May 30, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR AZURE DEE EMERLE IN CT
Oceanography is an interdisciplinary science that attempts to
describe and understand the oceans. This involves gathering knowledge
concerning biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics,
<http://www.fit.edu/AcadRes/dmes/meteor.html> meteorology and physics.
The complexity of this science requires that it be divided into the
subdisciplines of biological, chemical, geological and physical
oceanography, and <http://www.fit.edu/AcadRes/dmes/zone.html> coastal
zone management. Research in the oceanography includes aspects of tides,
ocean waves, coastal processes, planktonic and benthic organisms,
sea-level changes, climatic changes, remote sensing of ocean phenomena,
oceanic circulation, and trace metal and pollution identification and
distribution.

There are several colleges that offer majors in oceanography including:
Florida Institute of Technology, Texas A&M, Oregon State, University of
Washington, and Florida State University, to name a few. I believe an
important thing to look for in choosing a college to study oceanography
is a school that has their own (or nearby access to) marine research
labs and boats that offer a lot of hands-on experience and field trips.

Oceanography deals heavily with geology, chemistry, biology, and
physics, so a solid background in these sciences is important and should
be a first step in exploring a career in oceanography.

Ocean engineering is another good career choice to consider if you like
oceanography. Ocean engineering is a multidisciplinary field of
technology applied to the ocean environment. It is a combination of the
classical engineering disciplines such as civil, mechanical and
electrical engineering, with naval architecture and applied ocean
sciences. It requires a background in oceanography but places emphasis
on the solution of engineering problems in areas such as: coastal
engineering, hydrographic engineering, marine vehicles (Naval
Architecture), marine materials and corrosion, and
<http://www.fit.edu/AcadRes/dmes/subsea.html> underwater technology.

A good website to learn more about careers and required training in
oceanography is: http://pao.cnmoc.navy.mil/PAO/Educate/career-o.htm