Program overview
Physical oceanography is a core branch of marine science. Simply put, it studies how seawater moves, how temperature changes, and how waves and tides are generated. You will learn courses such as ocean dynamics, air-sea interaction, ocean circulation, and wave theory, and also master numerical modeling and satellite remote sensing techniques. China has unique advantages in this field: for example, Ocean University of China operates the "Dongfanghong" series of research vessels, Xiamen University has deep expertise in coastal dynamics, and the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has led multiple international joint observation projects. This program suits students with a solid foundation in math and physics, who enjoy hands-on experiments or programming, and are curious about the ocean. If you are interested in climate change, typhoon path prediction, or marine energy development, this major will be a great fit.