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Oceanography
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Oceanography
Home > Academics > Earth Sciences > Programs > Oceanography

Oceanography

Oceanography is the study of Earth’s oceans in action. From the sweeping Gulf Stream to local wave mechanics and marine thermodynamics, this field examines the physical processes that govern our blue planet. Through a blend of field exploration, hands-on lab work, and modern spatial data analysis, our program investigates marine currents, tides, air-sea climate interactions, and coastal dynamics. You will gain a deep scientific foundation in marine systems, empowering you to make well-informed decisions regarding coastal development, ocean conservation, and planetary environmental health.

Program Requirements: Units Required: 19 Units:

  • GEOGRPH-101 Physical Geography with Lab 4.0
  • GEOGRPH-102 Human Geography 3.0
Plus six units from the following:
  • GEOGRPH-103 Weather and Climate 3.0
  • GEOGRPH-104 World Regional Geography 3.0
  • GEOGRPH-105 California Geography 3.0
  • GEOGRPH-110 Maps and Spatial Reasoning 3.0
  • GEOGRPH-200 Geography of Disney's Thematic Landscapes
  • GIS-101 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3.0

Plus six units from the following:

  • ANTHRO-103 Cultural Anthropology 3.0 OR ANTHRO-103H
  • Cultural Anthropology – Honors 3.0
  • GEOLOGY-100 Physical Geology 3.0

Recommended for emphasis in oceanography:

  • OCEAN-101 Introduction to Oceanography 4.0
  • OCEAN-119 Marine Biology 4.0

Program Requirements: Units required: 28 Units:

  • GEOLOGY-101 Physical Geology with Lab 4.0
  • GEOLOGY-102 Earth History & The Fossil Record 4.0
  • CHEM-201 General Chemistry I 5.0
    • or 
  • CHEM-201H General Chemistry I – Honors 5.0
  • CHEM-202 General Chemistry II 5.0
  • MATH-211 Calculus I 5.0
  • MATH-212 Calculus II 5.0

Recommended for emphasis in oceanography:

  • OCEAN-101 Introduction to Oceanography 4.0
  • OCEAN-119 Marine Biology 4.0
OCEAN101: Introduction to Oceanography (with Lab)
Studies Earth's oceans and their origin, sea floor features, sediments, coastal processes, circulation, waves, tides, seawater properties, and marine life. Field trips may be required.
Units: 4.00
CSU-GE: B1 or B3
IGETC: 5A or 5C

 

OCEAN119: Marine Biology (with Lab)
Examines the description, distribution and natural history of marine organisms. Field trips may be required and may extend outside the assigned class times. Same as BIOSCI-119.
Units: 4.00
CSU-GE: B2 or B3
IGETC: 5B  or 5C