Oceanography
College of the Environment
The undergraduate program in Oceanography provides students with an interdisciplinary science background that prepares them for a broad range of careers. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts or a Minor in Oceanography. Oceanography partners with other departments to support interdisciplinary minors in Marine Biology, Climate and Arctic Studies.
Major category:
Minor available
Curricular options: B.A., B.S. Biological Oceanography, B.S. Chemical Oceanography , B.S. Physical Oceanography, B.S. Marine Geology & Geophysics
Area(s) of interest: Engineering option, Natural and environmental sciences
websiteDegree requirements
Applicant type
First-year students can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)
An application for general admission to the UW is required for all transfer students. UW accepts general applications for Autumn and Winter with some select majors allowing applications in Spring. Review your intended major’s website for information about which quarters it is open for admission.
Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.
Use the information below to help you prepare for this major. Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
- Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
- Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
- UW college and school graduation requirements
Department admission information
Students are strongly encouraged to prepare for the major before transfer.
It is critical for transfer students to complete as many of the core STEM prerequisites as possible before transferring to have a reasonable chance of meeting with success in the degree and graduating within satisfactory progress credit/quarter limits.
Calculus, general chemistry, and either the biology or physics sequences are recommended for completion before the autumn quarter of the junior year.
Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
Courses RECOMMENDED for admission:
- BIO 180 NSc – Introductory Biology
- BIO 200 NSc – Introductory Biology
- MATH 124 NSc RSN – Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
- MATH 125 NSc – Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
- PHYS 121 NSc RSN – Mechanics
One of the following:
- ESS 101 NSc – Introduction to Geology and Societal Impacts
- ESS 210 NSc – Physical Geology
- ESS 211 NSc – Physical Processes of the Earth
One of the following:
- CHEM 120 NSc RSN – Principles of Chemistry I
- CHEM 142 NSc RSN – General Chemistry
One of the following:
- BIO 220 NSc – Introductory Biology
- MATH 126 NSc – Calculus with Analytical Geometry III
- PHYS 122 NSc – Electromagnetism
- CHEM 152 NSc RSN – General Chemistry (if CHEM 142 is taken)
Entering transfer information:
Total undergraduates: 100
Total from Washington community colleges: 16
Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):
3.75 – 4.00: <5
3.50 – 3.74: <5
3.25 – 3.49: <5
3.00 – 3.24: <5
2.75 – 2.99: <5
2.50 – 2.74: <5
2.49 and below: <5