Atmospheric Sciences (ATM SCI)
Atmospheric Sciences Courses
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Fundamentals of meteorology with study of atmospheric composition, cloud formation, severe weather, and climate change. Learn how scientists observe, analyze, and forecast the atmosphere through lab activities.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: Counts as repeat of 3 cr ATM SCI 100 taken for 4 cr.
General Education Requirements: Natural Science & Wellness Lab
Last Taught: Fall 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1 cr. Undergraduate.
Provides students with an introduction to student success strategies and campus support services, an understanding of the atmospheric science major's academic requirements, and an opportunity to explore careers, internships, and scholarships in the atmospheric sciences.
Prerequisites: none.
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate.
The study of basic processes that lead to dry and moist convection. Characteristic atmospheric structure and cloud microphysical processes that produce thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: Natural Science and Wellness
Last Taught: UWinteriM 2026, Fall 2025, Summer 2025, Spring 2025.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Origin of the solar system, its planets, and planetary atmospheres.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: Natural Science and Wellness
Last Taught: Fall 2025, Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194).
Last Taught: Spring 2019, Fall 2016, Fall 2014, Fall 2012.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
For further information, consult dept chair.
Prerequisites: 2.0 GPA; consent of instructor, department chair, and Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services.
Course Rules: May be retaken to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2013, Spring 2013, Spring 2006.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
4 cr. Undergraduate.
Quantitative approach to understanding fundamental concepts in meteorology. Radiation, heat balance of the atmosphere, thermodynamics, horizontal motion, general circulation, atmospheric observations, clouds, weather map analysis.
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 120(P) or concurrent enrollment or completion of PHYSICS 209, and MATH 213(P) or MATH 231(P); or consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
4 cr. Undergraduate.
Fundamentals of climate system's inner workings and analysis methods. Climate subsystems and feedbacks, energy balance of the Earth, climates of the past, global warming, internal variability and predictability of climate, dynamical climate models, statistical approaches.
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 120(P) or concurrent enrollment or completion of PHYSICS 209; MATH 213(P) or MATH 231(P); and COMPSCI 202(P); or consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Application of basic knowledge of Atmospheric Sciences in business, organizational, educational, political or other appropriate setting.
Prerequisites: soph st.; 2.50 gpa; cons supervising faculty member.
Course Rules: One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hrs in internship. May be retaken to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2015, Fall 2013, Fall 2012, Fall 2011.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-12 cr. Undergraduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared course work.
Prerequisites: acceptance for Study Abroad Program.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic.
Last Taught: UWinteriM 2019, UWinteriM 2018, UWinteriM 2015, UWinteriM 2014.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
Prerequisites: none; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2019, Fall 2013, Fall 1994, Fall 1992.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Pollutant sources and sinks, fundamental pollutant chemistry, monitoring techniques, averaging boundary layers and turbulence, diffusion theories, diffusion models, regional and global-scale pollution problems.
Prerequisites: junior standing and CHEM 102(P); or consent of instructor; or graduate standing. ATM SCI 240(P) strongly recommended.
Last Taught: Fall 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Pollutant sources and sinks, fundamental pollutant chemistry, monitoring techniques, averaging boundary layers and turbulence, diffusion theories, diffusion models, regional and global-scale pollution problems.
Prerequisites: junior standing and CHEM 102(P); or consent of instructor; or graduate standing. ATM SCI 240(P) strongly recommended.
Last Taught: Fall 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Radiant energy, sensible heat, and atmospheric thermodynamics; the gas laws; hydrostatic and psychrometric equations; dry and moist convection; clouds and their physical and energy relations. Optional field exercise.
Prerequisites: junior standing, PHYSICS 120(P) or PHYSICS 209(P), and MATH 213(P) or MATH 231(P); or consent of instructor; or graduate standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2025.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Radiant energy, sensible heat, and atmospheric thermodynamics; the gas laws; hydrostatic and psychrometric equations; dry and moist convection; clouds and their physical and energy relations. Optional field exercise.
