Graduate Study

Interdisciplinary Graduate Study in Oceans

MIT offers its students unique opportunities for interdisciplinary graduate study and research in oceans. In all areas we emphasize a combination of theoretical, observational, and modeling approaches. The phenomena under study are complex and involve many scientific disciplines, including geophysics, geochemistry, physical, chemical and biological oceanography, microbial oceanography, biogeochemical cycles, meteorology, atmospheric chemistry, and planetary science.

MIT is also at the forefront of ocean science and engineering, undertaking significant efforts in fluid mechanics and hydrodynamics, acoustics, offshore mechanics, marine robotics and sensors, and ocean sensing and forecasting. In addition, the Naval Construction Program provides advanced graduate education on the design of naval ships and vehicles.

Perhaps more than at any other institution in the world, students are exposed to and can receive instruction in all these principal areas. And, as a result of our partnership with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, they can benefit from WHOI’s vast expertise in oceanography and advanced sea-going capabilities, enabling them to participate in field programs all over the world.