Disciplines Not Usually Associated with Ocean Sciences

When envisioning a career involving the ocean, many people think of swimming with whales or dolphins, living on a ship, or tending to fish in an aquarium. While those activities can be a reality, there are several disciplines that people do not often associate with study of the ocean.

Because oceanography is an expanding, inter-disciplinary field, the areas of research listed below are only a small sample of the ways to become involved in an ocean sciences career. 

Robotics

The field of robotics is integral to 21^st century oceanographic research. Currently there are over 400 unmanned underwater robots roving the oceans at any given time, sensing and reporting volumes of oceanographic data. And their numbers are increasing given improvements in efficiency, affordability and usability. Ocean observing systems being installed all over the world contain robotic components required for operations. And innovations in robotics are producing robotic fish, lobsters, etc that can swim and crawl through the ocean to collect data. Please see the Engineering area of the site to learn more.

Mathematics

Mathematics is used frequently in oceanography, including statistical techniques, data manipulation and modeling and prediction. Ocean scientists are required to have a firm foundation in mathematics  and some applied mathematics undergraduate programs are good preparation for an oceanography graduate program. In fact, some universities offer joint degrees in mathematics and oceanography. Please see the Mathematics area of the site to learn more.

Computer Science

Many problems in oceanography require the use of computers for mathematical modeling or the analysis and visualization of large and complex data sets. Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in oceanography would be well advised to take a course in modeling, if not to fully understand the field, to be able to communicate with computer scientists. Some universities offer joint programs in computing and oceanography due to such a high demand in the field.