What does an oceanologist do?

Today among the professions that are popular among adolescents and young people, the word "oceanologist" more often sounds. But an oceanologist is not a well-known profession. Experience shows that the guys inspired by the Discovery Channel programs dream of underwater travel, interesting life on yachts or science boats, etc. However, considering the profession of an oceanologist very romantic and attractive, most potential students do not imagine a circle of responsibilities, nor directions of work, nor universities that can provide the relevant education.

Let's try to understand. What does an oceanologist do? The answer "studying the ocean" does not say anything. There are many areas of work that differ in their specificity, the problems they are considering, even the way of life that the scientist will have to lead. The profession of an oceanologist implies:

• Study of the oceanography of the shelf. Scientists occupying these problems collect and systematize data from experimental studies of the shelf zone, investigate the composition of the waters in the coastal zone, their dynamics, properties, and so on.
• The study of physical oceanography and oceanology. These experts are studying the influence of the ocean on climate formation, ice composition, sea currents, etc.
• Study of commercial oceanology. This industry is responsible for the wise use of world ocean resources.
• Ecological research and protection of the ocean.
• Study of polar oceanology.

We found out what the oceanologist is doing. But where exactly do scientists conduct their studies? What is their place of work?

As in any science, there are many methods of ocean research. The place of work depends on the type of work, the nature of the study.

Conditionally work places can be divided, but one should take into account that each scientist has to combine different types of employment. There are no "cabinet" or "practical" specialists.

So, the profession of an oceanologist involves work:

• On oceanographic vessels. It is with them that observations are made, samples are taken, and so on.
• In hydrographic services. Today they are under the aegis of the navy. These specialists are engaged in hydrometeorological, navigation, topogeodetic support of the fleet.
• In the underwater and ground laboratories. Here, the collected materials are classified, experiments are conducted, samples are examined.
• In scientific research institutes. This is perhaps the widest range of activities, including all possible types of research from collection of samples to building scientific theories.

What the oceanologist is doing is now clear where he can work, too. And what qualities should a person have that has connected his activity with studying the ocean?

This fascinating but rather rare profession implies a profound knowledge of many natural and mathematical sciences. The oceanographer can not do without biology and mathematics, physics, chemistry, geography, climatology. It does not matter what the oceanologist is doing specifically. He must have the following skills:

• Know the above sciences.
• Have a clear understanding of geographical processes and climatic features.
• Own the techniques of safe underwater diving.
• Be able to collect, analyze and interpret samples.

You can obtain the profession of an oceanologist at the Departments of Moscow State University, at the specialized universities of Rostov-on-Don, Vladivostok, and at some branches of the naval institutions. We also train specialists in St. Petersburg, Simferopol and Kaliningrad. About entrance examinations and requirements to entrants it is necessary to learn directly in educational institutions.