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Physical Oceanography Major Option
This option prepares students for graduate study in physical oceanography, meteorology, fluid dynamics, or a related field, as well as immediate employment in environmental agencies or consulting firms and technical positions in marine sciences. Students in SAS may also wish to consider the major in physics with the Ocean Physics option.
Graduation Requirements for the Major
- Students majoring in Marine Science must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0.
- All students in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences must complete the SEBS Core Requirements, plus the additional Major requirements below.
- All students in the School of Arts and Sciences must complete the SAS Core Requirements, plus the additional Major requirements below.
- Professional Ethics: Ethical issues in marine sciences are addressed throughout the program in both introductory and advanced courses, especially within the framework of the experience-based educational requirement.
SEBS Undergraduate Core Curriculum Requirements (21-39 credits)
Required Courses (12 Credits)
- 01:960:401 Basic Statistics for Research (3)
- 11:628:120 Introduction to Oceanography (3)
- 11:628:320 Dynamics of Marine Ecosystems (3)
- 11:628:363 Oceanographic Methods and Data Analysis: Biol/Chem (3) OR 11:628:364 Oceanographic Methods and Data Analysis: Biol/Physical (3)
Physical Oceanography Major Requirements (63-64 credits)
Required Courses (51-52)
- 01:119:103 Principles of Biology (3)
- 01:160:161-162 General Chemistry I&II (4+4)
- 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
- 01:640:151-152 Calculus for Mathematical and Physical Sciences I&II (4+4)
- 01:640:251 Multivariable Calculus (4)
- 01:640:252 Differential Equations (3) OR 01:640:244 Differential Equations/Engineers & Physics (4)
- 14:440:127 Intro Computers/Engineers (3) OR 11:670:212 Computational Methods Meteorology (3)
- 01:640:373 Numerical Analysis (3) OR 01:198:323 Numerical Analysis & Computing (3)
- 01:750:203-204 General Physics I&II (3+3)
- 01:750:205-206 General Physics Laboratory I&II (1+1)
- 11:628:451 Physical Oceanography (4)
- Experience-Based Education (6)
Four of the following courses with at least one from Group A and at least one from Group B:
Group A
- 01:640:250 Introduction Linear Algebra (3)
- 01:640:421 Advanced Calculus/Engineers (3)
- 14:650:312 Fluid Mechanics (3)
Group B
- 11:628:402 The Role of Polar Regions in the Earth System (3)
- 11:628:410 Biophysical Interactions: from Barnacles to Jellyfish (3)
- 11:628:461 Biology of Living in the Ocean: Water Column Ecosystems (3)
- 11:628:462 Biology of Living in the Ocean: Boundary Ecosystems (3)
- 11:628:472 Chemical Oceanography (3)
- 11:628:474 Coastal Biogeochemical Cycles in a Changing World (3)
- 11:670:324 Atmospheric Thermodynamics (3)
- 11:670:451 Remote Sensing of the Ocean & Atmosphere (3)