Undergraduate

Oceanography

Study biological, chemical, and physical oceanography using state-of-the-art facilities like the Jackson Estuarine Laboratory.

Degree

Minor

Location

Durham, NH

Courses

Credit

18 hrs.

Full-time

- -

Part-time

- -

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Earth Sciences

The Oceanography minor at UNH offers foundational training in marine systems and processes. Here you'll be able to study biological, chemical, and physical oceanography using state-of-the-art facilities like the Jackson Estuarine Laboratory.

With hands-on experience and diverse coursework, this program prepares you for careers in research, government, and industry.

Earth Sciences Department

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Innovation scholars

The only first-year research and innovation program of its type in the region!

The Innovation Scholars program, open to all CEPS majors, offers students an exceptional launch to their college experience. Through multiple interdisciplinary cohorts and hands-on research in world-class facilities, students build confidence, gain real experience, and open doors to paid research, internships, and future graduate study. It’s a proven program that helps students shape their future from day one.

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James Pringle

Professor

James.Pringle@unh.edu

Morse Hall, Room 142a, Durham, NH 03824

(603) 862-5000

What is oceanography?

Are you interested in the environment around you, and does a career related to marine science appeal to you? Do your interests lie in the aquatic realm, specifically the marine systems that include oceans, estuaries and the atmosphere? The oceanography minor offers a broad foundation in biological, chemical, physical and geological oceanography, with the opportunity to explore courses in marine biology, botany, ecology and evolution,aquaculture,climate, pollution and more. Combine this minor with a major in the sciences, education or business to prepare for career opportunities in research, government, education, industry or business.

Why study oceanography at UNH?

Students in the oceanography program at UNH work with faculty who span the major disciplines of oceanography. Marine facilities at UNH include the Jackson Estuarine Laboratory, Coastal Marine Facility and vessels, the Shoals Marine Lab on Appledore Island, and a variety of research space in the Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory, Ocean Processes Analysis Laboratory, Earth Sciences and Biological Sciences Departments, and the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, a Joint Hydrographic Center with NOAA.

Potential career areas

Business
Consulting firms
Education
Government research (NOAA/NRL/USGS/USACE)
Science journalism
State regulatory agencies

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

The minor in oceanography is available to students interested in obtaining a broad background in oceanography.

All courses in the program are selected in consultation with the oceanography minor advisor, Dr. Jamie Pringle, (603) 862-5000.

Requirements for the Program

Academic policies related to Minors.

Credit toward the minor will only be given for courses passed with C- or better, and a 2.00 grade-point average must be maintained in courses for the minor.

Courses taken on a pass/fail basis may not be used for a minor.
No more than 8 credits used to satisfy major requirements may be used for the minor.
No more than 2 courses or 8 credits may be from transfer coursework. Any transferred coursework must be approved by the minor coordinator.

For additional details on how to declare a minor, please visit https://www.unh.edu/registrar/academic-records/majors-minors.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
ESCI 501	Introduction to Oceanography	4
Select two of the following:		6-8
ESCI 752	Chemical Oceanography
ESCI 758	Introductory Physical Oceanography
ESCI 759	Geological Oceanography
MEFB 755	Biological Oceanography
Select two of the following: ¹		6-8
MEFB 401	Marine Estuarine and Freshwater Biology: Freshmen Seminar
MEFB 403	Investigative Marine Biology Laboratory
MEFB 503	Introduction to Marine Biology
MEFB 508	Marine Ecosystem Research and Management
MEFB 530	Evolution and Marine Diversity
MEFB 535	Marine Mammal Biology
MEFB 625	Introduction to Marine Botany
MEFB 674	Ecology and Marine Environment
MEFB 702	Sustainable Marine Fisheries
MEFB 725	Marine Ecology
MEFB 754	Anatomy and Function of Marine Vertebrates
CEE 722	Introduction to Marine Pollution and Control
ESCI 502	Beaches and Coasts
ESCI 514	Introduction to Climate
ESCI 701	Quantitative Methods in Earth Sciences
ESCI 720	Ocean Measurements Lab
ESCI 747	Aqueous Geochemistry
ESCI 754	Sedimentology
ESCI 756	Geotectonics
ESCI 765	Paleoclimatology
ESCI/OE 771	Positioning for Ocean Mapping
OE 490	Introduction to Ocean Engineering
OE 610	Ocean Instrumentation Lab
OE 753	Ocean Hydrodynamics
OE 754	Ocean Waves and Tides
OE 757	Coastal Engineering and Processes
TECH 797	Undergraduate Ocean Research Project
ZOOL 610	Principles of Aquaculture
ZOOL 710	Sharks and Bony Fishes
MEFB 772	Fisheries Biology: Conservation and Management
MEFB 628	Marine Invertebrate Evolution and Ecology
MEFB 773	Physiology of Fishes
Total Credits		at least 18