Overview

The Physical Oceanography M.Sc. at Florida State University provides students with a rigorous academic foundation in the physical properties and processes of the world's oceans. This programme emphasises the critical relationship between oceanic systems and the atmosphere, exploring how these interactions influence global weather patterns and climate stability. Students engage in high-level research that combines theoretical physics with practical marine observations.

Candidates in this major investigate a wide range of phenomena, including tidal movements, deep-sea currents, and the transmission of light and sound through various water columns. The curriculum is designed to equip graduates with the mathematical and analytical tools necessary to model fluid motion on a rotating sphere.

Why Physical Oceanography at Florida State University?

Students benefit from the interdisciplinary environment of the Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science, which fosters collaboration across biological and chemical disciplines. The university provides access to cutting-edge facilities, including the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and advanced computing resources for numerical modelling. Research opportunities extend from coastal ecosystems to the open ocean, often utilising satellite remote sensing and artificial intelligence.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 21129 per year
National fee: USD 21129 per year
Local fee: USD 8628 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum requires a minimum of 33 semester hours for the master's degree. Students work closely with a supervisory committee to select modules that align with their specific research interests in geophysical fluid dynamics and physical processes. Modules may include:

Physical Oceanography
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
Ocean Waves
Ocean Circulation
Marine Data Analysis
Applied Mathematics for Physical Oceanography
Ocean-Atmosphere Coupling

Careers with Physical Oceanography

Graduates are prepared for professional roles in environmental consultancy, government agencies, and research institutions. The programme develops expertise in data analysis and numerical modelling, which are highly valued in sectors dealing with climate change mitigation and coastal management. Many students also choose to continue their academic training by progressing to doctoral research in ocean sciences or related atmospheric disciplines.

Programme Structure

Research highlights:

where does red tide in the Northern Gulf of Mexico originate
understanding and predicting El Nino and the Southern Oscillation
decadal and longer climate change
coastal fisheries and coastal ocean climate variability
understanding the dynamics of the ocean at scales from 100 km to 10,000 km, or equivalently from the deformation scale to the basin scale
dynamics of eddies

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-07 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

33 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Tallahassee, United States

Disciplines

Oceanography View 41 other Masters in Oceanography in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

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98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume that includes prior research experiences in academia/industry or equivalent
In case of lack of prior research experience/opportunities, evidence of passion for research found in your personal statement and/or letters of recommendations
Provide a full copy of your transcript
GPA within undergraduate geology major or closely-related discipline/field
Please arrange three letters of recommendation from professors, mentors, and/or employers familiar with your academic preparation/research experiences/potential.
A short list of applicants will be contacted, after the application deadline for a brief zoom interview as a part of the admission process

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

21129 USD / year

≈ 21129 USD / year
Out-of-State

21129 USD / year

≈ 21129 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

8628 USD / year

≈ 8628 USD / year

Living costs

Tallahassee

United States

955 - 1345 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Physical Oceanography.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Tallahassee

Financing

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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