In the past decade, the University System of Maryland has emerged as a nationally and internationally recognized center for oceanographic research. The Horn Point Laboratory (HPL) and the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL) of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies (CES), and the Meteorology Department at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) are most active in this field, with the research of at least 25 faculty focusing on oceanography. 

Expertise in oceanography in the University System of Maryland lies in the sub-fields of Biological and  Physical Oceanography and cross-disciplinary studies of marine biogeochemistry. The expertise in biological oceanography includes water column nutrient cycling and trophic dynamics (comprising the entire pelagic food web and fishes), benthic ecology, and theoretical ecosystem analysis. 

The expertise in physical oceanography at HPL is in estuarine and coastal circulations, mixing, transport, and numerical modeling. The expertise in physical oceanography at the Department of Meteorology at UMCP is in large scale flows and global circulation problems. 

Students in this AOS have access to extensive oceanographic facilities throughout the USM as well as the opportunity to work with some of the University's outstanding faculty in oceanography with global scale programs. Fundamental courses in the four major sub-fields of oceanography are required to provide interdisciplinary breadth, but a degree in the Oceanography AOS emphasizes the student's independent research. Students graduating from the Oceanography AOS can expect to find jobs in universities, oceanographic laboratories, government agencies, and consulting firms.

Choose a sub-field (Biological or Physical) to see pre-requisites and core requirements. 

Biological Oceanography Prerequisites: 

A Bachelor's degree in the natural or life sciences (i.e., equivalent to UM undergraduate Biology degree), including a grade of C or better in the following courses: 
1. Two semesters of Calculus
2. Two semesters of Introductory Chemistry
3. Two semesters of Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry
4. Two semesters of Physics
5. Two semesters of Introductory Biology

Core Courses and Other Requirements (M.S. and Ph.D.): 

1. One 3 - 4 credit course in Physical Oceanography
2. One 3 - 4 credit course in Biological Oceanography
3. One 3 - 4 credit course in Chemical Oceanography
4. Two 3 - 4 credit courses in Oceanography or related fields (400 - 700 level) including: a recommended additional interdisciplinary course (although item 1 above can satisfy the MEES requirement for interdisciplinary depth it can not count as one of these courses also)
5. One 3 - 4 credit course in Statistics/Biostatistics (600 level for Ph.D. and 400 level for M.S.)
6. One course or seminar in Management, Scientific Philosphy or Ethics
7. One graduate level seminar (MEES 608 or equivalent) for each year in residence (on average) up to cap
8. Courses in Experimental Design and Analysis and Scientific Writing are recommended.

Physical Oceanography Prerequisites: 

A Bachelor's degree in a physical science, including a grade of C or better in the following courses: 
1. Two semesters of Calculus
2. Two semesters of Physics
3. One or two additional advanced math courses
4. One or two additional advanced physical sciences courses
5. Two semesters of Introductory Biology and/or Chemistry are highly recommended

Core Courses and Other Requirements (M.S. and Ph.D.): 

1. One 3 - 4 credit course in Physical Oceanography 
2. One 3 - 4 credit course in Biological Oceanography
3. One 3 - 4 credit course in Chemical Oceanography
4. Two 3 - 4 credit courses in Oceanography or related fields (400 - 700 level) including: a) one course in rotating fluid dynamics, and b) one course in non-rotating fluid dynamics
5. One 3 - 4 credit course in Statistics/Biostatistics (600 level for Ph.D. and 400 level for M.S.)
6. One course or seminar in Management, Scientific Philosophy or Ethics
7. One graduate level seminar (MEES 608 or equivalent) for each year in residence (on average) up to cap
8. Courses in Experimental Design and Analysis and Scientific Writing are recommended. 

Areas of Examination

Each Oceanography AOS student will be examined in at least three of the following areas: 

  1. Physical Oceanography
  2. Biological Oceanography 
  3. Chemical Oceanography 
  4. Geological Oceanography 
  5. Statistics 
  6. Management 

The student's committee will determine which areas are to be examined in consultation with the student. The objective is to assure that the student has an appropriate general understanding of the field as well as the specific knowledge needed to begin research. A test customized to the student's interests and research goals is an important strength of the MEES program. The committee is responsible for ensuring that there is balance, breadth of coverage, and depth. Questions which ask the student to integrate knowledge obtained from coursework, independent study, and ongoing research are particularly appropriate. When an area to be examined is not represented by members of the committee, the committee may consult with an outside expert as to the formulation of a question or the correctness of an answer.

Examination Format

Comprehensive examinations consist of two parts, a written examination followed by an oral examination. The two parts should not be separated by more than three weeks. The written examination is to be conducted in five sessions of four hours each. This is typically conducted over the course of five days. The student will receive a set of questions at the beginning of each four hour period and will prepare a written response. The particular details of the formal of the questions and the requested response are to be determined the committee. The committee will specify whether the responses are to be prepared with or without access to notes or library materials. Each set of questions may have a different restriction on access to outside information. The student should be notified of this decision in advance of the examination.

The oral examination is an opportunity to review the answers provided on the written examination and to explore the breadth and depth of the student's knowledge. The committee will assess the student's ability to verbally communicate and respond to challenging questions.

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