Oceanography Degree Programs
Through research and course work, students learn about remote sensing, the development of microelectrode probes and sensors, cutting-edge data assimilation and visualization techniques and autonomous underwater vehicles.
At the graduate level, we apply an interdisciplinary approach to a variety of research questions.
Located directly on the Delaware River estuary, students have many opportunities to participate in coastal research cruises on board the R/V Hugh R. Sharp, the R/V Joanne Daiber and smaller outboard-driven boats. Oceanography faculty and students conduct diverse research ranging from the nearby estuaries of the Delaware and Chesapeake Rivers to the far reaches of the world, the Arctic Ocean and Antarctica, surface to deep.
We assess nutrient cycling in our adjacent wetlands and waters, and we investigate processes and rates of sediment transport and their effect on the behavior of benthic organisms. We study the biogeochemistry of hydrothermal vents, and using the geochemistry of coastal and deep sea sediments, we reconstruct past climate change. We utilize observational data and numerical models to better understand coastal and open ocean climate interactions.
Students in the Oceanography Program pursue an M.S. degree in Marine Studies with a Concentration in Oceanography or a Ph.D. in Oceanography.
Oceanography program faculty and students conduct research on physical, geological, biological and chemical problems in estuarine, coastal and marine environments. Historically, the program’s focus has been estuarine, coastaland continental shelf studies in the mid-Atlantic region. For priority consideration for admission and funding for a fall semester start, apply by December 1. The final deadline to apply for fall is July 1 and for spring is December 1.
Admission to this program is competitive. It is based on grades, letters of recommendation and an application essay.
International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), to be considered for admission unless they qualify for the waiver of proof of English Proficiency as outlined by the Graduate College. A minimum score of 90 should be achieved by applicants taking the TOEFL IBT exam. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) may be taken in lieu of the TOEFL exam. The University of Delaware requires an overall band score of 6.5 or higher on the IELTS with no individual Speaking score being less than 6. TOEFL or IELTS scores must be within the last two years.
The Graduate Program does not require GRE scores. Any scores submitted voluntarily by students will be evaluated holistically but will not be used to determine graduate fellowships. The SMSP Graduate Committee evaluates each applicant for admission. The Committee reserves the right to interview applicants, but it is not required for admission
Subsequent evaluation of the applications for Master of Science (MS), Master of Marine Policy (MMP), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is conducted by the respective Associate Directors in consultation with relevant faculty members. The Associate Director forwards a recommendation for admission to the Director, who makes final decisions concerning admission.
Before qualified applicants are admitted to the School, a specific faculty member must be identified as the primary advisor for the admitted applicant. The Director appoints the faculty advisor pro tem; at the initiative of faculty or applicant, the advisor may be changed. When an appropriate advisor cannot be identified, the relevant Associate Director acts as the point of contact for the applicant regarding academic issues.
All students in the master’s program are required to complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits. A course outside of the Oceanography program and the student’s area of concentration is also required. All students must write a thesis. Students may bypass the master’s degree and work directly toward the PhD upon petition. Requirements for the PhD degree are similar to those for the master’s degree, but are more intensive. In addition to the required coursework, written and oral qualifying examinations are required before students are admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree.
The following core courses:
- MAST 602 - Physical Oceanography
- MAST 627 - Biological Oceanography
- MAST 637 - Geological Oceanography or MAST 646 - Chemical Oceanography
Oceanography Seminar:
- MAST 853 - Oceanography Seminar (must be taken at least one semester during each year of residence.)
At least three credits of 800-level courses
At least three credits of 800-level courses other than courses used to meet seminar and core required courses must be completed.
One three credit course
One three credit course in Marine Policy or one three credit course outside of the student’s declared subdiscipline of interest (not including courses taken to meet the program core course requirement) as approved by the advisor and the program director must be completed.
Students will work with their advisors to determine what additional coursework must be completed and how many research credits must be taken to account for the remaining credit hours for a minimum total of 30 prior to graduation.
Master’s Thesis:
For more information on degree requirements, visit the UD Course Catalog and review the current SMSP graduate policies.
Oceanography program faculty and students conduct research on physical, geological, biological and chemical problems in estuarine, coastal and marine environments. Historically, the program’s focus has been estuarine, coastaland continental shelf studies in the mid-Atlantic region. For priority consideration for admission and funding for a fall semester start, apply by December 1. The final deadline to apply for fall is July 1 and for spring is December 1.
Admission to this program is competitive. It is based on grades, letters of recommendation and an application essay.
International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), to be considered for admission unless they qualify for the waiver of proof of English Proficiency as outlined by the Graduate College. A minimum score of 90 should be achieved by applicants taking the TOEFL IBT exam. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) may be taken in lieu of the TOEFL exam. The University of Delaware requires an overall band score of 6.5 or higher on the IELTS with no individual Speaking score being less than 6. TOEFL or IELTS scores must be within the last two years.
The Graduate Program does not require GRE scores. Any scores submitted voluntarily by students will be evaluated holistically but will not be used to determine graduate fellowships. The SMSP Graduate Committee evaluates each applicant for admission. The Committee reserves the right to interview applicants, but it is not required for admission
Subsequent evaluation of the applications for Master of Science (MS), Master of Marine Policy (MMP), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is conducted by the respective Associate Directors in consultation with relevant faculty members. The Associate Director forwards a recommendation for admission to the Director, who makes final decisions concerning admission.
