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.  Graduate students, research staff, and faculty work together on a wide range of research topics: large-scale dynamics of the ocean and the atmosphere; air-sea interaction; radiative transfer and remote sensing of the ocean and the atmosphere; sea ice and its role in climate; cloud-climate interactions; atmospheric chemistry and aerosols; atmospheric technology; extended weather and climate prediction; hydrological processes; boundary layer measurement and modeling; and planetary atmospheres.

ATOC has extensive computer facilities and laboratories in remote sensing, chemistry, and hydrodynamics. Interdisciplinary research opportunities also exist with the Cooperative Institute for Environmental Studies (CIRES), the Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), and the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP). The presence of leading laboratories in the environmental sciences in Boulder, including the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the NOAA Environmental Research Laboratories, provides additional opportunities for a rich educational experience.

To the right are links to more information regarding the 7 primary areas of research in ATOC: Atmosphere or Ocean Dynamics, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Chemical or Physical Oceanography, Clouds and Aerosols, Planetary Atmospheres, Radiative Transfer & Remote Sensing, and Regional, Boundary Layer, & Wind Energy Meteorology.