Overview
The BSMAS in Oceanography is designed to give students a broad foundation in both the basic sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology) and the Ocean Sciences (physical, chemical and biological oceanography, and elements of Earth and atmospheric sciences), together with specialized knowledge in one or more of these subdisciplines. Students are encouraged, but not required, to complete a minor in chemistry, physics, biology, geological sciences, meteorology, mathematics, computer science or engineering.
Undergraduate students are encouraged to work with the faculty and are able to earn course credit by conducting independent research under the supervision of leading scientists in their field. Research is conducted in all branches of physical , chemical and biological oceanography.
The Bachelor of Science degree program is designed to prepare students for graduate studies in Ocean Sciences, for professional school, or for a technical career in government or private industry.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Oceanography Requirements | ||
| ATM 103 | Survey of Modern Meteorology | 3 |
| MSC 111 | Introduction to Marine Science | 3 |
| MSC 112 | Introduction to Marine Science Lab | 1 |
| MSC 203 | Foundations of Computational Marine Science | 4 |
| MSC 215 | Chemical Oceanography | 3 |
| MSC 216 | Chemical Oceanography Laboratory | 1 |
| MSC 218 | Biological Oceanography | 3 |
| or MBE 230 | Introduction to Marine Biology | |
| MSC 301 | Introduction to Physical Oceanography 1 | 3 |
| MSC 302 | Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab | 1 |
| Oceanography Elective Requirements | ||
| Select 12 credit hours from the following courses, or 500-level OCE courses may be selected 2 | 12 | |
| Earth's Ancient Atmospheres, Climates, and Sea Levels | ||
| Hydrogeology | ||
| Climate and Global Change | ||
| Earth's Biogeochemistry | ||
| Scientific Computing in Marine and Atmospheric Sciences | ||
| Biology of Fishes | ||
| Biological Oceanographic Techniques | ||
| Marine Genomics | ||
| Ocean Human Health | ||
| Climate Science and Policy | ||
| Sea Level Rise | ||
| Climate, Oceanography, and Biogeography of the Galapagos | ||
| Biophysical Dynamics in the Ocean: Biogeography and Evolution of the Galapagos | ||
| Life in Moving Fluids | ||
| Tropical Coastal Ecosystems | ||
| Ocean Dynamics | ||
| Ocean Acidification | ||
| Marine Environmental Toxicology | ||
| Observing the Ocean | ||
| Marine Conservation Science | ||
| Coral Reef Science and Management | ||
| Marine Biota and Biogeochemical Cycles | ||
| Microbial Geochemistry of the Ocean | ||
| Marine Ecology of the Galapagos | ||
| Marine Conservation Biology and Fisheries of the Galapagos | ||
| Origin and Geology of the Galapagos Islands. | ||
| Research in Microbial Genomics | ||
| Comparative Ecology of Terrestrial and Marine Systems | ||
| Spatial Applications in Marine Science | ||
| Conservation Genomics | ||
| Introductory Geochemistry | ||
| Supplemental Science Courses | ||
| Select 9 credit hours of science courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Evolution and Biodiversity | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Cellular and Molecular Biology | ||
| Introduction to Structure and Dynamics | ||
| Physical Chemistry I (Lecture) | ||
| Introduction to Marine Geology | ||
| Introduction to Linear Algebra | ||
| Calculus III | ||
| Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
| Biololgy Requirements | ||
| BIL 150 | General Biology | 4 |
| BIL 151 | General Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| Chemistry Requirements | ||
| CHM 121 | Principles of Chemistry 3 | 4 |
| CHM 113 | Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| Geological Sciences Requirement 4 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| The Earth System | ||
| Earth System History | ||
| Origin and Geology of the Galapagos Islands. (Approval Required) | ||
| Mathematics Requirements | ||
| MTH 161 | Calculus I 4 | 4 |
| or MTH 171 | Calculus I | |
| MTH 162 | Calculus II (fulfills the Rosenstiel BSMAS quantitative skills requirement) | 4 |
| or MTH 172 | Calculus II | |
| Statistics Requirement | ||
| MSC 204 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| or MTH 224 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | |
| Physics Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 10 | |
| Option 1 (recommended): | ||
| University Physics I for the Sciences | ||
| Physics Laboratory 1 | ||
| University Physics II for the Sciences | ||
| Physics Laboratory 2 | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| University Physics I | ||
| University Physics II | ||
| University Physics III | ||
| University Physics II Lab | ||
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 107 | First-Year Writing II: STEM | 3 |
| or WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| Quantitative Skills: | ||
| Calculus I (fulfilled through the major) | ||
or MTH 171 | Calculus I | |
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts and Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
| People and Society Cognate | 9 | |
| STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| Electives | ||
| Additional Electives | 19 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-121 | |
- 1
MSC 351 and MSC 352 taken together in the Galapagos may be used to complete the MSC 301 requirement and 3 credits of major electives.
