MASTERS DEGREE in OCEAN SCIENCES
                                                                              GRADUATE HANDBOOK

                                                                              CURRENT MASTERS STUDENT INFORMATION
                                                                           

Preparation for Admission  
Course Requirements

The Ocean Sciences department offers a 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 (GRE) scores
(verbal, quantitative, analytical and the advanced test in the student's 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 2008-2009 academic year is January 15, 2008.
Most applicants will be notified of decisions made by the admissions committee by April 2008.

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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.

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 (3) of the Core Courses (one of which must be OCEA 200 - Physical Oceanography). 
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.

2. A minimum of three (3) graduate level/upper division Elective Courses to provide depth in the chosen area of emphasis.  These courses are chosen in consultation with advisor and department advising committee (only one of these can be a graduate seminar [OCEA 290] — at least two must be lecture courses).

3. A minimum of three (3) 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 to 15 units of Thesis Research each quarter.

4. OCEA 296 — Teaching in Ocean Sciences, to be taken prior to or concurrent to being a Teaching Assistant (TA).

5. Teaching experience satisfied by one quarter of Teaching Assistant (TA) experience.

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

7. Complete a Master's Thesis and present it at an open seminar.


DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

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.