Atmospheric Sciences (ATS)
ATS LDEA, LOWER DIVISION ED ABROAD, 0-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 99 credits.
ATS UDEA, UPPER DIVISION ED ABROAD, 0-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 99 credits.
ATS 003, UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH, 0 Credits
Engage in research activities appropriate to the discipline; and through the research experience, acquire skills, techniques, and knowledge relevant to the field of study. In consultation with a faculty mentor, engage in research activity, and make and execute a plan for a project.
ATS 004, INTERNSHIP, 0 Credits
Provides basic personal and professional skills that can be used within and outside of a work setting. Through practice, this experience guides students in building and maintaining positive professional relationships, networking/mentoring relationships, and enhances students’ understanding of the connection between theory and practice in their respective disciplines.
ATS 399, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
Equivalent to: ATS 399H
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ATS 399H, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
Attributes: HNRS – Honors Course Designator
Equivalent to: ATS 399
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ATS 401, RESEARCH, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
ATS 403, THESIS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
ATS 405, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ATS 406, PROJECTS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
ATS 407, SEMINAR, 1 Credit
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
ATS 408, WORKSHOP, 1-12 Credits
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
ATS 410, INTERNSHIP, 1-12 Credits
This course is repeatable for 48 credits.
Recommended: 12 credits of upper-division college courses
Available via Ecampus
ATS 411, THERMODYNAMICS AND CLOUD MICROPHYSICS, 4 Credits
Thermodynamic processes in the atmosphere, and an introduction to cloud microphysics.
Prerequisite: (MTH 254 with D- or better or MTH 254H with D- or better) and (PH 213 [D-] or PH 213H [D-])
ATS 412, ATMOSPHERIC RADIATION, 3 Credits
Examines properties of radiation and the electromagnetic spectrum. Explores reflection and refraction; radiative properties of natural surfaces; thermal emission; atmospheric transmission and emission; absorption by atmospheric gases; broadband fluxes and heating rates; introduction to the radiative transfer equation; scattering and absorption by particles.
Prerequisite: (MTH 254 with C- or better or MTH 254H with C- or better or OEAS 302 with C- or better or ATS 302 with C- or better) and (PH 202 [C-] or PH 212 [C-] or PH 212H [C-])
ATS 415, ATMOSPHERIC DYNAMICS, 4 Credits
Derivation of the equations and physical constraints governing atmospheric motions, including conservation laws and their atmospheric applications. Primitive equations: non-linear differential equations used to approximate atmospheric flow. Various types of balanced flows. Vertical atmospheric motion and its causes. Circulation, vorticity, and divergence. Quasi-geostrophic motions and adjustment to geostrophic balance. Atmospheric waves: theory, development, and propagation. Synoptic-scale Rossby waves. Baroclinic instability. General circulation of the atmosphere.
Prerequisite: (CLIM 301 with C- or better or ATS 301 with C- or better) and (CLIM 217 [C-] or ATS 310 [C-]) and (OEAS 302 (may be taken concurrently) [C-] or ATS 302 (may be taken concurrently) [C-] or MTH 254 (may be taken concurrently) [C-] or MTH 254H (may be taken concurrently) [C-]) and (PH 202 (may be taken concurrently) [C-] or PH 212 (may be taken concurrently) [C-] or PH 212H (may be taken concurrently) [C-])
ATS 417, WEATHER SYSTEM DYNAMICS AND FORECASTING, 4 Credits
Dynamics of weather systems and basic forecasting methods. Mid-latitude storm formation and structure; basic dynamical equations and applications to real-time weather; map analysis; description and interpretation of weather prediction models; forecasting methods; Pacific NW weather.
Prerequisite: ATS 310 with C- or better or CLIM 217 with C- or better or ME 311 with C- or better or ME 311H with C- or better or NSE 311 with C- or better or BEE 311 with C- or better or CE 311 with C- or better or CE 311H with C- or better
ATS 499, SPECIAL TOPICS, 0-4 Credits
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
ATS 501, RESEARCH, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
ATS 503, THESIS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 999 credits.
ATS 505, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ATS 506, PROJECTS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 72 credits.
ATS 507, SEMINAR, 1 Credit
This course is repeatable for 48 credits.