Before qualified applicants are admitted to the School, a specific faculty member must be identified as the primary advisor for the admitted applicant. The Director appoints the faculty advisor pro tem; at the initiative of faculty or applicant, the advisor may be changed. When an appropriate advisor cannot be identified, the relevant Associate Director acts as the point of contact for the applicant regarding academic issues.
All students in the master’s program are required to complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits. A course outside of the Oceanography program and the student’s area of concentration is also required. All students must write a thesis. Students may bypass the master’s degree and work directly toward the PhD upon petition. Requirements for the PhD degree are similar to those for the master’s degree, but are more intensive. In addition to the required coursework, written and oral qualifying examinations are required before students are admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree.
Equivalency previously taken or alternative courses is to be determined by current instructor and approved by the Associate Director of the program. A higher level course may be substituted for these courses on approval of the advisor and committee.
- MAST 602 - Physical Oceanography
- MAST 646 - Chemical Oceanography
- MAST 637 - Geological Oceanography
- MAST 627 - Biological Oceanography
- MAST 853 - Oceanography Seminar
At least six credits of 800-level courses
At least six credits of 800-level courses other than courses used to meet seminar and core required courses must be taken.
One three credit course
One three credit course in Marine Policy or one three credit course outside of the student’s declared subdiscipline of interest (not including courses taken to meet the program core course requirement) as approved by the advisor and the program director must be completed.
Additional courses required by the student’s advisory committee
Students will work with their advisors to determine what additional coursework must be completed and how many research credits must be taken to complete the degree.
Doctoral Dissertation
A Ph.D. committee must consist of at least four members, but not more than six. At least one member of the committee must be a core faculty member of the School and at least half of the committee members (but no less than three) must be either core or joint faculty in the School. As per University regulations, at least one member of the committee must be external to the School, and students are encouraged to seek the external member from outside the University in order to broaden the perspectives of the committee.
This examination is usually taken near the completion of the required credits of course work beyond the bachelor's degree. Doctoral students must demonstrate to their doctoral committee that they have acquired a comprehensive grasp of their field of study through a qualifying examination (written and oral) before they are admitted to formal candidacy.
The examination process begins when the student submits a dissertation proposal to his/her committee at least four weeks before the written and oral examination. Then the student consults each member of the Doctoral Committee for advice on any specific preparation that the committee members suggest. Any committee member who is not fully satisfied with a student's preparation for the formal exam will advise the Doctoral Committee chairperson promptly.
The qualifying exam is a comprehensive written and oral exam. This examination is designed to test the student's preparation for the proposed research. It measures the student's preparation, including knowledge about the area of physical ocean science and engineering, the student's capability to apply knowledge gained in courses, and the student's qualifications in written and oral communication. Qualifying exams are not open to the public. In general, doctoral committees should strive to achieve consensus concerning the student's performance and quality of work.
The exam is administered in two sections approximately a week apart. The advisor administers the written exam and chairs the oral. The written exam usually consists of one independent exam of at least two hours duration set by each of the committee members and administered over two or more consecutive days. The student is admitted to the oral phase only after passing the written phase. At the oral exam, the student gives a brief review of the research plan and then answers questions from each committee member related to the dissertation proposal and the student's coursework. In the case of dissenting votes, the majority opinion rules. Upon successful completion of the qualifying exam, the committee members signify agreement by signing the appropriate graduate office form.
The possible outcomes of the qualifying exam are:
a) Passed; candidacy form signed
b) Passed, but additional work required (self-study or formal course); form signed. If the doctoral committee recommends passing but with additional study or course work, the advisor will ensure that the student meets these recommendations promptly.
c) Failed, but to be offered a second complete exam after, in most cases, one semester of additional preparation; memo of record from advisor via the Department Chairperson or College Dean to the Office of Graduate Studies. If unsuccessful a second time, the student will not be permitted a third attempt, and matriculation in the program will be terminated.
d) Failed, no re-examination; form signed and matriculation in the Ph.D. program will be ended.
e) Students who fail the qualifying examination may petition for admission into the Master's degree program.
Upon completion of the dissertation, a final oral examination must be passed, consisting of a defense of the dissertation and a test of the candidate's mastery of the fields covered in the program. The final oral examination is open. It is conducted by the student's committee and chaired by the student's advisor. To permit adequate time for the committee to review the dissertation, all copies of the tentatively completed dissertation (subject to revisions required by the examining committee) must be deposited with the program director and the respective college offices at least two weeks before the date of the final oral examination. The advisor shall submit certification of a successful defense to the Office of Graduate Studies through the respective college deans.
For more information on degree requirements, visit the UD Course Catalog and review the current SMSP graduate policies.
Steps to apply
Step 1
Reach out to CEOE faculty with research interests matching your own to discuss opportunities.
Step 2
Visit the official UD Graduate Admissions homepage.
Step 3
Click the Submit Application link to create an online account. You will receive a temporary account PIN that you can use to create a new password.
Step 4
Start a new application. Fill out your biographical information, select your program of study and follow the on-screen prompts.
Step 5
Once your application is submitted, notify the department graduate program director.