Job Description

What: Oceanography is the branch of Earth Science which deals with the study of oceans and seas with specific importance to coastline, estuaries, coastal waters, shelves and the ocean bed. The subject of study covers wide range of topics, including marine organisms and ecosystem dynamics; ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamics; plate tectonics and the geology of the sea floor; and fluxes of various chemical substances and physical properties within the ocean and across its boundaries. A person who studies these aspects of the oceans is known as Oceanographer or Marine Biologist. The work of an Oceanographer requires the scientific knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, geophysics, mathematics and engineering science. This emerging field gives the opportunity to gain scientific knowledge as well employment in various public and private organizations. Making a career in Oceanography is really challenging. It takes students to the world within our oceans which is yet to be discovered. The student is imparted with the knowledge through theoretical as well as practical classes. A fresher, after completing post-graduation in Oceanography can earn a monthly salary between Rs 8,000 – Rs 12, 000 in public sector. The salary is slightly higher in the private sector. With a Ph.D., one can earn more than Rs 75, 000 per month. The salary of oceanographers is relatively higher in foreign countries. Countries like US, UK, France offer pay package between $50,000 and $80,000 a year. The salary varies according to the experience and qualifications of the oceanographer. How: Oceanographers apply the basic sciences to study the world’s oceans and coastal waters. They study the motion and circulation of the ocean waters and their physical and chemical properties, and how these properties affect coastal areas, climate, and weather. Often, they are chemists, physicists, biologists, or geologists who bring their special skills to ocean studies. Being essentially a research–oriented profession, long periods are spent at the sea with all its challenges and hazards. Depending upon the areas of specialisation they work in several fields such as marine biology, geological oceanography, physical oceanography and chemical oceanography. The minimum educational qualification for this course is a bachelor’s degree in science i.e. B.Sc. or in Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Fishery Science, Earth Science, Physics, Agriculture , Microbiology, Applied Sciences or in any other equivalent disciplines. Training is usually on the job, combined with short courses, seminars and conferences, and self-managed learning through reading and personal research. Much of the training is by learning from others, both in your own and other scientific disciplines. Where: Making career in Oceanography is challenging as well as rewarding. There are large employment opportunities for Geographers/ Meteorologists/ Oceanographers in both public and private sectors. A good oceanographer must be willing to spend at least 50 percent of his/her time at sea engaged in surveys or conducting research. The sacrifices involved in this type of sea duty are tremendous; however, most oceanographers have found that the rewards that come from discovering the ocean’s secrets far outweigh the imposition of long deployments at sea Institutions:

• Alagappa University- Karaikkudi
• Andhra University- Vishakhapatnam
• Annamalai University- Chidambaram
• Cochin University of Science and Technology- Cochin
• Indian Institute of Technology- Various locations
• Berhampur University-Berhampur
• Goa University- Goa
• Mangalore University-Mangalore