Dear Student: Are You Interested in Oceanography?

Abstract

The oceans, taken together, cover over seventy percent of the earth's surface, or approximately one hundred and forty million square miles. The volume of these waters is fourteen times all the land above sea level. In spite of their vastness, in the past there has been little understanding and too little organized study of the oceans. Recently, however, more and more people are becoming interested in the seas. Many persons believe the oceans hold the solution to problems of food, water, and other resources for the world's increasing population. Research scientists are finding stimulating research problems in all areas of marine science, and our nation is developing an increasing awareness of the seas. The National Academy of Sciences Committee on Oceanography has recently urged the Federal Government to double its basic research in oceanography in the next decade and recommends the expenditure during that period of 65 million dollars per year mostly for seventy new research ships. The surprising showing by competitive nations during the International Geophysical Year has given a sense of urgency to the subject, for the oceans are important to our economic and military strength. Young people desiring careers in marine science can look forward to years of challenging and rewarding work in their chosen field. For sources of jobs in the future, marine scientists can look to some 180 aquatic research laboratories and 49 state organizations with -one or more laboratories each. Graduates, adequately prepared in marine science, are much in demand by industrial concerns such as oil companies, fisheries, and chemical companies. Also, there shall continue to be a growing demand for marine scientists to fill university and college teaching positions in the two thousand or so universities and colleges of the country. Good planning and sufficient preparation are the keys to success in those future years. In high school, students should get a solid background of mathematics, science, English, and foreign languages. Math should receive most careful attention, and plane geometry, trigonometry and two years of algebra are recommended. Good English is required for scientific publications, and a knowledge of composition, sentence structure, and other mechanics of construction is as important as a good vocabulary. All courses in science, such as chemistry, biology, and physics, are helpful. Foreign languages are essential, with German and French most often required by graduate schools for science majors. Russian has recently become of importance to scientific workers. College students, who plan to enter marine science should have a strong major in one of the sciences including botany, zoology, bacteriology, chemistry, geology, physics, or meteorology, with a minor in a supporting scientific field. It is highly desirable that the major and minor be supported, at least, by the basic courses of the other sciences. The undergraduate student has a wide choice of fully accredited colleges or universities with good reputations for the sciences. For graduate work, the beginning marine scientist will probably want to get a more specialized advanced training in a college or university with a strong department of limnology or oceanographv, as for example: The University of Texas, Texas A & M College, Duke University, Scripps Institution of California, The University of Wisconsin, The University of Michigan, The University of Washington, The University of Miami, The University of Oklahoma, Cornell University, Harvard University, and Yale University. Students in high school or junior high school should request that their science teachers include units on marine science. Field trips to museums, marine laboratories, aquaria, and the seashore should supplement regular course work. Leisure time activities such as reading, nature study, and observing, can do much to help develop broad concepts and appreciations pertaining to the seas. Some recommended aquaria and museums for the prospective marine scientist to visit are: