Answer 1:
Oceanography is a MULTI DISCIPLINARY science. That
means, that because the oceans are such complex
systems, one needs knowledge in many subjects.
These subjects include chemistry, physics,
fluid dynamics, geology, marine biology,
Icthyology, microbiology and many, many other
subjects. So, if one wants to study OCEANOGRAPHY,
then usually in the later years of college or in
graduate school, after you have a solid basic
understanding of ALL these subjects, you might
pick one to specialize in.
For example, if you become very interested in
marine mammals, then you would focus in Zoology
and specifically mammals, and naturally the marine
mammals. On the other hand, if you were interested
in the connection between the oceans and the
atmosphere
-the weather and climate- then you would study
physical oceanography, which involves studying the
fluid dynamics of ocean currents and circulation
at all scales, from beach erosion to the large
scale flow in oceans basins. If you were
interested in submarine volcanoes, then you would
study igneous petrology; this is the study of how
magma forms and erupts.
So, you see, there are many different aspects
to "oceanography". It would be best to find a
simple textbook that gives a” bird’s eye” view of
all these different aspects to see which ones are
of special interest.
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Answer 2:
As an interdisciplinary field, oceanography
integrates both physical and biological sciences
related to the ocean. Many different degrees can
lead to a career in oceanography, including
degrees in:
oceanography
marine biology
marine chemistry
marine ecology
marine geology
marine science
atmospheric and ocean sciences
geography and remote sensing
earth sciences
environmental science
(and others)
Of course, an oceanographer does not have to be
an expert in all of these fields; these are just
some of the common university degrees that lead to
a career in oceanography. Most oceanographers have
at least a Bachelor's degree, and many have
Master's and PhD degrees, as well.
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