Doctor of Philosophy in Ocean Sciences

The mission of the Ocean Sciences (OCE) graduate program is to provide our students with specialized knowledge in important ocean science sub-disciplines as well as a broad understanding of the ocean as a key component of the Earth System. Our students advance the understanding of physical, chemical, and biological processes in the ocean and their interactions. Students learn first-hand about instrumentation and methods to measure the ocean using both in-situ and space-based sensors, and about laboratory, analytical, and numerical models to understand oceanic processes. Our graduates develop into international leaders of ocean research, into teachers and communicators of ocean sciences, and into leaders and advisors of marine education, policy, and conservation.

All applicants should review undergraduate preparation requirements and recommendations for a competitive application. In addition to satisfactory scores (as judged by the graduate program) on the appropriate tests, the general requirement for admission is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA average. If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact the Graduate Program Director for the program you are interested in. Upload PDF of Statement of Purpose identifying your goals and objectives in pursuing a graduate degree. If you have already identified RSMAS faculty you are interested in, please be sure to include this information here as well. Upload PDF of unofficial transcripts (for review purposes only). See below statement on transcripts for more details on this. Three letters of recommendation from persons well situated to evaluate your qualifications for graduate study. The online application will ask you to enter your recommender's email addresses for the RSMAS recommendation letter form to be sent to them. IELTS (Academic) – 6.5, TOEFL Internet Based (IBT) – 80, TOEFL Paper Based (PBT) - 550