Why this Program? | Oceanography

Among the few undergraduate programs of its kind in California, a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography at Cal Poly Humboldt provides a firm foundation in the study of the ocean environment and its inhabitants through a rigorous combination of academics and practical oceangoing experience on the North Coast.

Oceanography is often confused with Marine Biology (the study of marine organisms). While both disciplines are similar, Oceanography examines the interactions of marine organisms with one another and with their physical, chemical, and geological environment. These complex interactions require the use of techniques from a range of scientific fields.

With a strong foundation in science and oceanic studies, you will have the knowledge and skills to tackle some of the most pressing issues that affect the health of our oceans and in turn, the health of our planet. Those issues include rising seawater, pollutants, the impact of human activity on marine ecosystems, and seismic activity.

Location

Humboldt is just minutes away from the Pacific Ocean, giving you easy access not only to the largest and deepest ocean on Earth, but also to a unique stretch of coastal California known as the North Coast, which is home to some of California’s most wild and pristine coastline.

For years, Humboldt has been the only major institution with a coastal presence between Bodega Bay, California and Coos Bay, Oregon. The North Coast is among the least understood regions of the West Coast, providing students unique opportunities for research with faculty, internships, and volunteer work.

Practical Experience

The Oceanography program is based heavily in field-based experiences that will hone your critical thinking skills and reinforce what you're learning in the classroom.

Your immersion into Oceanography begins right away. As a freshman, you’ll automatically be part of the Rising Tides learning community. It’s a yearlong program designed to teach you marine science by letting you be a marine scientist. And you’ll build connections with students who are as passionate about the ocean as you.

We’re a small, close-knit department that focuses on more than academics. As early as your sophomore year, you’ll engage in internships and paid research opportunities. For instance, undergraduate students have been hired to deploy balloons that measure gas concentrations in the atmosphere -- data they used for further research and their thesis.

Throughout your time at Humboldt, you'll learn and practice the techniques needed to conduct research at sea and in the laboratory. Aboard our 90-foot ocean-going research vessel, the Coral Sea, you’ll use key research techniques. Learn to use trawls, plankton nets, box-corers, sediment grab samplers, CTD/Rosette samplers, side-scanning sonar, and other oceanographic sampling equipment. By the time you graduate, you can expect to log around 100 hours at sea.

In addition to being in the open ocean, you’ll have access to the Marine Lab in nearby Trinidad where several of the core Oceanography courses are taught and often used for student and faculty research projects. The lab is well equipped for marine education and research, including a constantly recharged seawater system with chiller, a wet laboratory for rearing marine invertebrates and fishes, a culture room for larval invertebrates and algae, a walk-in freezer, a walk-in cold room, a large shop for design and fabrication of experimental equipment, and a microscope room. Our cutting-edge equipment includes the Burkolator, sophisticated equipment designed to measure ocean acidification in real time.

Curriculum

Our rigorous, broad, and versatile program can be tailored to a range of subdisciplines in science, such as Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Physics, even SCUBA.

Humboldt’s B.S. Oceanography program is designed specifically for students interested in pursuing professional, research or academic careers and/or advanced degrees in ocean sciences.

Once you master the basics, you'll take courses with an oceanic focus, such as biological oceanography, chemical oceanography, geological oceanography and physical oceanography. You'll learn and practice the techniques needed to conduct research at sea and in the laboratory. You'll also gain the critical writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills necessary for your success in the scientific and technical world.

Your experience at Humboldt culminates with a scientific research project under the supervision and guidance of faculty. The end result? You graduate with more than a degree — you graduate with skills and experience.

Faculty

We’re a small close-knit department of faculty who often work closely with and mentor students. They’re also active researchers involved in numerous projects that contribute to the field of Oceanography and our understanding of our oceans. As participants of the Integrated Ocean Observing system, for example, they collect data on Humboldt Bay and the coastal ocean surface current. Faculty integrate their knowledge into their teaching by sharing up-to-date information and research techniques with students.

After Graduation

Because the Oceanography degree is a rigorous and interdisciplinary program in science and math, many students go on to graduate school. Others pursue careers in the fields of biological oceanography, chemical oceanography, geologic oceanography, physical oceanography, marine environmental science, management and consulting, with state or federal governments, in science outreach and teaching, or in the private sector.

Freshmen Learning Community

Living minutes away from some of the most wild, pristine, and vibrant coastline in California, you can venture onto the open ocean to explore its depths aboard a 90-foot research vessel, or wade into rocky tidepools to study sea stars. Real-world experiences like these help you not only learn marine science, but also puts you on a path to becoming a marine scientist. This program is for Biology (Marine Biology concentration) and Oceanography majors.

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