Atmospheric Sciences, Bachelor of Science

Program Information
Credential: 
Bachelor's Degree
Duration: 

1 year at RDC - 3 years at U of A

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Nancy Brown
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca
University Transfer Program

One-Year University Transfer Program:

Atmospheric Sciences is the study of the atmosphere, surface and interior of the earth.

For the most current university program and transfer information, see the Planning Guides in Academic Advising.

Related Careers

All levels of government

  • planning commissions
  • urban and housing project planning
  • parks and recreation planning
  • energy and natural resources planning
  • overseas service

Teaching (with BEd)

Cartography (map-making)

The Program

RDC offers the first year of university study toward BSc Atmospheric Sciences.

Transfer Features

The courses offered in this program are aligned with the University of Alberta.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Related Link: Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admissions page for detailed group descriptions.

1. Minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. ELA 30-1
  2. Mathematics 30-1
  3. Chemistry 30
  4. Physics 30
  5. Biology 30 OR Subject from Group A, B, or C

OR

2. Mature Student

You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school for at least one full year before the program starts, and have a minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. ELA 30-1
  2. Mathematics 30-1
  3. Chemistry 30
  4. Physics 30

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass 20 term university transfer courses or a minimum of 60 credit hours, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to receive a Diploma in University Transfer Studies.

Program Content
University of Alberta

(Please note these credits are U of A credits.)

Atmospheric Sciences

  • MATH 202/203, MATH 204 & MATH 221 (9 credits)
  • PHYS 241 & PHYS 247 (6 credits)
  • ENGL 219 & ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • STAT 251 (3 credits)
  • Science or Arts Options (6 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

MATH 202

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and integration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 Note: You should take MATH 203 if you have at least 70% in Math 31.

MATH 203

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and intergration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 and 31 or the equivalent. Note: Not recommended if you have less than 70% in Math 31.

MATH 204

Differentiation and integration of trigonometric; exponential; and logarithmic functions. Indeterminate forms and improper integrals. Techniques of integration. Applications. Prerequisite: MATH 202 or 203 or equivalent. Note: You cannot have credit in both MATH 204 and MATH 213.

MATH 221

Solving linear systems of equations; matrix algegra; determinants; vectors; lines and planes; subspaces of n-space; and applications. Introduction to linear transformations; eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Prerequisite: Math 30-1

PHYS 241

A calculus-based course in physics in which the kinematic and dynamic properties of particles and bodies in motion are described and quantified through the study of forces; work and energy; momentum; rotation and special relativity. Prerequisite: Physics 30 and Math 30-1. Corequisite: MATH 202 or 203 or 212. Note: Credit is granted in only one of PHYS 203; 205; 231 or 241.

PHYS 247

Oscillations; simple harmonic motion; waves. Gravitation. Sound. Light; geometric optics; optical instruments; interference and diffraction. Fluids. Kinetic theory. Heat and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: PHYS 241 or ENPH 231 Corequisite: MATH 204 or 213 Note: You can have credit in only one of PHYS 206; 207; 237; 243; 247; or 269.

STAT 251

Data collection and presentation; descriptive statistics. Probability distributions; sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Point estimation and hypothesis testing. Correlation and regression analysis. Goodness-of- fit and contingency table. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 Note: This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in any of STAT 241; PSYC 309; SOCI 311; or BUS 306.