Masters Program
F.C. Dobbs , Graduate Program Director
fdobbs@odu.edu
Admission
Applicants who have obtained a bachelor's degree in a science (e.g., biology, chemistry, geology, physics), mathematics, or engineering, with a minimum 3.00 grade point average in their major and a 2.80 overall grade point average, are eligible for regular admission to the program. At least one semester of calculus is also required. Ocean and earth sciences are interdisciplinary; consequently, it is expected that applicants have science courses outside their major.
For students wishing to study geological sciences, an undergraduate major in geology is required. Students wishing to study physical oceanography should have majored in physics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, meteorology or related physical sciences. Such applicants must have completed 36 hours in one of these fields and completed mathematics through partial differential equations.
An applicant who does not meet all requirements for admission as a regular graduate student may be admitted as a provisional graduate student. Students lacking adequate preparation for the program may make up deficiencies by taking appropriate undergraduate courses.
Substantial financial resources are available for assisting oceanography graduate students with their education costs. University and departmental fellowships and research assistantships at both the M.S. and Ph.D. levels are available. In addition, the department has a number of standard teaching and grant-supported research assistantships. With an assistantship or fellowship, doctoral students are eligible for a waiver of all tuition and fees. Out-of-state students in the M.S. program who are awarded an assistantship or fellowship are eligible in-state tuition (i.e., the university will waive the difference between the out-of-state and in-state tuition rate).
Students wishing to apply must submit the following application materials by the departmental deadline of February 15 (for full financial assistance consideration): official transcripts, official GRE scores, official TOEFL scores (foreign applicants only), three letters of recommendation, statement of research interest and application fee. Complete applications received after the February 15 deadline will be processed, although in these cases limited funds will likely be available for financial aid. Incomplete applications received after the application deadlines will be processed for the following term only if the applicant notifies the Admissions Office as well as the department in writing that they wish to defer their application.
For admission as a regular graduate student, the applicant must also meet the special admission requirements for an emphasis area chosen from physical, chemical, geological or biological oceanography. An applicant who does not meet all requirements for admission as a regular graduate student may enroll as a special student or provisional graduate student. Students lacking adequate preparation for the core courses may make up deficiencies by taking appropriate undergraduate courses. Admission requirements by specialty area are as follows:
Biological Oceanography
Each applicant's academic record will be reviewed on an individual basis. At least one semester of calculus is required. Recommendations for any additional courses will be made at the time of admission.
Chemical Oceanography
Each applicant's academic record will be reviewed on an individual basis. Recommendations for any additional courses will be made at the time of admission.
Geological Oceanography
An undergraduate major in geology is required. Each applicant's academic record will be reviewed on an individual basis. Recommendations for any additional courses will be made at the time of admission.
Physical Oceanography
Candidates should have majored in physics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, meteorology or related physical sciences. An applicant must have completed 36 hours in one of these fields and completed mathematics through partial differential equations.
REQUIREMENTS
