This track provides additional background in oceanography and glaciology so that a student has a widened perspective of the climate system.

Climate Option Coursework (31-40 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 Climate Option and are in addition to ATMOS core coursework and UW College of Environment general education requirements.

Required Course List (22-25 credits total)

ATMOS 358 Fundamentals of Atmospheric Chemistry (3cr, Spr)
ATMOS 380 Weather and Climate Prediction (3cr, Win)
ATMOS 350 Ecological Climatology (3cr, Aut)
ATMOS 487 Fundamentals of Climate Change (3cr, Aut)

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

ESS 431Principles of Glaciology* (4cr) or
ESS 433 Environmental Change in the Glacial Ages* (5cr, Spr)

OCEAN 423 Ocean Circulation and Climate* (3cr, Spr) or
OCEAN 450 Climatic Extremes* (4cr, Win)

*Note for 2025-2026 Academic Year: ESS 433 and ESS 431 will be offered in Spring 2026.  OCEAN 450 will be offered in Winter 2026 and OCEAN 423 will be offered in Spring 2026. Please note that these offerings are tentative and subject to change.

Climate Electives (choose three)

AMATH 351 Differential Equations (3cr, AWSpS)
AMATH 352 Applied Linear Algebra (3cr, AWSpS)
AMATH 353 Partial Differential Equations (3cr, SpS)
ATMOS 441 and 442 Atmospheric Motions I/II (counts as two) (8cr)
ATMOS 451 Instruments and Observations (4cr, Win)
ATMOS 452 Weather Forecasting and Advanced Synoptic Meteorology (5cr)
ATMOS 588 The Global Carbon Cycle and Climate (5cr)
ENVIR 384 Global Environmental Politics (5cr)
ENVIR 416 Ethics and Climate Change (5cr)
ENVIR 418 Communications and the Environment (5cr)
MATH 208 Matrix Algebra with Applications (4cr, AWSpS)
MATH 224 Advanced Multivariable Calculus (4cr, AWSpS)
OCEAN 200 Introduction to Oceanography (3cr, Spr)
OCEAN 210 Integrative Oceans (4cr, Aut & Spr)

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 Climate 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 ATMOS 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.

CLIMATE – FOUR YEAR PLAN

4-Year Plan Climate Option Worksheet (Printable 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.

CLIMATE – TWO YEAR PLAN

2-Year Plan Climate Option Worksheet (Printable Version)

Recommended for transfer* students and UW students who decide to major in Atmos Sci 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.