Students applying to this Joint Program discipline...

Typically have completed:

Applied Ocean Sciences and Engineering

Degrees in engineering or physical sciences

Courses in:

• Mathematics (two years)
• Chemistry (one year)
• Physics (one year)
• Upper-level courses in specialty

Biological Oceanography

Degrees in a fundamental field of biology

Courses in:

• Organic and inorganic chemistry
• Physics (one year)
• Mathematics (through differential equations)
• Ecology, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics (recommended)
• Statistics
• Independent research

Familiarity with marine systems is not required. The specialized, yet multidisciplinary, outlook that such a background provides is necessary to unravel the complex biological processes that occur in the marine environment.

Chemical Oceanography

Degrees in physical sciences with a solid background in chemistry

Courses in:

• Mathematics
• One or more of the physical, biological, or geological sciences
• Engineering or materials science studies
• Laboratory or field experience (recommended, particularly independent work involving quantitative work)

Students enter the Joint Program in Chemical Oceanography with a wide range of backgrounds, and eventually embark on thesis research in a wide variety of fields of study.

Marine Geology and Geophysics

Degrees in geology, physics, chemistry, geophysics, earth sciences, mathematics, or engineering

Courses in:

• Mathematics (calculus, linear algebra, differential equations; more advanced courses recommended depending on expected area of specialization)

Physical Oceanography

Degrees in engineering, physical sciences, mathematics, or meteorology

Courses in:

• Mathematics (through ordinary and partial differential equations; advanced courses recommended)
• Physics (advanced classical mechanical and thermodynamics; fluid dynamics recommended)