[ skip to content ]

Ocean & Earth Sciences (M.S.)

The masters in Ocean & Earth Science integrated curriculum uses active learning by promoting research and education. It is designed to give graduates the skill sets to prepare them for a range of careers in academia, and the public and private sectors. The graduate program in OEAS draws from the strength of our diverse faculty and their active research programs that span the globe. Graduate students have the opportunity to take part in research projects among a broad suite of field sites from the local waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the polar regions.

Ocean & Earth Sciences (M.S.)


Description


What is Ocean & Earth Sciences at ODU like?

The masters in Ocean & Earth Science integrated curriculum uses active learning by promoting research and education. It is designed to give graduates the skill sets to prepare them for a range of careers in academia, and the public and private sectors. The graduate program in OEAS draws from the strength of our diverse faculty and their active research programs that span the globe. Graduate students have the opportunity to take part in research projects among a broad suite of field sites from the local waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the polar regions.

Program Highlights


What makes Ocean & Earth Sciences at ODU unique?

  • Our graduate students present their research at national conferences, including the American Geophysical Union, Ocean Sciences and the Geological Society of America meetings

  • Community building is a strong aspect of graduate life in our Department thanks to our active Graduate Student Organization

  • Many of our graduate students participate in sea-going research expeditions around the world

  • We have faculty doing active research from here in Hampton Roads to the Arctic and Antarctic

Careers


What are some careers in this field?

Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

$105,830

MEDIAN SALARY


Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth

Hydrologists

MEDIAN SALARY


Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere.

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

MEDIAN SALARY


Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

MEDIAN SALARY


Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Courses


What are some courses offered in Ocean & Earth Sciences at ODU?

OEAS 513:
Environmental Geochemistry


Low temperature geochemistry of surface and near-surface materials and processes. Weathering and the geochemical cycle as influenced by environment.

OEAS 516:
Electronics and Oceanographic Instrumentation


The course will consist of brief lectures and hands-on laboratory exercises, in which students will learn to build, use, and debug electronic devices relevant to ocean and earth science applications. Topics covered will include circuit theory, power supplies and budgets, transducers and amplifiers, computerized data acquisition, instrument control, signal conditioning and resolution.

OEAS 548:
Population Ecology


This course uses conceptual and mathematical models to understand how populations grow and persist in space and time. Both plants and animals are discussed.

Requirements


What are the requirements to apply for Ocean & Earth Sciences at ODU?

Students entering the Master of Science program in Ocean & Earth Sciences should meet the minimum university admission requirements (Graduate Admission)

Cost

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

Virginia Resident


Per Credit:

$ 571

Non-Resident


Per Credit:

$ 1,394

Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States


Per Credit:

$ 595

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial aid

Scholarships


Dorothy Brown Smith Scholarship for New Students: $30,000, plus tuition, health insurance, and up to $2,000 in research supplies or travel. These scholarships are available to exceptional STEM majors applying to the OEAS M.S. and Ph.D. programs for the first time. Evaluation criteria include: GPA, GRE scores and research experience.

Other scholarships available to current students are listed on the Ocean, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences site.

 

Next Steps


I like this program. What are the next steps?

Contact


Need help applying?

Meet Your Enrollment Team

Our enrollment coordinators are ready to help you through the admissions process.

No Image

Graduate Program Coordinator


Name:

Richard Zimmerman


Location:

337 OCEANOGRAPHY&PHYSICS BLDG, NORFOLK, VA, 23529



Office:

757-683-5991


Graduate Admissions


Location:

1000 Rollins Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529


Phone Office:

757-683-3685


Fax:

757-683-6512


Email:

gradadmit@odu.edu


International Admissions


Location:

2101 Dragas Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529


Phone Office:

757-683-3701


Fax:

757-683-3651


Email:

intladm@odu.edu

Additional Programs


Are there other programs at ODU I may be interested in?

With over 120 undergraduate programs, 130 graduate programs at the master'seducation specialist and doctoral levels plus a wealth of certificate and professional development programs, Old Dominion University has the program for you. Visit our academic program listing page to see other programs ODU has to offer.

goto top button request for information button apply now button
×

How would you like to complete your program?


Avatar
Face to Face
Avatar
Completely Online
Avatar
Unsure

Site Navigation

Experience Guaranteed

Enhance your college career by gaining relevant experience with the skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Discover our experiential learning opportunities.

First Fridays

Get an inside look into your major of interest when you speak to professors and current students at our monthly First Friday events.

Freshman Orientation

Welcome to the Monarch Nation! Orientation will be hosted on-campus. Events include course selection and registration, an overview of resources and a preview of campus life.