Academics
The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) at the University of Colorado Boulder provides a world-class, interdisciplinary research and educational environment to examine the dynamical, physical, and chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere and ocean. A major theme is the establishment of a physical basis for observing, modeling, and understanding climate and global change.
At the graduate level, ATOC offers a doctoral degree and a master’s degree (thesis and non-thesis options). Graduate students admitted to ATOC will be eligible to receive an advanced degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Graduate students outside of ATOC can pursue a Graduate Certificate either in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences or in Oceanography while earning a graduate degree from another department at CU-Boulder, or while taking coursework as a non-degree seeking student through Continuing Education’s ACCESS Program provided they have already earned a bachelor's degree and meet the course prerequisites.
ATOC began offering an undergraduate major in fall 2016. This degree is the first of its kind at the University of Colorado Boulder for students interested in an in-depth understanding of the physical basis for the role of the atmosphere and oceans in Earth’s climate system. In addition, ATOC offers a minor in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in another academic department.