Program overview
Marine chemistry is a branch of ocean science. Simply put, it studies what chemical substances are in seawater, how they change, and how they affect marine life and climate. You will learn core courses like chemical oceanography, marine analytical chemistry, and marine biogeochemistry. You'll also go on sea expeditions to collect samples, conduct experiments, and analyze data. This major is great for students who love chemistry and are fascinated by the ocean, especially those who don't mind splitting their time between the lab and the field. China has strong capabilities in marine chemistry—institutions like Ocean University of China, Xiamen University, and the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have top-notch equipment and research vessels that can take you to the South China Sea, East China Sea, and even polar regions for research. If you're curious about questions like "Why is seawater salty?", "What does coral bleaching have to do with chemistry?", or "How do hydrothermal vents form?", this major will be right up your alley.