Master of Science (MS) in Oceanography
Program Details
The Master of Science (MS) in Oceanography is offered as a research-oriented Plan A (thesis) program and as a course-based Plan B program. While many students go onto advanced graduate studies, others pursue careers with state and federal agencies, educational institutions, and environmental consulting firms.
We offer graduate courses in several specialties, including:
Nearly all students accepted into our program receive a graduate assistantship, which includes a tuition waiver, stipend, and optional medical benefits. Find more information on our Financial Aid page. Students not supported on graduate assistantships are accepted with other funding sources (e.g., NSF-GFRP and GI Bill).
Graduate Student Projects Available
Are you a prospective graduate student? Click here to see a list of faculty and research projects that may be available for students enrolling in 2025. Click here to sign up for the pre-application info session for our graduate program, which will be held Dec 5, 2024 at noon Eastern time.
Degree Requirements
Master of Science (MS) in Oceanography - Plan A
This program requires 21 credits of advanced coursework, including at least 12 credits of graduate MARN coursework, nine GRAD 5950 credits, and completion of a research project, the results of which are reported in a thesis. Most master’s students are in the Plan A program.
Master of Science (MS) in Oceanography - Plan B
This program requires 30 credits of advanced coursework, including at least 12 credits of graduate MARN coursework, and a final examination. No research project is required.
4+1 BS/MS Program
UConn students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine sciences can apply to use up to 12 credits of graduate coursework taken as an undergraduate towards both their BS and MS. For students in the accelerated program, the MS degree (Plan B) can be earned in a single year after finishing the BS. Find more information on the program page.
Courses
Our academic program is developed around a two-tiered structure:
- Four courses (MARN 5010 Biological Oceanography, MARN 5030 Chemical Oceanography, MARN 5050 Marine Geology, and MARN 5065 Physical Oceanography) are designed to provide a core understanding of the basic sub-disciplines of oceanography.
- A series of more specialized courses are offered to meet the student's individual needs and goals.
We recommend that all students in our program take the core courses, since the field is multidisciplinary and requires a broad knowledge of oceanography.
Contact Us
While it is recommended that students directly contact our faculty to identify a potential major advisor, the following contact information can be used for general questions about graduate studies:
860-405-9152
marinesciences@uconn.edu