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University of Washington

Course Requirements

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are offered. Achieving a baccalaureate degree requires a total of 180 credits, including the following:

  • Basic Science
  • Oceanography
  • Upper Division
  • Other Requirements
  • Oceanography Minor

Basic Science Core Courses - 52 to 66 Credits

Numbers in parentheses following the course title indicate the credit hours. The quarter(s) in which the course is offered follows: Autumn (A), Winter (W), Spring (Sp), Summer(S).

 

MATH:
Calculus and Analytic Geometry, Calculus for Mathematical or the Life Sciences, or Mathematical Analysis for Biologists are the sequences available to meet this requirement. These courses may have prerequisites, so make sure that you consult the course catalog. Students must select one of the following sequences.

 

PHYSICS:
A calculus-based physics or algebra-based physics sequence can be used to meet this requirement. Those student considering graduate school or those that wish to place an emphasis on physical or marine geology and geophysics should schedule the calculus-based physics sequence. Students must select one of the following sequences

 

BIOLOGY:

Two quarters of Biology are required. A third quarter (Biol 220) is highly recommended for students interested in the biological oceanography option.

 

GEOLOGY:

Either of two courses can be used to meet this requirement. Those students with a strong background in science and an interest in physical or marine geology and geophysics should schedule the Physical Geology course.

 

CHEMISTRY:

Two quarters of chemistry are required. The third course in the sequence may be extended for those students interested in biological or chemical oceanography.

Required Oceanography Courses - 39 Credits

These courses represent the 39 credits of required coursework in Ocean Science. Students should consult the University online course catalog and time schedules.

  • OCEAN 200 Introduction to Oceanography (3) Sp. - Description of the oceans. Emphasis on the relations of biology, chemistry, geology and physics in marine environments. Examination of relationships and interactions at macro-, meso- and microscales in the ocean

  • OCEAN 210 Ocean Circulation (3) A. - The large-scale circulation of the ocean. Topics include temperature-salinity analysis; water mass identification; water, salt and heat budgets; chemical tracer distributions; advection and diffusion. Prerequisite: OCEAN 200 or 101

  • OCEAN 220 Introduction to Field Oceanography (3) Sp Methods of oceanographic field study. Instruments and sampling techniques. Writing assignment to teach report-writing skills. Prerequisite: OCEAN 200 or OCEAN 250

  • OCEAN 400 Chemical Oceanography (4) W - Physical and chemical properties of seawater and marine products; processes determining chemical makeup of oceans. Prerequisite: CHEM 152, OCEAN 210.

  • OCEAN 410 Marine Geology & Geophysics (4) A Sedimentological and petrologic processes that determine the geologic record. Prerequisite: ESS 101 or 210

  • OCEAN 420 Physical Processes in Oceanography (4) W Physical properties and processes; theories and methods describing ocean currents, waves and tides. Prerequisite: either PHYS 116 or PHYS 123; either MATH 126, MATH 129, MATH 146 or QSCI 293; OCEAN 210

  • OCEAN 430 Biological Oceanography (4) A - Marine organisms, their quantitative distribution in time and space and their interactions with the ocean. Prerequisite: either BIOL 162 or BIOL 200; OCEAN 210

  • OCEAN 401, 411, 421, or 431 Topics in Oceanography (3) Specialized topics in Oceanography. Various techniques in solving oceanographic problems. For students with senior standing

  • OCEAN 442 Oceanography of Puget Sound (3) A Explore the role of oceanography in regional issues. Field opportunities and active investigation of applied oceanographic problems. Prerequisite: either CHEM 221, BIOL 220 or ESS 210; and OCEAN 430

  • OCEAN 443 Design of Oceanographic Field Experiments (3) W Case histories, presentations, and class exercises used to teach methods of formulating a research problem and proposal writing. Methods of data analysis, presentation, error estimation, library resource and data base use; web page implementation and design. Principles of cruise planning. Prerequisite: OCEAN 400; OCEAN 410; OCEAN 420; OCEAN 430; OCEAN 442.

  • OCEAN 444 Oceanic Data Interpretation (5) Sp Conduct field experiment (designed in OCEAN 443) during week-long cruise aboard a research vessel. Analyze samples/data and present results in a series of drafts and a final term paper. Results are also presented at a two-day-long public research symposium and on the students' individual web sites. Prerequisite: OCEAN 443

Upper Division Science Courses - 20 Credits

A partial list of common upper division science courses are listed here. For a full list, see the UW Course Catalog. The number in parentheses after the course number is the credits given for completion of the course.

FOR ALL STUDENTS

FOR BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY

FOR CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY

  • CHEM 237 (4), 238 (4), 239 (3) Organic Chemistry

  • CHEM 321 (5) Quantitative Analysis

  • CHEM 455 (3), 456 (3), 457 (3) Physical Chemistry

  • CHEM 460 (3) Spectroscopic Molecular Identification

FOR MARINE GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS

  • ESS 211 (5) Physical Processes of the Earth - If 211, 212 and 213 are taken, 10

  • ESS 212 (5) Earth Materials and Processes -credits can count toward UD courses for a B.S.

