Career as Oceanographer
Oceanography is a field of Earth Science. Also known as oceanology, it is a comprehensive study of the biological and physical aspects of oceans. It entails a wide range of areas including ocean currents, waves, dynamics of the marine ecosystem, geophysical fluid dynamics, geology of the floor of the ocean, ocean currents, fluxes of the variety of chemical substances and the other physical properties of the ocean. These different topics are congregant of the various disciplines that oceanographers combine to advance the research and knowledge of the World Ocean and to understand the complex biological processes within. Oceanography includes diverse areas of study like marine physics, marine geology, marine physics, marine chemistry and marine biology. The specialized fields of Oceanography are Biological Oceanography, Geological Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography and Physical Oceanography.
- About Oceanographer :
- Job Profile |
- How do I get there?
Job Profile
There is a vast scope in Oceanography in
industry, research and commerce. Those who have strong
interpretational, reasoning and analytical qualities along with
robust computing and laboratory skills may flourish ahead in the
field of study. It is suitable for students who have a keen sense
of learning and a curious mind.
Aspirants interested on the commercial side of
the field can land lucrative opportunities in the public sector
with oil and natural gas giants like Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation (ONGC), Department of Oceanography, Meteorological
Survey of India, Geological Survey of India etc. as an engineer,
field technician, scientist etc. The Union Public Service
Commission conducts examinations nationwide for placements in the
public sector organizations.
Candidates who choose to continue to work in the
research field may end up getting appointed in offshore mineral
cultivation plants, maintenance and surveillance for marine life
force and various research vessels.
Areas, where oceanographers can be
employed are
· Industrial Research Laboratories
· Safety Organizations
· Marine Workshops
· Environmental Protection Agencies
· Navy
· Educational Sector
· Manufacturers of Marine Equipments
· Oil and Gas Industry
· Geological Department
· Weather Forecast Department
· Environmental Consultancy Firms
· Water Industry
· Energy Supply Organizations
· NGOs
· Imports/Exports
Oceanographers can be hired for the
following roles
-
Marine Technician
-
Marine Policy Experts
-
Hydrographer
-
Marine Archaeologists
-
Marine Biologists
-
Physical, Biological, Chemical and Geological Oceanographers
-
Marine Environmentalists
-
Marine and Ocean Engineers
-
Marine Geochemists
-
Fisheries Scientists
-
Research Associate
-
Ocean imports Manager
-
Wellness Ocean Resource Person
-
Ocean Freight Manager
-
Maintenance Assistant
Role and Salary
The pay scale varies according to the
qualifications, skills and experience of the Oceanographer
|
Job Role |
Average Salary Per Annum |
|
Oceanographer |
Rs 4 to 6 lakh |
|
Business Development Manager |
Rs 5.5 to 6.5 lakh |
|
Ocean Freight Manager |
Rs 5.5 to 7 lakh |
|
Ocean Imports Manager |
Rs 5 to 6 lakh |
|
Production Head |
Rs 7 to 9 lakh |
|
Maintenance Assistant |
Rs 2 to 4 lakh |
Oceanographers may earn $50,000 to $80,000 overseas in countries like the US, UK, France etc. The pay scale is slightly higher in private sectors than in public sectors
How do I get there?
To pursue a career in oceanography, a student
needs to qualify 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or
Mathematics. Thus, an aspirant has to seek admission in B.Sc.
Marines Sciences/Biochemistry/Geology/Botany/Zoology or
Microbiology.
The specialized research field of Oceanography
is offered at the postgraduate level after the qualification of
Bachelor of Sciences with the required grade/score. After the
completion of graduation, the student can enrol in one of the below
mentioned Masters Courses in-
· Marine Sciences
· Marine Biology
· Physical Oceanography
· Chemical Oceanography
· Marine Geology
· Ocean Life Sciences
The eligibility criteria for the different
courses offered at the graduate and postgraduate level are:
Graduate Level Courses
· B.Sc. in Marine Science
Eligibility: - the student needs to
qualify +2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology
Post Graduate Level
· M.Sc. Oceanography
Eligibility: - the student has to
be a Bachelor of Science in Zoology/Botany/Applied
Sciences/Physics/Microbiology/Agriculture/Earth Science/Fishery
Science with minimum marks of 55% from a reputed institute.
· M.Sc. Marine Biology
Eligibility: - The student needs to
qualify for Graduate in Science, i.e. B.Sc.
· M.Tech in Oceanography or Marine Biology
Eligibility: - The student needs to
acquire the qualification of Masters of Science and possibly a
valid score of GATE.
· M.Tech in Ocean Technology
Eligibility: - The criteria needed
for this branch is M.Sc.
Doctoral
Level
· PhD Oceanography
Eligibility: - The criteria to
apply for a Doctorate in Oceanography are to qualify either NET or
GATE.
· M.Phil Marine Biology
Eligibility: - To pursue a Masters
in Philosophy in Marine Biology, the candidate needs to hold a
Masters of Science or an equivalent degree in the related
field.
· M.Phil Chemical Oceanography
Eligibility: - To advance academically further in the research field and acquire a Master of Philosophy in Chemical Oceanography, the candidate needs to have a Masters of Science or an equivalent degree in the related field.Course Duration and Fees
The length of the graduate-level course, i.e. Bachelor of Science in Marine Sciences, Zoology, Microbiology, Geology, Biochemistry and Botany etc. is three years.
Masters Degrees like Masters of Science Course in Marine Biology, M.Sc. in Oceanography etc. are two years long postgraduate programs.
Syllabus
The content of oceanography focuses majorly on
the following:
-
Principles of Oceanography
-
Marine Ecology and Zoogeography
-
Marine Pollution
-
Marine Paleobiology
|
Sr. No. |
Semester I |
|
1 |
Physical Meteorology |
|
2 |
Physical and Dynamical Climatology |
|
3 |
Dynamical Climatology |
|
4 |
Physical Oceanography |
|
Practicals |
|
|
1 |
Computer Programming and Data Processing |
|
2 |
Meteorology and Oceanography Computations |
|
3 |
Viva Voce |
|
Semester II |
|
|
1 |
Dynamical Oceanography |
|
2 |
Synoptic Meteorology |
|
3 |
Advanced Dynamic Meteorology |
|
4 |
Electronics |
|
Practical |
|
|
1 |
Synoptic Analysis |
|
2 |
Electronics |
|
3 |
Viva Voce |
|
Semester III |
|
|
1 |
Air-Sea Interaction |
|
2 |
Cloud Physics |
|
3 |
Numerical Weather Prediction |
|
4 |
Observational Techniques |
|
Practical |
|
|
1 |
Numerical Weather Prediction |
|
2 |
Instruments |
|
3 |
Viva Voce |
|
Semester IV |
|
|
1 |
Climate Modeling |
|
2 |
Satellite Meteorology |
|
3 |
Agriculture and Hydrometeorology |
|
4 |
Tropical Meteorology |
|
Practical |
|
|
1 |
Applied Meteorology |
|
2 |
Dissertation |
|
3 |
Viva Voce |
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Content on this page is by Career Expert Mrs. Kum Kum Tandon MA (Psychology), M.Ed, Diploma in Educational Psychology, Vocational Guidance & Counseling (NCERT, Delhi) | View Complete Profile |