Overview
The Masters in Physical Oceanography caters to graduates in Science, Engineering and cognate disciplines seeking advanced training in the theory and understanding of physical processes in the ocean. The Masters provides a means of tailoring students’ knowledge base to enhance their perceived employment or promotion opportunities by equipping them with … For more content click the Read More button below.
The Masters offers advanced disciplinary courses designed to reflect current practices in the field of Physical Oceanography, within the framework of academic knowledge and critical thinking. Each course aims to build student capacity to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex or conflicting information in a timely fashion. Students will also undertake a major research project where they will bring together various aspects of their coursework and extend their knowledge and investigation skills.
Appropriate quantitative, computational, and technical skills will be developed where required, and students will be taught to apply skills, technologies and thinking to current industry issues and to communicate these effectively.
NB: Elective: GEOS9016 Principles of Geographic Information Systems and Science - not offered in 2025 or 2026.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge of physical oceanography; especially in the links among oceanography, climate, marine science and the blue economy.
- Scholars
2.
Master a diversity of cognitive skills relevant to physical oceanography, tailored to interests in various operational or theoretical aspects of the field.
- Professionals
3.
Command specialised technical skills, which underpin decision-making in marine industries, including the application of statistical and mathematical methods to oceanographic data.
- Professionals
4.
Develop recommendations and decisions in operational settings by evaluating and synthesizing oceanographic models and observations
- Leaders
5.
Undertake independent and cutting-edge research contributing to the rapidly evolving science of physical oceanography
- Scholars
- Global citizens
- Leaders
Program Structure
Students must complete 72 UOC when taken as a standalone program.
Core Courses24 Units of Credit:
Research Project18 Units of Credit:
Prescribed Elective Courses30 Units of Credit:
Enrolment Disclaimer
Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.
You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.
You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.
Admission Requirements
Entry Requirements
Minimum Entry Requirements
Program Requirements
Progression Requirements
The Masters forms part of an articulated suite of programs Graduate Diploma (48 UOC) through to the 72 UOC Masters.
If students complete the requirements of any of the articulated courses they can exit with that award.
For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression
Associated Programs
Nested Postgraduate Program
Graduate Diploma in Physical Oceanography - GDipPhysOc5518 - Physical Oceanography
Professional Outcomes
Career Opportunities
Possible careers/occupations available to students who graduate from this program include:
Meteorologist
Hydrographer
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Research Scientist
Environmental Consultant
Data Scientist
Catastrophe Risk Analyst
Oceanographer
Recognition of Achievement
Award with Excellence
For more information, please visit:
The Award with Excellence is awarded in coursework masters programs, including Masters (Extension) but with the exception of Masters (Extended) such as JD and MD, when a Weighted Average Mean (WAM) of at least 80% has been achieved and at least 50% of the requirements of the award are completed at UNSW. All eligible programs will award 'with Excellence' except in special circumstances where approval of Academic Board has been given for a program to opt out.
Program Fees
At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:
Pre-2019 Handbook Editions
Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)