  • ESS 213 (5) Evolution of the Earth

  • ESS 311 (5) Geochemistry, ESS 312 (5) Geomechanics

  • ESS 313 (5) GeobiologyESS 315 (4) Environmental Geology

  • ESS 403 (3) Global GeophysicalESS 450 (4) Principles of Paleobiology

FOR PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY

  • ATMOS 301 (5) Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences (prerequisite for further AtmoSci courses)

  • APPL MATH 401 (3), 402 (3), 403 (3) Methods in Applied Mathematics I, II, III

  • MATH 307 (3) Differential Equations or AMATH 351 (3)MATH 308 (3) Linear Algebra or AMATh252 (3)

  • MATH 309 (3) Partial Differential Equations or AMATh253 (3)

  • MATH 324 (3), 326 (3) Advanced Calculus I and II

  • MATH 390 (3) Statistics & Probability for Scientists and Engineers

  • PHYS 224 (3) Thermal Physics, PHYS 225 (3) Modern Physics

  • PHYS 227 (3), 228 (3) Elementary Mathematical Physics I and II

English Composition

Five credits of English composition with a grade of 2.0 or higher is required, from the list below:

  • C LIT 240 - Writing in Comparative Literature

  • ENGL 104-105 - Introductory Composition (open to EOP students only)

  • ENGL 111 - Composition: Literature

  • ENGL 121 - Composition: Social Issues

  • ENGL 131 - Composition: Exposition

  • ENGL 197 - Interdisciplinary Writing/Humanities (VLPA)

  • ENGL 198 - Interdisciplinary Writing/Social Science (I&S)

  • ENGL 199 - Interdisciplinary Writing/Natural Science (NW)

  • ENGL 281 - Intermediate Expository Writing

  • Junior- and senior-level expository writing courses are also acceptable

 

Areas of Knowledge outside of Oceanography

Writing

Ten credits of Writing, eight of which must be in Oceanography, are required. OCEAN 220 fills this requirement. The course description follows (note the inclusion of "writing" in the description of Ocean 220):

 

OCEAN 220 Introduction to Field Oceanography (3/5) NW

Design and conduct a field study in oceanography. Field trip required (usually during Spring break). Focus on active learning, deployment of instruments, data collection, interpretation, and presentation. Honors section incorporates additional field experimentation and study in marine biology. Writing class. Prerequisite: either OCEAN 210 or OCEAN/FISH/BIOL 250. Offered: Sp.

 

OCEAN 444 Advanced Field Oceanography (5) NW

Conduct field experiment (designed in OCEAN 443) during a week-long cruise aboard a research vessel. Analyze samples data and present results in a series of drafts and a final term paper. Results are presented at a two-day-long public research symposium and on the students' individual Web sites. Prerequisite: OCEAN 443. Offered: Sp.

Minor in Oceanography (Interested in a marine biology minor?)

Enrollment in the Oceanography minor is open to all UW students. It is designed for students pursuing science degrees to tailor their studies to the marine environment. The minor could also serve as a background for a career in teaching, administration, marine affairs, environmental studies, production, inspection, instrumentation development, and statistical analysis.

MINOR IN OCEANOGRAPHY REQUIREMENTS (25 Credits)

  • Complete OCEAN 200, 210 and 220 (9 credits)

    • OCEAN 200 Introduction to Oceanography (3) Sp - Emphasis on the relationships and interactions of biology, chemistry, geology and physics in marine environments at macro-, meso- and microscales. Introduces basic oceanographic information, techniques and methods in an integrated fashion to science majors.

    • OCEAN 210 Ocean Circulation (3) A - Large-scale circulation of the ocean. Topics include temperature-salinity analysis; water mass identification; water, salt and heat budgets; chemical tracer distributions; advection and diffusion. Prerequisites: OCEAN 200 or 101.

    • OCEAN 220 Introduction to Field Oceanography (3) Sp - Methods of oceanographic field study. Instruments and sampling techniques. Writing assignment to teach report-writing skills. Prerequisite: OCEAN 210.

 

  • Pick one of the following (4 credits):

    • OCEAN 400 Chemical Oceanography (4) W - Physical and chemical properties of seawater and marine products; processes determining chemical makeup of oceans. Stable isotopes and geochemistry of marine sediments and biogeochemistry. Prerequisites: OCEAN 210, CHEM 152.

    • OCEAN 410 Marine Geology & Geophysics (4) A - Overview of sedimentological and petrologic processes that determine the geologic record. Prerequisites: either ESS 101 or 210.

    • OCEAN 420 Physical Processes in the Ocean (4) W - Physical properties and processes; theories and methods describing ocean currents, waves and tides. Prerequisites: OCEAN 210; either MATH 126 or QSCI 293; either PHYS 116 or PHYS 123.

    • OCEAN 430 Biological Oceanography (4) A - Marine organisms, their quantitative distribution in time and space and their interactions with the ocean. Prerequisites: OCEAN 210, either BIOL 102, BIOL 203 or BIOL 220.

 

  • Complete OCEAN 442 (3 credits):

    • OCEAN 442 Oceanography of the Puget Sound (3) A - Learn about Puget Sound and explore the role of oceanography in regional issues. This course includes field opportunities and active investigation of oceanographic problems. Mixture of lectures, films, field trips, guest speakers, and student discussion. Open to all science majors with junior standing, no oceanography experience necessary.

 

  • Select 9 credits of OCEAN Electives from 300-400 level Oceanography courses.