Probably the most famous marine biologist, Jacques Cousteau, has brought the important study of this field to millions of people through his long-running television appearances. Marine biologists collect, measure, and identify marine specimens in order to assess the overall health of the marine environment. These biologists are very concerned with the effects of pollution on the seas. Years of pumping untreated chemicals, sewage, and airborne pollutants into the marine environment has had a serious impact. The recent graphic depictions of oil-drenched wildlife and shores in Valdez, Alaska, and Northern Scotland are sharp examples of two relatively minor abuses of the seas.
Oceanographers ask many questions and use modem scientific research methods in their aquatic studies. They examine living coral reefs in tropical seas, fish school populations in the north Atlantic, deep ocean trenches, cold marine environments under the polar ice caps, and complex freshwater ecosystems. Some concentrate their studies on large and endangered animals like whales, sea turtles, and dolphins to learn more about their behavior, feeding habits, population, and reproduction. Others study ocean floors, plants, and microscopic organisms to find new sources of food and medicine, and to learn more about the origins of life on the planet. In the laboratory, either on land or on vessels, these scientists use the latest research technology to create complex computer models to run experiments. Because the seas and, to a much lesser extent, freshwater bodies cover more than two- thirds of the earth's surface and harbor most of its organic life, the work of these biologists is very useful and holds important discoveries for humanity.
Educational Requirements
The minimal educational requirement for a career as an oceanographer is a bachelor of science (BS) degree in marine biology or geology. Seventy-six universities and colleges offer a bachelor's degree in marine biology. Some notable programs are at the University of Miami, the University of California at San Diego Scripps Marine Research Department, and the University of Arizona. There are also a good number of schools with programs in marine geology. Like other marine-oriented programs, most of these schools are located in coastal states. Programs in limnology are limited and most can be found in the Great Lakes states.
Like most other biology and physical science professions, a master's degree is becoming the standard criterion for employment. For those who wish to conduct research or teach, a Ph.D. is most often required. Many of the schools offering an undergraduate degree also have graduate programs in oceanography.
First- and second-year courses in marine biology often include algebra, geometry, calculus, general biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, computer science, English, and liberal arts courses. Advanced students take classes in biometrics, biochemistry, toxicology, fish biology, evolutionary ecology, and genetics. Many of the courses that students take have a laboratory component.
In all graduate program sub fields of oceanography, students must conduct original research in their chosen concentrations, which often gives them the opportunity to conduct field research in locations other than the university. Graduate training in oceanography or a basic science is required for most jobs in research and teaching and for all top-level positions. Because many oceanographers work in locations far from the United States, the knowledge of at least one foreign language is important.
Related Professions
- Marine Chemist
- Geologist
- Geographer
- Meteorologist
- Microbiologist
- Biophysicist
- Physiologist
- Chemist
There are no special certifications or licenses for this occupation.
Setting
Oceanographers work in all kinds of climates and in locations around the world. Some spend a majority of their time in the laboratory, others work extensively at sea, while some spend their time in the classroom. Working hours are also as variable. Those working on land usually perform their job in a regular 40-hour workweek. There are, however, times when experiments or the care of animals require marine biologists to work longer hours. Work on ships or in the ocean is often conducted in rough conditions. The sea can be treacherous, especially during storms, and divers must pay close attention to equipment safety procedures and exercise particular caution in coral reef areas and in the presence of dangerous animal species.
Employment Statistics and Major Employers
Several thousand oceanographers are working in the United States, with more people graduating from college than the field can absorb. This has occurred mainly because the U.S. government, the major employer of oceanographers, is hiring less marine biologists and marine geologists than it has in the past. In addition, there has been no increase in demand from the private sector. This trend may reverse itself as the growing concern for marine environments and the expansion of the fields of marine biotechnology, and particularly aquaculture (fish hatcheries) may create some jobs. There has been an increased demand for oceanographers with advanced technical and research skills, particularly in government marine research stations and universities.
The federal government hires oceanographers in the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). There are NOAA research facilities in La Jolla, California, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and Washington, DC, and USGS offices located throughout the country. Almost one-half of all oceanographers work in California, Maryland, and Virginia, with additional concentrations in Florida, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest. Oceanographers also work for state governments, particularly those located in coastal areas or near large freshwater bodies.
Colleges and universities are also major employers. Some institutions of higher learning, like the Scripps Institute at the University of California, San Diego, and Miami University in Florida, maintain sizable research laboratories and hire a good number of research oceanographers. In the private sector, oceanographers work for research laboratories, mapping companies, research foundations, and the fishing industry.
