Marine Science

Marine scientists, or oceanographers as they're also known, are largely concerned with the study of the physical, chemical and biological processes that occur in the sea, and the complex interactions between them. Oceans and seas are vitally important in many ways; providing food, energy and minerals making it a rewarding and satisfying career option

Current Climate
Employment prospects are good and the demand for graduates is continuing to grow as public awareness of the effects of polluting the sea increases. It is an area that the government are forced to pay heed to; ensuring that funding will be a certainty in the future.

Know Your Place
Oceanographers study and analyse damage to ocean environments, and find out if humans are making safe use of the sea's resources.

Marine geologists offer advice to multinational energy companies planning to drill for oil or gas in a particular underwater area.

Marine engineering is concerned with the design, construction, maintenance and operation of a vessel's propulsion machinery and associated equipment and systems. Seagoing marine engineers work on a wide variety of vessels, including container ships, passenger liners, pipelaying vessels, and oil or gas platforms or in an onshore technical departments.

Marine biologists study and preserve declining species of fish or plantlife. They take and test samples from organisms, to find out more about certain species and to see if they are affected by human activity. Marine biologists look at environmental damage, for instance to coral reefs, and explore ways to make safe use of the sea's resources.

Show Me The Money
Depending on the area you choose your wage will differ considerably. The most financially beneficial sector is probably that of marine engineering where starting wages are in the region of €30,000 which will rise to upwards of €80,000 upon promotion to a Chief Marine Engineer; something that most graduates can hope to achieve by the age of 30.

Other beginning wages in marine science are usually around €25,000 which rises with experience.

Top Tip
Competition for this profession is very high so you should be prepared to travel to gain relevant experience that you will need to be gain successful employment.

Further Resources
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Johnstown Castle Estate
Co. Wexford
Phone: 053 9160600
Web: http://www.epa.ie/ 
Email: info@epa.ie   

The Marine Institute
Galway Technology Park
Parkmore
Galway
Phone: 091 730 400
Web: www.marine.ie
Email: institute.mail@marine.ie

Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
29-31 Adelaide Road
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 678 2000
Web: www.dcmnr.gov.ie
Email: press.office@dcmnr.gov.ie 

WHOI Sea Grant – Marine Careers
MA 02543-1525
USA
Web: www.whoi.edu