A minimum of three academic quarters of resident graduate study is required. All students take at least five credits in each of the oceanography options outside their own area of study. The exact program of study is the result of discussion between the student and an advisory committee. Foreign language proficiency is required by the School of Oceanography only when such knowledge is deemed crucial to writing a scholarly thesis. An Oceanography Master's program usually requires six to ten quarters.
Most students select the non-thesis program, although a thesis option is offered.
Both require the completion of an approved research project and an oral presentation of the results. Either option often leads to publication of the research results in a professional journal. More information on recent master degree students. A minimum of 18 quarter credits in course work numbered 500 and above must be completed for the Ph.D. Numerical grades must be received in at least 18 credits of the total course work. In addition, at least 27 credits of dissertation research must be completed.