Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (B.A.) Academic Course Map
Program Overview
A Bachelor of Arts degree Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) at CU Boulder prepares students to pursue a wide range of careers in areas as diverse as the energy sector, military, air and water quality monitoring, weather and aerospace industries. It provides a solid foundation for advanced degrees in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences, and for professions in scientific research and academia. ATOC's curriculum is designed to provide students with a core set of knowledge and skills related to atmospheric and oceanic sciences, and to engage students in hands-on, interactive learning. Students take quantitative problem-solving 鈥渕ethods鈥 courses that incorporate computer programming and/or scientific computing.
ATOC's curriculum is also designed to take advantage of CU Boulder being in the center of a world-renowned mecca for earth system science, elevating the program to worldwide prominence. The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences provides a world-class, interdisciplinary research and educational environment for students to examine the dynamical, physical, and chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere and ocean. Scientists from the local community contribute their expertise to the ATOC curriculum, particularly in the interactive methods courses, and mentor seniors in their thesis research. CU Boulder's atmospheric science program ranks No. 1 overall among world universities in the Shanghai Ranking 2018 Global Ranking.
Admission Requirements
Students who begin at a baby直播app Community College can transfer directly to CU Boulder to finish their degree in any of the programs offered by the College of Arts and Sciences. Please see the CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences鈥 baby直播app Community College webpage for more information detailed information admissions requirements for students transfering from a baby直播app Community College.
Transfer Recommendations
To graduate in a 4-year overall time frame, it is important that students follow the recommended schedule below. Students who wish to continue their education at the community college beyond the number of credits specified below should explore with both community college and CU Boulder staff how their graduation timeline, COF stipend, and financial aid will be affected.
Suggested Four-Year Course Plan for the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) major
This is a suggested guide of coursework only and is subject to change. Always consult your academic advisor for graduation planning purposes. Depending on a student鈥檚 situation, a different plan might be more applicable.
Students must be ready for calculus.
Community College (first two years)
Fall Semester 1
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 121/1021* | English Composition I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| MAT 201/2410 | Calculus I (GT-MA1) | 5 |
| MET 150/1050 | General Meteorology (GT-SC1)** | 4 |
| Guaranteed Transfer History Course (GT-HI1) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Spring Semester 1
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 122/1022 | English Composition II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| PHYS 211/2111 | Physics: Calculus-Based I/lab (GT-SC1) | 5 |
| MAT 202/2420 | Calculus II (GT-MA1) | 5 |
| Guaranteed Transfer Arts & Humanities Course (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
Fall Semester 2
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 212/2112 | Physics: Calculus-Based II/lab (GT-SC1) | 5 |
| MAT 204/2431 | Calculus III with Engineering Applications (GT-MA1) | 5 |
| 2nd Guaranteed Transfer Arts & Humanities Course from a different GT-AH area than the 1st. | 3 | |
| Guaranteed Transfer Social & Behavioral Sciences Course (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
Spring Semester 2
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
COM 125/1250 OR COM 220/2300
| Interpersonal Communication (GT-SS3) OR Intercultural Communication (GT-SS3 | 3 |
| CSC 160 | Computer Science 1 | 4 |
| MAT 266/2562 | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra*** | 4 |
| Transfer Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 14 |
Total credits at your Community College: 61
Completion of the four semesters of coursework listed above fulfills the requirements for an Associate of Science Degree at your community college and fills the General Education requirements at CU Boulder.
CU Boulder (last two years)
Fall Semester 3
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 1113 | General Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| Upper-Division Core ATOC course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Core ATOC course | 3 | |
| Lower or Upper-division ATOC Major elective course | 3 | |
| Non-major Elective course | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 14 |
Spring Semester 3
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Upper-Division Core ATOC course | 3 |
| Upper-Division Fundamentals of ATOC course | 3 |
| Upper-Division Fundamentals of ATOC course | 3 |
| Non-major elective course | 3 |
| Non-major elective course | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Fall Semester 4
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Upper-Division Fundamentals of ATOC course | 3 |
| Upper-Division Methods in ATOC course | 3 |
| Upper-Division Methods in ATOC course | 3 |
| Upper-division ATOC Major elective course | 3 |
| Non-major elective course | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Spring Semester 4
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Upper-Division Methods in ATOC course | 3 |
| Upper-Division Methods in ATOC course | 3 |
| Upper-division ATOC Major elective course | 3 |
| Upper-division ATOC Major elective course | 3 |
| Upper-division non-major elective course | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Total credits at CU Boulder: 59
Completion of all eight semesters of coursework listed above fulfills the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at CU Boulder.
*For community college courses, the first course number is previous to summer 2022, and the second course number is the new number starting in summer 2022.
**If your community college does not offer MET 150, you can substitute GEO 112 Physical Geography - Weather, Climate and Ecosystems w/Lab (GT-SC1).
***Students can replace with MAT 255 Linear Algebra if MAT 266 is not available at their community college, but then they would have to take MATH 3430 Ordinary Differential Equations in place of a non-major elective at CU Boulder and would need 60 credits at CU Boulder.
