W
University of Washington

Dr Russ McDuff, DirectorWelcome

Dr. Virginia Armbrust, Director

We're pleased you've taken the time to visit our web. Our diverse research programs and an emphasis on experiential education provide rich opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students. These links will help you learn about our program and provide you with the specific tools you'll need to apply for admission. We look forward to seeing you on campus.

 

The School of Oceanography has four academic options: Biological Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography, Marine Geology and Geophysics, and Physical Oceanography and a wide array of research initiatives. Discover our Academic Options.

Prospective Undergraduate Students

  • Program
  • How to Apply
  • Experiences
  • Alumni

From Many Perspectives, It's the Right Choice

  • a small school with all the advantages of a large research university

  • links to international research programs

  • opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience

  • close proximity to coastal waters and access to the open ocean

  • two world-class research vessels and countless field and lab instruments

  • the oldest Oceanography undergraduate program in the nation, we celebrated 50 years in 2005

  • the only national program offering all degrees: BA, BS, MS and PhD level studies

Fundamentals of the Oceanography Program

  • the curriculum is rigorous and quantitative

    • station orientation

    Giving instructions,
    Ocean 444    , March 2010

  • coursework prepares students for work in academic, research, consulting and educational settings

  • small class sizes (< 30) with ties to externally-funded research activities

  • students develop strong personal skills while learning to function as part of a team

  • individual opportunities are given to tailor study toward

    • Biological Oceanography & Marine Biology

    • Chemical & Biochemical Oceanography

    • Physical Processes & Fluid Dynamics

    • Marine Geology & Geophysics

Interested in Applying?

Oceanography students

 

For non-degree enrollment

A Wealth of Experiences Awaits You

An Undergraduate

"When I was applying for colleges, I was really impressed with the oceanography program at the University of Washington because of the unique learning opportunities it provides to its students...
I declared oceanography as an incoming freshman ...."
  -- Allison Myers-Pigg, sophomore - view Allison's spotlight

 

 

An Undergraduate"I enjoyed how interdisciplinary the major was, in which the chemistry, biology and physics, and are deeply connected in most discussions of oceanography. I was also extremely impressed by the people involved in oceanography at the UW; I have yet to take an ocean course not instructed by an exceptional professor."
  --Fran Janny, class of Spring 2010 - view Fran's spotlight

Videos

Click on images below to launch the videos:

Core Sampling in Effingham Inlet   Kermadec Arc Cruise 2009

Students learned how to
perform core sampling
during 2010 cruise

 

Prof. Keil's "Kermadec Arc
Cruise 2009: a 10-day voyage
in less than 10 minutes"

View images and blogs from past Ocean 444 expeditions:

Alumni

Alumni of the Program are employed in these fields and more (view alumni spotlights - Heidi Berkenbosch, Jasper Boas, Chase Andrew Stoudt)Alumni at work

  • marine ecology

  • environmental engineering

  • high school & K-8 education

  • seismology

  • environmental outreach & public awareness

  • college & university education

  • forensic sciences

  • resource management

  • science journalism

  • molecular biology & biotechnology

  • consulting & environmental design

  • meterology

  • computer sciences

  • environmental law

  • water water monitoring

  • medicine & human health

  • merchant marines

  • intertidal habitat restoration

  • aquaculture & sea farming

  • commericial diving

  • industrial chemistry

Prospective Graduate Students

  • How to Apply
  • Experiences
  • UW Resources
  • Research
  • Funding

UW School of Oceanography Application Procedures and Instructions

tying the knotApplications for Autumn 2011 are due by January 15th, 2011.

 

Applications must be made to the UW Graduate School: http://www.grad.washington.edu/admissions/.

 

 INSTRUCTIONS FOR
U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Immigrants

 INSTRUCTIONS FOR
International Applicants

 

IN ADDITION:

Both U.S. Citizens and International Applicants must send the following to:
Michelle Townsend, Graduate Student Services
University of Washington
School of Oceanography
Box 357940
Seattle, Washington 98195-7940

 

One official copy of transcript(s) from ALL Colleges or Universities you have attended. Transcripts may read "Issued to Student" if they are sealed in the Registrar's envelope and signed or stamped on the seal. If your university does not issue "official" transcripts to students, the Registrar may send directly to us.

