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The University of Western Australia (UWA)

  • 22% international / 78% domestic

Master of Oceanography

  • Masters (Coursework)

Challenge yourself with Australia's only Master of Oceanography while gaining a unique experience at UWA In this course you will develop advanced knowledge of the physical, chemical, geological and biological interactions applied to coastal and ocean systems as well as important practical and...

Key details

Degree Type
Masters (Coursework)
Course Code
71590
Study Mode
In person

About this course

The oceans provide food for the global population, act as a conduit for global trade, provide a source of renewable energy and drive vibrant coastal economies. To utilise the ocean in a sustainable manner, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and drive the Blue Economy, graduates are in demand with a sound understanding of coastal and ocean processes. Western Australia's location on the Indian Ocean rim, and unique mix of coastal and ocean environments, creates an excellent living laboratory for studying oceanography at a world class university. The Master of Oceanography provides a pathway for students with undergraduate degrees in marine science or engineering, or related disciplines, to undertake advanced study for careers in the marine sector. The Master of Oceanography has core units that will ensure graduates have strong interdisciplinary knowledge and technical skills to take advantage of diverse career opportunities in government, industry, consultancies, and research institutions. These units span climate geoscience, coastal hazards and adaptation, marine geoscience, coastal dynamics, physical oceanography and observational methods and modelling. Elective units provide additional breadth and allow student to specialise in a range of oceanography sub-disciplines (e.g. physical, biological, chemical and geological), while the research project or capstone units provide specific advanced disciplinary knowledge and skills.

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

If you're interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate course, find out the admission details below

Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have-
(a) a Bachelor of Science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) successfully completed prior tertiary study in-marine science, environmental, engineering or physical sciences; or a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have-
(a) a Bachelor of Science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) successfully completed prior tertiary study in-marine science, environmental, engineering or physical sciences; or a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
Ranking and Selection Process
Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT
English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT
English competency

Study locations

Perth

Career pathways

Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

The Master of Oceanography has core units that seek to ensure students have strong interdisciplinary knowledge and technical skills to take advantage of diverse career opportunities in government, industry, consultancies and research institutions. The need for marine and coastal management, marine renewable energy, safe use of the ocean and aquaculture will require graduates with interdisciplinary knowledge of oceanography.

Job opportunities could include:

Oceanographer

Oceanographers broadly understand and inter-relate all aspects of the ocean. Examples include the processes that drive ocean currents, how the oceans regulate our climate, and the links between ocean chemistry and biological processes. Oceanographers are employed in many areas including companies who operate in the oceans, consulting companies who advise industry or government, and government agencies. Specific tasks oceanographers undertake may include:

    • Understanding the physical, chemical and/or biological processes in the ocean
    • Predicting oceanographic processes like waves and currents for a range of applications (e.g. industry-access and public-access forecasting)
    • Studying the links and predicting the impacts of climate change on the ocean environment and biology
    • Collecting and analysing oceanographic datasets
    • Predicting how ocean processes impact a range of activities such as shipping, aquaculture, and marine renewables
    • Assisting in the design of marine infrastructure
    • Providing input to marine managers, governments, and the general public on how ocean processes impact a range of societal issues (e.g. marine parks)

    Coastal Manager/Officer

    Government agencies that have oversight or an interest in the coast typically employ coastal managers or officers. Coastal managers/officers are key to developing and enacting coastal planning measures and ensuring safe and continued access to the coast for the general public. As a coastal manager/officer your tasks may include:

      • Developing short- and long-term plans to address coastal erosion and flooding associated with climate change
      • Developing coastal erosion and inundation mitigation strategies
      • Overseeing coastal mitigation works
      • Assisting in the design of coastal protection structures, coastal access facilities, and marine facilitates (e.g. ports)
      • Communicating coastal hazards to the general public and industries situated on the coast
      • Rehabilitating and enhancing coastal and marine environments and habitats

      Coastal and Oceanographic Consultant

      Given the complexity of coastal and oceanographic processes many government agencies and industries hire specialised consultants to conduct studies and advise them on a range of activities. As a coastal or oceanographic consultant your tasks may include:

