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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. 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.

Whereas the doctoral program has an oceanographic orientation, the ocean sciences master's program is even broader and has traditionally attracted many students in marine biology and ecology. As with the doctoral program, students are encouraged to select a course of study and a research program that draws on the expertise of the core ocean sciences faculty and any of the affiliated faculty in other departments. Customized programs of study that combine related disciplines are supported in the master's program.

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.

Preparation for Admission

The prerequisites for entering the program are:
--a minimum of two quarters or two semesters in each of the following:  a calculus series; chemistry; and physics with labs.
In addition, one course in each of the following is required:
earth sciences or geological principles; biology; and statistics or biostatistics.

All students are required to enroll in the Ocean Sciences core courses for a letter grade (as opposed to the default “satisfactory/unsatisfactory” or “pass/no pass” options).

Students who have not satisfied all of the prerequisite requirements in (1) for biology, chemistry, geology or physics upon entering the Ocean Sciences graduate program may substitute one of the prerequisite classes with the appropriate core course providing they have obtained a passing letter grade (B or higher) in that class. No substitutions or exceptions, however, can be made for the mathematics and statistics requirements.

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 2012-2013 academic year is January 15, 2012. Most applicants will be notified of decisions made by the admissions committee by April 2012.

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Course requirements for the Ocean Sciences Masters Degree

Note: Application for the Masters Degree and other forms are found with instructions on the Graduate Division’s website: http://www.graddiv.ucsc.edu/

Students should consult the UCSC Graduate Student Handbook on the Graduate Division’s website for thesis requirements: http://graddiv.ucsc.edu/regulations/handbook/

To introduce students to the breadth and depth of the field of Ocean Sciences, students will be required to complete the following:

1. Complete three of the four Core Courses (one of which must be OCEA 200 – Physical Oceanography). All students are required to enroll in the core courses for a letter grade (as opposed to the default “satisfactory/unsatisfactory” or “pass/no pass” options). Students are expected to complete all three of these courses in the first year of the program and they should be taken in the order listed below. All four core courses are recommended. If taken, the fourth course counts as an elective.

Students who have not satisfied all of the perquisite requirements for biology, chemistry, geology or physics upon entering the Ocean Sciences graduate program may substitute one of the prerequisite classes with the appropriate core course providing they have obtained a passing letter grade (B or higher) in that class. No substitutions or exceptions, however, can be made for the mathematics and statistics requirements.

The prerequisites for entering the program are: a minimum of two quarters or two semesters in each of the following: a calculus series; chemistry; and physics with labs. In addition, one course in each of the following is required: earth sciences or geological principles; biology; and statistics or biostatistics.

2. A minimum of three graduate level or upper division Elective Courses to provide depth in the chosen area of emphasis. These courses are chosen in consultation with advisor and department graduate advising committee (only two of these can be a graduate seminar (290) – at least one must be lecture courses).

3. A minimum of three courses in Thesis Research (OCEA 299) under direction of sponsor. Each quarter a student should take 15 units of classes. Students beyond their first year will usually take 10 or 15 units of Thesis Research each quarter.

4. OCEA 296 – Teaching in Ocean Sciences taken prior or concurrent to being a teaching assistant.

5. Under the grading options, you will receive Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory unless you elect the letter grade option (A, B, C, D, F). The choice is yours at the time of enrollment and can be changed up to the end of the third week of instruction for the quarter. However, all students are required to enroll in the core courses for a letter grade (as opposed to the default “satisfactory/unsatisfactory” or “pass/no pass” options).

6. Residency - in accordance with SR 682, the minimum masters degree residence requirement is three quarters at the University of California, of which at least two must be spent at the University of California, Santa Cruz campus. At least one of the three quarters must occur after the student has applied for admission to candidacy for the Master's degree. Residence is established by satisfactory completion of one course per quarter. Full time enrollment is 15 units per quarter. Part time status is 5 units per quarter.

7. Teaching Experience – satisfied by one quarter of teaching assistant experience.

8. Attendance at the Ocean Sciences Seminar Series (OCEA 292) each quarter of enrollment.

9. Complete a Master’s Thesis and present it at an open seminar. Student’s submitting the thesis should work closely with the Graduate Division regarding thesis requirements.

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