A presentation targeted at students from secondary schools.

1. MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY
AND THE ENVIRONMENT (MOSTE)
NATIONAL
OCEANOGRAPHY
DIRECTORATE

2. CAREERS IN
MARINE SCIENCE
and
OCEANOGRAPHY
By
Prof. Dr. Ho Sinn-Chye

3. 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.

4. 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…).

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

6. 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?

7. 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:

8. 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,

9. Physical Oceanography
It 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.

10. Chemical Oceanography
It 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.

11. Biological Oceanography
It 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.

12. Geological Oceanography
It 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.

13. Ocean Engineering
It 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.

14. 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.

15. JOB OPPORTUNITIES
FOR
OCEANOGRAPHERS

16. WHAT KINDS OF JOBS ARE
AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE
WITH AN EDUCATION IN
OCEANOGRAPHY?

17. 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

18. 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?

19. National OceanographyNational Oceanography
Directorate (NOD)Directorate (NOD)
…… as the nationalas the national Focal PointFocal Point forfor
Oceanography Research andOceanography Research and
Development in MalaysiaDevelopment in Malaysia
Committed to Excellence in the Marine SciencesCommitted to Excellence in the Marine Sciences

20. NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY DIRECTORATE
FUNCTIONFUNCTION
As a national focal point and to spearheadAs a national focal point and to spearhead
marine science R&D through the promotion ofmarine science R&D through the promotion of
quality research, human resource developmentquality research, human resource development
and sustainable utilization of marine resourcesand sustainable utilization of marine resources
and commercialization of R&D outputs.and commercialization of R&D outputs.
KD Perantau (TLDM)
RV Mirai (JAMSTEC)

21. Hydrographic ResearchHydrographic Research
 Vertical profiling of seawaterVertical profiling of seawater
propertiesproperties
 Identification of water massesIdentification of water masses
 Ocean mix-layered dynamicsOcean mix-layered dynamics
 Ocean modellingOcean modelling

22. Hydrographic ResearchHydrographic Research
and Hydro-informaticsand Hydro-informatics

23. Ocean-Coastal
Dynamics

24. Ocean-Atmospheric InteractionsOcean-Atmospheric Interactions
GLOBAL
WARMING
CLIMATE
CHANGE

26. Video Clip: Courtesy of NOAA

27. Marine Ecosystem Health

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

30. Epicenter of Marine BiodiversityEpicenter of Marine Biodiversity
Source: J.E.N. Veron and Mary Stafford-Smith. Corals of the World (AIMS 2000)
Reef-BuildingReef-Building
Coral SpeciesCoral Species(Scleractinia)
GLOBAL
EPICENTER

31. Coral Reef Hot-SpotsHot-Spots

32. Integrated Coastal ManagementIntegrated Coastal Management
Enhancing the
sustainable
development of
coastal resources
and the marine
environment

33. Marine and EstuarineMarine 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 sensitivityEcosystem analysis and sensitivity
mappingmapping
 Environmental Risk AssessmentEnvironmental Risk Assessment
 Harmful algal blooms (e.g. red-tides)Harmful algal blooms (e.g. red-tides)

34. 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.

35. Marine BiotechnologyMarine Biotechnology
and Biomedicineand Biomedicine
 Marine pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals &Marine pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals &
biomedical applicationsbiomedical applications
 Molecular biology research, genomics &
proteomics on marine organisms
 Commercial applications of marineCommercial 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 & bioremediationMarine pollution control & bioremediation
of degraded systemsof degraded systems

36. New Uses of Living Marine Resources
(Marine Biotechnology)

37. Jellyfish Sting Prevention
Sun Block
Anti-Jellyfish

38. Natural Co-Existence
Jellyfish Sting Prevention
Sun Block
Anti-Jellyfish
Sea
Anemone
Clown Fish

39. Analytical and EnvironmentalAnalytical 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 hydrocarbonPolynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon
metabolite analysismetabolite analysis

40. Seabed Mining And Ocean Drilling

41. Transport, Fate And EffectsTransport, Fate And Effects
Determinations For MarineDeterminations For Marine
Contaminants and PollutantsContaminants and Pollutants
 Food chain analysis & bioaccumulationFood chain analysis & bioaccumulation
studiesstudies
 Toxicological evaluation of dredgedToxicological evaluation of dredged
sedimentssediments
 Metal pollutants clean-up by microbesMetal pollutants clean-up by microbes
 Marine spill response support, cleanupMarine spill response support, cleanup
assessment & remedial techniquesassessment & remedial techniques
 Ocean waste disposal studiesOcean waste disposal studies

42. Alternative Energy Sources From
The Sea
Wind Energy
Wave Energy
Tidal Energy
Ocean Thermal Energy
Solar
Energy

43. Instrumentation Development

44. AKADEMI SAINS MALAYSIA

45. Antarctica ResearchAntarctica Research
1) Long range transport of biomass burning
aerosols
2) Influence of gravity waves on dynamics
of Antarctica boundary layer
3) Low elevation angle radio impairment
studies
4) Microwave Remote Sensing Application
5) Microbial Diversity

46. RSV Aurora Australis

47. RV MIRAI (JAMSTEC)

48. EXTREMOPHILES
Organisms 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.

49. UNCLOS Meeting At UN

50. 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

51. Marine SecurityMarine Security

52. TERRITORIAL CLAIMS BY VARIOUS COUNTRIES

53. 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.

54. 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

55. PREPARATION FORPREPARATION FOR
A CAREER INA CAREER IN
OCEANOGRAPHYOCEANOGRAPHY

56. Entry level positions for persons with:
1. High school certificate or diploma
2. Bachelor’s degree
3. Master’s degree
4. Doctorate (Ph.D.) degree
Note: Most entry level jobs minimally
require a bachelor’s degree in a natural
science from an accredited college or
university.

57. What high school courses are
necessary to prepare for a career
in oceanography?
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
Plus good
knowledge of
computer
applications

58. 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

59. 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)

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

61. http://www.womenoceanographers.org

62. Thank You
for Viewing