 

Instruct the Educational Testing Service to send official GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION (GRE) scores to Institution Code 4854. ETS is sometimes untimely in reporting scores. If your examination date is December or later, please mail or FAX a Xerox of your student report, or e-mail your scores and percentiles when they are available. Subject tests are not required. The School will accept older scores.

A Wealth of Experiences Awaits You

Liz Tobin shoveling on board the BarnesI am currently finishing two papers that have come out of my first three years of graduate study... In addition to my research, I will be finishing up my NSF funded OACIS GK-12 teaching fellowship... This fellowship has provided me with a unique opportunity to advance my teaching and communication skills, while funding my graduate research!
-- Liz Tobin, Biological Oceanography - view Liz's spotlight

 

 

Sally and matesField work is one of the most exciting aspects of being an oceanographer. I've also gone on many cruises as part of classes that I've been in or been the teaching assistant for. One of the best of these experiences was in the Estuarine and Coastal Fluid Dynamics class at the Friday Harbor Labs. Field projects in the waters around the San Juan Islands and the Puget Sound were a big part of this intensive, five-week summer course. I was also the TA for OCEAN 201, an undergraduate oceanography lab course. For this class, all of the students get to go on a day-long field trip on the R/V Barnes to the Puget Sound. This is an amazing opportunity for many of the students to be on a ship for the first time doing hands-on oceanography.
-- Sally Warner, Physical Oceanography - view Sally's spotlight

 

UW Graduate School Resources

The UW Graduate School Resources for Graduate Students page has information on:

Sediiment Core - Galapagos

  • Graduate Education: Policies, Guidelines, Goals and Initiatives

  • Finances: Support, Aid, Work

  • Life: UW living for TAs, Academic Student Employee Unionization, Employees, Parents

  • GPSS: The Graduate and Professional Student Senate

  • Career Development: Life after Graduate School

 

If you have questions or wish to request printed application or information materials, please contact the Oceanography Academic Advisor:

Michelle Townsend

Phone: (206) 543-5039,
FAX: (206) 543-6073, or

E-mail: mtown@ocean.washington.edu.

Research

It is helpful to know ahead of time who you would like to have as a graduate advisor. Oceanography contains so many diverse opportunities for research that it can be a daunting task to find an advisor unless you are aware of what studies you would like to pursue.

 

For a list of all graduate advisors, go to Graduate Advisors.

External Fellowships

National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG) - As a means of increasing the number of U.S. citizens and nationals trained in science and engineering disciplines of military importance, the Department of Defense (DoD) plans to award approximately 200 new three-year graduate fellowships in April 2009, subject to the availability of funds.

 

National Science Foundation Graduate Education - The Division of Graduate Education (DGE) leads the National Science Foundation’s efforts to attract the most talented US students into graduate studies, and to support them in their quest to become the leading scientists and engineers of the future. In the past year, DGE supported approximately 4500 students in graduate programs in the various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields.

 

American Meterological Society Industry/Government Graduate Fellowships - AMS/INDUSTRY/GOVERNMENT GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS are sponsored by industry leaders and government agencies and are designed to attract promising young scientists to prepare for careers in the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic fields.

 

Nancy Foster scholarships - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding scholarship and encourages independent graduate level research -- particularly by female and minority students -- in oceanography, marine biology and maritime archaeology.

 

Hertz Foundation Fellowships - Since 1963, the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation has awarded over 1000 doctoral fellowships with the goal of supporting the early stage research endeavors of applied physical, biological, and engineering science students who possess the potential to change our world for the better by solving difficult, real-world problems.

 

NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) - The NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) is an Agency-wide fellowship program for graduate study leading to masters or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering related to NASA research and development. This twelve month award strongly encourages a research experience at the NASA center extending the GSRP Fellowship.