Graduate Degree Program
Information
The FSU Oceanography Department offers several graduate degree programs. Applicants can choose between a Ph.D. in Oceanography, a Masters in Oceanography or a Masters degree in Aquatic Environmental Science.
Any degree seeking student with at least a B.S. or B.A. degree in a basic science may apply to enter the Master's program. Most successful applicants without a Master's degree in oceanography or a closely allied field are accepted into the Master's degree program. However, such applicants, as well as applicants with Master's degrees in oceanography or a related field, may also apply directly to the Ph.D. program. Admission to the M.S. or Ph.D. program is granted upon a favorable majority vote of the faculty and upon agreement of a faculty member to act as a major professor.
- Doctorate Degree
- Masters Degree
- Aquatic Science Masters Degree
Students working toward a doctoral degree in oceanography will acquire a basic background in all aspects of oceanography and at the same time develop a high level of excellence in their chosen specialty, demonstrated by performing original research and then submitting a dissertation.
A student usually enters the doctoral program in oceanography with a degree in a basic science and should have substantial undergraduate/masters work in at least one of the following or a related area: biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, mathematics, meteorology, or physics.
Applicants for graduate study will select an area of specialization in oceanography based on their undergraduate/masters work.
Minimum qualifications for applying are: 3.0 GPA, 1100 GRE, research experience and for international students, in ibTOEFL score of 80.
Doctoral candidates must complete 18 semester hours of coursework beyond that required for the MS degree, with considerable freedom in course load commensurate with their interest and prior training.
Stiudents must:
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Earn at least a B in 'core' courses (see Course Requirements)
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Pass the Preliminary Exam
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Enroll for a minimum of 24 semester hours of dissertation
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Produce a written dissertation and present a defense of that work
See the University Graduate Bulletin for more information.
Students are admitted by a vote of the faculty and with the agreement of a faculty member to act as a sponsor. Sponsorship includes academic advising, scientific mentorship and sponsorship of the student's research or teaching assistantship.
Refer to FSU's Tuition page and the University's waiver policy for more information.
The master's degree program by thesis requires 33 semester hours of course work of which 6 hours must be thesis credits (OCE 5971r). This program also includes research experience.
Applicants for graduate study will select an area of specialization in oceanography based on their undergraduate work.
Minimum qualifications for applying are: 3.0 GPA, 1100 GRE and for international students, an ibTOEFL score of 80.
Two to three years are typically needed to complete the masters degree.
Masters students must complete a minimum of 33 semester hours of which at least 18 hours must be letter-graded coursework.
Students must:
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Earn at least a B in 'core' courses (see course requirements)
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Enroll for a minimum of 6 semester hours of thesis
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Produce a written thesis and present a defense of that work
Students are admitted by a vote of the faculty and with the agreement of a faculty member to act as a sponsor. Sponsorship includes academic advising, scientific mentorship of the students' research or teaching assistantship.
A full time student, domestic or international, with an assistantship may qualify for tuition waivers. Waivers cover only tuition, remaining fees are paid by the student. Refer to the FSU's tuition page and the University's waiver policy for more information.
Aquatic Science Master's degree program is a non-thesis program that requires
A student usually enters the Aquatic Environmental Science program with a degree in a basic science and should have substantial undergraduate work in at least one of the following or a related area: environmental science, biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, mathematics, meteorology, or physics.
Minimum qualifications for applying are: 3.0 GPA, 1100 GRE.
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Students may attend full or part-time
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Thirty six semester hours of graduate level coursework is required.
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At least 21 credits for letter grade (A, B, C...).
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Students must maintain at least a B average
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Produce and present a synthesis paper on a topic of interest
AES program students are advised by the program director. The director offers guidance regarding course enrollment, progress toward degree, as well as capstone topics.
Additional Information
Many students find the assistantship stipend adequate though some choose to apply for financial aid. Funding in addition to the assistantship is up to the student. The University Financial Aid office can provide assistance.
University Housing is available for graduate students as well as the student union listing of off campus housing options and of course apt search engines and the local classified ads.
Full time graduate students are required by the university to have health insurance. You may purchase coverage through the Thagard Health Center or through a private carrier. Students with assistantships who purchase insurance through Thagard Health Center are eligible for a discount. For additional information see the Graduate School website.
The University Admissions office determines residency status for incoming students. For tuition purposes, students are coded as Florida residents (in-state) or as non-Florida residents (out-of-state). Out-of-state refers to both US students from states other than Florida and to international students. For US out-of-state students there is a mechanism for gaining in-state residency for tuition purposes after the first year of study. There is no such mechanism for international students.
The Academic Common Market is a group of southern states that recognize selected programs in other states as eligible for in-state tuition rates. The process has to be initiated by the student with their home state. The common market tuition rate will only be made available if there is not a similar program in the home state.
Oceanography is a relatively young discipline, shaped by a continual flow of exciting discoveries. Although the oceans represent more than 70 percent of Earth's surface, as few as fifty years ago 98 percent of the floor remained unexplored. In the last four decades, oceanographers gave us our first glimpse of the Earth's deepest ocean trenches as well as breathtaking views of our water planet from outer space. They confirmed the theory of plate tectonics and continental drift. They discovered exotic life forms around hydrothermal vents—creatures that depend on the special water chemistry surrounding the vents instead of light, to survive. And today, oceanographers continue to help us understand the precarious balance of the oceans, atmosphere, ice, solid earth, and living organisms—the Earth system that affects our everyday lives and the future of our planet. (from http://www.onr.navy.mil/careers/ocean_marine/)
The following links provide information about and an overview of career possibilities in ocean sciences:
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