Oceanographer

An oceanographer studies the sea, sea-life, sea-bed, currents, the physical and chemical composition of the water and also the air above the ocean. Physical Oceanography (the study of the physical properties of sea water), Marine Chemistry (study of the chemical composition of sea water) are examples of specialisation fields regarding the general discipline of Oceanography.

Job Characteristics

• Extending currently available knowledge on the location of shoals of fish and the methods used in landing these fish.



• Responsible for the observation and conservation of fish and crustacean populations.



• Researching deposits of ordinary salt, magnesium, magnesium salt, iodine, diamonds, oil, etc., and the exploitation viability of these deposits.



• Providing useful information regarding sea-transport, specifically focusing on navigational methods and the location of sand-banks and reefs.

Requirements

Secondary Education
Possession of a HIGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, with matriculation exemption is required for admission to South African universities. Possession of a HIGCSE or IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, with passes in at least five subjects, including English and Mathematics and a minimum of 25 points on the UNAM point evaluation scale, is required to be admitted to UNAM.

Compulsory subjects
Mathematics and Physical Science on HIGCSE level (South Africa)
Mathematics, Biology and Physical Science or Chemistry (UNAM)

Recommendation subject
Biology (South Africa)

Tertiary Education
Specialisation in this field actually starts at postgraduate level. There are various specialisation directions, and students must choose their subjects accordingly. Any of the following subjects can be taken as majors of the B. Sc. degree at a South African university: Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.

A degree in Engineering can also provide a basis for specialisation in certain aspects of Physical Oceanography. The University of Cape Town offers a B. Sc. degree in Physical Oceanography, while postgraduate training is offered at the University of Port Elizabeth. The universities of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Natal and Rhodes offer courses in Marine Biology.

At UNAM students can enrol for a B. Sc. degree with any of the subjects Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Mathematics as majors. Students can also complete the B. Sc. in Natural Resources (Fisheries and Marine Resources).

The Cape Technikon is the only technikon that offers the N. Dip.: Oceanography. Other technikons offer related diplomas in Marine Engineering and Maritime Studies. The Polytechnic does not offer related courses.

Personality
The prospective oceanographer should be able to work in a team context, be physically fit and have an investigative frame of mind.

Work Opportunities
Limited opportunities exist at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

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