Prerequisites: junior standing, PHYSICS 120(P) or PHYSICS 209(P), and MATH 213(P) or MATH 231(P); or consent of instructor; or graduate standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2025.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
The role of dynamics in atmospheric physics; equations of motion; symmetric circulation models; gravity waves; Rossby waves, quasi-geostrophy; introduction to instability of atmospheric flows.
Prerequisites: junior standing; ATM SCI 240(P); MATH 233(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
The role of dynamics in atmospheric physics; equations of motion; symmetric circulation models; gravity waves; Rossby waves, quasi-geostrophy; introduction to instability of atmospheric flows.
Prerequisites: junior standing; ATM SCI 240(P); MATH 233(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Circulation, vorticity, potential vorticity; shallow water equations: Poincare, Kelvin, and Rossby waves, energy and enstrophy; quasi-geostrophy for a stratified atmosphere; barotropic and baroclinic instability.
Prerequisites: junior standing; ATM SCI 351(P); MATH 234(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Circulation, vorticity, potential vorticity; shallow water equations: Poincare, Kelvin, and Rossby waves, energy and enstrophy; quasi-geostrophy for a stratified atmosphere; barotropic and baroclinic instability.
Prerequisites: junior standing; ATM SCI 351(P); MATH 234(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Fundamental principles; synoptic-scale structure and dynamics; equivalent barotropic model; vertical motions; introduction to and application of quasi-geostrophic theory.
Prerequisites: junior standing; MATH 232(P); ATM SCI 240(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Fundamental principles; synoptic-scale structure and dynamics; equivalent barotropic model; vertical motions; introduction to and application of quasi-geostrophic theory.
Prerequisites: junior standing; MATH 232(P); ATM SCI 240(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Extension of quasi-geostrophic theory to Q-vectors; isentropic potential vorticity applied to mid-latitude weather systems; fronts and jets.
Prerequisites: junior standing; ATM SCI 360(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Extension of quasi-geostrophic theory to Q-vectors; isentropic potential vorticity applied to mid-latitude weather systems; fronts and jets.
Prerequisites: junior standing; ATM SCI 360(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Selected topics.
Prerequisites: sophomore standing; HONORS 200(P); consent of Honors College director.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Fall 2023, Spring 2020, Fall 2018, Spring 2018.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Theory, analysis and forecasting of mesoscale flows, including convective systems, polar lows, terrain and surface-forced flows, jet streams and hurricanes.
Prerequisites: junior standing; ATM SCI 360(R) or consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Spring 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Theory, analysis and forecasting of mesoscale flows, including convective systems, polar lows, terrain and surface-forced flows, jet streams and hurricanes.
Prerequisites: junior standing; ATM SCI 360(R) or consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Spring 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Formation of cloud droplets, droplet growth by condensation, formation of ice crystals, precipitation processes, weather radars, cloud models.
Prerequisites: junior standing; PHYSICS 210(P); MATH 232(P); ATM SCI 350(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Formation of cloud droplets, droplet growth by condensation, formation of ice crystals, precipitation processes, weather radars, cloud models.
Prerequisites: junior standing; PHYSICS 210(P); MATH 232(P); ATM SCI 350(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Dynamics and energetics of tropical circulations. Origins and evolution of equatorial disturbances and easterly waves. Structure and dynamics of tropical cyclones. Hurricane modeling and prediction.
Prerequisites: ATM SCI 351(P) or ATM SCI 360(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2024.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Dynamics and energetics of tropical circulations. Origins and evolution of equatorial disturbances and easterly waves. Structure and dynamics of tropical cyclones. Hurricane modeling and prediction.
Prerequisites: ATM SCI 351(P) or ATM SCI 360(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2024.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Historical overview, the zonally symmetric circulation, momentum, heat and water budgets, stationary waves, the El Nino Southern oscillation, global warming, interpentadal variability in the North Atlantic.
