What is Oceanography and Oceanic Sciences?

1. What is Oceanography and Oceanic Sciences? Oceanography and Oceanic Sciences deal with the chemistry, physics, geology, and biology of the world’s oceans at all levels. It is an interdisciplinary science that includes studies of the chemistry of seawater, tides and currents, the sediments and underlying crustal structures of the ocean floor, and marine flora and fauna.

2. What do Oceanography and Oceanic Sciences students learn? • Like other scientists, oceanographers collect and interpret data, design experiments and equipment, and advance theories in an attempt to predict patterns and solve problems. Students also learn to work with the technology—including sonar, autonomous undersea vehicles (AUVs), and computer programs—involved in the study of the Earth’s oceans. They may choose to specialize in geological, physical, chemical or Atmospheric science programs may be combined with a variety of other programs such as chemistry, physics, computer science, and geology to enhance postgraduate studies or marketability in the workplace.

3. Provinces and Universities in Canada offering Oceanography and Oceanic Sciences Programs • British Columbia • Newfoundland • Quebec • Nova Scotia

4. Universities with Oceanography and Oceanic Sciences Programs in British Columbia • OceanographyGraduate Degree University of British Columbia

5. Universities with Oceanography and Oceanic Sciences Programs in Newfoundland • Physics and Physical OceanographyUndergraduate Degree MemorialUniversity of Newfoundland • Masters/PhD in Physical OceanographyGraduate Degree Memorial University of Newfoundland

6. Universities with Oceanography and Oceanic Sciences Programs in Quebec • Atmospheric and Oceanic SciencesGraduate Degree McGill University • Atmospheric and Oceanic SciencesUndergraduate Degree McGill University

7. Universities with Oceanography and Oceanic Sciences Programs in Nova Scotia • OceanographyUndergraduate Degree University of King's College • OceanographyUndergraduate Degree DalhousieUniversity • Graduate Studies in OceanographyGraduate Degree Dalhousie University

8. Prerequisites Needed to Study Oceanography and Oceanic Sciences in Canada • Admission requirements usually similar to those of a general B.Sc. program; • recommended that students have a strong background in math and science courses. Calculus and/or other advanced math courses should be taken at the high school level. (Much of the work of professional oceanographers is pursued aboard ship or in laboratories. Beyond academia, there are also widening opportunities in industry, commerce and research for skilled environmental scientists such as oceanographers. Depending on a student’s specialization, oceanography graduates may pursue careers in a wide range of fields, or use their studies as a foundation for careers in economics, politics, education, public policy and law. )

9. UBC offers a careers page relating specifically to oceanography:https://www.careersonline.ubc.ca/student/major.cfm?go=view&major=52 • The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is a major employer of oceanographers:http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/. Their employment page is here: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/faq-qer_e.htm#2.2 • Dalhousie has a jobs in oceanography links site, though most of the links are more general: http://www.phys.ocean.dal.ca/hotlists/jobs.html