Oceanography – An Adventure-filled Career Option

Lots of adventure involve in the profession of oceanography. Oceanography is a vast field of study. It has several branches to deal with. Some of its key branches include geological oceanography, geophysical oceanography, biological oceanography, physical oceanography, chemical oceanography, marine engineering and science journalism. Specialization in any of these
disciplines promise exciting career.

Combinations of two or more traditional disciplines have brought forth some more interesting educational disciplines in oceanography. Professionals who are associated with these interdisciplinary jobs are known as fisheries scientists, marine policy experts, aquatic biologists, climate researchers or atmospheric scientists, arctic oceanographers, underwater acousticians, molecular biologists and marine biotechnologists.

Required education

Oceanography is comparatively a new professional field. Fresh explorations and discoveries in aquatic fields and environmental science have expanded the horizons of oceanography career significantly. Large numbers of universities and colleges in USA offer oceanography. Aspiring students can obtain any degree of their choice – from undergraduate to advanced
degrees like masters and doctoral.

Most of the universities which offer advanced programs in oceanography require a bachelor degree in any discipline of natural science as a prerequisite. However, graduates having specialization in engineering or mathematics are also allowed admission by some universities.

Some of the popular postgraduate and doctoral degrees offered at US universities include M.S. in Oceanography and M.S. in Oceanographic Engineering [Massachusetts Institute of Technology], M.Sc. in Physical Oceanography and Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography [University of Washington] and Master of Science in Marine Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Science [University of South Carolina].

Job prospects in oceanography

Wide flow of discoveries in marine world has been stimulating young aspirants to take oceanography as career option. Most of the oceanography students get associated with research institutes. Immensely high prospects are in store for students with doctoral degrees. They are generally offered top positions in the fields of research and administration. Candidates may also
work for various government research organizations. But before they find a job in government sector, they require to clear civil service test.