\n
Eukaryotic Microbiology \u2013 introduction to the origin and diversity of protists (protozoa and algae) at both the cellular and genomic levels \n
Computer Methods in Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science \u2013 mathematical computer-based problem solving in the physical, chemical, and biological sciences; problems examined taken from studies of the earth, oceans, and atmosphere \n
Organic Chemistry for the Biological Science \u2013 reactions and properties of carbonyl compounds, carbohydrates, amino acids, and nucleic acids \n
Fundamentals of Biostatistics \u2013 statistical procedures for biological research; estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance and regression; use of computers for statistical analysis \n
Fundamentals of Evolutionary Biology \u2013 natural selection; population genetics, quantitative genetics and systematics; classical and molecular approaches to the study of evolution \n
Plant Physiology \u2013 mechanisms and regulation of processes involved in the assimilation, transport, and utilization of water, mineral nutrients, and carbon by plants \n
Introductory Oceanography: Circulation and Plankton \u2013 physical and chemical processes and their controls on the distribution of plankton in the ocean \n
Introductory Oceanography: Climate and Ecosystems \u2013 physical, chemical, and biological processes in the ocean and their interaction with climate and marine food-webs \n
Aquatic Ecology \u2013 theoretical and applied limnology (the study of inland aquatic ecosystems); ecology of inland water organisms in relation to physical, chemical, and biological factors \n
Biological Oceanography \u2013 abundance, distribution, and production of phytoplankton, zooplankton, microbes, and fish; ecosystem dynamics and food-webs \n
Introduction to Fisheries Science \u2013 introduction to the ecology and management of freshwater and marine fisheries: population dynamics, species interactions, communities, environmental issues, stock assessment, economics, and sociology of fisheries \n
Methods in Oceanography \u2013 methods of data collection, study, and analysis in solving oceanographic problems \n\n
Master\u2019s Degree in Oceanography \u2013 Two to Three Year Duration
\nAt the master\u2019s level students take some required courses but can design their program in consultation with a faculty member, to focus on their particular area of interest. The master\u2019s program\u2019s culminating requirement is typically a thesis based on original research. Some schools may offer a non-thesis/project option.
\n
Doctoral Degree in Oceanography \u2013 Five to Six Year Duration
\nThe master\u2019s program involves a lot of taught courses. It emphasizes the transition from pure subject learning to independent research. On the other hand, the doctoral degree is like a very long dissertation project. Ph.D. students have a great deal of independence. They have the benefit of supervision from a faculty advisor and may complete some taught classes, but their focus is on their independent research, on contributing original \u2013 new \u2013 knowledge to the field of oceanography. The Doctoral Degree in Oceanography is targeted at students who aspire to a career as a university professor or researcher.
\n
The courses taken by individual master\u2019s degree and Ph.D. candidates will vary, depending on the focus of their thesis or dissertation. Below are some examples of specialization tracks that may be available to graduate students in oceanography. Specific concentration options will vary from school to school. Graduate level internships often take place on research vessels.
