Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Minor in Atmospheric Science
Students on Summer 2022, Fall 2022, or Spring 2023 requirements ATSCIMIN
Requirements
The minor requires at least 15 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Introductory Course. 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Summer 2025CASE SLcourseSpring 2025CASE SLcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Physical Meteorology, Climate, or 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Fundamentals of Atmospheric Science. One (1) course:
- EAS-A 332 Atmospheric Thermodynamics & Cloud Processes
- EAS-A 364 Atmospheric Dynamics I
- EAS-A 434 Dynamic Meteorology 2
- EAS-A 474 Topics in Atmospheric Science
EAS-A 332 Atmospheric Thermodynamics & Cloud Processes
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MATH-M 211 or MATH-S 211; and one of EAS-E 122, GEOG-G 109, or GEOL-G 122
- Description
- Earth's weather and climate are controlled by how heat and moisture move in the atmosphere. In this course, students learn and apply the basic physical laws that govern those processes. Topics include thermodynamic laws, principles of atmospheric stability, phase changes of water, nucleation of cloud droplets and the growth of clouds, and the use of common meteorological tools and data to interpret cloud and precipitation behavior.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of EAS-A 332 or GEOL-G 332.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
EAS-A 474 Topics in Atmospheric Science
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Topics may include surface-vegetation-atmosphere interactions, climatology and statistics of extreme events, dimensional analysis and similarity theory, dynamics of turbulent transport, boundary layer dynamics, urban meteorology, general circulation, or applications of numerical modeling at a variety of scales.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 9 credit hours in EAS-A 474 and GEOL-G 474.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Electives. Two (2) additional courses:
- EAS-A 315 Climate Engineering
- EAS-A 332 Atmospheric Thermodynamics & Cloud Processes
- EAS-A 339 Weather Analysis and Forecasting
- EAS-A 340 Physical Meteorology and Climatology
- 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 456 Wind Power Meteorology
- EAS-A 466 Hydrometeorology
- EAS-A 474 Topics in Atmospheric Science
- 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 332 Atmospheric Thermodynamics & Cloud Processes
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MATH-M 211 or MATH-S 211; and one of EAS-E 122, GEOG-G 109, or GEOL-G 122
- Description
- Earth's weather and climate are controlled by how heat and moisture move in the atmosphere. In this course, students learn and apply the basic physical laws that govern those processes. Topics include thermodynamic laws, principles of atmospheric stability, phase changes of water, nucleation of cloud droplets and the growth of clouds, and the use of common meteorological tools and data to interpret cloud and precipitation behavior.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of EAS-A 332 or GEOL-G 332.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
EAS-A 456 Wind Power Meteorology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- EAS-A 340 or GEOG-G 304; and EAS-A 364; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Explains the science of wind power meteorology with a focus on practical elements, such as how to measure wind resources, estimate wind turbine loads, and optimize wind turbine siting. Lecture and lab format with project work.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of EAS-A 456 or GEOL-G 456
EAS-A 466 Hydrometeorology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- EAS-A 340, GEOG-G 304, GEOG-G 339, GEOL-G 339, or GEOL-G 340
- Description
- Hydrometeorology is a branch of meteorology that deals with problems involving the hydrologic cycle, the water budget, and the rainfall statistics of storms. Students gain experience with the physics controlling these processes and with the tools and techniques used to observe and predict hydrometeorological processes.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of EAS-A 466 or GEOL-G 466.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
EAS-A 474 Topics in Atmospheric Science
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Topics may include surface-vegetation-atmosphere interactions, climatology and statistics of extreme events, dimensional analysis and similarity theory, dynamics of turbulent transport, boundary layer dynamics, urban meteorology, general circulation, or applications of numerical modeling at a variety of scales.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 9 credit hours in EAS-A 474 and GEOL-G 474.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Minor GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Minor GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the minor—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Minor Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the minor.
- Minor Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300–499 level.
- Minor Residency. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
Minor Area Courses
-
Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:
- Any course at the 100–499 level with the
EASsubject area prefix—as well as any other subject areas that are deemed functionally equivalent - Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
- Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
- Any course at the 100–499 level with the
This program of study cannot be combined with the following:
- Bachelor of Arts in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EASBA)
- Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Science (ATSCIBS)
- Bachelor of Science in Earth Science (EASCIBS)
- Bachelor of Science in Earth Science and Master of Science in Secondary Education (EAS-BSMSED)
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geoscience (ENGEOSCBS)
- Certificate in Atmospheric Science (ATMSCIACRT)
- Minor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EASMIN)
- [Name unavailable] (GEOLBA)
- [Name unavailable] (GEOLBS)
- [Name unavailable] (GEOLSASCON)
- [Name unavailable] (GEOLMIN)
Exceptions to and substitutions for minor requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.