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Frequently
Asked Question
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OGSA
Answer
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| What undergrad
degrees do
I need? |
Emily
Clinch wrote, "There are a lot of routes you could take, though -- I
would say that a degree in any of the physical sciences would be good
preparation. However, a degree specifically in oceanography or marine
science is not necessary. For example, I have a B.A. in geosciences and
English, with a concentration in maritime studies. Since IMCS has a
very interdisciplinary program, the single most important preparation
is a certain amount of intellectual curiousity -- you're going to be
taking classes in physical, biological, and chemical oceanography.
Coursework in all three disciplines would help, but what you really
need is an excitement about oceanography that'll fuel your interest and
desire to study all aspects of the discipline."
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| What are admission
requirements/criteria? |
Visit
the Admssions
and Degree Requirements page.
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| What sort of
funding does IMCS provide? |
Jason
Sylvan wrote, "In general, a student accepted to the IMCS graduate
program as a PhD candidate will be guranteed five years of funding.
whether it be from a grant or fellowship or some combination of
both. Students are encouraged to apply for as many outside
fellowships as they can, but are not penalized if they do not get
one. Some classes can be taught by graduate students and if your
advisor wishes, the student can be paid as a TA for that semester."
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| How big is the
department? |
Grant
Law wrote, "This question is a little hard to answer, as the
Oceanography Department is actually something which essentially exists
only on paper. What you actually see when you come to Rutgers is
the Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences, The Tuckerton field
station, or the Haskins field station. Each of these locations
has its own feel. Haskins focuses primarily on bivalve ecology
and aquaculture. The field station at Tuckerton has a focus on
general estuarine ecology, and fish (especially larval fish)
ecology. IMCS has several research groups working in the more
traditional oceanographic disciplines.
Rutgers Institute of Marine & Coastal Science, where the majority
of our graduate students work, is on Cook Campus, in New
Brunswick. The number of students is small enough that we
all know each other and are familiar with each other's work. The
number of post-doctoral researchers and the number of faculty, are
similar to (if not larger than) the number of graduate students, making
the IMCS community a bit top-heavy. Although being a minority in
the building can sometimes get to you, having so many excellent
researchers around and available totally makes up for it. As you
begin graduate study, these demographics will be especially helpful to
you. Smaller numbers of graduate students will give you access to
the sage advice of the veterans, and the welcome sympathies of the
2nd/3rd years. After starting graduate studies -- once you begin
to realize exactly what you've gotten yourself into -- you may also
appreciate the large diversity of research here at the institute, which
makes the search for a new research path much easier and rewarding!
The field station at Tuckerton has your typical field station
feel. Most of the students live in a dorm near the field station,
along with technicians and other temporary researchers. The field
station is fairly isolated, so entertainment tends to be dependent on
fellow researchers. As such, a pretty strong sense of community is
enjoyed by the Tuckerton folks. It's like summer camp out there.
Unfortunately, I haven't visited Haskins yet, so I can't comment on
it. I do know that because Haskins is both farther away from IMCS
and maintains a smaller number of researchers/students, it operates
pretty independently of IMCS. This could be a good thing or a bad
thing depending on your needs. "
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What is the cost of
benefits (health/dental) for IMCS graduate students?
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Naomi Flemming
wrote,
(1) Graduate students that are Teaching Assistants or Graduate
Assistants (TAs/GAs) are provided full health benefits along with the
faculty at Rutgers. Detailed informations about the different plans is
available on the Human
Resources website. A comprehensive health plan (NJ Plus) is
available for no extra cost. A visit to a doctor or specialist under
this plan currently requires a $10 co-pay, and an emergency room visit
is $25. Dental plans are ~$10-$20 a month. This amount is deducted from
your paycheck, if you choose to enroll in one.
(2) Fellows: Health benefits are not part of the Fellowship package, as
Fellows are not considered employees as TA/GAs are. However, some
departments and advisors may include this - check with your advisor. My
understanding is that IMCS gives its Fellows a slightly higher salary
to cover the cost of them having to purchase their own health insurance.
(3) Rutgers University Student Health Insurance: All Rutgers students
pay a fee for and recieve Basic Health Insurance, which provides
limited coverage (up to a maximum benefit of $5,000 per illness or
injury), and allows all students to visit the campus health centers.
This currently costs $133.00 per semester, and all students must
purchase this - it is automatically included on the term bill
(but is covered by tuition remission for TAs/GAs). Although I am not
sure if it's covered for Fellows. Students must pay a fee to visit the
Health Centers during the summer.
