Master of Oceanography

Overview

Graduates with an advanced knowledge of ocean processes are needed to manage coastal and marine resources, respond to the impacts of climate change, and drive sustainable use of the ocean.

The oceans provide food for the global population, act as a conduit for global trade, provide a source of renewable energy and drive vibrant coastal economies. To utilise the ocean in a sustainable manner, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and drive the Blue Economy, graduates are in demand with a sound understanding of coastal and ocean processes. Western Australia’s location on the Indian Ocean rim, and unique mix of coastal and ocean environments, creates an excellent living laboratory for studying oceanography at a world class university.

The Master of Oceanography course from The University of Western Australia provides a pathway for students with undergraduate degrees in marine science or engineering, or related disciplines, to undertake advanced study for careers in the marine sector. The Master of Oceanography has core units that will ensure graduates have strong interdisciplinary knowledge and technical skills to take advantage of diverse career opportunities in government, industry, consultancies, and research institutions. These units span climate geoscience, coastal hazards and adaptation, marine geoscience, coastal dynamics, physical oceanography and observational methods and modelling. Elective units provide additional breadth and allow student to specialise in a range of oceanography sub-disciplines (e.g. physical, biological, chemical and geological), while the research project or capstone units provide specific advanced disciplinary knowledge and skills.

Career Pathways

The Master of Oceanography has core units that seek to ensure students have strong interdisciplinary knowledge and technical skills to take advantage of diverse career opportunities in government, industry, consultancies and research institutions. The need for marine and coastal management, marine renewable energy, safe use of the ocean and aquaculture will require graduates with interdisciplinary knowledge of oceanography.

Specific job titles could include:

• Oceanographer
• Coastal Officer
• Marine Consultant
• Coastal Geologist
• Coastal Manager
• Meteorologist
• Fisheries Scientist
• Marine Conservation Specialist
• Marine Geochemist
• Applied Ocean Scientist