The Department of Atmospheric Sciences offers a Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s (BAM) pathway degree which can be completed in 5 years.

The new combined BS+MS program in Atmospheric Sciences requires a total of 151 combined credits. Of these, seven (7) will be double-counted toward both degrees: ATMO 600 (3 credits) and ATMO 412 or 416 (4 credits).

Students must pass the gateway class ATMO 303 (Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics) with a grade of B or higher to be eligible to apply to the program. Students with cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher may apply to the BS+MS program in the form of early admission after their fifth semester (Junior year), by submitting the same application documents as applicants to the regular MS program. Early admission to the MS program occurs in the senior year. Double-counted courses must be taken after admission to the program. If a student fails to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher after admission, they will be removed from the MS program and will be allowed to graduate with a BS degree upon completion of the BS requirements.

Students may choose to complete the BAM degree in either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis) options. Sample 5-year plans can be found here.

Students admitted in the BAM pathway need to adhere to the requirements for both the BS and MS degree as described in Undergraduate Program Overview and Graduate Program Overview, and can double-count 7 credits as described in the 5-year plan.

Students currently in their Junior year can apply for early admission to the MS program.

Applying to the BAM Program

Pass ATMO 303 (the “gateway class”) with a grade of B or higher in the Fall semester of your junior year, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher;
Fill in this form by February 1st to inform us of your intent to apply to the BAM program, in order to be included in the Graduate Division prospective BAM student lists. Please note that indicating your interest does not obligate you to apply, you can change your mind at any time and not submit your graduate division application. If you have any questions, please contact the BAM Director (Prof. Christina Karamperidou) via email.

After informing of your intent to apply, submit your online application to the Graduate Division following the instructions here: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/submitting-your-application/

This packet should include:

Application form;
One official copy of transcripts directly from the registrar of each institution attended;
If you have taken the GRE, submit official GRE (GEN) scores, but note that the GRE is not required.
Official TOEFL or IELTS score report (International applicants); and
Application fee.

You may contact the Graduate Division via telephone at 808-956-8544 or via email, or visit their website.

Submit a second packet to the Department of Atmospheric Sciences via email (metdept@hawaii.edu) containing the following:

Interest statement (please indicate that you are a current ATMO UG student applying to the BAM program);
Unofficial transcripts (for applications to be admitted in Spring 2024 and after);
Three letters of recommendation sent from former professors or employers directly via email to metdept@hawaii.edu
Curriculum vitae;

Note: For prospective BAM students, the general December 15 deadline to apply is not valid, since they have to know their ATMO 303 grade in order to proceed.

Information for current BAM students

Current BAM students should consult regularly with their academic advisors. See special instructions below:

During your senior UG year, you do not have to take any graduate-level classes beyond ATMO 412/416 and ATMO 610. If you choose to take graduate-level classes that you wish to count towards your MS, then these need to be in excess of your 120 UG credits.

During the registration period for these classes, you need to submit this form:

Petition for Submission of Undergraduate Excess Credits Toward a Master’s Degree (PDF)

The total number of graduate-level credits that you you took during your senior year and which you petition for counting towards your MS has to be below one-half of the total number of credits needed for your MS. Thus, you can only petition for 6 credits (in addition to the 7 that automatically double-count).

Your undergraduate degree is conferred on the semester that all degree requirements are met.

During that semester, you should fill in this form to indicate your intent to graduate, in order to be included in the relevant lists.

ATTENTION: this form is not related to the forms you need to complete with UH/SOEST in order to apply for graduation. You still have to submit all relevant to your BS graduation forms.

In your senior UG year, you need to take the two double-counted classes (ATMO 412/416 and ATMO 600), AND ATMO 610.

Attention: ATMO 610 needs to be in excess of your required 120 UG credits. During the registration period for this class, you need to submit this form:

Petition for Submission of Undergraduate Excess Credits Toward a Master’s Degree (PDF)

If you take any other 400/600+ level courses in excess of your 120 UG credits, then you can include these courses in your petition, as long as the total number of credits is below one-half of the total number of credits needed for your MS. Thus, you can only petition for 6 credits (in addition to the 7 that automatically double-count).

Your undergraduate degree is conferred on the semester that all degree requirements are met.

During that semester, you should fill in this form to indicate your intent to graduate, in order to be included in the relevant lists.

ATTENTION: this form is not related to the forms you need to complete with UH/SOEST in order to apply for graduation. You still have to submit all relevant to your BS graduation forms.

For more information, contact the Director of the ATMO BAM Program at atmo.bam<at>hawaii.edu