These are some of the many questions that will be tackled in the Physical Oceanography course at UNSW. An overview is presented below. However, further details can be obtained from the additional sites:

Major in Physical Oceanography within the Science Degree Program or choose the Physical Oceanography study plan within the Advanced Science Degree Program. These Mathematics degrees focus on various techniques used to solve the mathematical equations that describe fluid flow. How these solutions are then interpreted for the ocean and atmosphere also forms an integral part of the course.

The Science Degree Program is a 3 year program with an opportunity for students with excellent results to continue for another year (total 4 years) to obtain an Honours degree. The Advanced Science Degree Program is a 4 year program where the final Honours year is compulsory.

Major in Marine Science (Physical Oceanography) in Marine Science within the Science Degree Program. Administered by the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, this is a degree which focuses on oceanography within general marine education. Courses in mathematics and physics are still a central part of this education, however not with the same emphasis as within the Physical Oceanography plan offered by the School of Mathematics and Statistics.

This is a 3 year program with an opportunity for students with excellent results to continue for another year (total 4 years) to obtain an Honours degree.

It is also possible to Major in Physical Oceanography within the Environmental Science Degreee Program. See the Information on Environmental Science pages for this program.

Oceanography at UNSW involves the measurement, modelling and prediction of processes that form the coupled oceanic and atmospheric system. These processes range from waves, deep ocean currents to cyclones, dust storms and climate change. In a time when environmental issues are of great concern, there are a number of career opportunities in Oceanography including research, operational and managerial aspects of the field.

In research, you could expect to work within the CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology, Universities or government agencies on how to develop and maintain state-of-the-art mathematical models that are used to understand and predict our environment.

A more hands on approach to Oceanography is found in the operational aspect. Here you might focus on collection of data and interpretation of ocean/atmosphere variability with a view to advising agencies on environmental management. Agencies interested in these skills include the Sydney Waterboard and the Environmental Protection Authority.

Finally, there is the decision making or managerial aspect of Oceanography. Fisheries or oil companies require management trained in these areas to liaise with scientists and develop policies that require an understanding of the complex issues that surround the long term preservation of our environment.

In the first year the programs have almost identical studies. You will study Mathematics, Physics and choose other courses from several other Schools. In the Marine Science study plan you will also be required to undertake a course in either biology, chemistry or geology.

Mathematics can be studied at the Ordinary level or at the Higher level depending on your interests and abilities, but study at the Higher level is recommended (especially if enrolled in the Advanced Science Program) and may be necessary for certain courses in later years.

In the final year of the Advanced Science Program, or if you do the extra fourth (Honours) year of the Science Program, you will do some course work but will also spend time writing a thesis. The aim of the thesis is for you to become involved in an active area of research of your choice. You could even discover something new, which is not as uncommon as you might think!

To find out the formal requirements (in terms of courses that you have to study), see Mathematics and Statistics Majors in Science for the Physical Oceanography Major in the Science degree program and Mathematics and Statistics Plans in Advanced Science for the Physical Oceanography plan in the Advanced Science program.

For more details of individual courses, see Mathematics and Statistics courses.

You must meet the appropriate UAI cutoff:

In addition, you will need to have a certain level of prior knowledge of Mathematics. To find out the level of knowledge required for first year Mathematics courses, see Assumed Knowledge.

To remain within the Advanced Science Program, you are required to maintain an average of 70 in each year.

If your main interest is clearly in Mathematics and you wish to acquire a degree with a theoretical emphasis on the understanding of our ocean and atmosphere, then choose the Physical Oceanography study plan within the Advanced Science Program or the Physical Oceanography major within the Science Program. It is harder to be accepted into the Advanced Science Program, but this is highly recommended where possible. Why not achieve your highest potential while at university? It will always be possible to transfer to the Science Program further into your studies. On the other hand, to transfer from the Science Program to the Advanced Science Program you will need to perform exceptionally well.

If you really want to study oceanography and marine science in general then choose the Marine Science major within the Science Program. You will still study some mathematics to help you understand the mathematical and theoretical background to Oceanography, but also general marine science.

It is harder to be accepted into the Advanced Science Program, but this is highly recommended where possible. Why not achieve your highest potential while at university? It may be possible to transfer to the Science Program further into your studies. On the other hand, transfering from the Science Program to the Advanced Science Program requires you to re-apply for admission. It is possible to swap between the Science Program Physical Oceanography and the Marine Science majors since they are both part of the Science Program.

Physical Oceanography study plan or major:
Dr Moninya Roughan, School of Mathematics and Statistics
phone: (02) 9385 7067
fax: (02) 9385 7123
email: mroughan@unsw.edu.au

Marine Science major:
Dr Matthew England, School of Mathematics and Statistics
phone: (02) 9385 7065
fax: (02) 9385 7123
email: M.England@maths.unsw.edu.au

or

School of Mathematics and Statistics
phone: (02) 9385 7111
fax: (02) 9385 7123
email: ug.MathsStats followed by @unsw.edu.au