The oceanography major is composed of
a rigorous sequence of courses leading to the Bachelor of
Science degree. Laboratory and field work take advantage of
Hawai'i's oceanic setting, and its wide variety of readily
accessible marine environments, ranging from small, shallow
estuaries to the deep ocean, only a few hours away. The University's
42-foot research vessel, Kaholo, is used extensively for advanced
field work. Based on superior achievement and faculty recommendation,
students may participate in an honors-level research project
during their final semester. Completion of the oceanography
major prepares students to enter careers in the private or
public sectors and the domestic or international fields such
as marine environmental analysis and protection, natural products
chemistry, coastal dynamics, and interpretation or teaching
the marine sciences. Students wishing to pursue their studies
at the graduate level also achieve the academic preparation
to pursue a master's or doctoral degree in oceanography.
Program Objectives
Demonstrates an understanding
of the fundamental principles in the physical and biological
sciences
Demonstrates the ability to apply and integrate scientific principles
from chemistry, physics, geology, and biology to understand complex
processes in the marine environment.
Demonstrates the ability to plan and implement observational
and experimental studies of marine systems and analyze the data
obtained from these studies using appropriate mathematical and
statistical techniques.
Demonstrates the ability to communicate scientific ideas effectively
in written and oral formats using appropriate computer applications
for data analysis and presentation.
Demonstrates the ability to find published information from
a variety of printed and electronic sources.
Demonstrates the ability to use the perspective or physics,
chemistry, geology and biology to understand the functioning of
the marine systems.
