MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT (MOSTE)

NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY

DIRECTORATE

CAREERS IN MARINE SCIENCE

and OCEANOGRAPHY

By Prof. Dr. Ho Sinn-

Chye

SCIENCE is the systematic discovery of knowledge about the natural world.

MARINE SCIENCE is the general term for research conducted in oceans, coastal or inland waters connected to the sea.

Note: To be a good marine scientist one must first learn to be a good scientist.

What is Oceanography?1. It is a multi-disciplinary science

concerned with knowledge of the oceans and improvements in technology based on such knowledge.

2. It incorporates many scientific fields that can be applied to the marine environment (physics, chemistry, biology, geology, meteorology, geography, geodesy, etc…).

What do oceanographers do?Most oceanographers work in fields that use science to solve a particular problem in the ocean.

SOME CHALLENGING QUESTIONS:

1. What is the role of the ocean in limiting the greenhouse effects?

2. What kinds of pharmaceuticals can be found naturally in marine organisms?

3. How does sea-floor spreading relate to the movement of tectonic plates?

4. What economic deposits are there on the sea floor?

5. Can rogue waves be predicted?

6. What is the role of long-shore transport in the distribution of sand on the beach?

7. How does a particular pollutant affect organisms in the marine environment?

8. What …? How …? Why …? etc …

SOME CHALLENGING QUESTIONS:

The study of oceanography is typically divided into different academic disciplines of study:1. Physical oceanography

2. Chemical oceanography

3. Biological oceanography

4. Geological oceanography

5. Other disciplines (ocean engineering, marine archaeology, marine policy, etc…)

Physical OceanographyIt is the study of how and why oceans moves, including examination of waves, currents, eddies, gyres and tides; the ocean-atmosphere relationship that influences weather and climate; and transmission of light and sound in the oceans.

Chemical OceanographyIt is the study of the chemical composition and properties of seawater; its processes and cycles; how to extract certain chemicals from seawater; the effects of pollutants; and chemical exchanges between atmosphere and ocean.

Biological OceanographyIt is the study of marine organisms and their relationships to one another; their adaptations to the marine environment; and developing ecologically sound methods of harvesting seafood.

Geological OceanographyIt is the study of ocean basins, ocean floor and the coastline to learn about the history of the earth; to search for mineral resources (oil or metals); and gather information on global warming, sea-level rise and coastal erosion.

Ocean EngineeringIt is involved with the design and construction of scientific equipment and installations for use at sea.

It also studies the interaction of the sea with the works of humankind.

Marine Policy and Law:It covers a broad range of ocean resource management issues including the laws, regulations and policies concerning ocean environmental quality, fisheries, coastal zone management, marine biodiversity, marine archaeology and aquaculture.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR

OCEANOGRAPHERS

WHAT KINDS OF JOBS ARE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WITH AN EDUCATION IN

OCEANOGRAPHY?

Job positions include:1. Physical oceanographers

2. Chemical oceanographers, geochemists

3. Biological oceanographers, marine biologists, fisheries scientists

4. Geological oceanographers, geophysicists

5. Marine and ocean engineers

6. Marine archaeologists

7. Marine policy experts

1. Universities, colleges and scientific research institutions

2. Federal, state and local government agencies

3. Private-sector companies

4. International organizations

5. Non-Governmental Organizations

Where do oceanographers work?

National Oceanography National Oceanography Directorate (NOD)Directorate (NOD)

… … as the national as the national Focal PointFocal Point for for Oceanography Research and Oceanography Research and Development in MalaysiaDevelopment in Malaysia

Committed to Excellence in the Marine SciencesCommitted to Excellence in the Marine Sciences

NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY DIRECTORATEFUNCTIONFUNCTIONAs a national focal point and to spearhead As a national focal point and to spearhead marine science R&D through the promotion of marine science R&D through the promotion of quality research, human resource development quality research, human resource development and sustainable utilization of marine resources and sustainable utilization of marine resources and commercialization of R&D outputs. and commercialization of R&D outputs.

KD Perantau (TLDM)

RV Mirai (JAMSTEC)

Hydrographic ResearchHydrographic Research Vertical profiling of seawater Vertical profiling of seawater

propertiesproperties Identification of water massesIdentification of water masses Ocean mix-layered dynamicsOcean mix-layered dynamics Ocean modellingOcean modelling

Hydrographic Research Hydrographic Research and Hydro-informaticsand Hydro-informatics

Ocean-Coastal Dynamics

Ocean-Atmospheric InteractionsOcean-Atmospheric InteractionsGLOBALWARMING

CLIMATE CHANGE

Video Clip: Courtesy of NOAA

Marine Ecosystem Health

Ecology (biodiversity, habitats)Ecology (biodiversity, habitats) Living and non-living resources Living and non-living resources Aesthetic values (natural vista)Aesthetic values (natural vista) Recreational valuesRecreational values Historical & archaeological valuesHistorical & archaeological values Educational & cultural values Educational & cultural values Development (tourism, energy, water) Development (tourism, energy, water)

Epicenter of Marine Biodiversity Epicenter of Marine Biodiversity

Source: J.E.N. Veron and Mary Stafford-Smith. Corals of the World (AIMS 2000)

Reef-Building Reef-Building Coral SpeciesCoral Species(Scleractinia)

GLOBAL EPICENTER

Coral Reef Hot-SpotsHot-Spots

Integrated Coastal ManagementIntegrated Coastal ManagementEnhancing the

sustainable development of

coastal resources and the marine

environment

Marine and Estuarine Marine and Estuarine Environmental Effects AnalysisEnvironmental Effects Analysis Fishery resource damage assessmentFishery resource damage assessment Coastal wetland habitats restorationCoastal wetland habitats restoration Coral bleaching indicatorsCoral bleaching indicators Ecosystem analysis and sensitivity Ecosystem analysis and sensitivity

mappingmapping Environmental Risk AssessmentEnvironmental Risk Assessment Harmful algal blooms (e.g. red-tides)Harmful algal blooms (e.g. red-tides)

MALAYSIAN CENTRE FOR REMOTE SENSING (MACRES)

To develop remote sensing technology, GIS and other relevant technology through research and applying them in areas of environmental and resource management.

