Program Overview
The University of Western Australia's Master of Oceanography delves into the intricate interactions of coastal and ocean systems. The program equips graduates with practical skills in oceanographic data collection, analysis, and modeling. Its focus on interdisciplinary knowledge and career-ready skills prepares graduates for diverse roles in marine and coastal resource management, climate change adaptation, and sustainable ocean use. Located on the Indian Ocean rim, UWA's unique marine environment provides an exceptional living laboratory for oceanographic studies.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Oceanography is a postgraduate program offered by the University of Western Australia (UWA). It is the only program of its kind in Australia, focusing on advanced knowledge of the physical, chemical, geological, and biological interactions within coastal and ocean systems. The program aims to equip graduates with practical and problem-solving skills, making them well-suited for careers in marine and coastal resource management, climate change adaptation, and sustainable ocean use. The program emphasizes the importance of understanding complex marine systems and applying this knowledge to address various challenges.
Outline:
The Master of Oceanography program is structured as follows:
- Conversion Units: Students who have not completed a bachelor's degree with a major in Marine Science, Marine and Coastal Processes, or Integrated Earth and Marine Science, or equivalent, must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points. These units include:
- CITS1501 Introduction to Programming with Python (6 points)
- ENVT3307 Oceanography (6 points)
- SCIE4403 Ethical Conduct and Communication of Science (6 points)
- Core Units: All students must take the following core units (36 points):
- EART4415 Coastal Hazards and Adaptation (6 points)
- GEOS4413 Climate Geoscience (6 points)
- GEOS5514 Marine Geoscience (6 points)
- GEOS5515 Coastal Dynamics (6 points)
- OCEN4008 Physical Oceanography (6 points)
- OCEN4010 Ocean Observational Methods and Modelling (6 points)
- Coursework Only Units: Students in the coursework-only program take 6 points:
- GEOS5596 Geoscience Internship (6 points)
- Coursework and Dissertation Units: Students in the coursework and dissertation program take 24 points:
- SCIE5517 Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 1 (6 points)
- SCIE5518 Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 2 (6 points)
- SCIE5519 Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 3 (6 points)
- SCIE5520 Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 4 (6 points)
- Elective Units: Students in the coursework-only program take 30 points, including at least 18 points at Level 5. Students in the coursework and dissertation program take 12 points. Elective units include:
- ENVT4408 GIS Programming (6 points)
- ENVT4409 Remote Sensing of the Environment (6 points)
- ENVT5502 Marine and Coastal Planning and Management (6 points)
- ENVT5562 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Coastal Resilience (6 points)
- ENVT5566 Advanced Spatial and Environmental Modelling (6 points)
- LAWS5179 Law of the Sea (6 points)
- OCEN4007 Renewable Ocean Energy (6 points)
- OCEN5002 Ocean Engineering and Technology (6 points)
- PLNG5511 Climate Change Policy and Planning (6 points)
- SCIE5505 Global Change and the Marine Environment (6 points)
Teaching:
- The Master of Oceanography program is taught by academics with expertise in coastal and nearshore processes, physical oceanography, remote sensing, marine ecology, marine and climate geoscience, coastal engineering, and ocean renewable energy.
- The faculty utilizes a combination of field observations and numerical modeling in their research.
- The academics regularly interact and undertake projects with government agencies and industry, providing relevant and applied examples for inclusion in the program.
- All academics are at the forefront of research in their disciplines, undertaking projects that provide knowledge and solutions for safe marine operations, coastal erosion prediction, wave and current forecasting, and climate change prediction.
Careers:
The Master of Oceanography program prepares graduates for diverse career opportunities in government, industry, consultancies, and research institutions. The program's focus on interdisciplinary knowledge and technical skills makes graduates well-suited for roles such as:
- Oceanographer: Understanding and inter-relating all aspects of the ocean, including processes that drive ocean currents, climate regulation, and links between ocean chemistry and biological processes.
- Coastal Manager/Officer: Developing and enacting coastal planning measures, ensuring safe and continued access to the coast for the public.
- Coastal and Oceanographic Consultant: Assessing and mitigating coastal erosion and inundation hazards, collecting and analyzing marine and coastal data sets, advising government and industry on coastal and marine infrastructure design, and developing and delivering marine forecasts.
- Other potential career paths: Coastal Geologist, Meteorologist, Fisheries Scientist, Marine Conservation Specialist, Marine Geochemist, Applied Ocean Scientist, Climate Scientist, and Ocean Data Scientist.
Other:
- The program leverages Western Australia's position on the Indian Ocean and its unique marine environment, including pristine coastal areas and ocean processes shaped by the Indian and Southern Oceans.
- Graduates will be in demand due to the rapidly expanding Blue Economy and the impacts of climate change.
- Students will become proficient in oceanographic field data collection, data analysis techniques, including the use of industry-standard software, and the use of ocean models and forecasting tools.
- The program can be completed full-time or part-time.
- The program is delivered on-campus and partially online.
- The program starts in Semester 1 and Semester 2.
- The program is a postgraduate level of study.
- The course code is 71590.
- The CRICOS code is 107555J.
- The full-time/part-time duration is 1.5-2 years.
