On arrival each student is advised by a faculty member in his or her own area of specialization. Many students start their graduate work in the summer immediately upon graduation from their bachelor's program. The student and an advisory committee plan the first year's curriculum and outline plans for starting independent research. At the end of the first year, upon successful completion of course work, the student and his or her supervisory committee plan the remaining program of study and research to fit the student's background and objectives.

Master of Science Degree

Requirements for a Master of Science degree include a minimum of 36 quarter credits of which at least 18 must be in course work numbered 500 or above. A total of 18 credits must be taken for numerical grades during the entire course of study. A minimum of three academic quarters of resident graduate study is required. All students take at least three credits in each of the oceanography options outside their own area of study. The specific program of study is the result of discussion between the student and an advisory committee. Foreign language proficiency is required by the School of Oceanography only when such knowledge is deemed crucial to writing a scholarly thesis. An Oceanography Master's program usually requires six to ten quarters.

Most students select the non-thesis program, although a thesis option is also available. Both require the completion of an approved research project and an oral presentation of the results. Either option often leads to publication of the research results in a professional journal.

More information on recent master's degree students.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree

A minimum of 18 quarter credits in course work numbered 500 and above must be completed for the Ph.D. Numerical grades must be received in at least 18 credits of the total course work. In addition, at least 27 credits of dissertation research must be completed. The residency requirement is three years of graduate study including two at the University of Washington, one of which must be in continuous residence. The School of Oceanography requires foreign language proficiency only when such knowledge is deemed crucial to a scholarly dissertation.

The School of Oceanography's Ph.D. degree program places a strong emphasis on research after course requirements have been completed. Upon successful completion of the General Examination the student undertakes an original research investigation which is described in a formal report -- the dissertation -- acceptable to a faculty reading committee and to the University Graduate School. The student summarizes and defends the dissertation at an oral presentation open to graduate students, the faculty, and the supervisory committee.

More information on recent Ph.D. students.