The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) is an interdisciplinary program that provides an educational and research environment to examine the dynamical, physical, and chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere and the ocean. A major theme is the establishment of a physical basis for understanding, observing, and modeling climate and global change.

Graduate students admitted to ATOC will eligible to receive an advanced degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Graduate students outside of ATOC can pursue the Graduate Certificate in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 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 bachelors degree and meet the course prerequisites.

There are 6 primary areas of research at ATOC, including: Atmospheric Chemistry,Climate Modeling and Data Assimilation, Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Oceans, Instrument Development and Observations, Oceanography, and Radiative Transfer and Remote Sensing.