Prerequisites: junior standing, PHYSICS 120(P) or PHYSICS 209(P), and MATH 213(P) or MATH 231(P); or consent of instructor; or graduate standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2021, Spring 2020.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Historical overview, the zonally symmetric circulation, momentum, heat and water budgets, stationary waves, the El Nino Southern oscillation, global warming, interpentadal variability in the North Atlantic.
Prerequisites: junior standing, PHYSICS 120(P) or PHYSICS 209(P), and MATH 213(P) or MATH 231(P); or consent of instructor; or graduate standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2021, Spring 2020.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-12 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared course work.
Prerequisites: junior standing and acceptance for Study Abroad Program.
Course Rules: May be retaken with in topic.
Last Taught: UWinteriM 2026.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-12 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared course work.
Prerequisites: junior standing and acceptance for Study Abroad Program.
Course Rules: May be retaken with in topic.
Last Taught: UWinteriM 2026.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
Prerequisites: jr st; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Mathematical and statistical tools applicable to the investigation of atmospheric problems; the nature and treatment of atmospheric data.
Prerequisites: junior standing, PHYSICS 120(P) or PHYSICS 209(P), and MATH 213(P) or MATH 231(P); or consent of instructor; or graduate standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2023, Fall 2021.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Mathematical and statistical tools applicable to the investigation of atmospheric problems; the nature and treatment of atmospheric data.
Prerequisites: junior standing, PHYSICS 120(P) or PHYSICS 209(P), and MATH 213(P) or MATH 231(P); or consent of instructor; or graduate standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2023, Fall 2021.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Surface energy budget; radiation balance and heat transfer; boundary-layer profiles of wind, temperature and moisture; turbulence and boundary-layer fluxes; evapotranspiration; special topics.
Prerequisites: junior standing; ATM SCI 240(P) and one of the following: ATM SCI 330(P), ATM SCI 350(P), ATM SCI 351(P), or ATM SCI 360(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Surface energy budget; radiation balance and heat transfer; boundary-layer profiles of wind, temperature and moisture; turbulence and boundary-layer fluxes; evapotranspiration; special topics.
Prerequisites: junior standing; ATM SCI 240(P) and one of the following: ATM SCI 330(P), ATM SCI 350(P), ATM SCI 351(P), or ATM SCI 360(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Basic laws of radiation, absorption and scattering, weather radar, retrieval of soundings, remote sensing and climate, weather satellites.
Prerequisites: junior standing, PHYSICS 120(P) or PHYSICS 209(P), and MATH 213(P) or MATH 231(P); or consent of instructor; or graduate standing.
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Basic laws of radiation, absorption and scattering, weather radar, retrieval of soundings, remote sensing and climate, weather satellites.
Prerequisites: junior standing, PHYSICS 120(P) or PHYSICS 209(P), and MATH 213(P) or MATH 231(P); or consent of instructor; or graduate standing.
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1 cr. Undergraduate.
Student writes a paper under supervision of an advisor on an approved topic not covered in the student's regular course work.
Prerequisites: senior standing and consent of instructor.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 2 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Covers techniques used to analyze data and test scientific hypotheses for both diagnostic/understanding and prognostic/prediction applications, particularly in the atmospheric and related sciences.
Prerequisites: junior standing, or graduate standing, or consent of instructor.
Course Rules: Counts as repeat of ATM SCI 690 with same topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2024.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Covers techniques used to analyze data and test scientific hypotheses for both diagnostic/understanding and prognostic/prediction applications, particularly in the atmospheric and related sciences.
Prerequisites: junior standing, or graduate standing, or consent of instructor.
Course Rules: Counts as repeat of ATM SCI 690 with same topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2024.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Intensive topical studies of currently active problem areas.
Prerequisites: junior standing; consent of instructor.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max. Satisfies L&S Seminar req.
