General degree requirements The Master of Science in oceanography is designed to be completed in two calendar years. To meet the degree requirements each student completes 32 credit hours, including required courses, elective courses, and research credit hours. Students also propose, write, and defend a master's thesis based on research conducted under the guidance of an advisory committee. The Ph.D. in oceanography is designed to be completed in five calendar years, including work required for a master's degree. To meet the requirements students who enter with an M.S. complete 64 credit hours, and students who enter without an M.S. complete 96 credit hours.
Credit hours consist of required courses, elective courses, and research credit hours.
Students who already hold an M.S. in physical oceanography or an allied field may arrange to waive some required courses. Physical oceanography students who wish to bypass the M.S. and proceed directly toward a Ph.D. first enroll in the M.S. program. Each Ph.D. student must pass a preliminary examination upon completion of his or her course work in order to continue in the program. Ph.D. students also propose, write, and defend a dissertation based on original research under the guidance of an advisory committee.