Graduate Study in Oceanography
Though oceans cover 70% of Earth’s surface, their depths are truly our “last frontier”.
Oceanography will not be available as a new major from 2022.
Existing students enrolled in this major may continue in the subject.
Please see the new interdisciplinary major in Marine Science.
This watery world is so challenging to explore, that we have more detailed maps for the surfaces of the Moon, Mars, and Venus.
Yet understanding our ocean planet is essential for meeting the challenges of our collective future. The physical, biological, chemical, and geological processes that power the Earth system unite in the ocean, determining Earth’s climate, regulating the composition of our atmosphere, supporting human civilisation, and sparking our curiosity.
Otago is uniquely placed to study these interlinked processes and their effects on our lives. The Southern Ocean is on our doorstep, with a wide range of marine environments easily accessible to our research fleet. We work from shallow harbours to the deep ocean, around sub-Antarctic islands and in majestic fiords, alongside temperate coastlines and floating over tropical reefs.
Why study Oceanography ?
Dive into the complex network of physical processes at work in the sea and you will never see Earth the same way again!
Studying Oceanography from the University of Otago will open your eyes to the dynamic chemistry of seawater; the nature of currents, waves and tides; the history of oceans preserved in underwater geology and sediments; the invisible underpinnings of marine life; and the way that all of these processes and systems interact.
We are the only university in New Zealand to offer undergraduate study in Oceanography, and our truly interdisciplinary approach leads to an ocean of opportunities.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Oceanography as an undergraduate at Otago.
Graduate Qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
OCEN papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCEN450 | 2025 | Special Topic: Data Analysis Methods in Marine Science | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
Contacts
Department of Marine Science
Email marine.science@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/marinescience
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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