Oceanography (PhD)

Requirements for the Degrees

All students in the master’s program are required to complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits. A course outside of the Oceanography program and the student’s area of concentration is also required. All students must write a thesis. Students may bypass the master’s degree and work directly toward the PhD upon petition. Requirements for the PhD degree are similar to those for the master’s degree, but are more intensive. In addition to the required coursework, written and oral qualifying examinations are required before students are admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree.

Required courses (must complete the 34 credits of required coursework):

Equivalency previously taken or alternative courses is to be determined by current instructor and approved by the Associate Director of the program. A higher level course may be substituted for these courses on approval of the advisor and committee.

MAST 602 - Physical Oceanography Credit(s): 3 or equivalent
MAST 646 - Chemical Oceanography Credit(s): 3 or equivalent
MAST 637 - Geological Oceanography Credit(s): 3 or equivalent
MAST 627 - Biological Oceanography Credit(s): 3 or equivalent
MAST 853 - Oceanography Seminar Credit(s): 1-12 or equivalent must be taken at least one semester during each year of residence¹ [1 cr each]

At least six credits of 800-level courses

At least six credits of 800-level courses other than courses used to meet seminar and core required courses must be taken.

One three credit course

One three credit course in Marine Policy or one three credit course outside of the student’s declared subdiscipline of interest (not including courses taken to meet the program core course requirement) as approved by the advisor and the program director must be completed.

Additional courses required by the student’s advisory committee

Students will work with their advisors to determine what additional coursework must be completed and how many research credits must be taken to complete the degree.

Doctoral Dissertation

MAST 969 - Doctoral Dissertation Credit(s): 1-12

Note:

¹An alternative seminar may be substituted for MAST 853 in request of the student and with permission of advisor and the Associate Director of the program.