MSc Oceanography: University of Southampton

Course Description

The Oceanography Masters degree is a multidisciplinary course of instruction and research.  It offers the chance to broaden the science background of an undergraduate degree, while allowing advanced level specialisation in one or more aspects of the field chosen.

This programme combines formal instruction with a period of individual research. During the first semester you will complete a series of basic introductory modules. One week is dedicated to boat-based practicals in local waters, to introduce measurement and analysis techniques in the marine sciences.

You may opt to maintain a multidisciplinary structure to your studies or choose a specialised pathway in: Global Ocean and Climate Dynamics; Marine Biogeochemistry; Marine Biology/Ecology; Marine Geophysics; or Physical Oceanography.

Programme Structure

Semester 1

Core introductory modules

• Biological oceanography
• Chemical oceanography
• Marine geology
• Physical oceanography

Two optional modules from

• Applied and marine geophysics
• Biogeochemical cycles in the Earth system
• Computational data analysis for geophysicists and ocean scientists
• Deep-sea ecology
• Geodynamics and solid earth geophysics
• International maritime and environmental law
• Introduction to remote sensing of the oceans
• Large-scale ocean processes
• Microfossils, environment and time
• Zooplankton ecology and processes

Semester 2

Three optional modules from

• Applied biogeochemistry and pollution
• Applied sediment dynamics
• Basin analysis
• Climate dynamics
• Ecological modelling
• Environmental radioactivity and radiochemistry
• Global climate cycles
• Global ocean monitoring
• High-resolution marine geophysics
• Radar remote sensing of the oceans
• Reproduction in marine animals
• Structure and dynamics of marine communities
• UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

Entry requirements

• Second-class honours degree or equivalent in any scientific discipline
• Min. AS level mathematics or equivalent