What it’s about:

Oceanography majors study the oceans-their origins; movement; and movement; and biological, chemical, geological, and physical components. As an interdisciplinary science, oceanography draws on the natural sciences to increase our understanding of the ocean environments of planet Earth.

What the study of this major is like:

Scientists know more about the surface of the moon than they do about the depths of the oceans. Oceanography is an interdisciplinary science that makes use of principles of biology, chemistry, geology, physics, geophysics, mathematics, botany, zoology, meteorology, and geography.

You begin the major by taking math, physics, biology, geology, and chemistry. Usually you must complete an introduction to probability and statistics course, and mathematics through first-year calculus. (In some programs, an earth science education track requires only precalculus.) as you study oceanography at increasingly complex levels, you explore the methods and instruments of research and do fieldwork, collecting data to analyse and interpret.

In your third year, you will probably choose to concentrate in biological, chemical, geological, or physical oceanography. In biological oceanography, you study the distribution, abundance, and production of plants, animals, and nutrients in the oceanic eco-system; the emphasis is on the investigation of bacteria, phytoplankton, zeeplankton, and other organisms living at the bottom of the sea.

Chemical oceanography examines the complex chemistry, distribution, and cycling of dissolved substances, nutrients, and gases in seawater, especially the mechanisms that control these elements and compounds. Geological oceanography focuses on marine sediments, examines the theory of ocean basin formation, and surveys shoreline formation. In physical oceanography, you observe and predict the seas’ motion, from small tidal changes to the giant circular currents. Important areas of research include the distribution of physical properties (temperature, salinity, sea ice), and air-sea, interaction, with its effect on climate.

In accompanying laboratories, you apply lecture and reading material in a practical setting. By your fourth year, you are ready to do solid fieldwork and to assist faculty members in their research. Most programs finish with a yearlong capstone field study course in ocean and earth science.

Some oceanography majors have trouble completing the math requirements. It helps if you focus on math in high school and in your first two years of college-especially if you are thinking of concentrating in physical oceanography. It is also important to complete your introductory science courses during your first two years. Because oceanography is an integrated field, most of your concentration courses will include material from biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. And since oceanography requires a lot of fieldwork, you should learn, early on, how to translate the theoretical material in textbooks to the practical activities in the lab. Another recommendation is to do volunteer work on faculty research projects, both in the lab and in the field. Many majors experience field exercises, abroad a research ship bound for distant seas-a highlight of their college career.

Career options and trends:

Middle school or high school earth science teacher; government, faculty, or industry researcher; government agency staff oceanographer (U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, state environmental protection agencies); marine technician.

The largest employers of oceanographers, besides colleges and universities, are the federal and state governments. Careers in private industry are also available, primarily in engineering, geology, geophysics, environmental quality, marine policy, and marine fisheries. More students are entering this field than in the past, so competition is increasing, especially for biological oceanographers. Most jobs require an advanced degree. There is strong demand, however, for qualified earth science teachers in middle and high schools.

Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors