Upon admission, students register in the appropriate MIT department and at WHOI simultaneously and are assigned academic advisers at each institution. The normal time it takes to achieve the doctoral degree is about five years from the bachelor's degree. Students entering with a master's degree in the field may need less time. Each student is expected to become familiar with the principal areas of oceanography in addition to demonstrating a thorough knowledge of at least one major field. Courses and seminars are supplemented by cross-registration privileges with Harvard, Brown, and the Boston University Marine Program.
Students also have the opportunity to participate in oceanographic cruises during graduate study.
A broad spectrum of equipment and facilities are available. Both MIT and WHOI utilize the latest developments in computer technology, from personal computers to large multiuser access systems. Videoconferencing between MIT and WHOI provides interactive transmission for classes, and a high-speed data link for research is provided. There are more than twelve libraries at MIT containing more than 2 million volumes. Cooperative arrangements with other libraries in the Boston area provide students with access to substantial research collections.