Undergraduate Studies

Gulf of Maine Bathymetry Image.


Undergraduate Studies


Undergraduate Studies in Marine Science

Oceanography Option for Earth Sciences Major

The Bachelor of Arts in Earth Sciences, Oceanography Option, is offered by the Department of Earth Sciences. This program provides students an opportunity to obtain a broad education and a general background in the earth sciences, as well as the flexibility to choose electives in the area of oceanography. A clear, comprehensive understanding of the ocean environment will prepare students for graduate school or for employment opportunities available on our coasts in ocean-related fields such as aquaculture, fishing, tourism, environmental protection, shipping, construction, government regulation, and education.

Degree Requirements
  1. Satisfy all University General Education Requirements (http://unhinfo.unh.edu/registrar/geneduc/genedreq.html)
  2. Satisfy the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
  3. Complete a minimum of eight courses in the department (with a C- or better) including ESCI 401; ESCI 402, Earth History or ZOOL 503, Introduction to Marine Biology; ESCI 501, Introduction to Oceanography; ESCI 512, Principles of Mineralogy; and four upper-level ocean related courses, two of which must be 700 or above. Typically these would be chosen from ESCI 653, Estuaries and Coasts; ESCI 658, Earth, Ocean, and Atmosphere Dynamics; ESCI 750, Biological Oceanography; ESCI 752, Chemical Oceanography; ESCI 758, Physical Oceanography; and ESCI 759, Geological Oceanography.
  4. Math requirements: 425, Calculus I, and 426, Calculus II.

It is strongly advised that students complete, as early as possible, a year each of college chemistry and physics.