Ocean Sciences
The Department of Oceanography at Dalhousie University offers a unique range of courses across the core sub-disciplines of ocean science. Complete your undergraduate degree as a major steps away from the Atlantic Ocean, or consider completing an honours degree and/or earning one or more certificates if certain courses are taken as part of the program.
Your major map: Ocean Sciences
The Ocean Science Major Map highlights academic and co-curricular opportunities and provides an overview of how students can customize their degree. Students are encouraged to connect with advising supports at Dalhousie and use the Academic Calendar and Timetable to create their course plan.
Where your degree can take you
A BSc degree in Ocean Science provides great preparation for a variety of careers. The skills and knowledge acquired through this program can be applied, but are not limited to career paths in:
Marine technology, renewable energy, ocean literacy and education, ocean policy, research, conservation, government and regulatory affairs, consulting, management, engineering, and education, among many more.
Core competencies gained
Discipline-related skills:
- An interdisciplinary understanding of the physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes and characteristics that make up the ocean ecosystem
- First-hand experience with exciting technological innovations used for ocean research and monitoring
- Scientific application of sampling techniques, modeling, and use of programming languages
- An understanding of how and why oceans change, and the role of ocean science in policy for solving pressing environmental problems
Transferable skills:
- Academic writing and presentation skills
- Critical thinking, synthesis, and analytical skills
- Communication skills
- Numeracy skills
- Time/project management
- Leadership and teamwork
- Basic statistical analyses
- R Software
- Research/fieldwork skills
Possible careers and employment
Ocean science Alumni can be employed within a variety of industries and have multiple career path options. These are influenced by the student's elective courses, experiential learning choices, and certificates. Some of the options below will typically require additional or graduate-level training*, while some can be pursued following the completion of baccalaureate program only.
- Acoustic Technician
- Aquatic Research Technician
- Conservation Officer
- Environmental Planner
- Fisheries Technician
- GIS Technologist*
- Hydrologist*
- Laboratory Manager
- Marine Technician
- Marine Science Educator
- Marine Scientist*
- Marine Lawyer*
- Oceanographer*
- Ocean Engineer*
- Ocean Policy Advisor
- Research Assistant
- Technical Writer
- Teach/Professor*
- Scientific Writer/Communicator
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