Graduate students can pursue the a graduate certificate while earning a normal graduate degree (MS or PhD) at CU Boulder or while taking coursework as a nondegree seeking student through Continuing Education's ACCESS Program, provided they have already earned a bachelor's degree and meet the course prerequisites.
Graduate certificates are noted on the official CU Boulder transcript.
Requirements
Students who wish to obtain the graduate certificate in oceanography must complete at least three oceanography core courses (see below) passed with a letter grade of B or better. In addition, students may take an independent study course to replace one of the core courses.
Required Courses and Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete at least three of the following courses: | ||
| Introduction to Physical Oceanography | ||
| Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Oceans | ||
| Advanced Ocean Dynamics and Air-Sea Coupled ENSO Mechanisms | ||
| Biogeochemical Oceanography | ||
| The Global Carbon Cycle | ||
| Physical Oceanography and Climate | ||
| Introduction to Fluid Dynamics | ||
| Fluid Instabilities, Waves, and Turbulence | ||
| Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry | ||
| Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology | ||
For additional information about the ATOC Certificate or the Oceanography Certificate, contact atocasst@colorado.edu.
Tracks
A few sample tracks satisfying the Certificate in Oceanography requirements:
- Astrophysical and planetary sciences student: ATOC 5051 Introduction to Physical Oceanography, ATOC 5060 Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Oceans, ASTR 5400 Introduction to Fluid Dynamics and GEOL 5270 Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry.
- Applied math hydrodynamicist: ATOC 5051 Introduction to Physical Oceanography, ASTR 5400 Introduction to Fluid Dynamics, ATOC 5060 Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Oceans and ASTR 5410 Fluid Instabilities, Waves, and Turbulence.
- Aerospace engineer remote sensing of the ocean: ATOC 5051 Introduction to Physical Oceanography, ATOC 5730 Physical Oceanography and Climate and ATOC 5061 Advanced Ocean Dynamics and Air-Sea Coupled ENSO Mechanisms.
- Geology paleoceanographer: GEOL 5270 Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, ATOC 5051 Introduction to Physical Oceanography, GEOL 5430 Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology and ATOC 5061 Advanced Ocean Dynamics and Air-Sea Coupled ENSO Mechanisms.
- Ocean geographer: ATOC 5730 Physical Oceanography and Climate, GEOL 5270 Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry and ATOC 5051 Introduction to Physical Oceanography.