospheric Sciences Colloquium
Seminar (1)
Elective
ATMS 600 (up to 10 credits, to bring total quarter credits to 18)

AUTUMN QUARTER YEAR 2:

ATMS 502 (3) Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology.
ATMS 700 (10) Research Credits
ATMS 520 (1) Atmospheric Sciences Colloquium
Seminar (1)

WINTER QUARTER YEAR 2:

Elective (3)
ATMS 700 (10) Research Credits
ATMS 520 (1)
Seminar (1)

SPRING QUARTER YEAR 2:

One of:
ATMS 535 (3) Cloud Physics
ATMS 558 (3) Atmospheric Chemistry (Introductory)
Elective
And also the following:
ATMS 700 (10) Research Credits
ATMS 520 (1)
Seminar (1)

Note that those interested in numerical modeling should take ATMS 581/AMATH 586 (Numerical Analysis for Time Dependent Problems) as an elective in the spring of their first year and take either 532 or 558 in the spring quarter of their second year.