Oceanography
Marine Biology Chemistry Physics Geology and Engineering
The Compact Oxford English Dictionary defines oceanography as ‘the branch of science concerned with the physical and biological properties and phenomena of the sea’.
Branches of Oceanography
- Marine Biology - Marine Biologists study everything that lives in the oceans. This includes all marine plants and animals, as well as micro-organisms. It also occupies itself with the ecology of these many organisms, from the study of the requirements of individual species upto the consideration of entire habitats and how they work.
- Marine Chemistry - The Chemists are interested in the way the sea interacts with the atmosphere and with the complex mixture of compounds that go to make up sea-water. When one considers the extremes of temperature and pressure that can exist within the oceans this chemistry becomes very complicated.
- Marine Geology - Geologists look at the rocks and sediments that go to make the sea-bed, and at the way the tectonic plates move. They are also interested in the materials that come up to the ocean floor through volcanic activity
- Physical Oceanography - Physical Oceanographers concern themselves with ocean currents, the tides and the properties of waves. Differences of temperature, salinity and pressure are also part of their remit.
- Marine Engineering - Our use of the oceans’ resources requires engineers to design and build things as diverse as ships, submersibles and oil platforms. Conditions in, on, and under the sea can be extreme and the challenges that marine engineers face are enormous.
Careers in Oceanography
Obviously you will need to decide which branch of oceanography appeals most, and then go on to study it in depth. Not all oceanographers ride around in boats, and not all marine biologists play with dolphins – there are very many Careers in Oceanography, Marine Science & Marine Biology. It is always a good idea to have an ultimate goal in mind when you begin your studies, but it is equally important to be flexible and consider new possibilities. You will probably only become aware of your abilities and interests as your studies progress, and you will hear about job opportunities that you did not know existed – indeed some of them might not yet exist! (Who could have imagined becoming a computer programmer before the invention of computers?)
Two Famous Oceanographers
- Jacques Cousteau must be one of the most famous oceanographers of the last century, he was a writer, film-maker and involved in the invention of the aqualung and scuba diving.
- Charles Darwin is best known for his theory of evolution, but early in his life he was a keen marine biologist and during his voyage on HMS Beagle he studied many marine phenomena – surely he must rank as an ‘honorary oceanographer’ at least!
Primary Source: Oxford Dictionaries
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