Academics | Oceanography Degree Requirements
Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography
(or Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Studies with a Concentration in Oceanography)
Download the Degree Requirements as a PDF
A. Course Requirements
1. Core Courses
All of the following basic oceanography courses:
a. MAST 602, Physical Oceanography (3) or equivalent 1
b. MAST 646, Chemical Oceanography (3) or equivalent 1
c. MAST 637, Geological Oceanography (3) or equivalent 1
d. MAST 627, Marine Biology (3) or equivalent 2
2. Seminar
Individuals matriculated as regular students in the Oceanography Program must register for MAST 853 (Oceanography Seminar) in at least one semester during each year of residence.
Individuals matriculated as sustaining PhD students are not required to register for the Oceanography Seminar but must attend and participate in Seminar sessions. An alternative seminar may be substituted for MAST 853 on request of the student and with permission of advisor and program director.
3. 800-level
At least six (6) credits of 800-level courses other than courses used to meet seminar and core course requirements.
4. Distribution
One three (3) credit course in Marine Policy or one three (3) credit course outside of the student's declared sub-discipline of interest (not including courses taken to meet the program core course requirement) as approved by the advisor and the program director.
5. Other
Additional courses as determined by the advisory committee.
6. Total Courses
None
B. Dissertation/Research Requirements
1. Advisory Committee
Selection of an advisory committee, with four (4) to six (6) members, a minimum of half of whom shall be members of the CMES faculty (and at least one a member of the core CMES faculty) and one of whom shall be external to CMES. Committee is to be selected by the student and approved by the advisor who serves as the chair of the committee, the program director, and the associate dean by the end of the third semester after matriculation or, in the case of a bypass of the Master's degree, by the end of the semester following the approval of the bypass.
2. Dissertation Proposal
A written proposal presented to, orally defended before, and accepted by the advisory committee. The proposal is to be accepted by the end of the third semester after matriculation or, in the case of a bypass of the Master's degree, by the end of the semester following the approval of the bypass.
3. Qualifying Examination
Satisfactory performance on written and oral examinations prepared, administered, and graded by the advisory committee. To be completed by the end of the third semester after matriculation or, in the case of a bypass of the Master's degree, by the end of the semester following the approval of the bypass.
4. Dissertation Credits
A minimum of nine (9) credits of MAST 969 - Doctoral Dissertation.
5. Dissertation Defense
A written dissertation and oral defense of the dissertation before a public audience and the advisory committee. The defense and its evaluation to be conducted according to CMES Policies and Procedures.
6. Notes
1 Equivalency of previously taken or alternative courses is to be determined by current instructor and approved by program director. A higher-level course may be substituted for these courses on approval of the advisor and committee.
2 An alternative seminar may be substituted for MAST 853 on request of the student and with permission of advisor and program director.
Master of Science with a Concentration in Oceanography
A. Course Requirements
1.
Core Courses
Two of the following basic oceanography courses:
MAST 602, Physical Oceanography (3) or equivalent 1
MAST 646, Chemical Oceanography (3) or equivalent 1
MAST 637, Geological Oceanography (3) or equivalent 1
MAST 627, Marine Biology (3) or equivalent 1
2. Seminar
Individuals matriculated as regular students in the Oceanography Program must register for MAST 853 (Oceanography Seminar) in at least one semester during each year of residence.
Individuals matriculated as sustaining PhD students are not required to register for the Oceanography Seminar but must attend and participate in Seminar sessions. An alternative seminar may be substituted for MAST 853 on request of the student and with permission of advisor and program director.
3. 800-level
At least three (3) credits of 800-level courses other than courses used to meet seminar and core course requirements.
4. Distribution
One three (3) credit course in Marine Policy or one three (3) credit course outside of the student's declared sub-discipline of interest (not including courses taken to meet the program core course requirement) as approved by the advisor and the program director.
5. Other
Additional courses as determined by the advisory committee.
6. Total Courses
A minimum of 24 graduate-level course credits (including required courses, but not thesis or research credits).
B. Thesis/Research Requirements
1. Advisory Committee
Selection of an advisory committee, with three (3) or more members a minimum of half of whom shall be members of the CMES faculty (at least one of whom shall be a member of the CMES core faculty). Committee is to be selected by the student and approved by the advisor, who serves as the chair of the committee, the program director, and the associate dean by the end of the second semester after matriculation.
2. Thesis Proposal
A written proposal presented to, orally defended before, and accepted by the advisory committee. The proposal is to be accepted by the end of the second semester after matriculation.
3. Qualifying Examination
None.
4. Thesis Credits
A minimum of six (6) credits of MAST 869-Master's Thesis
5. Thesis Defense
A written thesis and oral defense of the thesis before a public audience and the advisory committee. The defense and its evaluation to be conducted according to CMES Policies and Procedures.
6. Notes
1 Equivalency of previously taken or alternative courses is to be determined by current instructor and approved by program director. A higher-level course may be substituted for these courses on approval of the advisor and committee.
2 An alternative seminar may be substituted for MAST 853 on request of the student and with permission of advisor and program director.