        • Assessing and mitigating coastal erosion and inundation hazards
        • Collecting and analysing marine and coastal data sets
        • Advising government and industry on coastal and marine infrastructure design
        • Deploying and delivering real-time data streams to inform marine operations
        • Designing and enacting marine monitoring programs
        • Developing and delivering marine forecasts
        • Assessing marine impacts from proposed coastal and marine developments
        • Designing and enacting mitigation strategies for industrial impacts to the marine environment
        • Rehabilitating and enhancing coastal and marine environments and habitats

        Other job opportunities may include:

          • Coastal Geologist
          • Meteorologist
          • Fisheries Scientist
          • Marine Conservation Specialist
          • Marine Geochemist
          • Applied Ocean Scientist
          • Climate Scientist
          • Ocean Data Scientist
Career Pathways

The Master of Oceanography has core units that seek to ensure students have strong interdisciplinary knowledge and technical skills to take advantage of diverse career opportunities in government, industry, consultancies and research institutions. The need for marine and coastal management, marine renewable energy, safe use of the ocean and aquaculture will require graduates with interdisciplinary knowledge of oceanography.

Job opportunities could include:

Oceanographer

Oceanographers broadly understand and inter-relate all aspects of the ocean. Examples include the processes that drive ocean currents, how the oceans regulate our climate, and the links between ocean chemistry and biological processes. Oceanographers are employed in many areas including companies who operate in the oceans, consulting companies who advise industry or government, and government agencies. Specific tasks oceanographers undertake may include:

    • Understanding the physical, chemical and/or biological processes in the ocean
    • Predicting oceanographic processes like waves and currents for a range of applications (e.g. industry-access and public-access forecasting)
    • Studying the links and predicting the impacts of climate change on the ocean environment and biology
    • Collecting and analysing oceanographic datasets
    • Predicting how ocean processes impact a range of activities such as shipping, aquaculture, and marine renewables
    • Assisting in the design of marine infrastructure
    • Providing input to marine managers, governments, and the general public on how ocean processes impact a range of societal issues (e.g. marine parks)

    Coastal Manager/Officer

    Government agencies that have oversight or an interest in the coast typically employ coastal managers or officers. Coastal managers/officers are key to developing and enacting coastal planning measures and ensuring safe and continued access to the coast for the general public. As a coastal manager/officer your tasks may include:

      • Developing short- and long-term plans to address coastal erosion and flooding associated with climate change
      • Developing coastal erosion and inundation mitigation strategies
      • Overseeing coastal mitigation works
      • Assisting in the design of coastal protection structures, coastal access facilities, and marine facilitates (e.g. ports)
      • Communicating coastal hazards to the general public and industries situated on the coast
      • Rehabilitating and enhancing coastal and marine environments and habitats

      Coastal and Oceanographic Consultant

      Given the complexity of coastal and oceanographic processes many government agencies and industries hire specialised consultants to conduct studies and advise them on a range of activities. As a coastal or oceanographic consultant your tasks may include:

        • Assessing and mitigating coastal erosion and inundation hazards
        • Collecting and analysing marine and coastal data sets
        • Advising government and industry on coastal and marine infrastructure design
        • Deploying and delivering real-time data streams to inform marine operations
        • Designing and enacting marine monitoring programs
        • Developing and delivering marine forecasts
        • Assessing marine impacts from proposed coastal and marine developments
        • Designing and enacting mitigation strategies for industrial impacts to the marine environment
        • Rehabilitating and enhancing coastal and marine environments and habitats

        Other job opportunities may include:

          • Coastal Geologist
          • Meteorologist
          • Fisheries Scientist
          • Marine Conservation Specialist
          • Marine Geochemist
          • Applied Ocean Scientist
          • Climate Scientist
          • Ocean Data Scientist

Course structure

Conversion

Students who have not completed a bachelor's degree with a major in Marine Science, Marine and Coastal Processes, or Integrated Earth and Marine Science, or equivalent as recognised by the School of Earth and Oceans. must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):

Core

Take all units (36 points):

Core

Students in the course by coursework only take 6 points:

Option

Students in the course by coursework and dissertation take 24 points.

Option

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Science & Mathematics courses at The University of Western Australia (UWA).
80.5%
Overall satisfaction
87%
Skill scale
74%
Teaching scale
53.6%
Employed full-time
$62.6k
Average salary
Data source

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