Applied Ocean Science (AOS)

Program Overview

The Applied Ocean Science program at Scripps Institution of Oceanography focuses on applying advanced technology to ocean exploration and observation. Students in the PhD and Master's programs conduct research in various oceanographic disciplines, developing expertise in using technology for ocean exploration and observation. The program emphasizes the resolution of scientific issues through novel technological development and offers access to professors, courses, and research facilities across multiple departments.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Applied Ocean Science (AOS) is a multidisciplinary program focused on applying advanced technology to ocean exploration and observation. The program emphasizes resolving scientific issues through novel technological development. AOS offers PhD and Master's degree programs.

Objectives:

• Students perform research in marine acoustics, optics, electromagnetics, geophysics, ecology, sediment transport, coastal processes, physical oceanography, and air-sea interaction.
• The program aims to develop students' expertise in using advanced technology for ocean exploration and observation.

Outline:

PhD Program:

• Required Courses:
• SIOC 202 A-B (Wave Physics sequence)
• Two of the four SIO introductory courses: SIOC 210, 240, 260, 280 (must be completed during the first year)
• One math and one data analysis class (taken in either the first or second year) from the following list:
• SIOC 203 A-B (MAE 294 A-B) Introduction to Applied Mathematics
• MAE 208 Mathematics for Engineers
• SIO 207C A-B Digital Signal Processing
• SIOC 221 A-B Analysis of Physical Oceanographic Data
• ECE275A Parameter Estimation
• Two additional technical courses (selected in consultation with the advising committee) prior to the doctoral qualifying exam, such as:
• SIOC 200AB Computational Ocean Acoustics
• SIOC 214A Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
• SIOC 213 Turbulence and Mixing
• MAE 210 AB Fluid Mechanics
• MAE 224A Environmental Fluid Mechanics
• SIOC 237A Introduction to Ocean Optics
• SIOC 237B Ocean Color Remote Sensing
• SIOG 227A Introduction to Seismology
• SIOG 227B Advanced Seismology
• Elective Courses:
• Tailored to students' areas of study, selected in consultation with their advising committee.
• SIOC 208 (AOS Seminar):
• Required throughout the program
• Serves as a communication bridge across the program.

MS Program:

• Required Courses:
• SIOC 202A and SIOC 202B (Fundamentals of Wave Physics - two-quarter sequence)
• Any two of the following SIO introductory courses:
• SIOC 210.
Physical Oceanography
• SIOG 240.
Marine Geology
• SIOG 260.
Marine Chemistry
• SIOB 280.
Biological Oceanography
• Elective Courses:
• Selected in consultation with the guidance committee.
• SIOC 208 (Seminar in Applied Ocean Sciences):
• Required throughout the program
• Serves as a communication bridge across the program.

Other:

• The AOS program is complemented by parallel programs in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE).
• Students have access to professors, courses, and research facilities across all three departments.
• The emphasis is on the resolution of key scientific issues through novel technological development.
• Potential advisors are listed on the program website.
• PhD program applicants should be aware that funding for PhD students is usually supplied by individual advisors and that funding is limited; securing outside fellowships (e.g., the NSF GRFP) greatly increases the chance of admission.