Oceanography
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
Graduate Program in Marine Sciences and Limnology
(907) 474-7289
www.sfos.uaf.edu/academics/about/grad/oceanography/
Minimum Requirements for Degrees: M.S.: 30 credits; Ph.D.: 18 thesis credits
This program offers M.S. degrees in several concentration areas of oceanography: physical, chemical, biological, geological and fisheries. Limnological research projects are also undertaken under the oceanography degree. The Ph.D. degree is offered in oceanography.
Opportunities for laboratory and field work are available through the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences include the Institute of Marine Science. These include laboratories at Fairbanks, the Seward Marine Center, Kasitsna Bay, the Juneau Center, and the Fishery Industrial Technology Center at Kodiak. Research vessels operated by the institute and school include the R/V Alpha Helix, which has open-ocean capabilities and operates in Alaskan coastal waters, the Gulf of Alaska, and the Bering Sea, and the R/V Little Dipper, which operates on day trips in Resurrection Bay. Laboratory facilities include a seawater system at Seward and a variety of modern and analytical instrumentation, including stable isotope mass spectrometers, a gamma spectrometer, a flow cytometer facility, and gas and liquid chromatography equipment. Mainframe and personal computing facilities are readily accessible to graduate students.
Oceanography is both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary. For both M.S. and Ph.D. oceanography students, research emphasis is on processes influencing the ocean’s circulation, composition, biological productivity and geology. Students considering graduate study in oceanography should have a strong background in physics, chemistry, biology, geology or mathematics, and a working familiarity with the other subjects.
Concentrations: Biological, Chemical, Fisheries, Geological, Physical
- Complete the following admission requirement:
a. Submit GRE scores. - Complete the general university requirements.
- Complete the master’s degree requirements.
- Complete 1 of the following concentrations:
Biological, Chemical, Geological, Physical
a. Complete the following:
MSL 620—Physical Oceanography 3 credits
MSL 630—Geological Oceanography 3 credits
MSL 650—Biological Oceanography 3 credits
MSL 660—Chemical Oceanography 3 credits
MSL 692—Seminar 3 credits
MSL 699—Thesis* open
Electives* open
b. Minimum credits required 30
* Appropriate to area of concentration
Fisheries
a. Complete the following:
MSL 620—Physical Oceanography 3 credits
MSL 630—Geological Oceanography 3 credits
MSL 640—Fisheries Oceanography 3 credits
MSL 650—Biological Oceanography 3 credits
MSL 660—Chemical Oceanography 3 credits
MSL 692—Seminar 3 credits
MSL 699—Thesis open
Electives open
b. Minimum credits required 30
- Complete the following admission requirement:
- Submit GRE scores.
- Complete the general university requirements.
- Complete the Ph.D. degree requirements.
- Complete course work equivalent to M.S. degree.*
- Minimum credits required 18
* There are no fixed course requirements, nor is an M.S. degree required
to earn the Ph.D. degree. However, a candidate for the Ph.D. degree in
oceanography (biological, chemical, fisheries, geological, and physical
oceanography) will be expected to have completed course work at least
equivalent to that required for the corresponding M.S. degree.
Note: Students are admitted to the graduate program in marine sciences and
limnology on the basis of their ability and the capability of the program to
meet their particular interests and needs. Applications are considered throughout
the year but students should apply by March 1 to have the best chance for admission
and financial support for the subsequent fall semester. Assistantship stipends
are awarded competitively and limited fellowship support is available. Most
students are supported on research projects that relate directly to their degree
research.
Note: Oceanography majors must demonstrate field experience aboard an oceanographic
vessel.