Another option is the Major Medical Plan. The Major Medical Plan
provides either $50,000 coverage for $513.00 per semester or
$100,000 coverage for $695.00 per semester. A $250 deductible is
required, and the plan covers 80% of the remainder up to $10,000, and
100% after that up to the maximum coverage. This plan does not include
routine dental or vision services, and does not cover Birth Control.
For more details on both plans visit this website.
(4) Note for International Students: All international students MUST
have comprehensive health insurance, and (except for TA/GAs) will
automatically be billed for the Major Medical Insurance on your Term
Bill. If you have your own insurance you may apply for this fee to be
waived. You will have to provide proof of alternate adequate coverage.
This form can be downloaded here.
For more information contact the Center for
International Student and Faculty Services.
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Where do graduate
students
live?
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L.
Alex Kahl wrote, "There
are options available for living either on or off campus. Graduate
Students typically live off campus in the New Brunswick Area. On-campus options include
both single student and family housing choices. Off-campus housing options
vary significantly with most students choosing to live in either New
Brunswick or across the Raritan River in Highland Park. Some students
choose to commute to New Brunswick each day from locations such as
Princeton, New York, or Philadelphia. Commuting to New Brunswick does
not require a car. The New Jersey
Transit Northeast Corridor service stops at New Brunswick
approximately every 45 minutes between 6am and Midnight every day. From
the train station it is a 25-30 minute walk, 10 minute bike ride, or 10
minute bus ride to IMCS."
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| How do I pick an
advisor? |
Rachel
Sipler wrote, " When choosing an advisor you need to first have an
idea of the types of research that are being done at the institute
where you are applying. You can find a complete list of faculty and
their research interests by going here. Each
faculty member typically has a list of publications on their web page
to give you an idea of what research they have done. However,
there may be new interests not listed on the page.
Once you have narrowed down your search to 2 or 3 faculty members that
have research interests similar to your own, you should contact those
professors to discuss their current research and if they have funding
for a graduate student. Also, it is possible to change advisors once
you have been admitted to the program, if you find a faculty member who
better suits your research goals."
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| How do I pick a
thesis? |
Sindia
Sosdian wrote, " "
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| Do I have to teach
classes? |
Michèle
LaVigne wrote, " Oceanography graduate students are not required to
teach any courses. Graduate students may be offered a one-semester TA
position for an undergraduate or graduate-level course. Although
not required to TA, students are encouraged to take this position as an
opportunity to gain teaching experience. "
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| What facilities and
resources are available at Rutgers? |
Visit
the IMCS Facilites
Page
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| Do I have to do my
research in New Jersey? |
Dave
Gruber, wrote, " While New Jersey is a focal point of the Institute
of Marine and Coastal Sciences, research is definitely not limited to
the State. Depending on the student's interest, research can take place
at the state, national or international level. There are plenty of
opportunities for students to participate on oceanographic cruises.
These can take place in the Hudson River, the Sargasso Sea or the
Southern Ocean. There is also the chance to get experience in coral
reef ecology, as there is a Rutgers Winter Session class on Little
Cayman Island. The research roads and inlets are seemingly
infinite. "
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| How often do
students get
to go to sea? |
Kate
Jordan wrote, " It depends a bit on your advisor's research
schedule, but there are relatively frequent opportunities for students
to be extra hands and help out other professors in their sampling
(with your advisor's permission, of course!). Local, short-term cruise
opportunities are more frequent than longcruises overseas. If you
have the time and want the experience, you can probably work out going
at least once a year- more often if you do NJ coast sampling. "
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| How long does it
take to
finish a PhD. or Master's at IMCS? |
Steve Tuorto
wrote, "With the core courses, extra course requirements, research
credits, the grand daddy of all requirements (the qualifying exams),
defending your thesis proposal....lets see what am I forgetting... oh
yeah actually doing some original research that works out. And, finally
convincing some scorned old school oceanographers to give a $%!t, I
think... FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Honestly though, it requires an average of two years to complete the
program's core courses immediately after which you are required to take
qualifying examinations for advancement to PhD. candidacy. Within six
months of passing your qualifying exams, it is encouraged that you are
prepared to defend your original, research thesis proposal. Then,
hopefully, you spend the next two and one half years doing your
proposed research and writing it up for a grand total of five years... more or less."
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