Overview

Biological oceanography research is conducted on spatial and temporal scales ranging from short-term interactions between individual organisms (mm., sec.) to interdecadal variation in widely dispersed populations.

The techniques used are diverse, and even within one space/time domain can include field observations, experimentation in the laboratory, and mathematical modeling. The Biological Oceanography program is offered by the University of California, San Diego.

Research topics include:

Primary and secondary productivity and nutrient regeneration

Community ecology of benthic and pelagic organisms

Food web structure and trophic ecology

Population dynamics, habitat changes and disruptions

Nonequilibrium ecosystems

Microbial ecology and biogeochemical cycling

Fishery biology and management

Marine mammal ecology and communication

Systematics and biogeography

Population genetics and evolution

Behavior as it affects distributions and food web interactions

Climate change impacts including warming, ocean acidification and deoxygenation

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Physical Oceanography

Marine Chemistry

Biological Oceanography

Pelagic Ecology

Fisheries Oceanography

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-23 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-03 00:00:00

Language

English

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

San Diego, United States

Disciplines

Oceanography View 27 other PhDs in Oceanography in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

Candidates for admission should have a bachelor's (BS) or master's degree in one of the physical, biological, or earth sciences; in some cases a degree in mathematics or engineering science is accepted.

A scholastic average of B or better (3.0) in upper-division courses, or prior graduate study, is required.
Two years of chemistry, including general and organic chemistry, and a year of general biology are required. Physical chemistry requiring calculus may be substituted for physics requiring calculus where a more elementary physics course was taken.
Preparation should also include a course in general geology and at least one course in each of the following categories: systematics (e.g., invertebrate zoology), population biology (e.g., ecology), functional biology (e.g., physiology).
In special cases, other advanced courses in mathematics or natural sciences may be substituted.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

36477 USD / year

≈ 36477 USD / year
Out-of-State

36477 USD / year

≈ 36477 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

21375 USD / year

≈ 21375 USD / year

Living costs

San Diego

United States

1400 - 2455 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Biological Oceanography.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Research topics include:

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

San Diego

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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