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The ocean beckons...
What is oceanography?

Besides being a means of travel, trade, and defence, oceans are becoming the focus of research to satisfy food and mineral resource needs as well as economic and social requirements. It is for the latter segment that we turn to oceanography, which deals with the study of oceans and their related activities. Oceanographic research includes study of underwater volcanoes, assessment and extraction of mineral wealth from the ocean basin, development of environmental technology to treat contamination of ocean water.
There are various fields of Oceanography, a few of which are listed here:
Physical oceanography: This deals with the study of movements of the ocean water which includes features such as wave motions, tides, currents and temperature and density of seawater.
Chemical oceanography: Deals with the chemical composition and quality of seawater, salinity and the impact of pollutants. It includes the study of ocean currents around the globe to know more about climatic changes, and also includes finding technology to recover valuable elements from the sea.
Marine Biology: It studies the life processes in marine environments, the various aspects of marine life, such as the quantity of food produced in the sea, generating larger quantities.

Geological and geophysical oceanography: It deals with studies about the geophysical nature and structure of the ocean floor and tries to understand the process that created the ocean basins. This information is utilised in selecting suitable locations for marine structures and for tapping the oceans' mineral sources.

Studies required

In India, Oceanography is not a separate subject at the degree level. A bachelor's degree in physics, biology, geology or civil engineering is required to study oceanography at the postgraduate level. You can also enter this field by completing BSc/BE or MSc/ME/MTech in marine biology, marine biotechnology, marine geology, marine science, marine zoology, botany, marine geophysics, applied geophysics, ocean engineering, marine technology or geotechnology
The employment scene

Besides the oil exploration and petroleum and petrochemicals industries such as Essar Oil, Reliance Industries and ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Commission), various government departments concerned with the ocean environment and marine resources, the Geological Survey of India and National Institute of Oceanography employ oceanographers. The work is usually research oriented and a lot of time is spent collecting samples, conducting surveys, analysing data and problem solving, and oceanographers spend most of their days on research vessels. Many other areas like surveys of coastal areas and geophysical investigations also require oceanographers. A research generally receives a stipend of approximately Rs5000 to Rs9000.Remuneration is higher in private sector enterprises.
Where do I study?

Most of the degree level courses in this field are for the duration of three years. You need to have a degree in pure sciences before pursuing an M.Sc. in oceanography. For a Ph.D., M.Sc. in any of the basic sciences is required to commence marine research. Duration of the courses is 3 years.
Some of the more reputed institutions offering courses in the area of oceanography are:
dot.gif (872 bytes) Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai
dot.gif (872 bytes) Cochin University of Science and Technology
dot.gif (872 bytes) Annamalai University
dot.gif (872 bytes) Karnataka Engineering College
dot.gif (872 bytes) Mumbai Institute of Technology
dot.gif (872 bytes) National Institute of Oceanography
Remuneration
A research generally receives a stipend of approximately Rs5000 to Rs9000. Remuneration is higher in private sector enterprises.
Name of College Course Duration Required Qualification
College of Fisheries
Pusa Rajendra Agricultural University, Bihar		 B.Sc. (Fisheries) 4 Years Higher Secondary (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) with 45%
Berhampur University
Bhanja Vihar, Berhampur-760007, District: Ganjam, Orissa		 M.Sc (Marine Sciences) 2 Years B.Sc Degree
Utkal University
P.O. VaniVihar, Bhubaneshwar-751004, Orissa		 M.Sc (Marine Zoology) 2 Years B.Sc Degree
Goa University
P.O Santacruz, Teleigao Plateau, Goa-403002		 B.Sc (Marine Science)
M.Sc (Marine Science)		 3 Years
2 Years 		10+2 B.Sc Degree
University of Chennai
Centenary Buildings, Chepauk, Chennai-600005		 M.Sc (Marine Geology)
M.Sc (Ocean Life Sciences)		 2 Years
2 Years 		B.Sc (Geology) B.Sc (Botany) / B.Sc (Geology)
Mangalore University
University Campus, Mangalagangothri-574199, Karnataka		 M.Sc (Marine Geology) 2 Years B.Sc Degree
Andhra Pradesh University
Waltair-530003, Andhra Pradesh		 MSc 2 Years B.Sc
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
Cochin, Kerala		 MSc 2 Years B.Sc (Chemistry/ Zoology)B.Sc (Fisheries) with 55%
College of Fisheries
Ratnagiri, Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra		 B.Sc (Fisheries) M.Sc (Fisheries) 3 Years
2 Years		 10+2 with Science B.Sc ( majoring in either Zoology or Fisheries)
Central Institute of Fisheries Education
Versova, Mumbai, Maharashtra		 Diploma in Fisheries
M.Sc (Fisheries)		 2 Years
2 Years		 Degree in Science with Zoology or B.Sc (Fisheries) Same as above
Kerala Agricultural University
Vellanikara, Trichur, Kerala		 B.Sc (Fisheries) M.Sc 4 Years
2 Years		 10+2 with Science B.Sc (Fisheries) with 55%
Cochin University of Science and Technology
P.O: Cochin-682022, Kerala		 M.Sc inMarine Biology Oceanography Marine Geology 2 years B.Sc
University of Bombay
Bombay, Maharashtra		 B.Sc (Aquarial Science) 3 Years 10+2
University of Goa B.Sc (Aquarial Science) 3 Years 10+2
College of Fisheries
Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu		 B.Sc (Fisheries) M.Sc (Fisheries) 4 Years
2 Years		 10+2 with 70% B.Sc (Fisheries)
Goa University,
P O Santa Cruz, Teleigao Plataeu, Goa 403002		 B.Sc. in Marine Science   12th
Cochin University of Science and Technology, P O Cochin 682022, Kerala M.Sc. in Marine Bio., Oceanography, Marine Geology   B. Sc.
Mangalore University, University Campus, Mangalagangothri 574199, Karnataka M.Sc. in Marine Geology   B. Sc.
University of Chennai, Centenary Building, Chepauk, Chennai 600005 M.Sc. in Marine Geology   Geology main equivalent exam needs to be taken
University of Chennai, Centenary Building, Chepauk, Chennai 600005 M.Sc. in Ocean Life Sciences   B.Sc. in Botany or Zoology
Andhra Pradesh University, Waltair 530003, Andhra Pradesh M.Sc. in Marine Science M.Sc in Meteorology and Oceanography   B. Sc. in any related field
Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 760007, Dist. Ganjam, Orissa M.Sc. in Marine Sciences   B. Sc.
Goa University,
P O Santa Cruz, Teleigao Plataeu, Goa 403002		 M.Sc. in Marine Science   B. Sc.
Utkal University,
P O Vanivihar, Bhubaneshwar 751004, Orissa		 M.Sc. in Marine Zoology   B.Sc. or B.Sc. and B.Ed.
Salary

The starting salary after your postgraduation can be in the range or Rs 6,500 to Rs 8,000 per month in the government sector and slightly higher in the private sector. With a Ph.D., you can earn about Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per month.