The MIT/WHOI Joint Program is one of the premier marine science graduate programs in the world. It draws on the complementary strengths and approaches of two great institutions: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).

Two course catalogs have been provided as references. One, the Joint Program catalog, is a listing of courses offered at WHOI and at MIT, many specifically for the MIT/WHOI Joint Program. All courses listed are graduate-level courses. It is not an exhaustive listing; students are encouraged to take other courses not listed in that catalog.

The other course catalog listed is the MIT course catalog. It is a listing of all graduate and undergraduate courses offered at MIT during the academic year.

One example of a course is "Communicating Ocean Sciences", taught by WHOI biologist Lauren Mullineaux and WHOI engineer Sheri White. It is offered alternate years, as are many of the Joint Program courses.

In accordance with MIT's numbering system, each department is assigned a course number. Courses starting with a 7 are in the area of biological oceanography; those starting with a 12 are in the area of earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences. Other WHOI affiliations with MIT are in course 1 – civil and environmental engineering; course 2 – mechanical/oceanographic engineering; and course 6 – electrical engineering and computer science.

Units are assigned to each course. Units are determined by adding the number of class hours, lab hours and expected homework hours per week.

WHOI has cross-registration agreements with other institutions including Brown University. MIT has cross-registration agreements with Harvard University and Wellesley College.

Questions regarding courses, registration, and class schedules can be directed to the WHOI Registrar.