From that time, the student works closely with the committee chair to select additional courses, choose other committee members, identify a research project, and produce a thesis or dissertation. The College of Geosciences offers a much broader Master of Geosciences degree which allows a student to study oceanography and other geosciences. Master of Science in Oceanography The Master of Science program teaches students to synthesize information about ocean systems from course work and readings and apply it to a limited research project. The project becomes the topic for each student's master's thesis. This program prepares graduates for jobs in education, private and government research laboratories, and ocean-oriented businesses such as environmental remediation.
Many students continue graduate study for a Ph.D. in oceanography or a related field.
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. Master's students who wish to bypass the M.S. and proceed directly toward a Ph.D. must take a qualifying examination administered by the student's committee during the the third semester of study. It is intended to provide a science content degree for science teachers in the public schools and community colleges.