Overview
In the Biological Oceanography program of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), biological oceanography is also a study in extremes...
- In size, from the tiny microbes in the water column to the 30-meter blue whale
- In depth, from blooms of cyanobacteria covering thousands of square kilometers of the ocean's surface, to hydrothermal vent colonies emerging eerily from the mile-deep dark
- In locale, from the lab next door to the deck of a research vessel bucking ice flows in the Arctic
Extreme habitats
Studying organisms that occupy extreme habitats, such as the deep sea or polar regions, presents major challenges for accessibility and sampling. Meeting these challenges has had exciting results. The discovery of biological communities near hydrothermal vents, for example, led to new perceptions about the evolution of life, the discovery of unusual symbioses, and new insights on adaptation in the deep sea.
Lab to ocean
Another set of challenges lies in comparing data from lab experiments and observations on individual organisms with the patterns we see during field studies and ocean cruises. Laboratory work, such as isolating cyanobacteria in pure culture or sequencing genomes, underlies our interpretation of how populations respond in nature.
Different faces of biological oceanography
Biological oceanographers study:
- Chemical and physical factors influencing distribution patterns
- Physiological, behavioral, and biochemical adaptations to environmental variables, including natural variations in food, temperature, pressure, light, and the chemical environment
- Food chain dynamics
- Nutrient cycling and initial steps of chemical energy fixation
- Responses to the results of man's activities in the oceans
In this broad range of work, you can see the many faces of biological oceanography. Answering research questions may require studies in microbiology, planktonology, ichthyology, benthic biology, taxonomy, ecology, biogeochemistry, cell biology, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, animal behavior, bioacoustics, and applied mathematics.
Programme Structure
Courses include:- Mathematical Ecology
- Biological Oceanography
- Research in Biological Oceanography
- Method and Logic in Molecular Biology
- Principles of Biochemical Analysis
- Genetics for Graduate Students
Key information
Duration
- Part-time
- 24 months
- Flexible
Start dates & application deadlines
Deadline: December 15
Language
Interested in an IELTS preparation course? Get started here
Delivered
Disciplines
Oceanography View 25 other PhDs in Oceanography in United StatesAcademic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
Interested in an IELTS preparation course? Get started here
Other requirements
General requirements
- In the application, you will be asked to supply the names and email addresses of three people to submit letters of recommendation on your behalf
- Transcripts
- You will be required to describe the grading system(s) used at all colleges and universities you have attended. Explain the specific meaning of any numeric values, letter grades, and rankings
- English Language Proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL)
- Statement of Objectives
Tuition Fee
-
International
57590 USD/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 57590 USD per year during 24 months. -
National
57590 USD/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 57590 USD per year during 24 months.
Living costs for Cambridge
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.
Scholarships Information
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Biological Oceanography.
Available Scholarships
You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility