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CAREERS
IN MARINE SCIENCE
By Dr. William Hall, Marine Education Specialist
University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program
September
30, 2005 — Today, several thousand marine scientists are busy at
work in the United States dealing with a diversity of important issues
— from climate change, declining fisheries and eroding coastlines
to the development of new drugs from marine resources and the invention
of new technologies to explore the sea. Approximately 40 percent of these
scientists are employed by state and federal governments, 30 percent by
universities and colleges, and 30 percent by private industry.
What
is the outlook for future marine science careers?
There’s a huge potential for growth in this field during the next
few decades as researchers learn more
about the global ocean and its interactions with the land and atmosphere,
how humans affect the ocean, and the impact of ocean resources on our
quality of life. Additionally, new opportunities in marine science are
being created as the need for specialized technology to work in the demanding
ocean environment increases.
Many people associate marine science only with marine biology, yet marine biology is far from being the only science associated with the ocean. Marine scientists or oceanographers can be physicists, chemists, geologists, engineers, computer scientists and biologists who have applied their trade to the world’s oceans. And like any trade, there is an apprenticeship that begins with a curiosity and perseverance to learn more about the nature of the vast ocean that covers more than 70 percent of the Earth.
Launching
a Career in Marine Science
Although marine science is typically thought of as a graduate program,
it is never too early to begin preparing for a marine career. Starting
in high school, for example, you should take as many math and science
courses (including computer science) as you can.
To gain useful experience, consider volunteering with state agencies or private organizations that work with marine or aquatic systems. You will get the opportunity to not only work and form relationships with marine science professionals, but also develop interests that you may wish to pursue in college.
Educational programs also are helpful for aspiring marine scientists. Organizations such as the National Audubon Society, Outward Bound, Sea Explorers (a co-ed branch of the Boy Scouts), and various universities and regional environmental centers may offer summer programs that can provide valuable marine experiences. And never pass up a chance to talk to people who are involved in marine science, such as at a school career day presentation or at a local aquarium or science museum.
When
choosing a college or university, select a school based on the merits
of its science and math curricula and not on whether there is an undergraduate
program in marine science. Strong undergraduate programs provide students
with the solid foundation needed to advance to graduate study.
As an undergraduate, you should major in physics, chemistry, biology,
geology or engineering and include course work in the other sciences.
Undergraduate electives in marine science, if available, are helpful to
focus your area of future interest. It is critical that you do well as
an undergraduate. Your achievement serves as an important indicator to
graduate schools and their faculty that you have the ability to take your
knowledge to the next level and succeed in marine science.
When you are ready to apply to graduate school, it will be helpful if you have an idea of the particular area in marine science that you wish to specialize in. Choose a graduate school that has one or more faculty who conduct research in your area of interest. These faculty are as important as the school you choose because their guidance is critical to your career. In addition, one of these faculty members most likely will serve as your adviser while you are in graduate school. Look for someone whose interests match yours, whom you feel comfortable with, who has a good reputation among scientists, and a demonstrated ability to garner research funding and produce results.
Your first goal in graduate school will be to obtain a solid foundation in marine science. But then you will shift from studying what others have already learned to finding out what no one else has yet learned. You will conduct experiments to gain new knowledge and write up your results in the form of research papers and a master’s thesis or a doctoral dissertation depending on the degree you are seeking (so don’t ignore your English classes!).
Most master’s programs in marine science take two years of study, while a Ph.D. ranges from four to five years. Thus, you should be prepared to study for several years to achieve your goal of becoming a marine scientist.
Specializations
in Marine Science
Many graduate schools divide marine science into five major specialties:
marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, physical oceanography
and ocean engineering. Although you’ll specialize in one area, knowledge
in one or more of the other areas is usually necessary because they are
so highly interconnected.
Marine
Biologist
Marine biologists study the plants and animals of our oceans, estuaries
and coasts — ranging from giant tubeworms that inhabit deep-sea
hydrothermal vents to microscopic algae and bacteria that live in the
surface layer of the sea. New marine species are discovered every year
because so much of the ocean remains unexplored. Marine biologists want
to know how these organisms work and how they interact with each other
and their environment. The hottest area in marine biology right now is
molecular biology — the study of the biochemical processes that
take place inside living cells.
Opportunities
for marine biologists are as varied as life in the sea and also as specialized.
This field also is the most competitive and the most difficult in which
to secure a job. For example, only a handful of positions are available
for those who want to study dolphins and whales. Don’t let that
stop you if it’s your dream — just maintain a realistic view
and a backup plan.
