Oceanography is the study of the physical, chemical, and biological features of the ocean, including the ocean’s ancient history, its current condition, and its future.
Limnology, is the study of inland aquatic ecosystems.
Limnology and Oceanography is a bimonthly peer-reviewed scientific journal focused on all aspects of limnology and oceanography.
About Programme:
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme involves a 3 –year thesis/ research work into a problem in the area of specialisation.
There is no course work for Ph.D. students but where necessary, a student may be required to take some prescribed courses at the masters’ level. Students at this level start the thesis research from the first year and are expected to complete after 3 years before the award of a Ph.D. Degree.
Rationale
The PhD in Oceanography and Limnology is geared towards training highly qualified professional limnologists and oceanographers who will are able to apply the principles of limnology and oceanography to solving current socio-ecological problems for sustainable development.
The programme is also expected to produce highly motivated aquatic resource managers and planners with critical scientific knowledge necessary for understanding the risks and benefits of freshwater and marine ecosystems management decisions.
PhD Programme Structure
Candidates admitted with Bachelor’s degree and/or a taught Master’s degree (e.g., MSc) will pursue a 4-year PhD programme; candidates admitted with a research-based Master’s degree (e.g. MPhil) will pursue a 3-year PhD programme.
PhD programmes are offered only in full-time mode. The periods of study are as follows:
| Degree | Total Period of Study | *Course work | Normative Duration of Research |
| 3-year PhD | 36 months | – | 24 months |
| 4-year PhD | 48 months | 2 semesters | 24 months |
*This applies only to candidates admitted with Bachelor’s degree for 4-year PhD programme; they will be required to take courses on discipline-specific knowledge and research skills. Candidates admitted with a taught Master’s degree will undertake 4-year research.
Supervisors may recommend appropriate courses to equip students for their research work and thesis writing.
Candidates for 3-year PhD programme may be recommended to audit requisite courses.
The total credit load for each PhD programme is as follows:
| PhD Programme Structure | Credits | ||
| Year I | Semester I | Courses | 15 |
| Semester II | Courses | 15 | |
| Sub-total | 30 | ||
| Years II | Semester I | Thesis [preparation and defence of research proposal (6 credits); literature review and reconnaissance/pilot (6 credits)] | 12 |
| Seminar | 3 | ||
| Semester II | Thesis [data collection] | 12 | |
| Seminar | 3 | ||
| Sub-total | 30 | ||
| Years III | Semester I | Thesis [data collection] | 12 |
| Seminar | 3 | ||
| Semester II | Thesis [data collection and analyses] | 12 | |
| Seminar | 3 | ||
| Sub-total | 30 | ||
| Years IV | Semester I | Thesis [data analyses and thesis write-up] | 12 |
| Seminar | 3 | ||
| Semester II | Thesis [thesis write-up, submission and defence] | 12 | |
| Seminar | 3 | ||
| Sub-Total per Year | 30 | ||
| *Total (Minimum Credits) | 120 |
*Total credit for candidates admitted with MPhil (3-year PhD) will be 90.
Entry Requirements:
The minimum admission requirement for the PhD programmes is a research-based master’s degree in a relevant Science or Engineering discipline or equivalent qualification from a recognised university.
In addition, the applicant must demonstrate a strong interest in research, development, and innovation in science and technology.
Target Group
Candidates with background in oceanography and limnology-related fields such as marine meteorology, coastal engineering and processes, geomorphology and aquatic ecology.
Expected Output
Trained high level manpower to carry out teaching, research and extension in tertiary and other research institutions.
High-level personnel with engineering capacities in the oceanographic and related fields produced.
Trained graduates capable of mentoring lower-level personnel to model oceanographical and limnological processes
Progression Requirements
Students pursuing 4-year PhD must pass all required course work (grade C minimum)
All students should present their research proposals successfully in a seminar
All students must make good progress on the research activities and submit biannual progress report to the Department and UCC School of Graduate Studies (SGS)
All students must participate in at least 75% of the regular seminars organized by the Department and SGS.
Graduation Requirements
A candidate will be considered successful if his/her PhD thesis:
Passes both internal and external assessment (60% minimum score)
Is successfully defended in a viva voce (60% minimum score).
In addition, candidates must satisfy all SGS and UCC requirements for graduation.
Goal / Objectives:
At the end of the programme, graduates will be able to:
apply acquired scientific knowledge and research methods to analyse and address socio-ecological problems, culminating in the creation of new knowledge and advancement in the fields of Oceanography and Limnology
work independently to evaluate and analyze problems related to aquatic ecosystems.
Career Opportunities:
You can find jobs in the following areas:
Government agencies like the Fisheries Ministry
NGOs engaged in an aquatic environmental campaign
Industries in fish processing and canning
Firms engaged in commercial fishing.