- 2
If both MSC 218 and MBE 230 are taken, one of these courses may be counted toward the required 12 credits of Oceanography electives.
- 3
Principles of Chemistry must be passed with a grade of “C-” or higher.
- 4
Students who participate in the UGalapagos Program may use MSC 424 (a 3-credit course) to fulfill the Geological Sciences requirement and complete the BSMAS degree in 120 credits. All other students will need to complete 121 credits.
- 5
Calculus I must be passed with a grade of "C-" or higher.
Sample Plan of Study
This is only a sample. There are numerous ways students can create plans of study for the Oceanography major. Students should feel empowered to use the information listed in the Academic Bulletin to take charge of their education, pursue their own academic interests, and create their own, unique plans of study.
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MSC 111 | Introduction to Marine Science | 3 |
| MSC 112 | Introduction to Marine Science Lab | 1 |
| BIL 150 | General Biology | 4 |
| BIL 151 | General Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| MTH 161 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIL 160 | Evolution and Biodiversity 1 | 4 |
| GSC 111 | Earth System History | 4 |
| WRS 107 | First-Year Writing II: STEM | 3 |
| MTH 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MSC 203 | Foundations of Computational Marine Science | 4 |
| MSC 204 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| CHM 121 | Principles of Chemistry | 4 |
| CHM 113 | Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| PHY 201 | University Physics I for the Sciences | 4 |
| PHY 106 | Physics Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| MSC 215 | Chemical Oceanography | 3 |
| MSC 216 | Chemical Oceanography Laboratory | 1 |
| MSC 218 | Biological Oceanography | 3 |
| GSC 240 | Introduction to Marine Geology 1 | 3 |
| PHY 202 | University Physics II for the Sciences | 4 |
| PHY 108 | Physics Laboratory 2 | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ATM 103 | Survey of Modern Meteorology | 3 |
| MSC 301 | Introduction to Physical Oceanography | 3 |
| CHM 221 | Introduction to Structure and Dynamics 1 | 4 |
| PS Course #1 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| Electives - 15 credit hours (Galapagos semester or study abroad are possibilities) 1 | 15 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MSC 417 | Marine Biota and Biogeochemical Cycles 2 | 3 |
| MSC 419 | Microbial Geochemistry of the Ocean 2 | 3 |
| HUM Course #1 | 3 | |
| PS Course #2 | 3 | |
| PS Course #3 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MSC 302 | Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab | 1 |
| MSC 460 | Spatial Applications in Marine Science 2 | 3 |
| MSC 405 | Observing the Ocean | 3 |
| HUM Course #2 | 3 | |
| HUM Course #3 | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 121 | |
- 1
Recommended for supplemental science courses and additional electives as needed.
- 2
Recommended for required elective credits.
Mission
The mission of the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science is to deepen our collective knowledge of our planet through cutting-edge scientific research on the oceans, atmosphere, geology, biota, and the human dimension, while training the next generation of scientists. We transfer the knowledge gained to our students, the national and international scientific community, and to policymakers and the public.
The educational mission of the BS degree in Oceanography at the University of Miami is to graduate students with the ability and desire to integrate knowledge of oceanography into their future careers.
Goals
Students completing the BSMAS in Oceanography will have acquired a broad overview of physical, chemical and biological oceanography, meteorology and earth history. In addition students will have a firm foundation in basic sciences including mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, and will have familiarity with modern scientific computational and data analysis tools. Integration and mastery of these tools gives students the skills to:
- Have a firm understanding of the scientific process.
- Contribute to active research projects led by professors and researchers who are experts in their fields.
- Prepare students for graduate school or for successful careers in industry or public workplaces
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Students will acquire analytical and quantitative skills that will provide a basis for both critical thinking and quantitative data analysis.
- Student will have the skills to perform supervised research in oceanography.