Chemical
Oceanographer
The ocean can be visualized as a big test tube that contains many organic
and inorganic compounds dissolved in water. These compounds may interact,
be used by ocean life, precipitate to the bottom, or have any number of
different fates. Assessing the fate of these compounds is the work of
the chemical oceanographer.
Using the natural chemistry of the sea as a basis, these marine scientists also conduct research to understand how humans affect the chemistry of the environment, including climate change and pollution studies. Some marine chemists and biochemists search for natural products from the sea, marine drugs or industrial applications. Opportunities for chemical oceanographers are good and probably will improve as researchers try to ascertain human impact on the ocean and as the search for natural products continues.
Marine
Geologist
The bottom of the ocean — nearly three-quarters of the Earth —
was once thought to be of little interest or value. But in the last few
decades, researchers have begun to search the ocean floor for mineral
wealth (oil, sand, gravel, metals — even gold and diamonds), as
well as for information on the ocean’s history and the Earth’s
changing shorelines that is preserved in the minerals’ composition
and structure.
Marine sedimentologists, paleontologists and geophysicists can interpret sedimentary records to unravel the history of Earth’s evolution and related changes in the global environment. Their work can provide valuable information on past climate changes and how global warming will affect sea level and coastal erosion. The career outlook in this field is good, particularly in the area of coastal studies.
Physical
Oceanographer
Currents, waves, bay and coastal circulation; world climate; and the interaction
between the atmosphere and the ocean all have one thing in common —
they are studied by physical oceanographers. These scientists look at
the physical properties and movement of the water in the sea and examine
how they influence the environment. Some physical oceanographers take
a global perspective, looking at the Earth as a whole, while others look
at regional systems (such as estuaries).
Often,
the physical oceanographer is part of a team composed of other specialists
(including marine biologists or chemists). These scientists may work together
on a project involving circulation and how it influences the distribution
of certain species of fish or pollution of an estuary.
Ocean
Engineer
Whether it’s solving beach erosion or designing an offshore drilling
rig, ocean engineers face unique challenges. Their job is to find solutions
that will enable humans to work or live in the marine environment. Marine
structures and machinery encounter situations and environments not present
on land. Corrosion, water pressure, storms, sedimentation and a host of
other variables challenge not only design, but also materials and construction.
A major research area is the development of instruments for gathering information from the sea, including underwater vehicles and sensors. In this regard, the work of the ocean engineer is invaluable to other marine scientists who depend on these methods for gathering the data they need. Some ocean engineers work with satellite systems that collect information about the oceans from the vantage point of space, a process called remote sensing. Others create models that predict the effects of wave action on the beach or devise ways of harnessing wave and tidal energy. Ocean engineers form a relatively new branch of marine science, but they will always be needed as long as there are problems to be solved in working in the ocean.
Marine
Policy Specialist
Some graduate schools also offer degrees in marine policy, which is the
study of how government decisions are made regarding the management and
use of marine resources. Since good policies depend on accurate scientific
information, marine science and marine policy intertwine. Marine scientists
are often asked to make policy recommendations, and scientists employed
with the federal government may advance to positions where they make national
policy decisions. Policy study can add a new dimension to your work as
a marine scientist or become a career choice in itself.
Marine policy specialists analyze public issues relating to the law of the sea, ports and shipping, marine minerals, ocean and coastal zone management, fisheries and aquaculture, naval affairs, marine biotechnology, ocean energy resources and many other areas — frequently making recommendations for policy at the regional, national and international level. Their job is to analyze the implications of development, conflicting uses and interrelationships between physical processes (such as sea-level rise and human activities).
Original
article drafted by Dr. William Hall, Marine Education Specialist with
the University of Delaware
Sea Grant College Program. This program is part of a national network
of universities committed to research, education and technology transfer
designed to meet the changing needs of U.S. ocean, coastal and Great Lakes
regions. The program is financially supported by NOAA;
the State of Delaware; and the University of Delaware.
Relevant
Web Sites
NOAA
NOAA Sea Grant Marine Careers: Advice from the Experts
NOAA Sea Grant Program: Knauss Fellowships
Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program — A New Scholarship for Undergraduate Students
NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
NOAA's Educational Partnership Program
NOAA Education — Specifically for Students
Careers in Weather — NOAA National Weather Service
Meteorology Degrees and Career Options
CAREERS IN MARINE BIOLOGY: OUTLOOKS
NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab Careers
Careers in the Marine Science Field
OceanAGE Careers: Ocean Careers to Inspire Another Generation of Explorers
NOAA Jobs, Careers, & Recruitment
NOAA Jobs and Volunteer Programs
National
Sea Grant Library - Marine Careers Digital Library
Media
Contact:
Ben
Sherman, NOAA Ocean Service,
(301) 713-3066 ext. 178