Oceans play an important role in sustaining life on earth. Advanced scientific research has now more definite answers on the role played by oceans in sustaining life and maintaining environmental balance.

Scientists are also looking at oceans for fulfilling the economic, social and recreational requirements of people.

As the role of oceans is increasing in our lives, oceanography, the science of oceans, is also attaining increased significance. The major offshoots of oceanography are marine geology, geophysics, physical oceanography, marine chemistry and geochemistry.

Features :

One of the main features of the oceanography courses is that it adopts an integrated and inter-disciplinary approach to various branches of sciences such as chemistry and biology, says N. Chandramohanakumar, Head of the Department of Chemical Oceanography of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat). .

Sea life :

Marine geology deals with the geological features in seas whereas marine biology studies life systems in sea and the marine environment. Geological oceanographers study the formation, composition, and history of the seafloor. They also study sediments, its age, origin, distribution, and transport associated with the geology of oceans.

A student of physical oceanography will certainly have a working knowledge of other branches such as biology and chemistry.

This has been the approach of the university while offering courses in oceanography, as it is a discipline that has strong interlinks with other branches.

Job opportunities :

A wide range of career openings are available to oceanographers in both Government and private sectors.

In the Government sector, opportunities are found in institutions like the National Institute of Oceanography, satellite remote sensing stations, the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, maritime universities, fisheries colleges, universities and institutions such as Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, pointed out K.K.C. Nair, scientist-in-charge of National Institute of Oceanography.

Qualified hands are in great demand in other countries also, he said.
"More than 80 per cent of our students have found employment in various research and development organisations and industries in the marine products processing sector," said Dr. Chandramohanakumar.

A few of them have turned to the academic side and are working as tutors in various colleges, he said.

Oceanographic experts are also sought after in disciplines like seismology, ocean drilling, ocean mining, oil and gas exploration and coastal geology, according to other sources.
There is also scope for specialisation in various branches of oceanography like marine archaeology and marine seismology.

The recent tsunami attack has also generated a new wave of interest in branches like marine seismology and marine geology.

Job avenues :