Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Certificate in Atmospheric Science

Students on Summer 2019, Fall 2019, or Spring 2020 requirements ATMSCIACRT

Requirements

The certificate requires at least 24 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.

Foundations.
1. Introduction to Atmospheric Science. One (1) course:
  - EAS-E 105 Earth: Our Habitable Planet
  - EAS-E 116 Our Planet and Its Future
  - EAS-E 122 Earth's Dynamic Atmosphere
  - EAS-E 144 Extreme Weather and Its Impacts
  EAS-E 105 Earth: Our Habitable Planet
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Introduction to planet Earth as a dynamic and complex global system. Course materials will demonstrate physical and chemical linkages between biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere that directly impact lifestyles of human populations at time scales of years to centuries. Lecture and lab.
  Repeatability
  Credit given for only one of EAS-E 105 or GEOL-G 105.
  Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2025CASE SLcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE SLcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE SLcourse
  EAS-E 116 Our Planet and Its Future
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  The interaction between geologic and environmental processes in the earth. Special emphasis on how these processes affect public policies and laws. Multimedia exercises and videotape presentations (made specifically for this course) are included. Two lectures and one discussion section/laboratory per week.
  Repeatability
  Credit given for only one of EAS-E 116 or GEOL-G 116.
  Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
  EAS-E 122 Earth's Dynamic Atmosphere
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Explore Earth's dynamic weather and climate and the driving forces behind them. Students will gain an understanding of various atmospheric phenomena. Why is it hot one day and cold the next? What causes Earth's climate to change? Two lectures and one laboratory per week.
  Repeatability
  Credit given for only one of EAS-E 122, GEOG-G 109, or GEOL-G 122.
  Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
  EAS-E 144 Extreme Weather and Its Impacts
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Introduces a range of natural disasters and extreme weather phenomena that span regions, seasons, and origins. Emphasizes the ingredients and causes of each phenomenon, as well as their physical and societal impacts. Types of disasters include floods, droughts and wildfires, thunderstorms and tornadoes, and hurricanes.
  Grading
  Credit given for only one of EAS-E 144 or GEOL-G 144.
  Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
2. Physical Meteorology, Climate, and Paleoclimate. One (1) course:
  - EAS-A 315 Climate Engineering
  - EAS-A 340 Physical Meteorology and Climatology
  - EAS-A 476 Climate Change Science
  EAS-A 315 Climate Engineering
  
