Oceanography - Home

Courses offered in oceanography provide an interdisciplinary scientific approach to the study of the biological, chemical, geological and physical parameters of the ocean. Pierce College offers students two areas of emphasis, general and biologic, from which to choose. The general emphasis includes more courses on geology, chemistry, and weather. The biologic emphasis has more emphasis on plants and animals.

Transfer possibilities

Students working toward their transfer degree typically take a variety of courses designed to fulfill the general requirements of most four-year colleges and universities. Students intending to transfer to a four-year college for further training in oceanography are encouraged to work closely with their advisor to ensure they meet the requirements of the college they wish to attend after Pierce.

Oceanography Major: General emphasis

  • ATMOS 101: Introduction to weather
  • BIOL& 160: General biology w/lab
  • CHEM& 161-163: General chemistry w/lab I-III
  • GEOL& 101: Intro to physical geology
  • MATH& 146: Intro to statistics
  • OCEA& 101: Intro to oceanography
  • OCEA 170: Marine biology
  • MATH& 141-142: Pre-calculus I and II
  • MATH& 151-153: Calculus I-III
  • PHYS& 221-223: Engineering physics I-III

Oceanography Major: Biologic emphasis

  • BIOL& 211-213: Majors: Cellular/Animal/Plant
  • CHEM& 161-163: General chemistry w/lab I-III
  • OCEA& 101: Intro to oceanography
  • OCEA 170: Marine biology
  • MATH& 141-142: Pre-calculus I and II
  • MATH& 151: Calculus I
  • PHYS& 121-123: General Physics I-III

Ronald May
Division Chair (FS)
(253) 964-6736

Robert Sager
Coordinator (FS)
(253) 964-6671

Beth Norman
Earth Science Instructor (FS)
(253) 964-6676

Ted Wood
Earth Science Instructor (FS)
(253) 964-6724

Tom Bush
Earth Science Instructor (PY)
(253) 840-8484