\n
Fisheries Science Track
\n
Subject Areas:
\n- Science and management of marine fisheries in developed and developing nations
\n- Marine policy and spatial planning
\n
Sample Courses:
\n- Biological Oceanography
\n- Fisheries Stock Assessment
\n- Fish Population Dynamics
\n- Geological Oceanography
\n- Foundations of Earth Systems Dynamics
\n- Management of Marine Protected Areas
\n- Fisheries Oceanography
\n- Ecological Statistics
\n- Numerical Models and Data Analysis
\n- Internship
\n
Coastal Systems Track
\n
Subject Areas:
\n- Mapping
\n- Marine spatial planning
\n- Oil spill impacts and remediation
\n- Coastal eutrophication (enrichment of water by nutrient salts that causes structural changes to the ecosystem)
\n- Planning for impacts of seal-level rise
\n- Coastal ocean energy development
\n- Port management
\n
Sample Courses:
\n- Physical Oceanography
\n- Biological Oceanography
\n- Foundations of Earth Systems Dynamics
\n- Geological Oceanography
\n- Chemical Oceanography
\n- Numerical Models and Data Analysis
\n- Analysis in the Ocean Sciences
\n- Applied Coastal Ecology
\n- Salt Marsh Ecology
\n- Introduction to Marine Pollution
\n- Ocean Waves and Storm Surge Modeling
\n- Restoration Ecology
\n- Marine Environmental Organic Chemistry
\n- Engineering Wave Mechanics and Nearshore Processes
\n- Coastal Zone Law
\n- Marine Pollution Policy
\n- Internship
\n
Ocean Data and Technology
\n
Subject Areas:
\n- Marine robotics
\n- Seafloor mapping
\n- Ocean engineering
\n- Sensor utilization
\n- Data collection and processing
\n- Network and system security
\n- Maritime and coastal policy
\n
Sample Courses:
\n- Physical Oceanography
\n- Chemical Oceanography
\n- Geological Oceanography
\n- Foundations of Earth Systems Dynamics
\n- Numerical Models and Data Analysis
\n- Analysis in the Ocean Sciences
\n- Coastal Geological Hazards
\n- Modern Oceanographic Imaging and Mapping Techniques
\n- Coastal Zone Law
\n- Programming for Scientists
\n- Design of Remotely Operated Vehicles
\n- Port Operations and Policy
\n- Satellite Oceanography
\n- Digital Signal Processing
\n- Environmental Data Acquisition and Analysis
\n- Introduction to Network and Systems Security
\n- Internship
", "display_order": 2, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:37.051605-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-01-18T14:35:08.322056-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 152, "page": 1, "title": "Degrees Similar to Oceanography", "summary_markdown": "**[Environmental Science](/degrees/environmental-science-degree/)** \r\nThe basis of this discipline is that all natural things interact. Individuals who earn a degree in environmental science develop plans to prevent, control, or find solutions to environmental issues, such as pollution. \r\n\r\n**[Geology](/degrees/geology-degree/)** \r\nGeology, also known as geoscience and Earth science, is the study of the Earth. Students of the discipline learn about the processes that act upon the Earth, such as floods, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions; the materials of which the Earth is made, such as water, oil, metals, and rocks; and the history, evolution, and past climates of the Earth. \r\n\r\n**[Hydrology](/degrees/hydrology-degree/)** \r\nHydrology is about the active nature of water, the movement of precipitation. Hydrologists study surface waters like rivers, lakes, and streams and examine how rainfall and snowfall cause erosion, generate caves, and permeate soil and rock to become groundwater or flow to oceans and seas. Students of hydrology study these and other aspects of the field. They learn about water management methods, land use, environmental issues, and how to collect water data, interpret statistics, conduct computer modeling, and use geographic information systems (GIS) and the global positioning system (GPS).", "content_markdown": "**[Marine Biology](/degrees/marine-biology-degree/)** \r\nStudents who earn a degree in marine biology study marine organisms and their behaviors and interactions with the environment. \r\n\r\n**[Meteorology](/degrees/meteorology-degree/)** \r\nMeteorology degree programs teach students how to predict weather conditions. The typical curriculum examines atmospheric movement, climate trends, and ozone levels. With an understanding of these concepts, students learn about various meteorological phenomena. They learn how to use statistical analysis to forecast weather events from sun, clouds, and rain to heat waves, droughts, thunderstorms, tropical storms, tornados, and hurricanes.", "content_html": "
Marine Biology
\nStudents who earn a degree in marine biology study marine organisms and their behaviors and interactions with the environment.
\n
Meteorology
\nMeteorology degree programs teach students how to predict weather conditions. The typical curriculum examines atmospheric movement, climate trends, and ozone levels. With an understanding of these concepts, students learn about various meteorological phenomena. They learn how to use statistical analysis to forecast weather events from sun, clouds, and rain to heat waves, droughts, thunderstorms, tropical storms, tornados, and hurricanes.
