Major: Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences/Mathematics B.S. (capstone major)
This major combines courses from Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS) and Mathematics departments. This program is designed to provide rigorous mathematical training with a comprehensive background in topics relevant to atmospheric, oceanic and environmental sciences. The program is intended to provide particularly good preparation for graduate studies in a streamlined course of study.
The AOS/Math major is a designated capstone major. Students acquire experience in conceiving and executing research projects designed to evaluate hypotheses and complete an individual project or thesis selected with the assistance of the program advisers and faculty mentor. The topic should reflect integrative application of the mathematics to atmospheric and oceanic sciences. Students are expected to prepare a significant independent piece of work that applies knowledge gained in their coursework in a new and unique way.
The curriculum consists of six upper division courses in Mathematics and six in AOS, along with their lower division prerequisites and a “capstone” course in which a research project or thesis is produced.
AOS/ Math Program Plan These are recommendations on how to plan out your study list as either a freshman or transfer student. The sample plan only includes major requirements. Each student’s actual study list may differ, and we strongly advise students to work with academic counselors from CAAC and their home department to determine a personal program plan.
Preparation for the Major
- One course selected from Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 1, 2, 3, 5, M7, and 51 (preferred).
- Calculus sequence for physical scientists and engineers: Math 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B
- Engineering Physics sequence lectures: 1A, 1B, 1C
- AOS M71 (strongly preferred) or COMPTNG 10A
- AOS 90
- Chemistry and Biochemistry 14A and 14B (or 20A and 20B) may also be required, depending on atmospheric and oceanic sciences upper division course selection.
Each course must be taken for a letter grade and must be passed with a grade of C- or better, and students must have a minimum overall grade-point average of 2.0 for the courses[i].
[i] Any course(s) taken to fulfill major requirements for the AOS/Math major during Spring 2020, Summer 2020, and Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and Fall 2021 could be taken for a letter grade or as Passed/Not Passed. Due to current circumstances related to COVID-19, we hope this temporary change in policy allowed each of our students to choose a grade basis that was most suitable to them. This temporary change of policy only applied to Spring 2020, Summer 2020, and Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and Fall 2021. It will not apply to any previous or future terms.
Each course must be taken for a letter grade and must be passed with a grade of C- or better, and students must have a minimum overall grade-point average of 2.0 for the courses.
Transfer Students
Transfer applicants to the AOS/Math major with 90 or more units must complete as many of the following introductory courses as possible prior to admission to UCLA: one and a half years of calculus through multivariable and one year of calculus-based physics.
Recommended before transfer for timely degree completion: linear algebra, differential equations, and one computer programming course (preferably in Python).
Refer to the UCLA Transfer Admission Guide for up-to-date information regarding transfer selection for admission.
The Major
- Six mathematics courses, including Mathematics 115A, 131A, 134, and three elective courses selected from 115B, 131B, 135, 136, 142, 151A, 151B, 170A, 170B, one of which must be 115B, 131B, 151B, or 170B;
- Six upper division atmospheric and oceanic sciences courses, including two core courses selected from Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 101, 103, and 112; two elective courses selected from C110, C115, M120, C144, C160, C170, 180, and any two additional AOS courses.
- One capstone senior projects/thesis course, AOS 199, taken for a minimum of 4 units, is required. An individual project or thesis to be selected with the assistance of the program advisor and a faculty mentor must be completed. Thesis approval from faculty advisor and submitted to department advisor.
No more than one course may be applied toward both this major and a major or minor in another department or program.
For the official requirements, please visit the UCLA Registrar website.
[1] Any course(s) taken to fulfill major requirements for the AOS/Math major during Spring 2020, Summer 2020, and Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and Fall 2021 could be taken for a letter grade or as Passed/Not Passed. Due to current circumstances related to COVID-19, we hope this temporary change in policy allowed each of our students to choose a grade basis that was most suitable to them. This temporary change of policy only applied to Spring 2020, Summer 2020, and Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and Fall 2021. It will not apply to any previous or future terms.