Marine Biotechnology Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicineand Biomedicine Marine pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals & Marine pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals &

biomedical applicationsbiomedical applications Molecular biology research, genomics &

proteomics on marine organisms Commercial applications of marine Commercial applications of marine

substances and processes (e.g. anti-substances and processes (e.g. anti-biofouling agents & marine adhesives)biofouling agents & marine adhesives)

Marine pollution control & bioremediation Marine pollution control & bioremediation of degraded systemsof degraded systems

New Uses of Living Marine Resources(Marine Biotechnology)

Jellyfish Sting Prevention

Sun BlockAnti-Jellyfish

Natural Co-ExistenceJellyfish Sting Prevention

Sun BlockAnti-Jellyfish

Sea Anemone

Clown Fish

Analytical and Environmental Analytical and Environmental ChemistryChemistry

Trace contaminant analysisTrace contaminant analysis Hydrocarbon finger printing analysisHydrocarbon finger printing analysis Trace-element analysis of water, Trace-element analysis of water,

sediments and organismssediments and organisms Organometallic constituent analysisOrganometallic constituent analysis Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon

metabolite analysismetabolite analysis

Seabed Mining And Ocean Drilling

Transport, Fate And Effects Transport, Fate And Effects Determinations For Marine Determinations For Marine

Contaminants and PollutantsContaminants and Pollutants Food chain analysis & bioaccumulation studiesFood chain analysis & bioaccumulation studies Toxicological evaluation of dredged sedimentsToxicological evaluation of dredged sediments Metal pollutants clean-up by microbesMetal pollutants clean-up by microbes Marine spill response support, cleanup Marine spill response support, cleanup

assessment & remedial techniquesassessment & remedial techniques Ocean waste disposal studiesOcean waste disposal studies

Alternative Energy Sources From The SeaWind Energy

Wave Energy

Tidal Energy

Ocean Thermal Energy

SolarEnergy

Instrumentation Development

AKADEMI SAINS MALAYSIA

Antarctica ResearchAntarctica Research1) Long range transport of biomass burning

aerosols2) Influence of gravity waves on dynamics

of Antarctica boundary layer3) Low elevation angle radio impairment

studies4) Microwave Remote Sensing Application5) Microbial Diversity

RSV Aurora Australis

RV MIRAI (JAMSTEC)

EXTREMOPHILESOrganisms that thrive where other microbes don’t dare venture: boiling water holes, freezing lakes, and toxic waste dumps.

Example: Metanogens found in deep ice of Antarctica and elsewhere in the deep ocean trenches.

Metanogenium spp.

UNCLOS Meeting At UN

MARITIME ZONES UNDER UNCLOS 1982 200 + X 200 X 24 12

Nautical Miles HIGH

SEAS CONTINENTAL

SHELF THE

AREA EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE

(FISHING ZONE)

CONTIGUOUS ZONE

INTERNAL WATERS

TERRITORIAL SEA

Contiguous Zone Limit

EEZ Limit

Territorial Sea Baseline

Continental Shelf Limit

Territorial Sea Limit

Area within the Limits of National Jurisdiction The Area

Marine SecurityMarine Security

TERRITORIAL CLAIMS BY VARIOUS COUNTRIES

Royal Scientific Expedition to the South China Sea (“ROSES”)

In the planning …

H.M. The Yang Di-Pertuan Agung has consented to become the royal patron of this scientific expedition.

MV “REEF CHALLENGER”Oceanographic Research Vessel

Owned by the Halim Mazmin Group

Overall Length: 48.08 m

Gross Tonnage: 273 Ton

Breadth: 8.60 m

Designed Draft: 3.10 m

Speed: 11.5 Knots

Fuel Tank: 220.06 m3

PREPARATION FOR PREPARATION FOR A CAREER IN A CAREER IN

OCEANOGRAPHYOCEANOGRAPHY

Entry level positions for persons with:

1. High school certificate or diploma

2. Bachelor’s degree

3. Master’s degree

4. Doctorate (Ph.D.) degreeNote: Most entry level jobs minimally require a bachelor’s degree in a natural science from an accredited college or university.

What high school courses are necessary to prepare for a career in oceanography?

• Mathematics

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Biology

Plus good knowledge

of computer applicatio

ns

What university courses are relevant if you major in oceanography?

• Mathematics

• Physical oceanography; geophysics

• Chemical oceanography

• Marine biology; marine ecology

• Marine geology; geography

• Computer science

Other relevant university courses if you wish to pursue a career in oceanography

• Marine engineering

• Marine archaeology (with background in archaeology or anthropology)

• Marine policy studies (with social science background, i.e. law, economics, political science)

Malaysia’s First Floating Campus?Towards Vision 2020 …Towards Vision 2020 …

http://www.womenoceanographers.org

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