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Introduces climate engineering from a physical science perspective, delving into how and why it works. Covers the major climate engineering proposals that have been put forward, such as stratospheric sulfate aerosols and marine cloud brightening. Explores issues of distributional justice, ethics, governance, and geopolitics related to climate engineering.
  Repeatability
  Credit given for only one of EAS-A 315 or GEOG-G 329.
  EAS-A 340 Physical Meteorology and Climatology
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  Any introductory science course or consent of instructor
  Description
  Provides an introduction to the physical basis of Earth\'s atmosphere and climate system from global to local scales, emphasizing physical processes and properties. Analyzes surface energy and water balances in varied landscapes. Covers issues related to climate change.
  Repeatability
  Credit given for only one of EAS-A 340, GEOG-G 304, or GEOL-G 340.
  Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
  EAS-A 476 Climate Change Science
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Notes
  R: At least two college-level physical science courses or other experience reading and interpreting scientific data
  Description
  Evidence for and theories of climate change over a range of time scales. Sources of natural climate forcing are presented, historical evolution of climate change is quantified, and model tools and climate projections are presented along with analyses of climate change impacts.
  Repeatability
  Credit given for only one of EAS-A 476, GEOG-G 475, or GEOL-G 476.
  Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
Electives. Six (6) courses:
- EAS-A 339 Weather Analysis and Forecasting
- EAS-A 347 Instrumentation for Atmospheric Science
- EAS-A 364 Atmospheric Dynamics I
- EAS-A 434 Dynamic Meteorology 2
- EAS-A 437 Advanced Synoptic Meteorology and Climatology
- EAS-A 476 Climate Change Science
- EAS-E 448 Sustainable Energy Systems
- EAS-E 470 Micrometeorology
- EAS-X 498 Undergraduate Research in Geosciences
- PHYS-P 310 Environmental Physics
- SPEA-E 451 Air Pollution and Control
EAS-A 339 Weather Analysis and Forecasting
Credits
3
Prerequisites
EAS-E 122, GEOG-G 109, GEOL-G 107, or GEOL-G 122; or consent of instructor
Description
Analysis and interpretation of meteorological data with a focus on forecasting applications for the mid-latitudes. Students learn the practical skills that weather forecasters use.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of EAS-A 339, GEOG-G 339, or GEOL-G 339.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
EAS-A 347 Instrumentation for Atmospheric Science
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Introduces the principles of atmospheric measurement including sampling strategies, instrumentation and data analysis to quantify atmospheric variables and processes. Covers standard meteorological techniques: ground-based, satellite and airborne remote sensing; atmospheric chemistry and aerosol measurements. Research projects in experimental design will employ field and laboratory equipment to investigate climatological and meteorological principles.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of EAS-A 347 or GEOL-G 347.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
EAS-A 364 Atmospheric Dynamics I
Credits
3
Prerequisites
MATH-M 211, MATH-S 211, or MATH-M 120
Description
A calculus-based coverage of the theory of atmospheric flows. Topics include: derivation of fundamental forces and the equations of motion in inertial and rotating reference frames; isobaric, natural, and spherical coordinates; geostrophic, cyclostropic, and gradient wind balances; and the kinematics and dynamics of circulation and vorticity.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
EAS-A 434 Dynamic Meteorology 2
Credits
3
Prerequisites
One of EAS-A 339, EAS-A 364, GEOG-G 339, or GEOG-G 364; and one of MATH-M 212 or MATH-S 212; and one of PHYS-H 221 or PHYS-P 221
Description
Introduction to dynamical processes at the synoptic to global scales. Principles of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics and their application to the atmosphere. Basic conservation laws and equations of motion. Topics covered also include planetary waves and blocking mechanisms, teleconnections, and the global general circulation.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of EAS-A 434, GEOG-G 431, or GEOL-G 434.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
EAS-A 437 Advanced Synoptic Meteorology and Climatology
Credits
3
Prerequisites
EAS-A 339, EAS-A 340, GEOG-G 304, GEOG-G 339, GEOL-G 339, or GEOL-G 340; or consent of instructor
Description
Analysis and prediction of synoptic scale weather systems, emphasizing the mid-latitudes. Other topics include severe weather and atmospheric/oceanic teleconnections.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of EAS-A 437, GEOG-G 433, or GEOL-G 437.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
EAS-A 476 Climate Change Science
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Notes
R: At least two college-level physical science courses or other experience reading and interpreting scientific data
Description
Evidence for and theories of climate change over a range of time scales. Sources of natural climate forcing are presented, historical evolution of climate change is quantified, and model tools and climate projections are presented along with analyses of climate change impacts.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of EAS-A 476, GEOG-G 475, or GEOL-G 476.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
EAS-E 448 Sustainable Energy Systems
Credits
3
Prerequisites
Junior standing or consent of instructor
Description
Examination of current energy use and the role of renewable energy resources in meeting future demand. Covers the physical and technological basis for geothermal, wind, solar, hydro and marine energy, in addition to the environmental, economic, and social impacts of developing and utilizing these sustainable resources.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of EAS-E 448, GEOG-G 442, or GEOL-G 448.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
EAS-E 470 Micrometeorology
Credits
3
Prerequisites
EAS-A 340, GEOG-G 304, or GEOL-G 340; and MATH-M 211 and MATH-M 212; or consent of instructor
Description
Atmospheric processes at the micro and local scale. Topics include energy and mass exchange over simple nonvegetated surfaces, vegetated surfaces, nonuniform terrain, and inadvertent climate modification.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of EAS-E 470, GEOG-G 470, or GEOL-G 470.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
EAS-X 498 Undergraduate Research in Geosciences

Credits
1–6 credit hours
Prerequisites
Junior standing and consent of advisor
Description
Field and laboratory research in selected problems in geology.
Repeatability
May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
PHYS-P 310 Environmental Physics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
PHYS-H 221, PHYS-P 201, or PHYS-P 221; and MATH-M 211; or consent of instructor
Description
For biological and physical science majors. Relationship of physics to current environmental problems. Energy production, comparison of sources and byproducts; nature of and possible solutions to problems of noise, particulate matter in atmosphere.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Summer 2025CASE SLcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE SLcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE SLcourse
SPEA-E 451 Air Pollution and Control

Description
A survey course covering the chemistry, transport, and fate of air pollutants related to current issues of air quality, such as photochemical smog, ozone depletion, particulate matter, and indoor air quality. Topics include the types, sources, health and environmental effects, measurement, evaluation, control, regulation, and modeling of air pollution concentrations.
Additional information
Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
Certificate GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
1. At least 9 credit hours in the certificate must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
2. At least 9 credit hours in the certificate must be completed at the 300–499 level.
3. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the certificate.
4. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the certificate—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
5. Exceptions to certificate requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.