Oceanography

Oceanography is the study of the world's oceans, including aspects of its biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and meteorology, among many others. Oceanography covers a wide range of topics, including marine life and ecosystems, ocean circulation, plate tectonics and the geology of the seafloor, and the chemical and physical properties of the ocean.

There are four categories of Oceanography:

1. chemical oceanographers  study the composition of seawater and the chemical interaction of seawater with the atmosphere and sea floor. They also monitor the chemical composition of the ocean water to better understand how they shape the planet. They may study pollution or help find naturally-occurring resources on the seafloor .
2. Biological oceanographers study plants and animals in the marine environment. This can involve working with research animals or taking trips into the ocean to perform different experiments, collect data, or track the animals.
3. Geological oceanographers explore the ocean floor and the processes that form its mountains, canyons, and valleys. They may study undersea volcanic activity and its relation to the movement of tectonic plates or the deep oceanic trenches that plunge thousands of feet. They also examine volcanic processes, mantle circulation, hydrothermal circulation, magma genesis, and crustal formation.
4. Physical oceanographers study the physical processes in the ocean, including waves, tides, currents, eddies, and the interactions with the atmosphere.  

In fact, ocean scientists and their tools have advanced so much that they can even measure the temperature, depth, and salinity of the oceans from space using satellites!

How do you become a oceanographers:

Oceanographers usually receive a background education in biology, physics, chemistry, and geology, but they generally go on to focus their research within one field or the other. There are a few schools that offer undergraduate Bachelor's degrees in marine biology, however, most oceanographers further their study before seeking work. Usually, there are internships and assistant-level positions available for those with only undergraduate degrees. To get a more prominent position as an oceanographer, students usually go on to acquire a Master's or PhD level education before become ocean scientists.