Program overview
Ocean science is a fundamental discipline that studies various natural phenomena, processes, and their changing patterns in the ocean. Simply put, it's about understanding how seawater moves, how marine life lives, what resources lie beneath the seafloor, and how the climate is influenced by the ocean. Core courses include physical oceanography (waves, tides, currents), chemical oceanography (seawater composition, pollution), biological oceanography (marine ecosystems), geological oceanography (seafloor structure, minerals), as well as marine remote sensing and marine management. If you love nature, are curious about the Earth system, and don't mind going out to sea for sampling or spending time in the lab, this major is a great fit. Chinese universities have unique advantages in ocean science: for example, Ocean University of China, Xiamen University, and Tongji University have national-level marine research platforms, are located near research hotspots like the South China Sea and East China Sea, and offer abundant field investigation opportunities. Many courses are taught in English or bilingually, allowing international students to integrate quickly.