Admissions Requirements

For acceptance into the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) graduate program, the following requirements must be met:

• Hold a baccalaureate degree from a college or university of recognized standing, or have done work equivalent to that required for such a degree.
• Show promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research, as judged by the student’s previous scholastic record and letters of reference.
• Have had adequate preparation to enter graduate study in the chosen field.
• Have at least a 3.00 (B) undergraduate grade point average.
• We do not require and will not consider General Record Examination (GRE) scores.

Proof of English proficiency is required for immigration purposes for all international student applicants. The TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test are three different English language proficiency tests accepted by CU Boulder as proof of English proficiency. CU Boulder does not accept any other tests as proof of English proficiency

Students with undergraduate degrees in the physical sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, mathematics) and engineering are encouraged to apply. The general background expected of incoming graduate students includes:

• Three semesters of calculus, one semester of differential equations, and one semester of computer programming (idealy in python)
• Coures in physics (calculus based) and chemistry
• Research experience including data analysis/additional computer programming experience (ideally in python)

Students with undergraduate degrees in other fields such as biology, environmental science, geography, geology, meteorology, or oceanography are also invited to apply provided they meet the standards given here. Courses in atmospheric science or oceanography are useful but not required.

English Proficiency requirements

All international applicants are required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency. The Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL), or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score is required unless English is your native language. If you have completed at least one year full-time academic study at a U.S. institution (or at an institution in a country where English is the native language) at the time you apply, you have fulfilled the English proficiency requirement for the Office of Admissions. The University requires a minimum TOEFL score of 537 (paper based), 203 (computer based), and/or 75 (new internet based). The University requires a minimum IELTS score of 6. The University requires a minum Duolingo score of 120.

• For Undergraduate Students
  • Major
  • Minor
  • Gen Ed Requirements
  • Introductory Course Learning Goals
  • Undergraduate Research Opportunities
  • Professional Development
  • Study Abroad Opportunities
  • Degrees Offered
  • Admissions Requirements
  • Deadlines and Procedures
  • Funding Opportunities
  • CU Boulder Info
  • Eliminating the GRE
  • Grad App Fee Waiver
  • Grad App Mentorship
  • Certificate in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
  • Certificate in Oceanography
  • ATOC Course Catalog
  • Fall Courses
  • Spring Courses
  • Summer 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025