Education · 1 of 5

The path

Start with a hard science, specialise in the ocean later. Most working oceanographers hold a graduate degree.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Physics, chemistry, biology and calculus. Oceanography uses all four, which is unusual.

2. 2

   Bachelor of Science (BSc)

   4 years

   Ocean sciences if your university offers it, otherwise physics, chemistry, biology or earth science with ocean courses.

3. 3

   Sea-going experience

   Summers

   Summer work on a survey vessel, at a marine station or in a lab. Employers want to know you can function on a ship.

4. 4

   Master's degree

   2 years

   This is the normal entry point for real oceanography work. You pick one of the four branches here.

5. 5

   Doctorate, if you want to run research

   4 to 5 years

   Needed for professor and lead scientist roles, not for technical and monitoring jobs.