Degree Requirements
B.S. Major Program Requirements
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.
| UNITS | OFFERED | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Units for the Major | 123-125 | |
| Written Expression. Also counts toward College English Composition Requirement | 4 | |
| University Writing Program 101 (UWP101) or one of UWP102A-N or one of UWP104A-F,FV,FY,I,J,T or course selected with advisor's approval | 4 | |
| Preparatory Subject Matter | 63-65 | |
| PLS 2: Botany & Physiology of Cultivated Plants | 4 | |
| CHE 2A, 2B: General Chemistry | 10 | |
| ECS 32AV: Introduction to Programming, or course selected with advisor's approval | 4 | |
| MAT 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, (22A, 22B) or (27A, 27B): Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differental Equations | 22-24 | |
| ATM 60: Introduction to Atmospheric Science | 4 | Fall |
| PHY 9A, 9B, 9C: Classical Physics | 15 | |
| STA 13: Elementary Statistics | 4 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | 41 | |
| ATM 110: Weather Observation and Analysis | 4 | Winter, odd years |
| ATM 111 & 111LY: Weather Analysis and Prediction | 5 | Spring |
| ATM 120: Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Cloud Physics | 4 | Fall |
| ATM 121A: Atmospheric Dynamics I | 4 | Winter |
| ATM 121B: Atmospheric Dynamics II | 4 | Spring |
| ATM 124: Meteorological Instruments and Observations | 3 | Fall, but not in 2024 |
| ATM 128: Radiation and Satellite Meteorology | 4 | Spring |
| Internship - Atmospheric Science (ATM) 192 or 199 | 2 | All |
| Two of the following totaling 7 units, or other course with advisor's approval: | 7 | |
| ATM 116: Climate Change | 3 | Fall |
| ATM 133: Biometeorology | 4 | Winter |
| ATM 149: Air Pollution | 4 | Winter |
| ATM 158: Boundary-Layer Meteorology | 4 | Spring, even years |
| ATM 160: Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry | 4 | Winter |
| ATM 115: Hydroclimatology | 3 | Not offered regularly |
| Programming: one of the following or course selected with advisor's approval: | 4 | |
| ENG 006: Engineering Problem Solving | 4 | |
| ATM 150: Introduction to Computer Methods in Physical Sciences | 4 | Not offered regularly |
| Restricted Electives | 15 | |
| Coordinated group of courses (informal minor area) to be chosen with adviser's approval from mathematics, computer science, environmental studies, communication, resource management, or a physical or biological science (at least 10 upper division units) | 15 | |
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Note: Alternative options for students who are interested in atmospheric science are to minor in ATM or to major in ESM choosing the climate change and air quality track. However, neither the ATM minor nor the ESM climate change and air quality track meet the Federal civil service requirements for meteorologists. Major Adviser: Shuhua Chen Student Affairs Officer: Lacole Brooks Advising Center for the major is located in 1150 Plant and Environmental Sciences Building in the Land, Air and Water Resources Teaching Center (530) 752-1603; lawradvising@ucdavis.edu. |
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B.S. Minor Program Requirements
The minor in Atmospheric Science provides a broad treatment of weather and climate, with the option to focus on such topics as climate change, meteorological instrumentation, and satellite remote sensing. Students undertaking the minor should have completed minimum preparatory course work in calculus and physics (MAT 016A or equivalent, PHY 7A or 9A). Some upper division courses in Atmospheric Science have additional math, physics, and/or chemistry courses as prerequisites.
| UNITS | |
|---|---|
| Total Units for the Minor | 20‑24 |
| ATM 60 and 110 | 8 |
| Four courses selected with the approval of the minor program adviser from upper division Atmospheric Science courses (excluding 192 or 199) or Environmental Science and Management (ESM) 131 | 12‑16 |
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Additional Prequisites by Course: None:
CHE 2B:
MAT 16B or equivalent:
PHY 9B and MAT 21C (or equivalents):
MAT 21D and ATM 120:
ATM 121A:
ATM 121B:
Please see our Courses for information about the instructor of each course. We highly recommend reaching out to individual instructors if you have questions about prerequisites including options for substituting prequisites with other courses. Minor Adviser: Shuhua Chen |
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