The B.S. in Physics and Physical Oceanography program is unique in the entire United States. It is jointly offered by the Physics Department and the Graduate School of Oceanography. Students in this program are optimally prepared for graduate studies in oceanography.
This program includes a comprehensive background in physics and a solid introduction to physical oceanography. The curriculum includes a full set of physics and mathematics courses required for a B.S. in physics, with extra emphasis on classical physics, plus additional upper-division or graduate-level courses in fluid dynamics and physical oceanography.
The senior physics research project (PHY 483 and 484) will be undertaken in the Graduate School of Oceanography under the supervision of a GSO faculty member. In addition, students may find summer employment or participate in oceanographic research cruises after their junior year.
Students graduating in this course of study are well prepared to pursue careers in conventional physics or physical oceanography. Technical positions in private or government oceanographic research laboratories are available for physical oceanographers at the B.S. level. Students who continue on to graduate studies should expect to find high demand for physical oceanographers with advanced degrees. It is recommended that students planning to attend an oceanography graduate school take PHY 520 (Classical Dynamics); students wishing to keep open the option of physics at the graduate level should take PHY 452 (Quantum Mechanics). Students entering the URI Graduate School of Oceanography from this program will have a significant head start compared to those entering from most other undergraduate institutions.
In order to transfer into the College of Arts and Sciences from University College for Academic Success, students must have 24 earned credits and a 2.00 or higher GPA.
A total of 129 credits is required for graduation.
January 2025
University of Rhode Island
Kingston Campus,
75 Briar Lane,
KINGSTON,
Rhode Island,
2881, United States
You are a first-year applicant if you are graduating from secondary school and have never enrolled in college, or if you have attended secondary school and college during the same time period (dual enrollment) or have taken some college-level courses during secondary school.
Admission to the University of Rhode Island is competitive, and each candidate receives individual consideration.
English Proficiency Requirements:
All international applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. English language proficiency may be demonstrated by one of the following:
Duolingo English Test (DET): minimum score of 105
TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 79
IELTS: minimum score of 6.5
Cambridge English: Advanced: 176-184
Pearson Test of English: minimum score of 53
Eiken Test of English: completion of level Pre-1
Application Deadlines: June 1 (Fall Semester); December 1 (Spring Semester)
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
