This program is available at the following location:

• Corvallis

The Oceanography Major focuses on an interdisciplinary understanding of oceans from the large-scale physical structure and geological history of ocean basins to the inter-related biological, chemical, geological, and physical processes that shape contemporary ocean dynamics and their evolution in the face of human-related stressors. The curriculum includes instruction in ecology, chemistry, physics, and geology.  Students discover diverse marine environments including estuaries, upwelling regions, coastal zones, and open oceans, and gain hands-on experience through research cruises in the Northeast Pacific Ocean and estuaries. Students have opportunities for independent research and internships with our world-class oceanographic research faculty.  Emphasized are transferrable and in demand skills, such as data analysis and visualization, teamwork, and science communication. Electives allow students to pursue coursework that prepares them for specific STEM careers. Graduates are prepared for careers with federal, state, and local governments, private industry, consulting firms, and not-for-profit organizations, and many graduates pursue advanced degrees.

Major Code: 025

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Explain the principles and concepts of oceanography including the interrelationships between biological, chemical, geological, and physical oceanography and how people are influencing the ocean.
• Acquire, quantitatively analyze, and interpret diverse data types (e.g., instrumental, proxy and model-derived) from core areas of oceanography.
• Comprehend and critically analyze oceanographic ideas presented in the scientific literature.
• Communicate diverse and complex ocean-related concepts, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences and stakeholders, including non-scientists and the general public.

• C- or higher is required in upper-division (300 or above) courses in the major and a 2.0 overall GPA in major coursework.
• No courses in the major can be taken S/U.

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Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)

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Writing Intensive Course (WIC)

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Core Education course. Applies only to students admitted to an OSU undergraduate degree from Summer 2025 onwards

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Other courses may be selected with prior approval from the Oceanography Program Director

Major Code: 025

Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.