Oceanography

Type of degree: Ph.D.

Brief overview of program: We offer M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Oceanography, and the College of Geosciences offers a non-thesis Master of Geoscience that can focus in oceanography and a certificate in Ocean Observing Systems. Oceanography graduate students bring expertise from the traditional sciences, engineering and mathematics and apply it to fascinating research on ocean processes. Our greatest strength is our diversity, but our common passion is the oceans. You will find exciting opportunities to explore ocean systems in the classroom, in the laboratory, through computer models, on the coast, and on ships in all oceans of the world. We have state-of-the-art laboratory and computer facilities and a sea-going environment. Our faculty members are enthusiastic and are committed to developing new knowledge about the oceans. Please visit our web site, ocean.tamu.edu, for information about our faculty and their research specialties, as well as details about each of our four subdisciplines: biological, chemical, geological and physical oceanography.

Website: Click here for program website

Tuition (2007):In State: $5,400, Out of State: $10,400

Description of Facilities: Our programs offer exciting opportunities for graduate students to work with outstanding faculty and research scientists. Some of our faculty hold joint appointments at Texas A&M’s Galveston campus, which provides a coastal setting for graduate students with research interests in estuarine and near-shore studies. Several research centers are affiliated with our department. These include the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, an international consortium studying the structure and history of the seafloor deposits and crust as well as the deep biosphere; the Texas Sea Grant Program, a state-federal partnership focused on practical coastal issues; and the Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, an applied oceanography research center with programs in petroleum geochemistry, real-time ocean observations and environmental monitoring.

Program Faculty: A 44-member faculty offers a range of graduate courses; research is assisted by an additional 17 research scientists.

Student Support: Oceanography graduate student receive financial aid in the form of graduate assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and student loans. When you apply for admission to the graduate program, you will automatically be considered for a graduate assistantship, as well as fellowships and scholarships offered by the University, college, and department. Student loans, fellowships, and scholarships offered by other entities require separate applications. Texas A&M University is committed to providing competitive packages for graduate assistantships to attract the highest quality students. Along with an assistantship stipend, the university pays the full-time, in-state tuition for graduate assistants involved in teaching and other academic support roles. Graduate assistants assigned to research activities will have their tuition paid by grants and contracts. Graduate assistants are entitled to receive Texas A&M employee insurance. Unless you are transferring with no break in service from another Texas state agency, you will begin receiving a monthly contribution the first of the month after your 90th day of employment. The department offers two types of graduate assistantships: Graduate Assistant Research (GAR) and Graduate Assistant Teaching (GAT). Unless your offer letter specifically states otherwise, you will be required to pay applicable fees. If you are selected to receive and assistantship, you will be notified when you are accepted into the graduate program. • Research assistants conduct research with a member of the faculty. The research normally forms the topic of a thesis or dissertation, with the faculty supervisor as the chair of the student’s advisory committee. • Teaching assistants teach the laboratory sections of an undergraduate oceanography course in College Station and Galveston. Competitive teaching assistantships are available for students in Galveston to teach other classes as well.

Program Point of Contact: Jana Corley

Email: jcorley@ocean.tamu.edu

Department: Oceanography

Institution address: Texas A&M University 3146 TAMU
                             College Station,TX 77843-3146

Phone: 979-845-7412