ATS 508, WORKSHOP, 1-12 Credits
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
ATS 511, THERMODYNAMICS AND CLOUD MICROPHYSICS, 4 Credits
Thermodynamic processes in the atmosphere, and an introduction to cloud microphysics.
ATS 512, ATMOSPHERIC RADIATION, 3 Credits
Examines properties of radiation and the electromagnetic spectrum. Explores reflection and refraction; radiative properties of natural surfaces; thermal emission; atmospheric transmission and emission; absorption by atmospheric gases; broadband fluxes and heating rates; introduction to the radiative transfer equation; scattering and absorption by particles.
ATS 515, ATMOSPHERIC DYNAMICS, 4 Credits
Derivation of the equations and physical constraints governing atmospheric motions, including conservation laws and their atmospheric applications. Primitive equations: non-linear differential equations used to approximate atmospheric flow. Various types of balanced flows. Vertical atmospheric motion and its causes. Circulation, vorticity, and divergence. Quasi-geostrophic motions and adjustment to geostrophic balance. Atmospheric waves: theory, development, and propagation. Synoptic-scale Rossby waves. Baroclinic instability. General circulation of the atmosphere.
Prerequisite: OEAS 530 with C or better
Recommended: One year of college calculus and physics
ATS 517, WEATHER SYSTEM DYNAMICS AND FORECASTING, 4 Credits
Dynamics of weather systems and basic forecasting methods. Mid-latitude storm formation and structure; basic dynamical equations and applications to real-time weather; map analysis; description and interpretation of weather prediction models; forecasting methods; Pacific NW weather.
Prerequisite: OEAS 530 with C or better
ATS 520, CLIMATE PHYSICS, 4 Credits
Physics-based analyses of climate past, present, and future. Detailed explorations of the energy balance and radiative transfer at the top of the atmosphere, within the atmosphere, and at the Earth's surface. Hydrologic cycle. Ice and climate. Radiative-convective equilibrium. General circulation of the atmosphere and ocean. History and evolution of Earth's climate. Climate sensitivity and feedbacks. Climate variability. Natural and anthropogenic climate change.
Prerequisite: OEAS 530 with C or better
ATS 521, CLIMATE MODELING, 4 Credits
Numerical models of the physics, chemistry, biology, and geology of the climate system. A range of climate models from a simple, single equation to complex state-of-the-science systems used for future projections. Theoretical concepts will be linked to practical applications through hands-on programming exercises and data analysis.
Prerequisite: ATS 520 with C or better or OEAS 530 with C or better
Recommended: One year of college calculus and physics. Python programming experience or concurrent enrollment in ATS 508 (Python for Climate Modeling)
ATS 541, NORTHWEST CLIMATE AND WEATHER, 4 Credits
A survey of climate and weather phenomena that are consequential in the northwestern United States. The Pacific Ocean, the North Pacific jet and storm track, mountain and coastal meteorology, and topographic features like the region’s mountains and Columbia River Gorge all affect the climate and weather of the Northwest, which in turn affect the region’s hydrologic characteristics, vegetation, and numerous other natural and human systems. Preexisting content knowledge and analytical skills are used to produce a comprehensive written report and oral presentation for a regional stakeholder.
Prerequisite: OEAS 530 with C or better or ATS 520 with C or better
ATS 599, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-4 Credits
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
ATS 601, RESEARCH, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 36 credits.
ATS 603, THESIS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 999 credits.
ATS 605, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ATS 606, PROJECTS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 84 credits.
ATS 607, SEMINAR, 1 Credit
This course is repeatable for 48 credits.
ATS 608, WORKSHOP, 1-12 Credits
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
ATS 615, LARGE-SCALE INTERACTIONS OF THE OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERE, 3 Credits
Ocean-atmosphere circulations in the time-mean and seasonal cycles, equatorial wave modes, El Nino-Southern Oscillation, Madden-Julian oscillation, teleconnections and atmospheric bridges, mid-latitude air-sea interactions, Pacific and Atlantic decadal variability, the North Atlantic oscillation/Arctic oscillation.
Prerequisite: (ATS 515 with C or better or OC 670 with C or better)
ATS 699, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-4 Credits
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.