The Synergy Project
What would happen if you brought together scientists and artists to immerse themselves in each other’s worlds and create art works based on science?
In this premier marine science graduate program, students have the resources of two world-class institutions—Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution—at their fingertips. With unmatched access to instruments, ships, technology and scientific guidance, our students can tackle some of the biggest scientific and engineering questions of our world.
INFORMATION FOR
Prospective Students
Current Students
Faculty and Staff
Visitors
Alumni
Partner institutions
Fields of Study
The goal of the MIT-WHOI Joint Program is for each student to achieve his/her full intellectual potential in a chosen area of research. Depending on their specific interests, students can either choose a disciplinary focal area or engage in interdisciplinary research spanning multiple focal areas and complementary fields (see the Joint Program Interdisciplinary Statement).
Disciplinary focal areas:
- Applied Ocean Science and Engineering
- Biological Oceanography
- Chemical Oceanography
- Marine Geology and Geophysics
- Physical Oceanography
Interdisciplinary focal areas:
- Climate Variability and Impacts
- Individualized course of study across two or more disciplines
The Interdisciplinary Statement provides guidelines for a student to formulate an individualized course of study. Recent examples of customized courses of study for numerous topics can be seen here.
Students at Work
Bacteria Hitchhike on Tiny Marine Life
Graduate student Amalia Aruda investigates complex, little-understood relationships between tiny marine animals called copepods and the bacteria that live on them, including those that cause cholera.
Groundwater: The River No One Sees
Groundwater that enters the coastal ocean from underground aquifers carries nutrients and pollutants, but scientists have lacked good techniques to measure that flow. Joint Program student Meagan Gonneea travels to the Yucatan Peninsula, where she is developing a method to use coral skeletons to track the flow of groundwater into the coastal ocean.
Events and Announcements
Graduate Fellowship Opportunities
Whether you are a current Joint Program student or a prospective student applying to the program, remember there may be a fellowship available to you. Many of the deadline dates for fellowship applications are due in the next few months.
Look at many of the funding opportunities available to graduate students. »
The Synergy Project
What would happen if you brought together scientists and artists to immerse themselves in each other’s worlds and create art works based on science?
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2012 MIT/WHOI Joint Program Picnic and Beach Day
MIT students are invited to come visit Cape Cod at the annual MIT/WHOI Joint Program Picnic and Beach Day on Saturday July 28. It is always lots of fun and a good excuse to spend a day down at the Woods Hole campus - hit the beach, play some kickball or Frisbee, and enjoy some BBQ!
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WHOI Graduate Reception
Save the date for the annual WHOI Graduate Reception: June 6, 2012.
Panteleyev Award
Since 2002, the George "Gera" P. Panteleyev Award is annually conferred on the graduating student who best exemplifies the graduate education experience and graduate student life at WHOI. The 2012 recipient is Erin Bertrand.
Joint Program Applications
We are currently accepting applications to the MIT-WHOI Joint Program for 2013.
Following the Ice: Greenland 2012
Joint Program Student Ben Linhoff spends a second three months in Greenland.
Georneys: Geological Musings, Wanderings, and Adventures
Joint Program student Evelyn Mervine writes about geology, travel, the life of a grad student, and other musings on her blog, Georneys.
Cure for Cymophobia
Joint Program student Sarah Rosengard makes her first research cruise, one through the Southern Ocean from South Africa to Australia studying the Great Coccolithophore Belt.
Student Awards
At various times throughout the year, MIT/WHOI Joint Program students may receive recognition for a poster, a presentation or receive a fellowship of some kind for their research.
See a list of the most recent awards the Joint Program students have received. »
MIT-WHOI Tropical Marine Biology
Follow six Joint Program students as they spend two weeks participating in a field course on tropical marine biology at the Liquid Jungle Lab in Panama.
2010 H. Burr Steinbach Visiting Scholars
The next 2010 H. Burr Steinbach Scholars will be visiting the week of October 25. See the profiles of all three scholars this year and view the upcoming schedule.
WHOI-Duke University Fellowship Program
The WHOI Marine Mammal Center and the Nicholas School of the Environment of Duke University are seeking fellowship applications from graduate students studying marine mammal science at either institution to apply to conduct research in the lab of an advisor from the other institution for periods of 3-6 months. Applications due: January 31, 2011.
Fall Term Has Begun
The Fall Term for the Joint Program began on Wednesday, September 8, 2010.
New WHOI Associate Dean
Dr. Margaret K. Tivey has been announced as WHOI's Associate Dean. She joined the Academic Programs Office team in August 2010. Meg is also a Senior Scientist in WHOI's Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department.
We welcome Meg and thank Dr. Jim Price for his wonderful dedication to WHOI's educational programs for the past four years as Associate Dean.
2010 Commencement
WHOI's Joint Program commencement and related activities were held on June 4 and 5. On Friday, June 4, an alumni association meeting was held followed by a career panel discussion with current students. In the evening, a lobster bake was held under the tent in McKee ballfield. On Saturday, June 5, despite a terrible thunderstorm moments before, the graduation ceremony proceeded as planned. Four students were awarded master's degrees, and fourteen students recieved doctoral degrees. Eighteen recent alumni (received degrees between 2006-2009) were recognized as well. Dr. Rita Colwell gave an inspirational speech to the graduates, and a luncheon followed the ceremony. The next commencement at WHOI is scheduled for 2015.
MIT/WHOI Joint Program Open House
The MIT/WHOI Joint Program will be holding an Open House from March 14 to March 16 for applicants accepted into the program. This Open House is by invitation only. Those invited will be notified at the end of February when final admissions decisions are made.
Ketchum Award
The Ketchum Award was established in 1983 to honor an internationally recognized scientist who demonstrates an innovative approach to coastal research, leadership in the scientific community, and who provide a link between coastal research and societal issues. The next award presentation will take place on April 28, 2010. On Thursday, April 29, Dr. Cloern will speak to students and postdocs on "A Short Tutorial on Scientific Writing and Publishing."
Congratulations Dr. Cloern!
See more about the Ketchum Award and its recipients, as well as a more detailed schedule. »