Last Taught: Fall 2018, Fall 2016.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Intensive topical studies of currently active problem areas.
Prerequisites: junior standing; consent of instructor.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max. Satisfies L&S Seminar req.
Last Taught: Fall 2018, Fall 2016.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Application of advanced principles of atmospheric sciences in a business, organizational, educational, political or other appropriate setting.
Prerequisites: jr st; 300-level or above course in atm sci; 3.0 gpa in the major; cons supervising faculty.
Course Rules: One cr earned for 40 hrs work. May be retaken to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Fall 2019, Summer 2019, Fall 2017, Spring 2017.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
Independent meteorological study.
Prerequisites: jr st, 2.0 GPA, consent of instructor, Department Chair, and Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 3 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2008, Spring 2007, Spring 2005.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Graduate.
Fundamentals of signal detection in noisy multivariate space-time data sets; empirical orthogonal functions, singular value decomposition, maximum covariance analysis and canonical correlation analysis; Fourier analysis; singular and multivariate spectrum analysis.
Prerequisites: graduate standing in physical sciences or engineering.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of ATM SCI 950 with the same topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Graduate.
Computational techniques for determining surface fluxes of heat and momentum. Numerical methods for solving advection and diffusion problems; statistical diffusion modeling.
Prerequisites: graduate standing; consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2020, Fall 2018.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Graduate.
Atmospheric applications of turbulent flow theory. Nonprecipitating clouds: structure of individual cumulus clouds, stratocumulus and cumulus boundary layers. Precipitating clouds: thunderstorms, squall lines, hurricanes.
Prerequisites: graduate standing; consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2021, Spring 2019, Spring 2017.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Graduate.
Numerical methods for predicting atmospheric phenomena; numerical stability and dispersion; implicit and explicit damping methods; physical process parameterization; ensemble data assimilation techniques.
Prerequisites: graduate standing in physical sciences or engineering.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of ATM SCI 950 with the same topic.
Last Taught: Fall 2023, Fall 2021.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Graduate.
Phase space reconstruction; singular spectrum analysis; prediction; dimension estimation; application of nonlinear time series analysis techniques to selected data sets.
Prerequisites: graduate standing; consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Fall 2013, Spring 2012, Spring 2010, Spring 2008.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Graduate.
Advanced analysis techniques for snyoptic/mesoscale diagnoses, case studies of relevant circulation systems; role of planetary, synoptic, and mesoscale flows in system development.
Prerequisites: graduate standing; consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2019, Fall 2017.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
0 cr. Graduate.
Available for graduate students who must meet minimum credit load requirement.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
Course Rules: Fee for 1 cr assessed; unit does not count towards credit load for Fin Aid. Repeatable. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Summer 2024, Fall 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Graduate.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
Course Rules: Retakable with change in topic to 9 cr max.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
3 cr. Graduate.
Selected topics in atmospheric dynamics, satellite meteorology, atmospheric & oceanic convection, air & water pollution, numerical prediction remote sensing, & others.
Prerequisites: graduate standing in physical sciences or engineering.
Course Rules: Retakable with change in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2020, Fall 2019, Spring 2018, Fall 2017.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-8 cr. Graduate.
Prerequisites: graduate standing; consent of instructor and completed thesis proposal.
Course Rules: Repeatable to 12 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-12 cr. Graduate.
Externship for students enrolled in the Atmospheric Science PhD program.
Prerequisites: graduate standing; admis to candidacy for the PhD.
Course Rules: Retakeable to 12 cr max.
Last Taught: Fall 2019, Spring 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2010.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-12 cr. Graduate.
Prerequisites: graduate standing; admis to candidacy for PhD.
Course Rules: Repeatable.
Last Taught: Fall 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
1-12 cr. Graduate.
Independent meteorological study.
Prerequisites: graduate standing; consent of instructor.
Course Rules: Retakable to 12 cr max.
Last Taught: Fall 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/