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Ocean Sciences Masters Degree

CURRENT STUDENTS - please note:
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
In addition to information listed below, degree requirements,
as reviewed and approved by the Graduate Council  (on 6/8/00),
pertaining to all applicants for a Masters degree
may be reviewed at the Graduate Handbook on the Graduate Division website.

Preparation for Admission
Course Requirements


The Ocean Sciences department offers an Ocean Sciences Master of Science degree. The degree combines core courses and electives to provide depth and breadth in ocean sciences with a focused thesis to provide experience in original research. In addition to the core Ocean Sciences faculty, the Affiliated Faculty includes faculty from related disciplines within Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies, and Physics who sponsor students in the program. While the Ocean Sciences Ph.D. program has a focused oceanographic orientation, the Ocean Sciences Masters program is more broad, and has traditionally attracted many students in marine biology and ecology. All of the four pathways described in the Ph.D. program description, as well as customized programs of study that combine related disciplines, are supported.

Graduates from the program are excellently prepared to take research or management positions in organizations concerned with the marine environment, become marine science educators, or enter first-rate doctoral programs in ocean sciences and related fields.

Preparation for Admission

Preparation for admission to the graduate program in Ocean Sciences (Masters or Ph.D.) should comprise an undergraduate degree in the discipline of one of the program specialty areas (e.g., biology or marine biology, geology or earth sciences, chemistry, or physical science), or an equivalent background. If you do not have a degree in one of these areas, you must show your sponsor that you have taken the classes necessary to do your research. This preparation should normally include courses (prerequisites) in calculus, statistics, physics, chemistry, general biology or ecology, and geology for all majors (see below for number of courses).

1-year of a calculus series
1-year of chemistry with labs
1-year of physics with labs
1 course in earth sciences or geologic principles
1 course in biology
1 course in statistics or biostatistics for all majors

If you have not taken some of these prerequisite classes, you must make them up once you are in the program. However, if you are missing too many prerequisites, your admission may be delayed a year to enable you to make up the courses before entering.

In addition to the specific requirements listed above, the Graduate Admissions Committee will evaluate the qualifications of prospective students using the following criteria:

1. prior academic performance (including grade point average and the nature of the undergraduate academic program and/or Masters or other degree)
2. an evaluation of three letters of recommendation in support of the applicant
3. the Graduate Record Examination scores (verbal, quantitative, analytical and the advanced test in the major discipline)
4. related research experience
5. statement of purpose
6. availability of suitable sponsor

The single most important factor in being admitted to either one of our programs (Masters or Ph.D.) is to have a faculty sponsor. Prospective students should consult with faculty members in their area of interest about possible sponsorship, specific course requirements, and advise on preparation for the program. Prospective students may try to contact/locate a suitable research sponsor who is accepting students from the links for each group (either core ocean sciences faculty or affiliated faculty in other departments.)

The deadline for applications for the 2010-2011 academic year is January 15, 2010. Most applicants will be notified of decisions made by the admissions committee by April 2010.

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Course requirements for the Ocean Sciences Masters Degree

Beyond the preparative undergraduate courses required for entry, students are encouraged to select a course of study and a research program pertinent to their career goals that draws upon the expertise of the core ocean sciences faculty and/or any of the affiliated faculty in other related departments.

In order to gain the Masters Degree in Ocean Sciences, students must complete 45 units of course work
(30 units/3 quarters -- must be in residence) as follows:

1. Must complete 3 core courses chosen in consultation with sponsor and department advising committee:

*Some of these courses may not be offered in 2009-2010

2. Three (3) graduate level/upper division courses chosen in consultation with advisor and department advising committee (can be seminar).

3. Three (3) courses in Thesis Research (OCEA 299) under direction of sponsor.

4. Quarterly attendance of Ocean Sciences Seminar (OCEA 292).

5. Complete a Graduate Thesis and present it at an open seminar.

6. Course 296, Teaching in Ocean Sciences (OCEA 296), to be taken prior to being a Teaching Assistant.

7. Teaching experience satisfied by one quarter of Teaching Assistant experience.

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