What qualifications do i need to become an OCEANOGRAPHER?

Question

Qualifications starting from GCSE's

Answer 1

i googled it and this is what i found,hope it helps!

The work

Oceanographers study the seas and oceans, conducting research into the effects of climate change, or the impact of pollution and offshore engineering on marine ecosystems.

Oceanographers use a variety of techniques to collect data, including the use of:

remote sensors on satellites
instruments on towed or self-powered submersibles
apparatus on moored or drifting buoys
probes lowered into the sea
drilling into the seabed and acoustics.
There are four main specialist disciplines within oceanography:

marine biology - the study of marine plants and animals
marine chemistry - the study of the chemical composition of seawater
marine geology - the study of the structure and composition of the ocean floor
marine physics - the study of properties such as water temperature and density, wave motion, tides and currents.
An oceanographer will often use a multi-disciplinary approach to their work, applying elements from some or all of the specialisms in order to conclude their research.

Hours and Environment
Hours worked will depend on the project being undertaken. Much of an oceanographer’s work is based in laboratories or offices. Fieldwork can involve several days to some months at sea, either on a research ship or on offshore platforms, often in remote locations and in potentially hazardous or physically demanding conditions.

Oceanographers may have to go into the sea using diving equipment or submersible vehicles.

Skills and Interests
To be an oceanographer, you should:

have strong mathematical and scientific skills including observational, practical, research, and problem solving
have the flexibility to go beyond subject specialism
be accurate and meticulous
have good physical health and fitness for fieldwork
be able to work alone and with others
have excellent oral and written communication skills
be prepared to travel.

Entry

To become an oceanographer you must hold a degree in a science-based subject or oceanography. Increasingly, postgraduate qualifications are needed in order to secure work. For example, to work as a physical oceanographer you could study physics at degree level followed by an MSc in Oceanography.

The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) hold details of relevant undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and funding; see Further Information.

For entry to an undergraduate degree course you will need at least five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including English, plus two A levels/three H grades, or equivalent. Many universities demand more than the minimum.

An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.
Even though maths at A level/H grade may not be required for entrance to some degree courses most employers consider this to be essential.



Training

Various specialised or combined degree courses are available, and these typically take up to four years to complete and will usually include fieldwork.

A number of universities offer taught postgraduate MSc degrees, research degrees and PhD programmes.

Oceanographers receive on-the-job training, which is often combined with attendance on short courses, self-managed learning, seminars and conferences.

The SUT hold details of courses including a modularised Continuing Professional Development programme offered by a consortia of universities known as MTEC (Marine Technology Education Consortium).


Opportunities
Employment is mainly research based, with most UK posts offered by centres that are wholly or partly funded by the Natural Environment Research Council. These include:

National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
Proudman Oceanography Laboratory
Sea Mammal Research Institute
British Antarctic Survey
British Geological Survey
Centre for Ecology and hydrology.
Other national organisations that employ oceanographers include environmental protection agencies, the Royal Navy, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Opportunities also arise in industries or consultancies concerned with the extraction of offshore oil and gas, offshore and coastal constructions and marine instrumentation.

There may also be opportunities to work in universities, and abroad.

In smaller organisations, internal promotion prospects are usually limited and short contracts from one to five years are common.

Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only.

New entrants to the profession may earn between £19,000 and £22,000 a year, more if they have a postgraduate degree.
Experienced oceanographers may earn around £30,000 per year.
Those in senior positions such as a project leader role can earn up to £58,000.

Further information


Society for Underwater Technology (SUT)
80 Coleman Street
London
EC2R 5BJ
Tel: [phone]

http://www.sut.org.uk


Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Polaris House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 1EU
Tel: [phone]
http://www.nerc.ac.uk

If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning advisor at the learndirect advice line, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form.

Answer 2

Oceanography Education Requirements

Answer 3

considering most labs these days want people with bachelor's to start off as technicians, or even assistants it would most likely take a long time to work your way up without formal education. working as a technician might get you an acknowledgment on a paper but you're probably not going to make it on the author's list. but i do know some companies give honorary scientist titles to researchers who manage to earn themselves an impressive track record. but then again, people that get these usually have an ms or bs with YEARS of working experience. so really, you better be nerd's nerd if you're trying to make it in that field without degrees. furthermore, going to school isn't just about getting degrees...it's also great networking.