About this Degree The Ocean Science Major (B.S.) provides students with a deep, interdisciplinary understanding of the structure and function of marine systems, from global oceans to local estuarine environments, and their interactions with the earth/atmosphere system. The major will equip students with the critical thinking skills and analytical tools needed to design, carry out, and interpret scientific studies in a broad range of environmental fields. Faculty on the Athens campus and at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography are engaged in cutting-edge research into the biological, chemical, geological, and physical aspects of marine systems on the Georgia coast and around the globe, and as such can provide students with a diverse range of learning and research opportunities. Many of our majors will spend a semester on the coast at the Skidaway Institute, taking courses and participating in research. Ocean Science (B.S.) explores ocean environments and ocean ecosystems, enhances ocean and environmental literacy and critical thinking skills, and helps train the next generation of ocean and environmental scientists in Georgia and the U.S. The UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and the Marine Institute on Sapelo Island provides experiential opportunities for undergraduates through residential teaching and research programs. What you will learn The Ocean Science (B.S.) program provides undergraduate students with a deep, interdisciplinary understanding of the structure and function of all aspects of the global oceans and their interactions with the earth and atmosphere system and equips them with the critical thinking skills and analytical tools to design, carry out, and interpret scientific studies in a broad range of environmental fields. Faculty on the Athens campus and at Skidaway Institute are engaged in well-funded, cutting-edge research into the physical, chemical, geological, and biological aspects of marine systems on the Georgia coast and around the globe and provide undergraduates with unparalleled instruction and a diverse range of research opportunities. Our majors spend a semester on the coast (highly encouraged, but not required) involved in courses and research, providing students with experiential opportunities in the ocean environment. For those students who cannot participate in the coastal semester at Skidaway Institute, students can meet the requirements through research opportunities available on campus with our Athens faculty. Courses taught at Skidaway Institute can also be taken via our distance teaching and learning video conferencing capabilities. Other Information about Degree or Program Certificates that are relevant to the Ocean Science major: Certificate in Sustainability Environmental Ethics Certificate Program Water Resources Certificate Geographic Information Science (GIScience) Certificate Program Applied Data Science Certificate Certificate in Atmospheric Sciences Environmental Education General Research Information: Research Opportunities There are multiple opportunities for students to participate in research activities in Athens, Sapelo, and Skidaway: MARS 4510 and MARS 4960. Please visit our Coastal Study Programs page on our website: https://mars.franklin.uga.edu/coastal-study-away-programs Visit Ocean Science website for more details: https://marsci.uga.edu/research Student Organizations Ocean Initiative Employment Information Employers: Possible Careers Natural resources Aquaculture Public policy Water quality monitoring programs Environmental engineering technicians Zoologists and wildlife biologists Conservation scientists Geoscientists Geological and petroleum technicians Private consulting Field/lab technicians Educators Resource managers Environmental consultants Federal/State agencies Non-governmental organizations Wildlife and nature centers Pursue advanced degrees in Oceanography or related fields Peacecorps Visit Ocean Science website for more details: https://marsci.uga.edu/career-opportunities
