Oceanography and You

Everyone has a direct link with the ocean.  Historically, the ocean has been used for transportation, fisheries, and for obtaining other natural resources.  The ocean controls our weather, moderates our climate, and provides a variety of recreation opportunities.  Increasingly, people are turning to the ocean as a source of food, energy, and other resources making the ocean a focus of local, national, and international political policy debates.  Instead of Planet Earth, we might consider calling our home “Planet Ocean.”

About Our Program

Palomar College's Oceanography Program provides several courses in oceanography along with laboratory experience. Together, they introduce the interdisciplinary nature of marine science.  The program is part of the Earth, Space, and Aviation Sciences Department (ESAS).  Selected sections of Oceanography 100 Lecture are taught in an on-line format.  Field trips in the Oceanography 100 Lab focus on understanding oceanographic aspects of coastal San Diego County.   A 4-day field course (OCN195) to explore the Southern California coast is offered as budgets permit. Students may also examine special topics or complete internships at neighboring research institutions for credit through Directed Study (OCN295). Our program also has a long-held tradition of hosting speakers invited from the professional community of oceanographers to discuss topics of special interest.

Faculty

Courses are taught by three full-time faculty and adjunct instructors.  All instructors are well-qualified with M.S. or Ph.D. degrees and come from a variety of backgrounds in industry and research.  The program is part of the Earth, Space, and Aviation Sciences Department (ESAS).

Transfer opportunities

Coursework in oceanography is transferable to any 4-year college or university. Course offerings in oceanography provide excellent lower division background toward degrees in geology, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, environmental science, and oceanography. Undergraduate studies in marine science or general oceanography are possible at a few select schools; however, most career positions in oceanography require graduate degrees.

Click here for information about our textbooks

OCN 100 Text: Essentials of Oceanography, 10th Edition, Trujillo and Thurman, Pearson Education © 2011.

OCN 100L Text: Laboratory and Field Exercises in Oceanography, 8th Edition, Deen, Yon, and Trujillo © 2012.