Oceanography

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• Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Oceanography
  
  
• Minor in Oceanography

Department Chair
Greg Crawford, Ph.D.

Department of Oceanography
Natural Resources Bldg 200
(707) 826-3540
fax 826-4145

Learning Outcomes

• Students utilize scientific concepts from biology, chemistry, geology, physics and mathematics to understand fundamental oceanographic processes and functions.
• Students employ appropriate sampling, laboratory and computer techniques to collect, measure and interpret oceanographic information.
• Students integrate conceptual and technical understanding to address complex inter-disciplinary problems in oceanography.
• Students effectively communicate oceanographic information in written and oral formats.
  
  

The Program

Humboldt's students have the advantage of living in an ideal natural environment for marine studies, close to both the ocean and a number of estuaries and lagoons. Humboldt State has a fully equipped marine laboratory in the nearby town of Trinidad and a research vessel docked in Humboldt Bay, allowing students to supplement classroom learning through laboratory and seagoing experiences and field trips.

Flexible course work and experiences allow students a variety of choices while still providing an education of considerable breadth, an understanding of fundamental concepts unique to oceanography, and an appreciation of how concepts from allied fields interrelate. The intent is to develop an interdisciplinary train of thought essential for understanding the marine environment.

Participants also study in depth a science related to oceanography, such as geology, chemistry, physics, or biology. This program allows a student to:

• prepare as an ocean scientist to collect, process, and aid in interpreting scientific data collected on oceanographic cruises and other field work conducted by federal, state, educational, or private institutions and agencies;
• prepare for graduate study in oceanography or a related science by acquiring a broad, sound science background;
• secure a broad science background and sound fundamental education (for those with an interest in this major but who do not intend to use it as a career).

Humboldt's program prepares ocean scientists who collect, process, and interpret scientific data. Graduates excel in these careers: oceanographer, research assistant, marine biologist, marine products salesperson, aquatic biologist, marine geophysicist, hydrologist, water pollution technician, environmental specialist, scientific officer, hydrographic surveyor, earth scientist, aquatic chemist.

Preparation

Students should have a good background in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Competence with computers and a language other than English is recommended.

Requirements for the Major

LOWER DIVISION

BIOL 105 Principles of Biology
CHEM 109 General Chemistry
CHEM 110 General Chemistry
GEOL 109 General Geology
MATH 109 Calculus I
MATH 110 Calculus II
MATH 210 Calculus III
OCN 109 General Oceanography
OCN 260 Sampling Techniques & Field Studies
PHYX 109 General Physics I
PHYX 110 General Physics II

STAT 108 Elementary Statistics or
BIOM 109 Introductory Biometrics

UPPER DIVISION

OCN 310 Biological Oceanography
OCN 320 Physical Oceanography
OCN 330 Chemical Oceanography
OCN 340 Geological Oceanography
OCN 370 Library Research & Report Writing
OCN 485 Undergraduate Seminar
OCN 495 Field Cruise
OCN 499 Directed Study

Plus a 12-unit package of approved electives, tailored individually to the student's educational goals. Besides satisfying the major requirement, the elective package commonly leads to the completion of a minor in a related field of study.

Requirements for the Minor

OCN 109 General Oceanography
OCN 260 Sampling Techniques & Field Studies

Two of the following:
OCN 310 Biological Oceanography
OCN 320 Physical Oceanography
OCN 330 Chemical Oceanography
OCN 340 Geological Oceanography

Three units from the following:
OCN 410 Zooplankton Ecology
OCN 430 Marine Pollution
OCN 510 Estuarine Ecology
OCN 511 Marine Primary Production
OCN 535 Marine Microbial Ecology
OCN 544 Beach & Nearshore Processes
BOT 353 Phycology
GEOL 415 Sedimentary Petrology
GEOL 423 Biostratigraphy
GEOL 460 Solid Earth Geophysics
GEOL 561 Applied Geophysics
PHYX 380 Micrometeorology
ZOOL 530 Benthic Ecology