New M&S Grad Certificate in Oceanography Approved by SCHEV
Description of Certificate:
This certificate was developed to meet critical needs in ocean, coastal, and estuarine environmental analyses through modeling and simulation. Faculty developed the program so that students can gain competency in modeling and simulation related to significant waterways—oceans, bays and estuaries—thus providing greater opportunities for jobs in oceanography.
The state legislature and university officials have designated "Modeling and Simulation" (M&S) as an important area in a variety of curricula. The field of modeling and simulation has rapidly become an integral part of nearly all aspects of ocean sciences, from numerical modeling of ocean circulation and simulations of ecosystems to statistical analysis of oceanic data. The certificate will address these areas throughout the curriculum.
Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Modeling and Simulation in Oceanography will:
Understand and be able to apply practical, quantitative methods and tools commonly used in the ocean sciences to simulate and forecast properties of the ocean and ocean circulation which directly impact the health of ecosystems at all scales (ocean, coastal ocean, bays, and estuaries).
Understand practical aspects of oceanographic data collection, analysis, and interpretation, and numerical models that advance our knowledge of such challenges as climate change and the impact of climate change on the ocean and the coastal ocean environments such as the Chesapeake Bay.
Apply this knowledge to effectively communicate scientific results orally as well as through data visualizations and written communications such as seminars, conference presentations and peer-reviewed journal articles, to both scientists and non-scientists.
These skills and competencies will allow graduates to pursue positions in national federal labs, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and others. Graduates may also seek research jobs in academia that require knowledge of modeling and simulation techniques of oceanographic environments including coastal oceans and estuaries like the Chesapeake Bay.
Target Audience:
Faculty will target graduate students in all disciplines of oceanography (physical, biological, chemical and geological). They will also target current industry or government professionals, all of whom can benefit from a working understanding of modeling and simulation applications to ocean sciences.
Curriculum Requirements:
This curriculum is designed for those who wish to broaden their knowledge of modeling and simulation, along with related principles and practices as applied to the ocean sciences. Courses cover important aspects of oceanographic data discovery, identification, collection, analysis (time-series and GIS), and how data are used in modeling, simulation and visualization.
Total Number of Credit Hours: 13 graduate credit hours
All courses are existing offerings at Old Dominion University.
Required:
MSIM 601 Introduction to Modeling & Simulation (3 credits)
OEAS 551 Data Collection and Analysis in Oceanography (4 credits)
OEAS 605 Introduction to Ocean Modeling and Prediction (3 credits)
Restricted Elective (select one):
OEAS 519 Spatial Analysis of Coastal Environments (3 credits)
OEAS 704 Time Series in Oceanography (3 credits)
OEAS 708 Simulation Techniques for Ocean Circulation (3 credits)
OEAS 755 Mathematical Modeling of Marine Ecosystems (3 credits)
Certificate Coordinator:
Professor Tal Ezer, Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography, Department of Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Email: tezer at odu.edu
