About Atmospheric Science
Atmospheric Science includes the physics of climate variability and climate change, changes in stratospheric ozone, coupling of atmospheric chemistry and climate, changes in the oxidation capacity of the troposphere, smog, and the impacts of atmosphere-biosphere exchange on atmospheric composition. Exploring the fundamental natural processes controlling atmospheric composition, circulation dynamics, and climate, and understanding how these processes have changed in the past and may change in the future, are among the greatest intellectual and technological challenges of our time. The Atmospheric Science track will provide you with a strong foundation in the physical sciences as well as an outstanding introduction to atmospheric dynamics and evolution, its chemistry and biogeochemistry. You will gain a rigorous, quantitative, and predictive (in addition to descriptive) knowledge of the earth system with an emphasis on atmospheric processes. Along with laboratory courses, we encourage you to pursue undergraduate research within the department.
Given the societal and political importance of air quality, ozone, and climate change issues, as well as other global environmental issues in which the atmosphere plays a pivotal role, it is imperative that people well-versed and trained in quantitative atmospheric science be a part of the process of implementing sound, science-based policy. This track will prepare you for advanced scientific research as a graduate student, or for technical positions at agencies like NASA, NOAA, EPA, or DOE. Whether you decide to further scientific knowledge in government and academic laboratories, or participate in the legal and political realms, or development and implement of new technologies, this track will give you a firm footing.
Resources
Atmospheric Science Major Requirements
AP/IB Exam Scores & A-Level Course Equivalencies for EPS Majors
Earth and Planetary Science Majors: Courses Offerings Schedule
Spring 2025 EPS Enrollment FAQs
Course Substitutions
If you want to take a course for your major that is not listed under the major requirements, please follow the process below for a course substitution:
- Approval from the faculty advisor, Prof. David Romps from the Course Approval Form or an email approval
- Upload the signed Course Approval Form or a PDF of the email approving the course substitution in the EPS Course Substitution Form
Your Atmospheric Science Faculty Advisor
For more information about specific course and unit requirements please refer to the Atmospheric Science Major Requirements or Prof. David Romps, faculty advisor, at romps@berkeley.edu, 377 McCone Hall.
The Atmospheric Science minor is also offered in EPS. For more information on how to declare the minor, please see here.
For EPS undergraduate student services inquiries, please visit our Student Services Advising page.