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Introduction to the B.S.M.A.S. in Oceanography
The B.S.M.A.S. in Oceanography provides a broad foundation in the basic sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology) and the ocean sciences (physical, chemical, and biological processes in the ocean) as well as elements of geological and atmospheric sciences.
Why Study Oceanography?
With a surface 70% water, Planet Earth is Planet Ocean! The ocean and its liquid water are critical to life on Earth. The ocean's circulation is fundamental to Earth's habitable climate. In our current-day climate crisis, measuring and understanding the ocean is more important than ever.
What is Oceanography?
Oceanography is a multi-disciplinary geoscience, involving the application of physics, chemistry, biology, and math to understanding the ocean and its processes. Oceanography involves the application of ships, satellites, robotics, precision instrumentation, engineering, computing, data visualization, and ingenuity to measure, sample, and model some of the remotest regions on Earth.
What Can You Expect from a Degree in Oceanography at UM?
- A broad foundation in the basic sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology) and the ocean sciences (physical, chemical, and biological processes in the ocean) as well as elements of geological and atmospheric sciences.
- Opportunities to specialize in one or more sub-disciplines and complete a minor or a second major in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geology, Meteorology, Mathematics, Computer Science, or Engineering.
- Interaction with world-class faculty through classes, labs, reading groups, senior projects, day trips on UM's research vessel Walton Smith (FLOTSUM program), and the semester-long U-Galapagos program.
- Access to high-tech facilities, laboratories, and instruments to conduct research, including:
- CSTARS for the analysis of satellite imagery
- SUSTAIN for the study of hurricane-force winds at the ocean surface
- Cell sorting flow cytometry and mass spectrometry to identify and quantify marine microbes
- Numerical models to understand ocean circulation and mixing
- Statistical models to assimilate observations and make predictions
- Isotopic and radiocarbon analysis to study the ocean's biological carbon pump
- A coastal radar network that monitors the Florida Current
- An ocean technology lab with instrumentation that can be deployed for months and years to measure the variability of currents and water properties in the deep ocean.
Research Areas
Oceanography embraces a broad set of questions about the ocean and its role in the climate system, such as:
- How do ocean currents circulate heat around the globe?
- How do tides and turbulence affect nutrients and primary productivity in the ocean?
- How is sea level at the coast related to marine heat waves, currents, and eddies offshore?
- Why are ocean frontal systems warming the fastest?
- How often do harmful algal blooms occur and why?
- How do changes in sea water chemistry and microbe activity in the ocean feedback on atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide?
- How does the marine food web store carbon in the deep ocean?
- How does circulation under ice shelves accelerate their melting?
Career Opportunities
As a graduate in ocean sciences, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the legacy of a healthy, sustainable ocean into the future. Our graduates gain fundamental science and coding skills (physics, math, chemistry, computer science) applied to the understanding of the ocean and its processes that are fit for careers across all sectors, including science, data science, marine and green technologies, start-ups, NGOs, policy-making, and governance.