This major combines courses from Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS) and Mathematics departments. This program is designed to provide rigorous mathematical training with a comprehensive background in topics relevant to atmospheric, oceanic and environmental sciences. The program is intended to provide particularly good preparation for graduate studies in a streamlined course of study.

The AOS/Math major is a designated capstone major.  Students acquire experience in conceiving and executing research projects designed to evaluate hypotheses and complete an individual project or thesis selected with the assistance of the program advisers and faculty mentor.  The topic should reflect integrative application of the mathematics to atmospheric and oceanic sciences.  Students are expected to prepare a significant independent piece of work that applies knowledge gained in their coursework in a new and unique way.

The curriculum consists of six upper division courses in Mathematics and six in AOS, along with their lower division prerequisites and a “capstone” course in which a research project or thesis is produced.

AOS/ Math Program Plan These are recommendations on how to plan out your study list as either a freshman or transfer student. The sample plan only includes major requirements. Each student’s actual study list may differ, and we strongly advise students to work with academic counselors from CAAC and their home department to determine a personal program plan.

Preparation for the Major

1. One course selected from Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 1, 2, 3, 5, M7, and 51 (preferred).
2. Calculus sequence for physical scientists and engineers: Math 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B
3. Engineering Physics sequence lectures: 1A, 1B, 1C
4. AOS M71 (strongly preferred) or COMPTNG 10A
5. AOS 90
6. Chemistry and Biochemistry 14A and 14B (or 20A and 20B) may also be required, depending on atmospheric and oceanic sciences upper division course selection.