Master of Oceanography Degree

GSO now offers the Master of Oceanography (MO). The MO degree is designed for those who desire an advanced degree in oceanography and who are working, or intend to work, in ocean environmental management and assessment, ocean industry, science writing, ocean policy and law, education and training, or related fields which don't require the level of research skills one develops while preparing an MS thesis.

The MO complements the MS and the PhD degrees in oceanography at the University of Rhode Island and is designed to appeal to and attract a different type of science student or science professional. The MO is a terminal science degree; those who want a master's degree as a step toward the PhD degree should choose the MS rather than the MO degree program. The objective of the MO degree is to provide a basic background in oceanography and, through electives, offer a limited but significant exposure to oceanographic research. It will also allow a full-time student to complete the program within one calendar year (with summer courses) or three semesters (without summer courses). This degree program will not provide all of the training required for those who plan a career in environmental management, policy, and related fields, but will give the bakckground in oceanography for those who need it to become, for example, better ocean managers, ocean policy makers, or environmental lawyers. The one to one-and-a-half-year timetable is important because we see this degree as particularly valuable when combined with previous experience or training in marine environmental science or with another higher degree, such as a law degree or other master's degree.

Students in the MO program will choose courses from the graduate courses in oceanography currently offered at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography, as well as appropriate courses from other colleges, including the College of Resource Development and the College of Engineering.

Course Requirements (30 credits) for the Master of Oceanography are:

OCG 501 Physical Oceanography, OCG 521 Chemical Oceanography, OCG 540 Geological Oceanography, and OCG 561 Biological Oceanography (13 credits)

OCG 695 Seminar in Oceanography (2 credits)

Scientific tool requirement: statistics, data analysis, or scientific writing (3 credits)

OCG 591/592 Individual Study. Independent study of an assigned topic or special problem requiring a major paper. The study involves literature search and/or original investigation supervised by one or more members of the faculty, including adjuncts. (3 credits)

Electives: 6 credits in oceanography or in courses from other science departments and a 3-credit course in policy, management, economics, or a related field (9 credits)
In addition to the 30 course credits required for this degree, students will be required to pass a written comprehensive examination based on the material presented in OCG 501, 521, 540, and 561.