Course description
Introduction to the MSc Programme Structure
There are several routes through our MSc Oceanography programme, depending on whether a student wishes to maintain some multidiscipliniarity, or whether a student is looking for an emphasis towards possible specialisation.
In Semester 1 all students must complete a series of basic introductory courses that cover all the disciplines of Oceanography. In addition to these core courses, students must select two option courses and sit examinations in January, covering all Semester 1 courses.
In Semester 2 all students must complete three option courses. These courses are offered as short, intense units and are examined by continuous assessment of course assignments. In addition students also work on a literature review that provides a basis for their research project work.
Between May and September all students work on their chosen research project, producing a dissertation by the end of September.
MSc Programme Pathways
The MSc Oceanography degree is designed to offer both the breadth of multidisciplinary oceanography, and to allow specialisation in particular areas of marine science. A number of pathways are available, designed to provide in-depth knowledge in individual marine disciplines. Choosing one of these pathways is not a requirement; students can still maintain a multidisciplinary choice of options within the timetabling constraints of the programme.
Physical Oceanography
Suitable for students with a good physics or maths background, this pathway provides an understanding of the physical processes that drive the global ocean circulation, and that control the vertical structure of the oceans. Components of the units studied include quantifying the effects of global wind patterns on circulation, the concepts of geostrophy, potential vorticity, and flow instability, as well as tidal forces, turbulence, and oceanic mixing. Students are introduced to numerical modelling techniques in physical oceanography. Fieldwork during the course introduces the use state-of-the art oceanographic instrumentation at sea, and to data analysis techniques.
The physical oceanography pathway prepares students both for further research, and for work within government and commercial oceanographic and environmental research/consultancy laboratories.
Climate Dynamics
Suitable for students with a good physics or maths background, the climate dynamics pathway is a rigorous introduction to the processes that shape the Earth's climate. Numerical models are used to elucidate the concepts of global mean temperature, global temperature differences, and the coupling between the ocean and atmosphere. Important global biogeochemical fluxes, in particular the cycling of carbon through the atmosphere-ocean system, are described. Techniques used to assess past climate histories are explained and compared.
The climate dynamics pathway prepares students for further research, as well as providing skills in numerical methods and laboratory techniques suitable for work in government and commercial companies.
Marine Geophysics
Geophysics is the study of the physical forces and processes which have shaped our planet, the investigation of the Earth's structure by physical means such as seismic waves, and the study of the oceans, atmosphere and space. Component units teach the main techniques used in hydrocarbon exploration, the nature and evolution of the ocean basins, and numerical modelling techniques. This pathway is suitable for students with a sound physics or maths background.
The degree programme at Southampton offers unique flexibility, unrivalled facilities at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS). Masters students completing the geophysics pathway have excellent employment opportunities in areas as diverse as: oil and gas exploration, environmental assessment at sea, numerical modelling, site investigation, as well as further research.
Marine Biology and Ecology
For students with a good biological or environmental science background, the Marine Biology and Ecology pathway ranges from deep sea organisms, biological oceanography in open and coastal seas, through to some of the classic ecological theories developed in the inter-tidal zone. The NOCS provides excellent opportunities to interact with the Deep Ocean research group, and to carry out detailed fieldwork using the techniques of biological oceanography in local waters.
Courses followed on this pathway prepare students for further research, and also for more vocational work in the commercial research/consultancy sector. In particular there is an emphasis on laboratory and field techniques that is invaluable for employment in both government and commercial work.
Marine Biogeochemistry
Marine biogeochemistry is the study of chemical, biological, physical and geological interactions in the oceans. Students with a background in geology, chemistry, environmental sciences or any numerate degree programme can follow the marine biogeochemistry pathway. We need to be able to quantify exchange processes within the ocean and at its boundaries, particularly the ocean-atmosphere boundary. Our ability to predict human impact on the global environment depends upon our understanding of biogeochemical cycles on all time scales. Timescales of interest include seasonal variability through to glacial-interglacial changes and longer.
This pathway prepares students for careers in research both in the academic environment and in consultancies or industry. The students develop laboratory analytical skills in conjunction with numerical and modelling skills essential for interpretation of data. The practical training includes both boat/field work and laboratory measurements, both skills that are essential for future careers in science.
MSc in Oceanography Course Content
Semester 1
The MSc course consists of two parts: formal instruction (including lectures, practicals and boatwork) followed by a period of individual research. In the first semester all students complete a series of basic introductory modules that cover all the disciplines of oceanography.
All students must do:
Introduction to Biological Oceanography
Introduction to Chemical Oceanography
Introduction to Marine Geology
Introduction to Physical Oceanography
In addition to the introductory courses, two additional modules are also required in Semester 1 from:
Applied and Marine Geophysics
Coastal Sediment Dynamics
Introductory Remote Sensing of the Oceans
Deep Sea Ecology
Geodynamics and Solid Earth Geophysics
Biogeochemical Cycles in the Earth System
Computational Data Analysis for Geophysicists & Ocean Scientists
Large Scale Ocean Processes
Zooplankton Ecology & Processes
Microfossils, Environments & Time
International Maritime and Environmental Law
All Semester 1 modules are examined by a combination of coursework (essays, problem sheets, and/or laboratory/practical reports) and formal examinations. The examinations take place in late January.
Semester 2
During the second semester there are several option modules available, and students are required to take three in total. These modules are run as short, intense modules typically lasting three weeks. As an approximate guide, each module includes the equivalent of two weeks teaching and laboratory/fieldwork and one week working on assignments and mini-projects. All of these modules are examined solely by coursework.
The options are:
Applied Biogeochemistry and Pollution
Climate Dynamics
Ecological Modelling
Environmental Radioactivity and Radiochemistry
Global Ocean Monitoring
High Resolution Marine Geophysics
Radar Remote Sensing of the Oceans
Structure and Dynamics of Marine Communities
Global Climate Cycles
Reproduction in Marine Invertebrates
UN Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
Applied Coastal Sediment Dynamics
Basin Analysis
The research project is a significant component of the MSc programme, where students gain experience of conducting full-time research on a topic at the forefront of oceanography. Projects are supervised by one or two staff at the NOCS, either from within the School of Ocean and Earth Science or from within one of the Natural Environment Research Council divisions based at the NOCS.
In late November or early December a list of research projects being offered by staff is published on the MSc web page. Students often develop their own ideas on potential research directions during Semester 1, and then formulate a project in consultation with their tutor and appropriate NOCS staff. Projects are also offered in collaboration with research or consultancy companies outside the NOCS (recent examples being Fugro-GEOS, Dstl, and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.
By the start of the second semester all students have identified a research project and, in consultation with their research project supervisor, begin work on a literature review focused on the general area of their project topic. This allows students to become familiar with the broader issues related to their chosen research, and provides a basis for developing the project hypotheses and methods. The literature review is completed by the last week of March.
Work on the research project begins as soon as all option modules have been completed in Semester 2, no later than mid-May. The research is carried out full-time through the summer and the project dissertation handed in at the end of September. Details of the typical project timetable can be found here.
Disclaimer: These web pages are prepared in advance of the academic year to which they relate. Consequently, whilst major changes are not anticipated, details of courses may vary with staff changes, timetable amendments, etc.
