Biological oceanographers study how species live and migrate in the ocean, focusing on pollution and sustainable seafood. A four-year degree is required, but additional education and research experience is recommended. Internships and strong communication skills are important, and a graduate degree may be necessary for the best job opportunities.
Biological oceanographers are individuals who examine how different species migrate and live in the ocean environment. Their goal is to find out how pollution issues affect marine life and figure out how to catch seafood in an environmentally friendly way. A person who would like to become a biological oceanographer needs to complete at least four years of college training, although an additional two to six years of higher education will better prepare him for the field. This type of professional should have strong research experience and be good at project management.
If you want to become a biological oceanographer, you need a four-year degree in the field of biological oceanography or marine biology. Colleges require that you provide a copy of your newly standardized test scores along with a high school transcript or equivalent certification. You should also be prepared to submit your high school transcripts and complete an application form to begin training to become a biological oceanographer.
Upon acceptance into an institution, you must take a variety of classes that introduce you to the details of marine life. For example, you should study how organisms in the sea adapt for survival and how oceanic predators play an important role in controlling the population of various aquatic species. These concepts are important if you want to become a biological oceanographer, because these types of professionals focus on how organisms in the water grow and interact with each other.
Completing an internship is critical if you want to break into this career. Your hands-on experience opportunity will enhance your skills to help develop ecological pollution studies while working independently and with a team of people. You must also work on improving your written and oral communication skills, which must be effectively reporting on the results of research initiatives, if you wish to become a biological oceanographer.
While a bachelor’s degree is adequate to be accepted as an entry-level position in this field, you need to complete graduate school to have the best job opportunities. A two-year master’s program will require you to select an area of specialization in which to conduct research, such as an ocean animal or plant species. Some employers require job applicants to also have a four- to five-year doctoral degree, which requires you to complete a full research dissertation project on an aspect of the field of biological oceanography.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