", "display_order": 3, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:37.053718-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-01-18T14:37:32.077933-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 152, "page": 1, "title": "Skills You’ll Learn", "summary_markdown": "Oceanography students develop diverse skills that can be applied in other fields as well: \r\n\r\n- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team \r\n- Advanced math and science skills \r\n- Attention to detail \r\n- Computer literacy / computer modeling \r\n- Dedication to ongoing learning \r\n- Field skills / comfortable working outdoors \r\n- Flexible approach to work \r\n- GIS (geographic information systems) and GPS (global positioning system) software \r\n- Global perspective \r\n- Knowledge of geography \r\n- Observation, critical thinking, and problem-solving \r\n- Oral and written communication \r\n- Perseverance \r\n- Project management \r\n- Research, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting \r\n- Understanding of maps and graphs \r\n- Using statistical applications", "content_markdown": "", "content_html": "", "display_order": 4, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:37.055835-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-01-18T14:32:38.148632-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 152, "page": 1, "title": "What Can You Do with an Oceanography Degree?", "summary_markdown": "Biological oceanography. Chemical oceanography. Geological oceanography. Physical oceanography. Ocean engineering. Marine policy. Ocean science journalism. These areas of oceanographic study present several career options, many of which are focused on conducting fieldwork and research: \r\n\r\n**Biological Oceanographers** study the interactions between different types of marine organisms and the interactions between marine organisms and the environment. They may work for the fishing industry developing ecological ways of harvesting seafood or as environmental consultants studying the biological responses to pollution. \r\n\r\n**Chemical oceanographers** are concerned with the chemical composition of ocean water. Their work includes monitoring the interaction of sea water with the atmosphere and seafloor. They study the effects of pollutants, examine chemical processes such as the Earth\u2019s carbon cycle, help find naturally occurring resources on the seafloor, and look at how water moves to different parts of the world and how the ocean affects climate. \r\n\r\n**Geological oceanographers** study the ocean\u2019s floor and its geologic structures. Their concerns include undersea volcanic activity and how it relates to the movement of tectonic plates or the deep oceanic trenches. Some geological oceanographers focus on the erosion and pollution of coastlines and how to minimize it. \r\n\r\n**Physical oceanographers** are concerned with the movements of the ocean. They study waves, tides, and current, as well as ocean properties like temperature and sea water density that affect these movements. Physical oceanography contributes to understanding weather and climate change and how light and sound are transmitted through sea water.", "content_markdown": "**Ocean or marine engineers** design and build instruments used to explore the ocean. Their primary focus in this work is to ensure that these instruments can withstand currents, waves, tides, and storms. Specialty areas of ocean engineering include electrical, mechanical, civil, and chemical engineering, as well as naval architecture, acoustics, and robotics. \r\n\r\n**Marine policymakers** combine expertise in oceanography with knowledge of other sciences or law and/or business to create policies to regulate the use of ocean and coastal resources. \r\n\r\n**Ocean science journalists** apply their knowledge of oceanographic and aquatic subjects in writing for newspapers and magazines and working in broadcast media and for government agencies. \r\n\r\nTypical employers of oceanographers include: \r\n\r\n- Aquariums \r\n- Consulting firms \r\n- Environmental organizations \r\n- Government agencies \r\n- Non-profit and nongovernmental organizations \r\n- Port authorities \r\n- Resource and energy developers \r\n- Research laboratories \r\n- Shipping firms \r\n- The fishing industry \r\n- Uniformed marine services \r\n- Universities", "content_html": "
Ocean or marine engineers design and build instruments used to explore the ocean. Their primary focus in this work is to ensure that these instruments can withstand currents, waves, tides, and storms. Specialty areas of ocean engineering include electrical, mechanical, civil, and chemical engineering, as well as naval architecture, acoustics, and robotics.
\n
Marine policymakers combine expertise in oceanography with knowledge of other sciences or law and/or business to create policies to regulate the use of ocean and coastal resources.
\n
Ocean science journalists apply their knowledge of oceanographic and aquatic subjects in writing for newspapers and magazines and working in broadcast media and for government agencies.
\n
Typical employers of oceanographers include:
\n
\n- Aquariums
\n- Consulting firms
\n- Environmental organizations
\n- Government agencies
\n- Non-profit and nongovernmental organizations
\n- Port authorities
\n- Resource and energy developers
\n- Research laboratories
\n- Shipping firms
\n- The fishing industry
\n- Uniformed marine services
\n- Universities
\n
", "display_order": 5, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:37.057970-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-01-18T14:39:03.017058-08:00"}], "degree_specializations": []}">
